Dan Slater reviews OluKai ‘Ohana sandals:
"I don’t wear thongs. I don’t like that feeling of having to constantly grip something between my toes, or the way they slap you on the heel after every step, like a mini high-five for not falling over. I know what you’re thinking – you’re thinking by the end of the review I’ll be all like “Oh, I’m a convert. I’m only wearing thongs from now on!” Well don’t worry. I have my integrity.
OluKai hail from Hawai’i, where the word ‘ohana roughly translates as ‘family’, but in a deep and extended way, implying unbreakable bonds and a place of sanctuary. Not sure how this applies to a pair of flip flops, unless they’re a sanctuary for your feet, but it sounds good. After a few wears I begrudgingly admit they’re quite comfortable, or at least not as uncomfortable as all other thongs I’ve worn.
They’re wide fitting and the high arch plays a great supporting role within the soft and yielding ICEVA footbed. When wet, they don’t feel at all icky, and the underside of the synthetic straps is soft on the skin. The brain coral lug design is a nice touch, too.
I took them on a four day hike as my camp shoes, although my wife stole them on the second day so I didn’t get much use out of them there. I didn’t mind. I won’t be switching to thongs anytime soon, but if it did, I’d steal my ‘Ohanu back."
RRP: $89.95. Click here for more info.