Sandals are the first sign for most Americans that the seasons are changing and summer is on the horizon, and it’s time to let our toes out of our socks and enclosed shoe prisons. If you are fortunate enough to live in a climate where you get to wear sandals all the time, consider this your reminder of how blessed you are.
There are many different types of sandals to meet your needs, and in this article, we are going to focus on a couple of the staples in everyone’s closet, American-made flip-flops and slides. Whether you need a pair to just wear to the pool or a nicer pair for work or an event, there is a style out there for you.
List of American Sandals and Flip Flops
Island Slipper IB910 Flip Flop (Great Vacation Flip Flop)
| Estimated Price | $70 |
| Sizes Available | 5-16 |
| Suggested Use | Casual Wear |
| Outsole | Rubber |
| Insole | EVA |
Product Origin and Manufacturer Information:
The Island Slipper brand started in Hawaii in 1946 by creating their products by using old tires for the soles of their shoes due to shortages caused by World War II. This shows that the company is willing to do whatever it takes to keep its business going, no matter what the surrounding circumstances may be. Their original sandal style sold for $3.75.
In 1989 the owner at the time introduced a new slipper design to the line of products with full arch support, a contoured cup heel, and a molded rubber outsole that is made to stand up to all-day wear, which ended up creating a new standard for the flip-flop industry. These standards are continued today in their factory in Hawaii, where all of their styles are manufactured.
What We Like and Don’t Like About These Slippers
The Island Slipper uses an EVA insole that molds to the shape of your foot, creating a customized footbed just for you. The last that they use to create the sandals is designed to keep the shoe on your feet for many miles of adventure. If you are unable to make it to Hawaii for a vacation, purchasing your pair of Island Slippers from Amazon could help fill that void and still make you feel like you are one with the Island. Not only is the flip-flop comfortable and stylish, but it is also made with heart and history that can not be duplicated.
Who We Recommend These Slippers For:
This Island Slipper is designed for anyone who wants a casual, everyday wearing sandal to keep them in summertime mode as long as possible. For those of us in the midwest, that timeframe isn’t always as long as we would like it to be, but we take full advantage of any warm days to wear our flip-flops. This Island Slipper would be a great staple to any man’s closet to enjoy the long summer days and dream of being on the beach in Hawaii.
Oka B Grayson (Great Men’s Slide)
| Estimated Price | $35 |
| Sizes Available | 7-13.5 |
| Suggested Use | Casual Wear |
| Outsole | Rubber |
| Insole | Rubber |
Product Origin and Manufacturer Information:
The Oka-B brand is a branch off of the Okabashi brand that was founded in 1984 and continues to manufacture all of its products out of its facility in Buford, Georgia. They encourage their customers to recycle their well-loved styles back to the company. An average pair of Oka-B Sandals contains 25% recycled materials. Their shoes are made with a soy bio-based material that, along with reflexology designs, promotes overall foot wellness in this style as well as across the brand.
What We Like and Don’t Like About These Slippers
The Grayson slide is a great option for a pair of sandals that you need to have by the door and can slip on at any time. You will want to read the reviews before you decide what size to order because many of the reviews stated to make sure and order a size up from what you normally wear. The heel cup in this style helps to keep your foot neutral while also providing support which is a nice extra for the price point this sandal is at.
Who We Recommend These Slippers For:
This style is available in black, navy, and brown which makes it a great pick for the simple guy who wants a great pair of slides without any fancy frills. It is easy to clean and works with your feet the longer you wear them. There are so many uses for these sandals. Whether you’re a woman looking for something to wear to the spa or a guy who just needs to wear outside, these are perfect.
NuuSol Cascade (Great Unisex Flip-Flop)
| Estimated Price | $40 |
| Sizes Available | 4-15 |
| Suggested Use | Casual Wear |
| Outsole | EVA |
| Insole | EVA |
Product Origin and Manufacturer Information:
The NuuSol brand was founded in 2018 by Tony and Chance Stevenson. They are a family run business whose core principles are to make all of its products stylish, affordable, comfortable, and produced in the United States. They name all of their styles after towns that inspire their designs, and this one was named after Cascade, Idaho which is where their business was started.
What We Like and Don’t Like About These Slippers
The Cascade is a great pick for a small investment in your foot health. This style is recommended to help with foot issues such as plantar fasciitis because it has a deep heel cup to help keep your foot in a neutral position to keep the weight of your body distributed more evenly. As someone who has dealt with this issue, if you enjoy wearing sandals and can help prevent the issue to begin with, I would highly encourage it.
This style is offered in many different color options going from the neutral basics to brighter splashes of color for those who like a little bit more pop on their feet. They are also easy to clean and maintain and will continue to become more comfortable the longer you wear them.
Who We Recommend These Slippers For:
The NuuSol Cascade is made for anyone who enjoys wearing flip-flops but still wants to provide a solid foundation for their feet. There are many flip-flop options out there, but there aren’t as many that are American-made and good for your feet.
Oka-B Maxwell (Great Unisex Slide)
| Estimated Price | $30 |
| Sizes Available | 5-12 |
| Suggested Use | Casual Wear |
| Outsole | Bio-Based Material |
| Insole | Bio-Based Material |
Product Origin and Manufacturer Information:
The brand information for Oka-B is listed above under the Grayson model, but it never hurts to reiterate that the brand focuses on using their bio-based materials to provide their signature arch support and cupped heel to add stability to all of their styles. Keeping their brand in their hometown of Buford, Georgia, is also an ode to the loyalty of the brand.
What We Like and Don’t Like About These Slippers
The Maxwell style is a great-looking style of the double-strapped slide that you can wear anywhere. This style has also been featured on Oprah’s “Daily O” list for summer outdoor entertaining must-haves. There are a variety of colors to choose from to keep all customers happy, from Citrine to Slate and everything in between. I would recommend double-checking the size chart since it is a unisex style.
Who We Recommend These Slippers For:
This slide would be recommended for anyone needing a classic slide with a little bit more pizazz that can be worn from the pool or to the mall. The double-strap style makes it a little bit dressier than the one large strap across that many slides have. It also helps if your arch is a bit higher because the two straps give more leeway than just one when first putting the slide on.
Oka-B Women’s Bristol (Great Women’s Flip-Flop)
| Estimated Price | $35 |
| Sizes Available | 6-11 |
| Suggested Use | Casual Wear |
| Outsole | Bio-Based Material |
| Insole | Bio-Based Material |
Product Origin and Manufacturer Information:
One thing to add regarding the Oka-B brand is that when you put on a women’s style of Oka-B sandals you can rest assured that you’re in good hands because their leadership team is run by females with a large focus on the female styles that are created. We are focusing on more of the casual options in this article, but there are many dressier options available as well.
What We Like and Don’t Like About These Slippers
The Bristol style is designed to accommodate a wide range of fits with its more open style. The scalloped edges of the straps add a nice detail to make this a flip-flop that can be worn to the beach or the office, whichever you are going to for the day.
The colors are also a great fit to move from casual to dressier settings. There is an all-black option which is timeless for all styles, as well as camel-colored soles with colors like pink salt, salt, sea-foam, and aged gold, that adds just enough color to brighten the day, but not so much that it becomes overwhelming.
Who We Recommend These Slippers For:
This style would be recommended for anyone wanting a nice flip-flop with decent support, including massage beads in the arch support. They are also easy to maintain and can be thrown into the washing machine if needed. The colors and classic style make it a great option to have in your closet if you have a long day where you need to go from a more business setting to a casual setting and don’t have time to change.
Eliza B Macrame Sandal (Great Prep Flip-Flop)
| Estimated Price | $52 |
| Sizes Available | 6-12 |
| Suggested Use | Casual Wear |
| Outsole | Rubber |
| Insole | Leather |
Product Origin and Manufacturer Information:
The Eliza B Brand came from a daughter wanting to expand her father’s business to include something more exciting. Cecil Lyon is the owner of Leatherman, Ltd which is a business that started making leather belts. In the late 90s, Cecil’s daughter Eliza talked her dad into adding sandals to the product line.
All products are still manufactured at their facilities in Essex, Connecticut, and continue to focus on the people behind the scenes to make their products great. One of the quotes from Cecil is that “We Talk product, but it’s really the people.” This understanding is what makes these American businesses stand out from the crowd. The investment is not only creating great products but is also going towards the American worker and their families.
They refuse to create a mission statement because they want their business to always be evolving and not trying to just be what they thought they were at the beginning. They do try and continually focus on some of their basic values, such as believing that good taste is timeless, civility is important, finding your shortcomings and owning up to them, and then find ways to improve, produce outstanding products that create value and keep your customers happy, and that teamwork truly is what makes the dream work.
What We Like and Don’t Like About These Slippers
The Eliza B Macrame Sandal is made with braided leather straps across the top and a rubber sole, most with a ⅞” heel which makes it nice if you are not wanting to feel all of the rocks under your feet. It is also nice if you want to add just a little bit of heel to dress up the style for a special event but don’t want to invest in a separate pair of shoes.
Also, pay attention when deciding what size to order, as many of the reviews stated that they ran quite a bit smaller than what they typically ordered. The reviews also mentioned that many of the customers were impressed with how long this style held up with lots of use.
Who We Recommend These Slippers For:
This style would be recommended for the woman looking for a great sandal with several different neutral color options to choose from. It also adds a bit of a dressy feature with the larger sole while still adding the convenience and comfort of a flip-flop. The icing on top is that when you purchase a pair of Eliza B sandals to add to your wardrobe you are supporting a family that started their business here in America and continues to support American workers today by expanding their brand but not losing sight of quality products.
Californians Jane Flip-Flop (Leather Flip-Flop)
| Estimated Price | $140 |
| Sizes Available | 5-12 |
| Suggested Use | Casual Dress |
| Outsole | Foam/Leather/Rubber |
| Insole | Leather |
Product Origin and Manufacturer Information:
The Californians are manufactured in Los Angeles, California in the Clover and Cobbler manufacturing facility that was started by an American girl with a dream, who then expanded her facility to brands like Californians.
This brand is inspired by the 1960s surf culture of California that was laid back, timeless, and where a day on the beach was better than a day in the office. The products are made in smaller batches to focus on quality over quantity.
They are also conscious of their impact on the planet as they have made all of their boxes 100% recyclable, and any leather scraps that they are unable to use in their products are passed along to other local businesses and artisans.
What We Like and Don’t Like About These Slippers
When I first clicked on this style, my initial reaction was that they are GORGEOUS! The colors of the leather are unlike any other style in this article, and although the initial investment is quite a bit higher, they are a style that will never go out. The Pecan color was my ultimate fave and has already been added to my wishlist.
With a mix of neutral and metallic leathers, this flip-flop can be used for everyday use or in an office that promotes business-casual attire. With it having a leather insole and covered outsole, it is only going to get softer and more fitted to your foot the longer you wear them.
Who We Recommend These Slippers For:
The Jane style from Californians is going to be a staple in any woman’s capsule wardrobe. If you are wanting a leather flip-flop that will go with you from the beach to the office and back home, this is the shoe for you. If you give this shoe the love and proper maintenance the leather needs, it could last you a lifetime, depending on the climate where you live and how often you can take advantage of flip-flop season.
I wouldn’t be completely scared away by the higher price, but would instead remember that you are buying the best leathers that can be found as well as supporting American workers and their families.
Sbicca Mazzi (Cork Footbed Sandal)
| Estimated Price | $75 |
| Sizes Available | 6-10 |
| Suggested Use | Casual Wear |
| Outsole | Rubber/Cork |
| Insole | Leather |
Product Origin and Manufacturer Information:
The idea for Sbicca was established in 1920 by Ernesta and Frank Sbicca in their kitchen in Philadelphia. They began making shoes out of their home and continued to build their ideas and styles.
In 1945 they followed their grandsons to California and established their brand officially, and this is where the company continues to thrive today. One of the slogans of their company is that they provide the shoes and you choose the adventure.
What We Like and Don’t Like About These Slippers
This is a great take on a very classic cork bed style with a t-strap upper. The distressed leather options of black, tan, and white could go with absolutely anything that you currently have or might buy. This look of leather is something unique in this style option and helps them stand out from their competition.
The cork bed sole will only get better the longer you wear them. They may be a little bit stiff at first, but don’t let that make you set them in the back of your closet. After getting past that initial stage, you will not want to take these sandals off. The lightweight style will mold to your feet, and as that happens, you will almost forget you even have shoes on.
Who We Recommend These Slippers For:
This sandal would be a great fit for any woman looking for a shoe that will grow with her through all of her stages of style, as it is a classic and will never go out. The neutral colors offer the ability to dress up some outfits while remaining casual when needed. Sbicca loves to celebrate women and all of their adventures, whether work-related or play, and it reflects in this style.
Popular Related Article: List of Great American Made Footwear Brands
SAS Sanibel (Good Support)
| Estimated Price | $160 |
| Sizes Available | 4-12 (width options available) |
| Suggested Use | Casual Wear |
| Outsole | Synthetic |
| Insole | Leather |
Product Origin and Manufacturer Information:
The SAS Brand (also known as San Antonio Shoes) was founded in 1976 by Terry Armstrong and Lew Hayden. In 1985 they expanded their business by building another factory in Del Rio, Texas. This provided them the option of building their brand while remaining true to their roots of building the best American products with the best leather and materials available and putting all of these things together on American soil.
The company also prides itself on taking care of its employees, and this detail is reflected in the fact that 42% of its staff have been a part of the SAS family for over 15 years. Some styles could go through approximately 80 pairs of hands throughout the building and inspection processes before it ever leaves the SAS factory.
If you are interested in seeing this process for yourself, SAS offers tours of their factory in San Antonio Mondays-Wednesdays, and they take about 45 minutes. They do ask that you call and RSVP beforehand as they have group sizes they have to go by to make sure everyone gets the full experience of the shoe-making process.
What We Like and Don’t Like About These Slippers
The SAS Sanibel is not your typical flip-flop. It gives the style of the classic sandal style with the support and technologies that SAS is famous for. There are adjustable leather upper and buckle closures which make the shoe completely customizable to your foot instead of the other way around. They also include a multi-layered Tri-pad footbed that comforts all three major pressure points of your foot and a wide base that increases stability.
If you are tired of only having basic colors to choose from, rest assured that you will not have this issue when purchasing this style. With 11 colors to choose from, including a mix of patent and matte leathers, you are sure to find at least one, if not more than one, that will work perfectly for you.
Who We Recommend These Slippers For:
This style of SAS would be great for anyone who wants to add a sandal to their closet but struggles with some of the simpler makes. With its wider sole and comfort insole, it gives you the best of both worlds. It also helps that there are different widths available for customers that sometimes struggle to find a sandal that fits them in the medium widths typically available.
SAS Cozy (Slide with Support)
| Estimated Price | $165 |
| Sizes Available | 4-12 (Different Widths Available) |
| Suggested Use | Casual Wear |
| Outsole | Synthetic |
| Insole | Leather |
Product Origin and Manufacturer Information:
The story of SAS and its history can be found above under the Sanibel style. As all of their styles are manufactured in the United States, you don’t have to research to see which ones are made where.
What We Like and Don’t Like About These Slippers
The SAS Cozy style is a two-strap slide that offers both support and classic style in one shoe. With the adjustable straps, this shoe can be a great fit for anyone with specific foot issues such as hammertoes or bunions. While working in an independent shoe store, I saw several different instances where this was the only shoe that customers with those issues could comfortably wear. The softness of the leather makes a zero-day break-in period and breaks a lot of barriers that some have to go through to find a pair of sandals.
This style offers six different colors to still give customers some variety to choose from. The broad footbed can mold to anyone’s foot at their natural arches and curves. This style has also been recommended by podiatrists.
Who We Recommend These Slippers For:
I would recommend this sandal for anyone who typically struggles to find a sandal that both fits and provides support. Sandals can be a bit more flimsy due to having less structure than your typical enclosed shoe or boot, but there are some reasons that you just need to have a pair of sandals. Thankfully, SAS created the Cozy style just for you. They are a bit on the higher end of price for a sandal, but you can be assured that you’re investing in high-quality materials and a shoe that will last you a long time.
This style is also available in a Men’s option with the same great technology and materials under the name “Encore.”
Conclusion:
Sandal season is always an exciting time of the year, especially for those of us who live in regions where Winter can be both mentally and physically draining. There are many different things people are looking for when they want to purchase a sandal, and thankfully there are many options to choose from that are both stylish, comfortable, and made in America.
I hope this article was helpful in your search and that you can find the perfect pair (or pairs) of sandals for your feet to enjoy for the spring and summer seasons so that your toes can soak up that Vitamin D they have been missing during the cold months.
The best part of Amazon shopping for sandals is that you don’t have to worry if you’re still rocking last season’s nail colors on your toes. However, if you are, go ahead and treat yourself to a pedicure to get your toes ready for those new sandals once they are delivered to your doorstep so you can be ready for your next adventure.
Hi, my name is Kevin and I’m from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Choosing products made in America is important to me because it supports local economies, creates jobs, helps the environment, and ensures ethical labor practices. I also find that American made products are usually of higher quality so although they’re a little more expensive, you save money in the long run. Before starting this website I was in the USMC infantry and nowadays I work on this website as a hobby.
If you go to the SAS website you’ll see all pages have a US flag but that is not where they are all made.
Hey Shirley, I just reached out to SAS to verify since things are changing all the time. Here is what they said:
Thank you for reaching out to us! All of our shoes are made here in Texas! The only styles that were not manufactured here would be the Women’s Italian Dress shoes. All of the other styles we have on our website are made in the US. We have a factory here in San Antonio, Texas and one located in Del Rio, Texas!
Then I asked if their sandals are also made in the USA. They said “yes, they are”