I didn’t set out to walk 8 miles in wedge flip-flops two summers ago. It just happened. On the hard concrete sidewalks of Brooklyn, I might add.My original plan was to split the day in two parts: quick errands in the morning, a brief break at home to change my outfit and recharge my social battery, then venture out for my nighttime plans. Thinking I wouldn’t be going far, I left the house around 10 a.m. wearing capris, a decorative tank top, and my favorite (and surprisingly comfortable) black wedge flip-flops.The day didn’t go as planned and, for the better, time escaped me. As day turned to night, I realized I would need to go straight from running errands to my dinner plans. I spent the evening out with friends and didn’t return home until 11 p.m. (maybe even later). I’d been outside quite literally all day and I was worn out in many ways, mentally and physically. However, as I kicked off my shoes at the rack by the front door, I realized my feet were perfectly fine. No blisters between my toes, no sore ankles, nothing.I know these shoes aren’t for everyone for many reasons, aesthetics and practicality included. But, as a California native, I’ve tried my fair share of flip-flops. I’ve owned countless pairs of rubber thongs that left rub rashes between my toes and expensive leather sandals that stuck to my skin in the summer heat. These do none of that — and I refuse to gatekeep my favorite flip-flop upgrade any longer. So here’s why I’ll continue to obsess over them for many summers to come, and why you might too.