The thongs that survived London sightseeing, Ibiza beaches, and Copenhagen shopping

Let me preface this by saying I’ve never been a ‘thongs’ girl. Maybe it’s because I’m British and the need for a pair of ‘flip-flops’ was never really necessary, let alone cool. I also found the sensation of something wedged between my big toe and index toe, or rubbing the skin off the top of my foot, diabolically uncomfortable. 

I declared myself a Birkenstock person through and through. But since moving to Australia, the need for a casual, waterproof, and comfortable option arose. My friends recommended some thongs called Archies, which seemed to be gaining popularity back in the UK. 

Honestly, I’ve hardly taken them off ever since. And now that thongs are back in fashion, you can truly wear them for any occasion (OK, maybe not a fancy dinner).

I’ve just trekked through London, slouched on Ibiza beaches, and raced through Copenhagen’s shopping scene all in my Archies without as much as a blister, but a bunch of compliments. 

So, what makes them so great?

Archies Arch Support Thongs at a glance… 

$40 | Archies Footwear$40 | Myer

Archies thongs are made with support in mind. They are podiatrist-approved, designed with built-in orthotic arch support, durable foam, and a light but supportive stretchable strap.

Key features

Orthotic support: Arches include up to 2.2cm of specialised arch support, designed to help align posture and reduce foot strain and discomfort.

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Moulding foam: Made with a closed-cell foam, Archies thongs adapt to the unique shape of your foot, whether you’re flat-footed, wide-footed, or have high arches.

One-piece design: The thongs are made as one single piece, so you don’t have to worry about plugs unplugging or breaking.

Tight and light strap: The strap is tight but moldable to your foot, stopping the need to grip or claw with your toes to keep the shoe on.

Why I like them 

Supportive for any foot type: I have very flat, wide feet, which often means that flat shoes like thongs, ballet flats, and other sandals can become uncomfortable quickly, putting strain on the soles of my feet. When I first tried my Archies, I found the sensation of a lifted sole a little odd. But my feet quickly became used to it, and I have noticed just how much support they offer in aligning the feet, reducing pain or tension, and providing a smooth walking experience. 

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These sneakers saved my feet when walking 204,678 steps in 8 days

Durable design: There’s nothing more annoying than your thongs unplugging when you’re trying to go about your day. Since Archies are a one-piece design, I can walk around for hours without having to re-plug the straps back in. 

Deceptively stylish: You might not think that an orthotic thong might be a thing of style, but that’s not the case. Thongs are back in style thanks to 90s minimalism being in trend, and the “wrong shoe theory”. Fashionistas have declared that the contrasting look between the super-casual thong paired with smart, structural pieces like tailored shorts or blazers is cool right now.

Zero foot-shredding: I’ve bought so many shoes which have completely shredded my feet to bits (hello, Dr Martens, Veja)... so I was a little apprehensive about whether these humble thongs would do the same. Aside from a tiny bit of rubbing thanks to salty seawater, I’ve had zero blisters, bleeding, or chafing with my Archies. 

Longevity: I’ve had mine for about six months now, and I anticipate they will last for years to come. They might not look so fresh, but what shoes do when you wear them almost every day?

Colourways: Gone are the days of boring shoe colours. Archies offers 16 colourways, including Lemon, Charcoal, Mint, Pink, and more. 

What could be improved?

De-colouration: I have a pair of the brown Archies, which have turned from deep espresso to more of a chocolate shade over time, sun exposure, and ocean wear. While noticeable, it’s not something that has bothered me too much, though. 

Would I recommend them?

I would 100 per cent recommend Archies to anyone in the market for a comfortable, stylish, and durable thong. In the past few weeks alone, mine have endured blistering Spanish heat, grubby London streets, and thousands of steps in Copenhagen – and they’re still alive and thriving to tell the tales.

Archies Lemon Arch Support Thongs

$40 | Shop here

Archies Lilic Arch Support Thongs

$40 | Shop here

Archies Navy Arch Support Thongs

$40 | Archies Footwear$40 | Myer

READ MORE: These sneakers saved my feet when walking 204,678 steps in 8 days