I love wearing flip flops, and here in California you can wear them for much of the year.  Most flip flops--especially the drugstore cheapies-- offer little or no support and break down quickly.  While the thin soles are comfortable for lounging around and short walks, you can't walk around in them all day.

I've been on a quest for better quality thong type sandals that offer more of the support and cushioning that you would get out of an athletic or walking shoe.  Cost is no object.  I've had several, including the original Reef Fanning 'athletic'thong sandal, the new expensive Reef X-S-1 high tech sandal, Sperry Topsider Santa Cruz sandal, and this Teva Katavi Thong.  Of all of them, the Tevas are the best.  They offer the best combination of comfort, cushioning and support.

The original Reef Fannings are nice sandals, but the forefoot sole area is too thin and wears out pretty quickly.  It's easy to stub your toes, but the air cushion heel area holds up nicely.  The Reef X-S-1 is expensive, and it has the same thin forefoot area under the ball of the foot and the toes.  While the high tech running shoe trampoline heel is nice and cushiony, it is built up much more than the forefoot, making it feel like you're wearing a heel that's too high.  The Sperry Topsider Santa Cruz is a nice, luxurious sandal with real leather trim at a fair price, but it has the opposite problem: it's very flat and could use a tad more heel cushioning.  The forefoot thickness and cushioning is good, though the cushioning is somewhat firm.  They also run big, and my feet tend to move around because the straps are so loose on the feet.

The Teva Katavi is perfect.  It's true to size, has ample cushioning, and the perfect ratio of forefoot and heel cushioning.  Teva has been making excellent sport sandals that strap around the heel for years.  The soles of these Katavi flip flops are like the those of Teva's other sport sandals.  It's the perfect blend of enough cushioning without being too soft, and they don't break down quickly.

Eventually I will wear out my current pair of Katavi thongs because I wear them so much.  When I do, I am going to get another pair for sure.  They are the best pair of walking flip flops I've seen out there at any price.