The popular flip flop can be bought for as little as £4 in Brazil but UK shoppers buying them from an official shop pay six and half times more than that
HAVAIANAS are just three times stronger than cheap flip flops - but cost 26 times more for UK shoppers, an investigation has revealed.
Boffins at Glasgow Caledonian on behalf of Channel 4 TV show SuperShoppers tested two types of flip flops - a £24 pair of grey classic Havaianas and a 90p pair from Primark.
They tested the materials to see how long they would last and how strong they were.
Researchers concluded that while the well-known brand would last up to 3 times longer than a cheap alternative but that they can be up to 26 times more expensive.
Havaianas were first made in 1962 as a basic show for poor plantation workers in Brazil.
Initally they were made out of rice straw, by 1964 practically ever worker in Brazil wore a pair.
By the early 2000's they became the only flip flop to be seen in and are now sold in 100 countries round the world.
There are more than 26 stores in the UK, where a pair costs £26 on average.
The shoes are also more expensive in the UK, as a pair in Brazil costs less than £4, the TV show claims.
It's worth shopping around if you want a pair of Havaianas as they cost from as little as £4 on Amazon.
Some experts also warn that wearing flip flops could cause painful - and severe - damage to your feet.
SuperShoppers is broadcast at 8pm tonight on Channel 4.
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