Reef Men's J-Bay Iii Flip Flops

Product Information

The LITE leather used to construct the Voyage LUX is sourced from an environmentally friendly tannery called ISA Tantec. LITE stands for Low Impact To the Environment, which means the leather was processed in a facility that utilizes sustainable energy, and has a very low carbon footprint. Once your leather flip flops are wiped clean, it’s important to let them dry out completely before wearing them again. Damp leather has a tendency to attract dirt and dust, which would effectively negate all the work you did in the first step. When it comes to drying leather flip flops, it’s best to simply place them outside in a shaded area. While sunlight won’t necessarily harm the leather, it could potentially bleach the finish and leave them with a lighter shade. Yes, leather flip flops are cool. No, water damaged flip flops are not. Reef understands that sandals get worn basically everywhere in the summer. That’s why they use waterproof leather to protect them from accidental encounters with water, or intentional ones. Because I sure as hell don’t let my footwear dictate my path, I doubt you do either.

One of the first things you’ll notice about the Waimea is the intricate stitching that covers the full grain leather footbed. OluKai refers to this stitching as Paniolo stitching, and pays tribute to the traditional style of Hawaiian cowboys called Paniolos. But as versatile as leather flip flops are, they aren’t without their shortcomings. Although leather flops are superior to their synthetic counterparts; by design all flip flops suffer from some serious functionality issues. If you ever thought to yourself, gee it would be swell to only ever wear flip flops, guess again pal, because there is quite a few things you seriously wouldn’t want to do while wearing flops.

Size Guide

Considering OluKai is known for their comfort, this one isn’t really surprising. The cushioned leather footbed on the Hiapo provides arch support, and gradually molds to the contours of your feet over time. Even the undersides of the straps have a soft microfiber lining that prevents rubbing and discomfort from the leather. Although caring for leather can be somewhat of a mystery, it really isn’t all that complicated. After all, us flip floppers are men of leisure. We can’t be bothered with tedious flip flop upkeep. While looks are subjective, I personally think these look awesome. The aged genuine leather strap has a rugged feel that adds a ton of character. Little details like the metal Volcom pin, detailed stitching, and contrasting heel stripe give these flip flops a premium look, while maintaining a reasonable price tag. Full grain leather is the finest grade of leather you can get, and the Waimea is covered in it. From the straps, to the footbed, midsole, outsole, and even toe post are all water-resistant full grain leather. For increased traction and durability, molded rubber inserts are added to the sandals outsole.

Both the straps and the footbed of the Voyage LUX are constructed using premium ISA LITE waterproof full grain leather; while the underside of the straps are covered in a soft pigskin liner intended to reduce friction and increase comfort. As one of Reef’s premium sandals it only makes sense that they would use the finest leather. The J-Bay’s straps, toe piece, and footbed are all constructed with waterproof full grain leather. Aside from quality, Reef also has a thing for being environmentally friendly. That’s why they source their leather from tanneries that utilize sustainable energy, and have a low carbon footprint. Leather flip flops are awesome, but they don’t always mix well with water. I personally like to wear flip flops everywhere in the summer, and I know a lot of you guys do to. But chance encounters with water (or intentional encounters) are bound to happen, so that’s why Reef constructed the Voyage LUX using waterproof leather that’ll stand up to any amount of moisture you throw at it. Rainbow Sandals have been around since 1974, and they are known for producing some of the most durable, and comfortable leather sandals known to man. All Rainbow’s are made right here in the USA using only premium materials, and are constructed to the highest standards of build quality. If their solid reputation for quality isn’t enough to satisfy you, they also offer a lifetime guarantee on all their sandals. Confidence.Aside from the etching on the footbed, the Hiapo has a few other details that deserve mentioning, like the intricate grain pattern of the leather, and the hand-sewn whipstitching on the straps and toe post. You can tell OluKai didn’t overlook any aspect of this sandal. Even the rubber “pods” on the leather wrapped outsole are covered in cool Polynesian designs, and patterns that add to the overall premium look and feel of the flip flop. Remember the last time you were at the beach and you stepped into the wet sand? It’s a comforting feeling. Sand has the ability to mold to the contours of your foot, providing support and stability. When OluKai designs their footbeds, they try to mimic that same feeling of stepping into the wet sand. I know what you’re thinking: what else is there? But don’t worry. As limiting as that list is, let’s take a look at a few pastimes where flip flops really excel.