Memory Foam Flip Flops

Flip flop paradise is just moments away.

I have always really liked playing with ear plugs. The foam they are made of is very similar to the stuff expensive memory foam beds are made out of.

Sandals seemed like a logical application.

You will need about 250 or so ear plugs and one pair of sandals sized 1 or 2 sizes too big.

Also, a hot glue gun, lots of glue, a knife, scissors and a pen. A pair of sandals that fits you is a good idea too.

Step 1: Trim the Sandals

Gluing the ear plugs to the foot bed of the sandals effectively shortens the straps, which is why I suggest buying some oversized flip flops and trimming them down.

I used a pair that was one size too big but I think two sizes bigger is a better choice.

Use a pair of flip flops that fits you well to trace the appropriate size onto the bottom of the oversized pair.

Use a sharp knife to cut off the excess parts. I tried to use scissors at first and it didn't work out too well. If you have a band saw this may be the best choice, but a knife works just fine.

Step 2: Arch Support

Draw a curve around the inside strap in the appropriate area for an arch support.

Now cover that area with ear plugs. Apply hot glue to the flat side of the ear plug and press down onto the foot bed. It is a good idea to do both sandals at the same time to keep a similar placement pattern going.

Step 3: Cut the Ear Plugs

In order to reduce the number of necessary material a bit, I cut the remainder of my ear plugs in half. Scissors work really well for this and you can cut two or three at once if you line them up right.

Step 4: Continue Gluing

Hot glue really is pretty great stuff. It is really quick and easy to use and adheres nicely to most foams and fabrics.

I tried to keep to a fairly consistent concentric pattern when gluing on the ear plugs. The outside layer is all the rounded tops of the ear plugs and then there is a layer of bottoms. The pattern fell apart a little towards the inside, but that's okay.

Step 5: Finish Gluing

When I started I was pretty sure that the giant pile of orange ear plugs I had would be enough, but I was wrong. I had to go on search for some more ear plugs and only found smaller yellow ones.

Since I had been working on both sandals at the same time there was a matching empty area and as a result now there is a matching yellow area. That was quite convenient.

Step 6: Walk on the Clouds

The only thing left to do is slip them on and enjoy the glorious comfort of memory foam on your feet.

As one might hope with ear plugs, there is also a sound dampening side effect.

Comments

[deluges]

YESS I love this idea. I'm going to memory-foam everything in my immediate vicinity

[CobyUnger]

Do it! Here is what my friend Wei did with ear plugs. http://cargocollective.com/weili/Extra-Senses

[SooUu]

I checked it out, you have a much more practical use for them

[Yonatan24]

Great idea! I need to make these!

[CobyUnger]

It is quick and easy. A good project for a free hour or two. Post a pic if you make them.

[jacob92398]

These look SO comfy!

[LeslieGeee]

Hi Coby, what a really imaginative idea. What you have to realize is that if you get hot glue gun glue wet it will eventually separate from whatever it was originally stuck to. I have used it enough to have found this out the hard way. What I suggest is something like E6000 if it wont eat the earplugs, and it is waterproof.

[dsantil71]

What about the glue that's specifically for craft foam? I don't know if it's waterproof though.

[WildOne1985]

There are glues that are made for foam and leathery textures + rubber. Works excellent in wet conditions.

[wobbler]

I thought this was an interesting idea, but when I made them I found I couldn't get them in my ears. In the end I used an old tennis sweatband and used that to hold them against my head. They worked perfectly despite the fact that I now look like a donkey on the beach and parents keep trying to get me to give their kids a ride.

[dsantil71]

u r supposed to roll & squeeze them between ur thumb & finger till it is as skinny & long as possible then with mouth open (makes ur ear canal bigger) pull ur ear lobe down to open ear more insert ear plug then close mouth & let ear go, don't shove it in, just hold finger over ear opening to keep there while it expands. Then do the other ear. It will get easier & faster the more u do it. Tell ur parents it's better than needing hearing aids ur old, lol.

[shantinath1000]

This possibly the BEST response I have seen in a looong time! Well played sir! Well played!

[CobyUnger]

Can we get a photo of this?

[wobbler]

@CobyUnger: Do you want one with or without the saddle and kid in my back? I've also had this urge to eat a lot of carrots since wearing them too. Did you have this problem?

[CobyUnger]

All of the above, or what ever combination you prefer.

[agulesin]

Why doesn't Instructables have a "vote up" button? Great comment! ;-)

[fig_and_pie]

this is so funny & awesome!

[jdawe2]

PURE GENIUS!

[patsheldon]

wow!! haha I love it!

[pedrobedro]

Putting earplugs in will definitely make solenoids sound quieter :D New ones are not expensive though.