I’m Torn: Rainbows

April 13, 2009 1:00 pm     Posted in Fashion, Style  Brithny - Duke University g+ page

rainbows[Life isn’t black and white. As much as we wish we simply loved or hated things, there is often that whole annoying gray area in the middle. Like, we love going home to the parentals', but we hate having to live with their rules. Or we love power hours, but hate cleaning up the empty cans in the morning. Damn you, gray area; you make decision-making that much more complicated!]


By Brithny

I live in my Rainbows. Period. No matter if it’s spring or fall, cloudy or sunny, hot or cold. No matter if I’m heading to a class, rocking out at a concert, or lounging by the pool. My Rainbows are constantly my go-to shoe, but sometimes – I admit – they’re just not a very good shoe choice.

So, my dear Rainbows, I’m totally torn…

Love Em:

There’s many reasons why 99% of the time you see me (and the majority of the other girls on campus), I’m in my Rainbows. They’re arguably the most comfortable shoes ever made, thanks to the leather construction and cushioned sole that molds to your feet (you can even see the layers of leathery softness!). And if you want more comfort, you can even buy ‘em double-layered! Can you say “heaven”?

Rainbows come in a ton of varieties. You can choose your color (white, brown, or black), material (leather or cloth), and straps (thin or thick). Not that it matters; whatever you choose, Rainbows always match your outfit and make you look 100% Cali-cute!

Even better, the people behind the flip flops are so sure of them that they even include a lifetime warranty for the odd chance that the straps break or the stitching comes undone. And seeing how often I wear them, that little guarantee makes them pretty perfect.

Loathe em:

Once you break them in, Rainbows are super comfy. Until you break them in, though, these flippies cause some serious pain and oozy blisters. Especially right between your big toe and the little guy next door. So. much. pain.

The price tag for these casual flip-flops is also a problem: $50!? For flip flops?! Flip flops that cause your feet to ooze and bleed? Yes, they are good quality sandals, but it’s not like sandals offer any quality support for your feet! An article in Newsweek cites research that shows flip-flops actually alter the way you walk, resulting in shorter steps and more stress on your joints that can cause even more pain (aside from your blisters).

And although you’ll want to wear them everywhere (after you break them in…and break your wallet buying them), you really shouldn’t wear them when it’s raining, snowing, hailing, or your playing beer pong/flip cup; once they get wet, your feet turn brown. And stay brown until you literally scrub them raw. And definitely not good for super long walks or hikes. Although, I may be the only one who ever tried that one…

So Rainbows, I’m torn. What do you think about these flippy-floppies?

17 Comments on "I’m Torn: Rainbows"

  1. Rachel says:
    Mon, 13th Apr 20098:08 am 

    I've been living in rainbows for 8 years now. Dont know what I'd do without 'em

  2. molly says:
    Mon, 13th Apr 20098:21 am 

    I love them. A-mazing. Mine never hurt my tootsies when they were new, either.

    They are, I swear, as good as the first day I bought them. $50 for a lifetime of sandal? count me in.

  3. Alana- Boston Univer says:
    Mon, 13th Apr 20098:48 am 

    No joke, when I saw the title of this post, I thought you were going to write about actual rainbows. I thought to myself, what is she going to say- I'm torn- I like that rainbows come out with the sun, but it has to rain first for them to appear. Haha.

  4. Brooke says:
    Mon, 13th Apr 200910:21 am 

    The only thing I really don't like (besides of course the price) is the dark imprint of your feet that just makes them look dirty and gross.

  5. Anna says:
    Mon, 13th Apr 200912:01 pm 

    waste. of. money.

    Seriously? $50 for flip flops. Never would I EVER spend that much when I could buy a way cuter pair of shoes. Old Navy flip flops for me, thank you!

  6. Briana says:
    Mon, 13th Apr 20092:58 pm 

    I love my rainbows ive had them for 3 years and i wear them everywhere i get sad when the weather doesn't let me wear them :( I think $50 isn't that bad for them. I mean what other flip flop out there provides arch support while still looking cute and lasts for years?

  7. snarktastic says:
    Mon, 13th Apr 20093:44 pm 

    $50 isn't so much when you consider how well they're constructed, the awesome warranty, and the fact that they last for ages!

    i don't know what i'd do without my rainbows. and because they have arch support, they're significantly better for your feet than those $3 pieces of trash old navy sells.

  8. Lily says:
    Mon, 13th Apr 20094:56 pm 

    I love them, but was first introduced to them when I started swimming 7 years ago. They were just super comfy and convenient to wear around the pool, but then they took off as the "it" item. The price realistically isn't that bad, and you can't beat the warranty, it's just kind of annoying that EVERYONE has them.

  9. Liz says:
    Tue, 14th Apr 20098:20 pm 

    I've never hears of these before… the price tag would probably be why

  10. anon says:
    Wed, 15th Apr 20092:51 pm 

    love them!! but they do turn your feet brown the first 5 or 10 times you get them wet. i have to buy a new pair every year b/c i wear down the bottoms so much!

  11. sara says:
    Fri, 17th Apr 200910:26 am 

    I'm from Chicago I'd never even heard of these. I'm sure they sell them but they are in no way a trend up there. Now I live in Florida though and just bought my first pair. They are 100% worth the price tag! Love them!!!! Wish I hadn't brought them to the beach, but now they just have that surfer look to them ;)

  12. Taler Echols says:
    Sat, 18th Apr 20099:28 am 

    $50 isn't bad at all considering how comfortable they are. Especially compared to these pretty sandals from piperlime.com or j.crew where they charge $50 or more easily but there is no arch support like the rainbow sandals.

    Also, $50 can buy you pointe shoes that not only mold to your feet like rainbows but you have to break them as well…and that is alot more painful. :)

  13. Tweet says:
    Sat, 27th Jun 200910:52 pm 

    None of my outfits would go with Rainbows – or flip flops for that matter. The only outfits that flip flops would actually enhance is… -silence-. Heels & flats only please (^^)

    Plus, Brooke is right – the imprint they make on the sandals look really really really gross.

  14. natalie says:
    Wed, 26th Aug 200910:43 am 

    I've never had a problem with the brownfoot issue. From what I hear, they're supposed to get wet, it's easier to break them in. Plus, surfers wear them. So I'm sure they wouldn't buy a sandal that was incapable of getting wet. I love mine. Started out with the older leather style. Wore them for 4 years. Wore them down to the VERY core and then my dog ate them so I went and purchased another pair. This one has three different layers and I've fallen in love all over again. Heaven.

    Also- I like the imprint your foot leaves in the sandal. Adds character. Won't fit anyone else the same as it does you.

  15. boo says:
    Fri, 11th Sep 20097:21 am 

    I love my rainbows but i have had a strap to break what an how do i act on lifetime warrent lol

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