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OluKai Ohana - Women's Review

A durable flip flop that feels amazing, offers good support, and handles water like a pro
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olukai ohana for women flip flop review
The Ohana offers great support, as long as you get the right size.
Credit: Matthew Blake
Price:  $75 List
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Manufacturer:   Olukai
By Hayley Thomas & Penney Garrett  ⋅  Jun 11, 2021
81
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#2 of 14
  • Comfort - 30% 10.0
  • Support - 20% 8.0
  • Traction - 20% 7.0
  • Versatility - 15% 7.0
  • Style - 15% 7.0

Our Verdict

Whether you are someone who lives in flip flops, or someone who only busts them out on summer weekends, the OluKai Ohana has the potential to change the way you think about warm weather footwear. The first time each of our testers slipped on this sandal, eyes widened, and audible sounds of pleasure were uttered. The footbed has a magical and luxurious texture that is meant to mimic the way it feels to stand in wet sand with bare feet. It is a quality that sets the Ohana apart from all the other shoes we tested. Compare it to top competitors in our review of the best women's flip flops.
REASONS TO BUY
Very comfortable
Grippy footbed
Stable
REASONS TO AVOID
Sporty look
Runs a bit big

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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line A superbly comfortable flip flop that handles water well and provides good supportStylish, comfortable, and highly supportive, this is an amazing and durable sandal that can handle more activities than you might thinkThough the look of these flips won't be for everyone, they are superbly comfortable and adjustableA great way to experience the amazing contouring of a classic Birkenstock without forking over a ton of moneyWhile it may lack contour, the yoga mat footbed makes for a pleasantly comfortable experience and the wide straps are just the icing on the cake
Rating Categories OluKai Ohana - Women's Birkenstock Gizeh Clarks Breeze Sea Birkenstock Gizeh E... Sanuk Yoga Mat
Comfort (30%)
10.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
9.0
Support (20%)
8.0
10.0
9.0
8.0
6.0
Traction (20%)
7.0
7.0
6.0
7.0
6.0
Versatility (15%)
7.0
6.0
7.0
6.0
6.0
Style (15%)
7.0
9.0
7.0
7.0
8.0
Specs OluKai Ohana - Women's Birkenstock Gizeh Clarks Breeze Sea Birkenstock Gizeh E... Sanuk Yoga Mat
Sole Material Non-marking rubber or gum rubber EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) TPR (thermoplastic rubber) EVA Rubber
Footbed Material Molded EVA with soft ICEVA drop-in footbed Cork lined with suede Synthetic EVA EVA
Strap Material Water-resistant synthetic nubuck leather lined with quick-drying jersey knit Birko-flor (PVC) lined with fleece Synthetic EVA 95% synthetic/5% polyester
Weight (per pair) 13.7 oz (size 9) 13.5 oz (size 39) 5.0 oz (size 9) 6.5 oz (size 40) 5.0 oz (size 8)
Available Sizes 5 - 12 US 35 - 46 EU 5 - 12 US 35 - 46 EU 5 - 11 US
Animal Products No Yes No No No
Length 10.75" (size 9) 10.625" (size 39) 10.65" (size 9) 11" (size 40) 10.25" (size 8)
Length of Toe Box (just above toe post) 1.75" 1.50" 1.50" 1.375" 1.50"
Unique Features ICEVA (soft EVA) drop-in footbed Adjustable strap, contoured footbed that molds to feet Adjustable velcro strap Adjustable straps Made from real yoga mats

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Ohana excelled in almost all our rating metrics. It's an incredibly comfortable and supportive shoe that provides decent enough traction to impart confidence and security if you end up on an impromptu hike. It does run a bit wide and loose, so if you are a half size, you may want to size down, and if you have narrow feet, be prepared to have extra wiggle room. While it looks great with a casual dress, it has a sporty and athletic vibe that pairs more naturally with shorts or activewear. All in all, we love this flip flop and feel it's a durable and reliable item.

Performance Comparison


olukai ohana for women flip flop review - the ohana has a molded drop-in iceva footbed that feels both...
The Ohana has a molded drop-in ICEVA footbed that feels both comfortable and supportive in all kinds of conditions.
Credit: Matthew Blake

Comfort


The Ohana elicits an "oooooh ahhhh" factor when you first put it on; this is thanks to the cushy inset ICEVA footbed, meant to mimic what it feels like to stand in wet sand with bare feet. It's a pretty unique textural feeling unlike any other flip flop in our test suite.


While the footbed material doesn't repel or absorb water as quickly as some of the other models we tested, it continues to feel pleasurable to have on and walk around in when wet. The synthetic nubuck leather straps are wide enough that they don't dig into the foot, and they have a bit of padding underneath for added comfort. The fit on the Ohana is broad and roomy, something to keep in mind if you have narrow feet or you're a half size, as it can cause the shoe to feel less supportive and secure.

olukai ohana for women flip flop review - the ohana felt amazing on our feet, making it an easy shoe to love...
The Ohana felt amazing on our feet, making it an easy shoe to love and want to take almost anywhere.
Credit: Matthew Blake

Support


The Ohana has a gracefully contoured footbed with decent arch support, giving it far more support than a minimal flat shoe.


Our chief tester has narrow, size 8.5 feet. We ordered a 9 and an 8 to compare the difference. The 9's ended up feeling less supportive because of the looser fit and added width. This is a trend we see discussed repeatedly in online customer reviews as well. While we still felt confident and secure in the 9, the size 8 felt much more supportive and not too tight, so we suggest sizing down if you are between sizes and have narrower feet.

Traction


We assessed traction for our flip flops by considering both how sticky the bottom outer sole felt as well as how effectively the internal footbed gripped our feet. The Ohana finishes well above average because of the soft yet grippy ICEVA footbed.


When completely saturated, we had some brief moments of insecurity in the Ohana, but this is true of almost any flip flop. And once the water absorbed into the footbed, we went back to feeling confident and at ease, more so than with most other pairs in our review.

olukai ohana for women flip flop review - the ohana's footbed is comfy and supportive.
The Ohana's footbed is comfy and supportive.
Credit: Matthew Blake

The outsole traction is impressive as well. While it is not the best in our test suite, we found that the soft rubber paired with grooves is effective in its ability to get a grip on the ground, even if it's loose or wet. Overall the traction of this flip is suitable for most conditions, but like many other flips in our test suite, you're not going to want to be going on any crazy hikes.

olukai ohana for women flip flop review - on most terrain this flip flop feels really secure.
On most terrain this flip flop feels really secure.
Credit: Matthew Blake

Versatility


The Ohana scores a little above average in the versatility department. It is a well-made, casual shoe that looks great with everything and is comfortable enough for long walks. That being said, you may want something a little heartier and with a heel strap if you plan to hike steep mountains or cross rushing rivers.


The footbed of the Ohana absorbs water as opposed to repelling it, which results in a rather long drying time. But as long as you are not wading through a river or constantly dousing it, the footbed remains very grippy. Despite all the obstacles we put the Ohana through — everything from mud pits to river beds to sharp rocks — we found that the darker colors barely looked a day past brand new when all was said and done. The lighter colors, on the other hand, didn't fare as well in the mud pits. No surprise, but keep that in mind when choosing your color.

olukai ohana for women flip flop review - while the ohana doesn't dry as quickly as several of the other flip...
While the Ohana doesn't dry as quickly as several of the other flip flops in our review, once water absorbs into the footbed it feels pleasant and cooling to wear while damp.
Credit: Matt Blake

This flip flop is best on flat terrain but the grippy footbed helps the foot stay put if you have to tackle a hill or two. Generally speaking, this shoe is most at home on long city park walks or casual outdoor adventures, rather than steep loose terrain. However, regardless of how you use these flip flops, the rubber and synthetic leather meet high-quality construction, making for a highly durable warm weather companion.

olukai ohana for women flip flop review - above-average traction and decent style make the ohana a relatively...
Above-average traction and decent style make the Ohana a relatively versatile summer shoe.
Credit: Matthew Blake

Style


Style is decent for the Ohana but nothing over the top. We polled a group of women to determine style rankings, and repeatedly this flip ended up in the middle of the pack.


While this sandal isn't unattractive by any means, it does have more of a sporty, active look which is why it pairs best with more casual clothing. That being said, if you like to sport an active flip with a simple summer dress for a picnic in the park, the Ohana will work just fine. We don't expect you'll be choosing this option for a fancy dinner or a night out on the town though.

olukai ohana for women flip flop review - with a sporty look and a wide fit, the ohana isn't a style favorite...
With a sporty look and a wide fit, the Ohana isn't a style favorite, but it's still an attractive shoe that can be dressed up or down.
Credit: Matthew Blake

Value


While this flip costs considerably less than some of the fancy leather models we tested, it's no drop in the bucket. And after spending about five minutes in these flip flops, you'll know, as we do, that the price tag is well worth it. If you want your feet to love you all summer long, shell out the bucks for the Ohana, we don't think you'll regret it.

Conclusion


Honestly, we can't think of too many flip flop scenarios where we wouldn't want to be wearing the OluKai Ohana. It excelled across almost all of our metrics and made our feet feel like they were walking on clouds. It's fantastically comfortable, well constructed, and able to deal with all kinds of conditions. While the sporty look isn't for everyone, this is still a decently attractive shoe that offers great support, traction, and durability. It runs a bit wide, so if you're a half size you will almost certainly want to size down, and people with narrow feet should be aware that the sandal might feel a bit loose. If you're looking for a classic sporty sandal that will regularly make your feet feel like royalty, this is a great one to consider.

olukai ohana for women flip flop review - hey! try on this flip flop, we think you'll love it!
Hey! Try on this flip flop, we think you'll love it!
Credit: Matthew Blake

Hayley Thomas & Penney Garrett