I disagree that they are only meant to be beach shoes and cannot be worn as proper shoes. I wear them year long! In fact, I'd say in summer you won't find many people wearing anything else (in Australia) although we do still call them thongs lol. It's become a bit of a joke between me and my friends at university because we can spot the American exchange students because they are the only ones wearing enclosed shoes in summer, and they always seem to be a lot clunkier than Australian shoes. Guess it is just a cultural thing :) I find Havianas are the most popular/comfortable brand.