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With a warm May long weekend coming up, most of us are hauling our flip flops out of the closet. They’re convenient, but they may be hurting your feet. Many summer sandals offer little or no support. And since we’re most active in the summer, our feet need it more than ever.
A basic foam flip flop is a summer wardrobe staple. And they’re fine for lounging by the pool, but according to Pedorthist, Katrina Lammers, that’s about all. “If you’re an avid sandal wearer, you want to look for one that has support, has those adjustable uppers to make your foot more comfortable.” Most summer sandals are too flat, and don’t hold the foot in place. That slipping forces the foot to tense so the shoe doesn’t fall off. “People will grip with their toes causing callouses, blisters and corns on their foot.”
That muscle tension can also affect your gait and spinal alignment. Even strappier sandals can cause rubbing and cramping, and aren’t suitable for a day on your feet. “They’re also going to lack support in the arch, they don’t usually have a heel cup, and they have no padding in the forefoot, so that can often lead to heel pain, forefoot pain, those sorts of things.”
Lammers recommends a pair with an adjustable strap to secure the foot. If you’re walking a distance, a back strap is essential. other important features include a heel cup that squeezes the heel to prevent cracking, and arch support to distribute your weight evenly.
Sandals aren’t the only summer footwear culprit. Flats can cause a lot of the same problems. If you can’t avoid them all together, try to minimize the amount of walking you do in less supportive shoes.
