Havaianas Top Color Mini Me Review: simple, tough flip-flops for kids who live in them

I got these Havaianas Top Color Mini Me flip-flops in size 13 UK child for everyday summer use – beach, garden, pool, school runs, all that. I wasn’t looking for anything fancy, just something my kid could slip on and not destroy in two weeks. We’ve gone through a lot of cheap supermarket flip-flops that either rubbed their feet raw or snapped at the toe post way too fast, so I wanted to see if paying a bit more for Havaianas really changed anything.

After a few weeks of use, we’ve used them in a bit of everything: wet tiles around the pool, hot pavement, sand, and just normal walking around town. My main takeaway: they’re simple but solid. Nothing flashy, but they do the job and you can feel they’re not bargain-bin quality. My kid actually reaches for them without me insisting, which says more than any label.

They’re not perfect though. The sizing runs a bit small in my opinion, and that matches at least one Amazon review saying the 12/13 UK feels small. If you’re on the upper end of the size range, I’d seriously consider going one size up. Also, they’re still flip-flops: no arch support, no miracle cushioning. If your kid is walking long distances, these aren’t going to replace proper shoes or sandals.

Overall, if you just want reliable summer flip-flops for a kid who’ll wear them to death, these are pretty solid. If you’re super picky on support or your kid has wide feet, you might want to think twice. I’ll break down the details by design, materials, comfort, durability, performance on wet ground, and value for money.

Price-wise, Havaianas are clearly more expensive than generic supermarket flip-flops, but not in the luxury range either. You’re paying for the brand, but also for better rubber, better finishing, and (from what I see) better durability. If your kid only wears flip-flops twice a summer, you might not see a huge difference. But if they live in them at the beach or pool, the extra cost starts to make sense.

What I notice compared to cheaper options:

• They don’t fall apart quickly at the toe post.
• The sole keeps its shape longer and doesn’t compress into nothing after a few weeks.
• The straps are less irritating on the skin, so fewer complaints and fewer blisters.

On the downside, the sizing being small reduces the value slightly. If you have to size up and your kid grows fast, you might not get more than one season out of them, even if they’re still structurally fine. Also, they’re still just flip-flops – no arch support, no special features beyond the non-slip sole and durable rubber. If you want something that can double as a proper walking sandal, this isn’t it, and the value then feels more limited.

Overall, I’d say the value is good if your kid really uses flip-flops a lot. If it’s just for the occasional pool visit, a cheaper pair might be enough. But for regular summer use, these sit in a nice spot: not dirt-cheap, not overpriced, and they actually last long enough to justify the cost.

Design-wise, these are as basic as it gets, in a good way. Single-colour sole and straps, with just the Havaianas logo embossed on the top of the strap. The black version I have is very neutral – if you’ve got siblings, you can pass them down regardless of gender without anyone making a fuss. The silhouette is the classic flip-flop shape, slightly wider than some cheap pairs I’ve had, which helps with stability for kids who still walk a bit clumsily in open shoes.

The straps form the usual Y-shape, anchored between the toes and on both sides. The toe post is relatively soft and rounded; my kid complained for the first 10–15 minutes (as always with new flip-flops), then totally forgot about it. Compared to some stiff plastic straps I’ve seen on low-cost brands, these don’t dig into the skin as much. Still, they are basic flip-flops: no padding on the straps, no fabric lining, nothing fancy.

The sole has a textured top surface that grips the foot a bit. It’s not totally smooth, which helps when the feet are wet. Underneath, the outsole has a grainy, patterned texture that is clearly made to reduce slipping, especially around pools and wet tiles. It’s not magic – if your kid runs full speed on soaked ceramic tiles, they can still slide – but compared to flat foam soles, this has noticeably better grip.

From a style point of view, it’s pretty plain. If your kid likes bright colours or characters, this black version will probably look a bit boring. But as a parent, I like that it’s discreet, unbranded-looking from a distance, and can be used anywhere without clashing with clothes. For me, the design is more about practicality than style, and on that front, it works well.

On comfort, I’ll keep it simple: my kid can wear them for several hours without complaining, which is already a win. The rubber sole has enough give to feel okay on pavement and tiles, and it doesn’t feel like they’re walking directly on the ground. But it’s still a flat flip-flop with no real arch support, so I wouldn’t use these for long walks or full days of sightseeing. For that, I’d pick proper sandals or trainers.

The straps are reasonably soft. After the first short outing (about 30–40 minutes), there were no red marks or blisters between the toes or on the sides of the feet. That’s usually the issue with cheap flip-flops: the strap edges are sharp and create friction. Here, the strap edges are rounded, and the material has a bit of flexibility, so it moves with the foot instead of cutting into it. Once broken in after a day or two, my kid forgot they were new.

The main comfort issue is sizing. The size 13 UK feels on the small side. There’s not much extra length at the heel – the foot is quite close to the back edge. If your child is between sizes or has a fast growth spurt, I would definitely go one size up. The Amazon review mentioning “Small for a 12/13 UK size” matches what I see. A slightly larger size would give more breathing room and probably feel more comfortable over a full summer.

So, comfort verdict: good for what they are. For short to medium use around water and in the garden, they’re fine and don’t cause drama. If your kid has very sensitive feet, needs support, or is already at the top of the size range, be careful and consider either going up a size or choosing a more structured sandal.

The materials are straightforward: rubber sole, rubber insole, rubber outsole, with PVC straps. Havaianas emphasises that the rubber is durable and hypoallergenic, and that they use 40% recycled rubber in the sole. I obviously can’t verify the exact percentage, but the sole does feel more compact and dense than the ultra-light EVA foam you get on very cheap kids’ flip-flops. It compresses a bit under the foot but doesn’t stay squashed.

Under the fingers, the rubber has a slightly firm, bouncy feel. It’s not super soft like a memory foam insole, but it’s not rock hard either. For kids, I think that’s better: soft foam tends to break down fast and go flat; this feels like it will keep its shape longer. The PVC straps are flexible enough to bend easily but don’t feel flimsy. I pulled on them a bit, and there was no creaking or feeling that they’d tear at the base.

Because everything is synthetic, they’re fully water-resistant. No fabric parts that stay wet, no leather to crack. After being soaked in pool water and then dried in the sun, the material didn’t warp or curl. They also don’t have that very strong plastic smell some new shoes have out of the box. There’s a slight rubber smell when you stick your nose right next to them, but nothing that fills the room.

Overall, the materials feel reliable for daily kid use. It’s not luxury, but it’s clearly a step above discount-store flip-flops. If you care about the environmental angle, the recycled content is a plus, but in everyday life, what you really feel is that the sole and straps are tougher and more consistent than cheap alternatives.

Durability is where I actually see a difference compared to bargain flip-flops. After a few weeks of regular use – almost daily on holidays, then a few times a week afterwards – the sole shows only light wear. The pattern on the bottom is slightly smoothed in the high-contact areas, but nowhere near worn through. On cheap models, I often see the heel area flatten quickly, which then makes them more slippery. Here, the rubber is holding up better.

The toe post and strap anchors are usually the weak points on kids’ flip-flops. So far, there are no signs of tearing or cracking where the straps enter the sole. I’ve pulled on them by hand to test, and they feel firmly attached. The straps themselves haven’t stretched out or gone loose. No cracking or whitening of the PVC, even after being left in the sun and exposed to chlorinated water.

One thing to keep in mind: even if the flip-flops last, your kid’s feet may outgrow them before they’re worn out, especially given that the sizing runs a bit small. So in practice, you’re more likely to replace them because of size than because they’re destroyed. That’s not really a complaint, just reality with kids’ shoes.

In short, durability is pretty solid for the price. They feel like they’ll easily cover a full summer of heavy use, maybe more, and still be in good enough shape to pass on to a younger sibling or use as backup. If you’re used to throwing away cheap flip-flops after a month, this is an upgrade. They’re not indestructible, but for kids’ footwear that gets abused, I’m satisfied.

In real use, these flip-flops are mainly judged on grip, stability, and how they behave when wet. Around the pool and in the bathroom, the non-slip sole does a decent job. On wet tiles, there’s clearly more grip than with flat foam soles. My kid did still manage a small slide when sprinting on very wet tiles, but that’s partly behaviour, not the shoe. Walking normally, they felt stable, and I didn’t see the usual cartoon-style sliding you get with cheaper pairs.

On sand and grass, they behave as expected. Sand doesn’t cling too much to the top surface, and a quick shake gets rid of most of it. On grass, they don’t pick up mud in big chunks thanks to the sole texture. When they do get dirty, a quick rinse under the tap is enough. They dry fast in the sun, and there’s no sponge-like material that stays soggy, so they’re good for kids who are in and out of water all day.

For everyday walking – to the shop, around the house, short strolls – they’re fine. The sole thickness is enough to not feel every stone on the pavement. They’re also light enough that my kid doesn’t drag their feet, which happens with heavier sandals. That said, if we have to walk a few kilometres, I still switch to trainers. Flip-flops just aren’t ideal for long distances, and these are no exception.

Overall performance: solid for summer and water-related use, average for anything more demanding. They do what you’d expect: protect the foot, don’t slip too much, survive getting wet, and don’t fall apart immediately. If you want technical sports sandals, this is not it. If you want something that handles pool, beach, and garden without fuss, they work well.

On paper, these are classic Havaianas kids’ flip-flops: rubber sole, rubber straps, slip-on, flat heel, open toe. The model is called Top Color Mini Me, and the pair I have is the plain black version in size 13 UK child, unisex. So no cartoons, no prints, just a solid colour with the Havaianas logo on the strap. The brand pushes the sustainability angle: 40% recycled rubber in the sole and they reuse 100% of strap waste in production. Nice to know, even if my kid doesn’t care.

In the hand, they feel denser and heavier than cheap foam flip-flops but still light for a kid (about 279 grams for the pair, which is in the specs). The sole is flexible but not floppy. You can bend it, but it comes back to shape and doesn’t feel like it will fold in half under the foot. The straps are made from PVC (as per the composition), which feels smooth and slightly rubbery, not sharp or plasticky.

They’re clearly built as multi-occasion flip-flops: beach, pool, garden, quick errands. They’re water-resistant (obviously, they’re rubber), slip-on with no adjustments, and very easy to rinse off. Sand doesn’t stick much, and mud hoses off in a few seconds. No fancy packaging or accessories: you get one pair, that’s it. The style is minimalist and a bit boring in black, but that’s also what makes them so easy to match with anything – shorts, swimwear, whatever.

Overall presentation: it’s a no-nonsense, practical product. You can tell they’re designed to be used hard, not just look cute on Instagram. If you expect bells and whistles, adjustable straps, or arch support, this is not that. If you want something a kid can abuse at the pool without you worrying, it fits the brief.