Sanuk Yoga Mat II Sandals Review: Why I’m on My 4th Pair
After 4+ pairs of Sanuk Yoga Mat II sandals, here's the truth on fit, grip, comfort between the toes, and the one thing they're not built for.
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Quick Verdict
Four pairs deep and I keep clicking re-buy. The yoga mat footbed is the only flip flop that hasn’t shredded the skin between my toes, and the grip holds on a wet pool deck. They’re my summer default, just not my hiking shoe.
Buy if you:
- Live in flip flops from May to September
- Have lost skin to a thin rubber thong before
- Walk wet pool decks and want grip you can trust
- Want a soft footbed that doesn’t go flat in one summer
Skip if you:
- Want a hiking or all-day-trail sandal, these aren’t it
- Need an adjustable or supportive arch for plantar issues
- Plan to wear them in a downpour, they’re not water resistant
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| Footbed | Memory foam yoga mat, max cushioning |
|---|---|
| Outsole | Happy U tread, 53% recycled rubber |
| Platform height | 0.5 in |
| Weight | ~5 oz |
| Size range | US 5, 11 |
| Water resistance | Not water resistant |
I’ve Re-Bought These Four Times. On Purpose.
I don’t re-buy anything four times by accident. The Sanuk Yoga Mat II sandals are the only flip flop that’s earned that spot in my closet, and I’ve worn a lot of bad ones to get here. The cheap rubber pairs that saw the skin between my toes off by July. The cute ones that turned into a slip-n-slide on a wet pool deck. These are the pair I keep coming back to when the others fail 0:00.
Four pairs over several summers means I’ve watched the footbed mold, the tread wear, and the toe post soften, the things you can’t judge from a single unboxing.
What’s Actually Under Your Foot
The whole pitch is in the name: a memory foam yoga mat footbed. It’s the same squishy, slightly grippy material as the mat you do your downward dog on, and it’s set at a 0.5-inch platform. Each sandal weighs around 5 ounces, so there’s nothing heavy clapping against your heel when you walk.
Underneath is Sanuk’s Happy U tread outsole, made with 53% recycled rubber, and the jersey lining on the strap is recycled polyester. The strap itself is synthetic leather, pull-on thong style, no adjustability. They run US 5 through 11. I reviewed the Ebony, but there are several color options.
True To Size, And The Toe Post Doesn’t Bite
They fit true to size for me, no half-size guessing games 0:47. The bigger story is what happens between your toes. Most flip flops have a stiff little nub there that rubs you raw within a few hours, and by the end of a beach day you’re limping. The Sanuk thong is softer and broken in fast, so the spot that usually blisters just doesn’t 1:24.
The footbed is the reason I stopped shopping around. It compresses under your weight and springs back, so two hours on a concrete farmers market floor doesn’t leave the balls of your feet burning the way a flat rubber sole does. It’s not a Birkenstock cork bed, but nothing else at this price point comes close.
Grip On A Wet Pool Deck Is The Selling Point
The Happy U tread holds on wet surfaces, which is the whole reason I stopped buying gas-station flip flops 1:57. I’ve crossed slick pool decks and dripping shower-house floors without the heart-stop slide you get from worn-smooth rubber. The tread keeps its bite over time too, which is why my older pairs still feel safe rather than skating.
Wear over time is where the four-pairs thing matters. The footbed slowly molds to your foot and takes on the shape of where you stand. They don’t blow out in a single season the way budget pairs do, and the tread doesn’t smooth flat by August. That durability is the actual reason I keep re-buying instead of jumping brands.
They’re Not Your Hiking Shoe. Stop Trying.
These are flat. Great for a stroll, not for miles 2:31. The footbed is plush but there’s barely any structured arch support, so a long walk on hard pavement leaves your feet tired in a way a real walking sandal wouldn’t. I’d happily wear them around town, to the pool, on a boardwalk. I would not lace up for a trail or a full day of city walking and expect my feet to thank me.
The other thing worth knowing: that yoga mat foam soaks up life. Over enough sweaty summer days a pair can start to hold a little funk, the way any foam footbed eventually does 3:06. They don’t fall apart and they don’t reek out of the box, but if you wear flip flops barefoot all summer, expect them to smell like summer feet eventually. They’re also not water resistant, so a soaking is something to rinse and dry, not ignore.
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Sanuk Yoga Mat II Sandals
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Who Actually Lives In These
If you’re the person who kicks off your shoes at the door and grabs flip flops for everything from May to September, these are built for you. Pool days, the school pickup line in shorts, walking the dog around the block, throwing them in a beach bag, slipping them on after a workout when your feet want air. That’s the lane.
They also travel well at around 5 ounces each. I’d rather pack these than haul a heavier sandal, and they don’t take up much room in a carry-on. If your idea of a vacation involves a pool, a boardwalk, and a lot of standing around with a drink, they earn their spot in the bag. If your vacation is a 10-mile day on cobblestones, bring something with real support and save these for the evening.
What I’d Tell A Friend Before She Buys
Order your normal size, they don’t run weird. Buy the color you’ll wear with everything first, because once you trust a pair you’ll want a backup, and that’s exactly how I ended up on four. Rinse and air-dry them after pool or beach days to keep the foam from holding odor, and don’t store them damp in a dark bag.
One expectation to set: the moment you ask these to carry you through six hours on pavement, they fail, not because they’re cheap, but because a half-inch foam platform with no arch structure was never designed for that. Keep them at the pool, the boardwalk, and the block, and they’ll outlast every budget pair you’ve owned. You can check the current price at the live listing here.
Pros
- Soft toe post that doesn’t blister the skin between your toes
- Memory foam yoga mat footbed with real cushion underfoot
- Happy U tread grips wet pool decks and shower floors
- Holds up over years, not a one-season throwaway
- Light at around 5 ounces and easy to pack
Cons
- Flat with minimal arch support, your feet tire on long walks
- The foam footbed can hold odor after a hard summer of barefoot wear
- Not water resistant, so a soaking needs a proper rinse and dry
- No adjustability, the thong fit is what it is
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Sanuk Yoga Mat sandals run true to size?
Yes, they run true to size for me across multiple pairs. Order your normal US size from the 5, 11 range. If you’re between sizes on other brands, go with your usual rather than sizing up.
Are they good for people with wide feet?
The footbed is generous and flat, so there’s room across the foot, but the thong has no adjustability. If your feet are very wide, the strap placement is fixed, so try a pair on before committing to a backup.
Can I wear them in water or in the shower?
You can wear them around water, and the tread grips wet surfaces well, but they’re not water resistant. The foam footbed soaks up moisture, so rinse and air-dry them after pool or beach days instead of letting them stay damp.
How long do they last?
Years, in my experience, which is why I’m on my fourth pair. The footbed slowly molds to your foot and the tread keeps its grip rather than smoothing flat in one summer the way cheap pairs do.
Do they help with foot pain or plantar fasciitis?
Not really, these aren’t an orthotic sandal. The memory foam adds cushion but there’s minimal structured arch support. If you need serious arch support, look at a sandal built for that rather than a flip flop.
Can I machine wash them if they start to smell?
Skip the washing machine, the foam and synthetic leather don’t love it. Wipe them down, rinse if needed, and let them fully air-dry. Drying them out between wears is the best way to keep odor from building in the footbed.
Are they good for long walking days or travel sightseeing?
For casual travel, yes. For all-day sightseeing on hard pavement, no. They’re flat with little arch support, so they shine at the pool, the boardwalk, and around town, not on a 10-mile cobblestone day.
How do these compare to other yoga mat flip flops?
The toe post and the tread are what set these apart from copycats. Cheaper yoga-mat-style sandals tend to have a stiff thong that blisters and a smoother sole that slips. The Sanuk grip and softer strap are why I keep choosing them.
Are they made with eco-friendly materials?
Partly, yes. The outsole uses 53% recycled rubber and the lining is recycled polyester jersey. They’re not a fully sustainable product, but there’s real recycled content in the build.
Get it now
Sanuk Yoga Mat II Sandals
Get the best price on Amazon →This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
