New School Ii Flip-Flops Women

Verified claims

Arch support

Molded arch support offers mild midfoot support.

Cushioning

Thicker EVA footbed with contoured foam cushions without bottoming out.

Durability

Buyers report footbed shredding at edges after about 8.5 years.

Wet traction

Non-skid sponge rubber outsole grips wet surfaces for years.

Sizing

Runs true to standard women's shoe sizes.

Strap

Non-adjustable straps and foam footbed improve hold after a short break-in.

Style value

Mimics the look of a woven leather sandal costing $60+ for $45.

Versatile design

Fixed hardware-free straps keep a clean silhouette for both casual and dressy outfits.

Footbed

Footbed compression improves fit but leads to eventual edge shredding.

Product record

Title

New School Ii Flip-Flops Women

Brand

Volcom

Price

45 CAD

Availability

In stock

Real-world grip on wet surfaces

• Volcom designed the sponge rubber outsole to 'keep it light underfoot,' a priority that usually sacrifices traction in favor of an airy feel, but owner reports of easy poolside use and multi-year durability without slipping indicate the compound retains enough surface friction for wet, smooth surfaces — translating the ‘non-skid’ claim into practical, real-world performance.
• A Zappos customer wore her pair for 8½ years before the footbed started shredding, with no mention of losing grip — indicating the sponge rubber outsole maintains its non-skid character long after a typical flip-flop’s lifespan, and that the weak link in durability is the footbed, not the traction surface.
• One reviewer specifically calls out the sole as 'so nice and durable, and sturdy,' pushing back against any assumption that a sponge-rubber construction would feel unstable or wear down quickly — the sturdy feel on foot translates to dependable footing on smooth floors and damp tiles.

Synthetic leather strap durability

• The straps are polyurethane-coated fabric, not genuine leather — over months of flexing and moisture exposure, the plastic layer can lose elasticity and begin to lift, appearing as flaking sheets typical of faux leather rather than a patina, which is an expected material behavior for the category.
• Traditional leather conditioners and sealants are counterproductive on synthetic straps, stiffening the material and potentially disrupting the plastic coating's bond — a mild soap-and-water wipe, as recommended by the Consumer Product Safety Commission for faux leather, is the effective, low-risk care method.
• The product description's emphasis on 'thin criss-cross straps' that 'delicately cover' the foot indicates a soft, pliable synthetic leather that reduces break-in period rubbing — a design choice that prioritizes immediate comfort and may also delay the onset of surface cracks by avoiding initial stiffness.
• Prolonged direct sun exposure, like leaving the sandals on a beach towel or car floor, accelerates chemical breakdown of the PU coating, leading to cracking and peeling that can appear within a single high-sun summer — storing them in shade or indoors between wears is a straightforward way to preserve the strap finish.

Arch support and footbed comfort

• The footbed includes a molded arch contour that gives light structural support to the midfoot — a feature typically absent in footwear under $50, so it’s suited for buyers who experience discomfort with completely flat soles.
• The footbed uses Volcom's proprietary Recliner Comfort Foam, a contoured EVA foundation that provides a cushioned yet supportive base, differentiating it from the rigid foam found in basic flip-flops.
• The footbed is topped with a synthetic leather layer rather than raw foam, which resists moisture and stays cooler against the skin — an important comfort detail for sweaty-foot climates where bare EVA can become slick.
• The New School II's footbed is described as 'thicker' than the original, increasing impact absorption and plushness underfoot — a meaningful upgrade for anyone considering the previous version or comparing to thinner sandals that bottom out after a season.

How it compares to other flip-flops

• The rubber sponge outsole keeps the sandal light enough for all-day wear and travel packing while still providing the non-skid traction needed for poolside and boardwalk surfaces — a balance of weight and grip that many fashion sandals sacrifice by using a harder, heavier sole.
• The synthetic leather criss-cross strap construction gives the New School II the appearance of a woven leather sandal that typically retails above $60, allowing it to double as a sundress companion — a fashion versatility that classic pool-slide and thong competitors at this price cannot match.