Archies Arch Support Flip Flops Land at Shirley Allum

Arch support flip flops are usually a trade-off: proper support, or a flip flop you would actually wear on holiday. Archies has just landed at Shirley Allum, and it does not ask you to choose. Several flip flop colours, plus matching slides, all built around a moulded orthotic footbed designed by a physiotherapist rather than a shoe brand.

The idea started with a Melbourne physiotherapist who kept hearing the same complaint from patients: supportive footwear never looked like something you would actually want to wear. Archies built the fix into a single-piece mould, so the arch and heel support sit inside a flip flop that still looks like a flip flop. You can read more about the brand's own design story on the Archies Footwear website.

• Why Archies arch support flip flops are different
• Flip flops or slides: which style suits you
• Colours in stock at Shirley Allum
• Caring for your Archies
• Frequently asked questions

Why Archies arch support flip flops are different

Most flip flops give you a flat slab of foam and call it a day. Archies moulds a proper arch into the footbed, roughly 2.2cm at its deepest point, with a deep heel cup that cradles rather than just cushions. The whole thing is cast as one piece. No separate plugs or straps bonded on afterwards, which is usually where a cheap flip flop starts to fail.

That single-piece build also means the foam softens and shapes itself to your foot over time. A few weeks in, and a pair genuinely starts to feel like it was made for you, not just sized for you.

Flip flops or slides: which style suits you

The flip flops keep the classic toe-post shape, in colours including Lilac, Brown, Navy, White, Pink and Hot Pink. They pack flat, dry fast, and work as well on decking as they do on sand. The slides swap the toe-post for one wide, contoured strap, currently in Navy or Black. That suits anyone who finds a strap between the toes irritating after an hour, or just wants something quicker to kick off at the back door.

Either way, the sole underneath is the same orthotic build. Browse the full Archies Footwear range or the wider sandals collection to compare styles side by side.

Colours in stock at Shirley Allum

We are stocking a range of flip flop colourways, including Lilac, Brown, Navy, White, Pink and Hot Pink, alongside Navy and Black slides. Hot Pink, Navy and White currently have the fullest size runs. Brown has nearly sold through already, so if that is the colour you want, do not leave it too long.

Sizing runs UK 3 to 9, depending on colour and style. If you are normally a half size, size up to the next full size. That is Archies' own guidance, and it holds across the whole range.

Caring for your Archies

Care is refreshingly simple. Rinse under running water, shake off, and let them air dry. No machine washing, no conditioning, none of the faff some sandals demand. The closed-cell foam does not hold water the way canvas or leather straps do, so a quick rinse after the beach is genuinely all they need.

Wear them in gradually if you are switching from a flat flip flop. Real arch support feels different underfoot for the first few wears. Then it just feels normal, and going back to a flat sole starts to feel wrong.

Shop Archies Arch Support Flip Flops

Frequently asked questions

Do Archies flip flops run true to size?

Mostly, yes, but if you are normally a half size, Archies recommend sizing up to the next full size. This applies across the whole range we stock, from the toe-post flip flops to the wider slides. UK sizing runs from 3 to 9 depending on colour and style, so check the size options on the product page before you order, especially if you cannot try a pair on in the shop first.

What is the difference between Archies flip flops and Archies slides?

Both use the same moulded orthotic footbed, with the same arch shape and heel cup underneath. The flip flops use a slim toe-post strap, the classic shape most people picture. The slides swap that for one wide, contoured strap across the top of the foot, which some people find more comfortable for longer wear or easier to slip on and off.

Can Archies flip flops get wet?

Yes. The closed-cell foam is built for exactly that: pool days, the beach, wet decking. Rinse them under running water afterwards and let them air dry naturally. They are not machine washable, but they do not need to be, since the material sheds water rather than absorbing it.

Are Archies flip flops good for foot pain or plantar fasciitis?

Archies were designed by a physiotherapist specifically to bring proper arch support into an everyday flip flop, which is why many people with foot pain or conditions like plantar fasciitis reach for them. They are not a medical device and cannot replace advice from a podiatrist or physiotherapist, but the moulded arch and heel cup offer noticeably more structure than a standard flat flip flop.

How do I clean Archies flip flops?

Rinse under running water, give them a shake, and leave them to air dry somewhere out of direct sun. Do not put them in the washing machine or tumble dryer. The material is designed to cope with sand, sea and rain without any special treatment, so this simple routine is genuinely all they need.

Can I try Archies flip flops in store in Shaftesbury?

Yes. Our current Archies range is in stock at 30 High Street, Shaftesbury, so you can try sizes and colours in person before you decide between the flip flops and the slides. If you cannot get in, everything is also available to order online with UK delivery.