The most heroic of flip-flop. As a New Zealander, we think we know a thing or two about this genre of footwear, their being our national dress. However, the Thais have outdone us. Worn from northeast Laos to southwest Thailand, from monks on their alms rounds to rice-farmers in the field, the ultimate running shoe, safety boot, bikie boot or formal-wear (as far as I'm concerned). My pair have lasted 16 years and are still going strong: barely lost any tread and never once "pulled a plug".