If you take a peek inside our editors' suitcases this summer, you’ll find the same effortless shoe: a pair of Archies’ flip-flops. In an era where this unassuming beach footwear has undergone an improbable sartorial glow up, this Melbourne-born label has won us over with its minimal aesthetic (unless, of course, you go for the pair adorned with crystals), and podiatrist-approved support. Big claims for what is essentially a piece of foam with a toe strap.

But it checks out. And we have all bowed down to the flip-flop in the last couple of years, since The Row launched its £670 Dune sandals; a bog standard pair of flip-flops to the naked eye, only with an inordinate price tag. Regardless, suddenly this off-duty staple was transformed into a summer hero piece, spotted everywhere from red carpets to city pavements on the likes of Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and Jennifer Lawrence.

This year has seen the trend evolve further, with Havaianas releasing a new style with a kitten heel – another intriguing twist. Yet Archies are the pair our team actually reaches for day in, day out – and they’ll set you back just a mere £35. Why? One: they’re extremely comfortable. Two: they provide actual support for your sole, designed by a bona-fide podiatrist.

Archies was founded by Australian physiotherapist Daniel Jones, who grew frustrated after years of watching his patients ignore his warnings about typical flat flip-flops. He realised the market was missing an orthotic option that style- and fitness-conscious people would actually want to wear, and set about designing some that he and his mates would happily sport from the beach to post-workout coffee. The result? An understated block-colour sandal with 2.2cm of real arch support, and a cleverly re-engineered design: raising the heel slightly to reduce strain, soft, stretchable straps to prevent toe-post snapping and blisters, and a secure fit so your toes never have to claw with every step.

It works. I, for one, have worn these flip-flops comfortably all day on schleps around London, including to the office and back – something that would be unthinkable for the average £3.50 pair I've been known to pick up beachside from a market stall in France. You’ll have none of the aching ankles and heels that you tend to find when wearing truly flat shoes with no arch support. Also, I’m being 100 per cent honest when I say that these haven’t rubbed for a second since the first time I slipped them on – not in between the toes, nor over the top of them. It’s genuinely impressive and I think the first and only time this has happened to me.

They are a little on the small side so, if you’re between sizes, certainly go one up. I’m a true UK size four and, while they fit okay, they are rather snug and I could have sized up without issue.

Below, all of the ways our editors are styling their flip-flops for summer, whether it’s poolside abroad, or pub hopping in London.