HEALTH
As the warm weather approaches, we look forward to getting out of our winter boots and putting on our flip flops and sandals. We want to walk the beach, go on vacation and enjoy the warm weather after living through cold, snowy days. It becomes too hot as the weather turns and we want to let our feet breathe. It seems like an easy transition to go from boots to flip flops but do our feet suffer in the long run? Is our summer footwear more of a flop to the health of our feet?
According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, flip flops are not good for extensive walking because they offer no arch support, heel cushioning, or shock absorption. Most shoes worn in cold weather months have thicker soles and coverage for our feet. There usually is some arch support even if not thick in the best of shoes. We go from a full coverage shoe to a piece of flat material with a couple of straps holding onto our feet. When we transition our gait from heel to toe, the majority of the time the flip flop is not in contact with our feet. Sandals with straps surrounding our ankles often do not allow for an easy heel to toe gait pattern due to the stiff, flat material we are standing on. We pound our feet into the ground with a thin layer of protection that at times we develop an injury. Some common injuries like plantar fasciitis and tendonitis can be very painful and take months to heal. If we experience pain every time we take a step, that pain is going to affect our daily lives with walking or performing basic standing household chores. You might not be able to walk long distances without causing you to limp, which if left untreated can develop into pain in other parts of your body (knees, hips or lower back).
There is hope of wearing flip flops again because not all flip flops and sandals are created equal. With many more people developing foot pain, shoe companies have found a competitive market to cater to our feet. Everyone has different needs for their feet, whether you have flat or high arches, companies are creating summer footwear to be more supportive.
You need to know what to look for that best supports your feet. The easiest way to find the right footwear is to try some different brands before going to buy, by googling "supportive flip flops for (insert your foot type whether it be flat, high arches, etc)". Buying online is an option after you have found what works for you.
Most common brands I found that have good support was Vionic and Clark’s. Other companies (such as L.L. Bean, Nike, Merrell, and FitFlop) are now developing flip flops and sandals to be more supportive. They can be pricey but there are sale items online and at stores once you have tried them on and know what feels comfortable for you. If you see a podiatrist or Orthopedic doctor, he or she can also provide some advice on what would work specifically for you.
Just be aware that flip flops do not replace sneakers/shoes for activities that involve extended periods of walking, running or exercise. Know the type of terrain you will be walking on to buy appropriate footwear to avoid injury. Once you try supportive flip flops or sandals, you might find that all your footwear should be supportive and comfortable.
Have fun shopping and enjoy your summer pain-free!
