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Vionic Tide II Review

An impressive flip flop with pronounced arch support from built-in orthotics and good traction
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vionic tide ii flip flops women review
Credit: Vionic
Price:  $90 List
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Manufacturer:   Vionic
By Hayley Thomas & Penney Garrett  ⋅  Jun 11, 2021
66
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#12 of 14
  • Comfort - 30% 7.0
  • Support - 20% 8.0
  • Traction - 20% 7.0
  • Versatility - 15% 5.0
  • Style - 15% 5.0

Our Verdict

The Vionic Tide II offers decent traction, arch supports from built-in orthotics, and a durable, water-resistant design. It has the best arch support of all the models in our review and a lightly textured footbed for additional good feels. While it may not be the most stylish, it is durable and will easily last you for many years. Keep in mind that the arches are very pronounced and may feel intense for folks who aren't used to it or have naturally flatter feet. This flip also runs big, so we highly recommend sizing down if you are in-between sizes.
REASONS TO BUY
Excellent traction
Built in orthotics
Very stable
REASONS TO AVOID
Runs big
Arch support can hurt if you're not used to it

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vionic tide ii flip flops women review
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Vionic Tide II
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Price $90 List
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line Highly stable with impressive traction, it even has built-in orthotics for some of the best support you can get from a flip flopStylish, comfortable, and highly supportive, this is an amazing and durable sandal that can handle more activities than you might thinkA superbly comfortable flip flop that handles water well and provides good supportA great way to experience the amazing contouring of a classic Birkenstock without forking over a ton of moneyWhile it may lack contour, the yoga mat footbed makes for a pleasantly comfortable experience and the wide straps are just the icing on the cake
Rating Categories Vionic Tide II Birkenstock Gizeh OluKai Ohana - Women's Birkenstock Gizeh E... Sanuk Yoga Mat
Comfort (30%)
7.0
9.0
10.0
8.0
9.0
Support (20%)
8.0
10.0
8.0
8.0
6.0
Traction (20%)
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
6.0
Versatility (15%)
5.0
6.0
7.0
6.0
6.0
Style (15%)
5.0
9.0
7.0
7.0
8.0
Specs Vionic Tide II Birkenstock Gizeh OluKai Ohana - Women's Birkenstock Gizeh E... Sanuk Yoga Mat
Sole Material TPR (thermoplastic rubber) EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) Non-marking rubber or gum rubber EVA Rubber
Footbed Material EVA Cork lined with suede Molded EVA with soft ICEVA drop-in footbed EVA EVA
Strap Material Woven textile fabric and leather with foam lining Birko-flor (PVC) lined with fleece Water-resistant synthetic nubuck leather lined with quick-drying jersey knit EVA 95% synthetic/5% polyester
Weight (per pair) 12.8 oz (size 8) 13.5 oz (size 39) 13.7 oz (size 9) 6.5 oz (size 40) 5.0 oz (size 8)
Available Sizes 5 - 12 US 35 - 46 EU 5 - 12 US 35 - 46 EU 5 - 11 US
Animal Products Yes Yes No No No
Length 10.25" (size 8) 10.625" (size 39) 10.75" (size 9) 11" (size 40) 10.25" (size 8)
Length of Toe Box (just above toe post) 2" 1.50" 1.75" 1.375" 1.50"
Unique Features Built-in orthotic Adjustable strap, contoured footbed that molds to feet ICEVA (soft EVA) drop-in footbed Adjustable straps Made from real yoga mats

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Tide II is, at first glance, an unassuming sandal that, test after test, showed us what a well-rounded flip flop should offer. While the prominent arch support won't be for everyone, those that prefer a heavily contoured footbed will likely find this shoe quite dreamy. What it lacks in style it makes up for in comfort, support and traction, for those who it fits.

Performance Comparison


vionic tide ii flip flops women review - this is an impressive flip flop all around that we really enjoyed...
This is an impressive flip flop all around that we really enjoyed wearing.
Credit: Matthew Blake

Comfort


The comfort of the Tide II is polarizing. Some of our testers loved it and others didn't. The shoe is rather wide with orthotics built into the footbed, giving it intense arches that could cause pain for people with flat feet. Even our main tester, who has naturally high arches, felt some discomfort and cramping at times. The shape isn't for everyone, but for those that love full arch support and have wider feet, this is an excellent choice. Combine that with a pleasantly textured footbed and foam-lined straps, and you have a great package.

vionic tide ii flip flops women review - the intensely contoured footbed of the tide ii has the potential to...
The intensely contoured footbed of the Tide II has the potential to be really comfortable if you happen to like high and pronounced arch support.
Credit: Matthew Blake

Support


The Tide II has some of the best support of any of our tested models, but only for those who have wider feet and higher arches. We recommend sizing down to achieve a proper fit and optimal support. Our chief tester is a narrow 8.5, so we ordered a 9 and an 8 to get a better idea of sizing. The size 9 Tide II was so large it almost looked like a random men's shoe had been thrown in the mix. The size 8 put the arch in the proper place and gave us a mostly snug fit. This affected how stable and supportive the shoe felt and, ultimately, increased its score for this metric. Even with minimal footwear like flip-flops, proper sizing is crucial. We recommend trying things on in person whenever you can, or at least obtaining a footbed measurement from the manufacturer or another reputable source.

vionic tide ii flip flops women review - once we figured out our perfect size, the tide ii was an...
Once we figured out our perfect size, the Tide II was an impressively stable and supportive flip. They run large, so be sure to size down if you're between sizes.
Credit: Matthew Blake

Traction


We were a bit shocked at the level of outsole traction we received from this simple flip flop. The treads are sticky and secure, and hiking up steep and chossy slopes feels great. Unfortunately, the interior footbed gets a little slimy in the presence of moisture, negatively affecting the traction between the foot and the shoe. Since this shoe has relatively small straps and a generally wide fit, security is contingent on having the proper fit and, as explained above, we had to size down to achieve that.

vionic tide ii flip flops women review - the tide ii provides decent traction on uneven ground, as long as...
The Tide II provides decent traction on uneven ground, as long as you are fitted with the correct size.
Credit: Matther Blake

Versatility


The great thing about this flip flop is that it's well suited for almost any kind of situation. Need decent traction? Check. Impressive arch support and stability? Done. Want to play around in the river and be dry again quickly? No problem. From a simple walk to dinner or an impromptu hike, this super durable sandal has you covered. That being said, the general fit is far from inclusive which is why the Tide II scores lower in this category. The intense support and wide fit simply don't work for everyone. The lack of a heel strap and the sometimes-slippery footbed can also cause issues on steep inclines or for those with particularly sweaty feet.

vionic tide ii flip flops women review - while not super fancy, this is a decently versatile and very durable...
While not super fancy, this is a decently versatile and very durable flip.
Credit: Matthew Blake

Style


Style is one of the few places where the Tide II is just mediocre. The thick soles and predictable design aren't as fashion-forward as other options on the market or in our review. Vionic does offer some fun colors and similar models that have patterned straps, rhinestone or sequin bejeweled straps, and even a version with a wedge heel, but these still retain a relatively sporty and clunky look that can't measure up to more fashionable designs.

vionic tide ii flip flops women review - some women like the look of the tide ii, but compared to the rest of...
Some women like the look of the Tide II, but compared to the rest of our test suite it wasn't a style favorite.
Credit: Matthew Blake

Value


The Tide II is a bit of an investment, but not so much as to break the bank — and we think it's well worth the price tag. Durable and well-constructed with amazing support, this sandal will have no problem lasting you for many years.

Conclusion


The Vionic Tide II is an impressive piece of footwear, and it performed well in most of our tests. Traction, stability, durability, water-resistance — this flip flop has it all. It isn't as plush or soft as other models, and its slightly sportier look makes it a bit less stylish, but this is a great option for anyone with an active lifestyle looking for superior arch support.

vionic tide ii flip flops women review - the tide ii is one of the more supportive options in our test suite.
The Tide II is one of the more supportive options in our test suite.
Credit: Matthew Blake

Hayley Thomas & Penney Garrett