Stability is not only crucial for comfortable and easy walking, but also for safety. Obviously, not being stable on your feet makes it harder and more stressful to get around. Having to make sure your shoes don’t fall off or slip out of place puts a strain on the foot and can cause foot fatigue and aches. In addition, instability puts you at a greater risk for injuries since you’re more susceptible to slips and falls. All in all, nothing good can come out of it.

As a disclaimer, the truth is that wedge flip flops are one of the least stable shoe styles out there simply because of their flimsy nature. We do have some products on the list that ranked very high on stability, but that’s relative to other potential options.

One important factor for stability is the straps. Their role is to strap the foot down securely to the sole and prevent it from slipping and sliding out of place. In terms of strap width, wider is better because more surface area is covered. If they’re tight, that’s good too – though then there’s a higher risk for skin irritation from friction. You’ll also want straps that come farther up the foot rather than sits near the toes – the center and heel of the foot bear most of your weight rather than the toes, so the straps should be nearer to the center.

Another factor determining stability is the shape of the footbed. This is especially important for wedge flip flops, where support provided by the straps is minimal compared to that provided by most types of uppers. Though good arch support and a deep heel cup are praised for ensuring better alignment of the foot – which is certainly true – it’s less-known benefit is ensuring the foot stays in place. When the dips and rises on the footbed match the contours of the foot, it holds it in place like two puzzle pieces. A smooth footbed, on the other hand, cannot hold on to the foot as effectively, not to mention also offering less structural support.

In short, snug, wide straps and a good footbed contour are important for wedge flip flops if you want stability. Just keep in mind that the former could lead to unwanted friction – while the latter’s just a double-win.

Traction comes hand-in-hand with stability but focuses more on the outsole rather than the overall footwear construction. Traction is what prevents you from slipping on icy sidewalks and snowy streets. Though most prioritized for winter footwear, they're also important for summertime shoes because you might be encountering wet pool decks or smooth floors.

The degree of traction provided is determined by the outsole pattern. For maximum traction, athletic footwear has multi-directional grooves (eg. horizontal zigzags) that prevent slipping in all directions. Athletes can then turn on smooth courts without losing their balance.

Now, we may be talking about wedge flip flops rather than court shoes here, but the concept is the same. When checking out wedge flip flops, look for grooves in the shape of exaggerated zigzags, hexagons, or triangular patterns. Avoid those with straight lines or very shallow patterns.

To give you some background information, wedge flip flops are a type of footwear that has been around since the 1930s. They were created by the Italian designer Salvatore Ferragamo using cork and wood. Cork is an excellent material because it molds to the shape of the foot through time to provide customized comfort and arch support. However, through time the cost of cork increased and the cost of leather and rubber decreased, which is why most wedge flip flops nowadays are made of the latter two materials.

Moving on to the technicalities: with these, you're at an advantage because this style of heel is much more stable and comfortable than thinner heels. The outsole has maximum contact with the ground, giving you better balance.

When combined with a high platform, the benefits are increased. Instead of only elevating the heel, the sole of your foot is brought higher up thanks to the platform. That way your foot isn't as slanted, but you still get the same boost in height and leg-lengthening effect. It's true that too high of a platform can cause more imbalance, but it's much better than having to strain your foot with each step because the heel is too high compared to the sole. However, it can also increase the risk of ankle sprains, so be careful with that.

Heel height is also important. The higher the heel, the bigger the risk for injury, discomfort, and fatigue. However, you also want the elegant, feminine look that comes with it. 3-inches is the most typical heel height because it's comfortable for all-day wear but also stylish. However, that's a bit high for wedge flip flops, which tend to be less stable. With wedge flip flops, we recommend around two inches - short enough to avoid discomfort, but also trendier and more dressy than a one-inch heel.

The type of materials used determines both durability and overall comfort of a pair of wedge flip flops. An equilibrium between the two is ideal, but it's good to simply seek a good balance that suits your purposes and conditions.

First of all, most wedge flip flops are made from synthetic materials. This refers to man-made fabrics like EVA, vinyl, and patent leather and suede. It's most common because it is lightweight, cheap, and water-resistant, which is ideal for summer shoes. However, poor-quality synthetics can cause discomfort - for instance, when rigid plastic is used in the toe post or straps. It could cut into the feet, causing pain and even bleeding.

However, good synthetics can be a pro. As mentioned, they are lightweight, inexpensive, and waterproof. They don't weigh you down when walking and are often thin and flexible. Certain synthetic materials used in high-quality and pricey shoes can be soft as well.

Another material commonly used is leather. This material is known as luxurious because it was rare and high demand in the past. It is stretchy, flexible, and extremely durable. It's also breathable and can change through time to better suit the shape of the foot. It's much pricier than synthetics, but the benefits are also more rewarding.

The final criterion we have is the overall comfort. It's obvious why this factor is important, but when shopping online it's difficult to evaluate it because you can't try on or feel the wedge flip flops for yourself.

Comfort is essentially a result of the combination of all the other factors listed already. Stability, heel height, and traction help you stay steady and keep your feet in healthy alignment, while materials determine the feeling of the shoe against your skin. However, some other factors must be considered when shopping for wedge flip flops.

Size is one of them. With the wrong size shoe, you could suffer from foot strain and fatigue. This is especially true for wedge flip flops, which already take more effort to walk in than, say, sneakers. Before purchasing a pair, make sure to check their product descriptions and determine whether they run true to size, or slightly larger or smaller. This way you can make adjustments to your order based on your actual shoe size. The good thing is, you don't have to worry about making room for socks with wedge flip flops, which is the main cause of headaches for boot sizing.

Something else to consider is cushioning. Though wedge flip flops generally don't provide much cushioning, the thickness of the wedge heel makes a difference - it can provide more than the typical cheap flip flops. EVA, and cork in the midsole provide very good shock absorption, so keep your eyes peeled for those.