Archies arch support flip-flops are having a proper moment, and a recent sighting of Katie Holmes wearing them in New York City has pushed them straight to the top of the summer footwear list.
Holmes was spotted in a pared-back outfit (white tee, long denim skirt) lifted entirely by a pair of bright coral Archies thong sandals. Bold, simple, and very easy to pull off. The actress is not alone in rate them, either: Jennifer Aniston has also co-signed the brand, which says a lot about their crossover appeal.
What Makes the Archies Arch Support Flip-Flops Different
The key selling point is in the name. These are not your standard flat foam flip-flops. The footbed was developed with input from physical therapists, using a specialised closed-cell foam that adapts to the shape of your foot over time for a more personalised fit. That matters whether you are on your feet all day at work, putting in miles on a summer run commute, or simply navigating a long day on cobblestones.
The built-in arch support measures one inch and is designed to promote full-body alignment, which Archies say helps prevent backaches. For anyone who has ever finished a long walk in flat sandals and felt it in their lower back, that claim will land. The one-piece construction (sole and strap moulded together as a single unit) also means no strap detachment and no gradual stretch-out over a season of heavy use. That is a common failure point with cheaper flip-flops, and it is worth paying attention to.
The price sits at $40, which in flip-flop terms puts them well above a holiday throwaway but well below a specialist footwear investment. For a sandal with a functional design brief behind it, that sits in a reasonable range.
Colour Options and How to Wear Them
The coral colourway Holmes wore is punchy without being loud, exactly the kind of pop that works against neutral summer basics. Archies stock the same silhouette across a wide range of colours: peach, sky blue, mint, lilac, lemon, and hot pink for those who want a statement, alongside brown, charcoal, olive, navy, white, and taupe for everyday, low-key wear.
For active types, the neutral shades are the practical call. Charcoal or navy pair cleanly with training kit and do not show the kind of wear that brighter colours accumulate over a summer. The pastel range (mint, sky blue, lilac) sits somewhere in between: easy to wear but still with some personality.
The thong (or toe-post) silhouette is back in a big way for 2026, and the Archies version makes a case that the return does not have to mean sacrificing your foot health. Flat, unsupportive footwear is one of the more consistent complaints from physios and podiatrists when it comes to summer-season foot and back pain. A sandal built around a structured footbed addresses that directly.
If you are putting in distance on your feet over summer, whether that is park runs, long walks along the Quayside, or post-training recovery strolls, a sandal that supports your arch between sessions is a smart addition to the rotation. The Archies design is built around exactly that use case.
The coral style Holmes was photographed wearing is available now directly from Archies at $40. Given the range of colourways on offer, there is little reason to stop at one pair.