This issue comes up every so often and there's heated debates about what's better. ("Crocs!" "Flip-Flops!" "Tevas!" "New Balance!" RAAHHHRRRRR!

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I agree, it just depends on your feet and what you're used to. I have very high arches and I broke my foot a few years ago, so I live in athletic shoes. My podiatrist told me to try New Balance, and I also spend a lot of $'s on these inserts she told me about, called "Super Feet." So I wear my broken-in NBs, and my expensive inserts, and have no problems.
The thought of flip flops, with no support, makes me shudder. But then, I just about drop my jaw whenever I see some sweet young thing sashaying around Tomorrowland wearing 3-inch stilettos!