Here’s When to Wear Flip-Flops (And When to Skip Them)
During the lovely Indiana summer, we’re all excited to bring wear our flip-flops. And there are plenty of times that wearing them is a great choice for your feet. When you’re by the pool, slipping on flip-flops can protect your feet from picking up a fungal infection. (The same is true if you’re heading to group showers in a locker room.)
Going to the beach? You can bring your flip-flops. They’ll keep your feet from burning on the hot sand.
But, if you’re not by the water, you’ll probably want to skip the flip-flops. Especially if you’ll be walking or spending lots of time on your feet. Because, while they’re cheap and convenient, flip-flops lack some of the basic features your feet need to stay safe and comfortable.
Flip-Flops Offer Little Foot Support
With their flat foot base, flip-flops offer no arch support. And that causes your plantar fascia (the thick tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot) to stretch abnormally. As a result, inflammation sets in, and you may develop chronic heel pain. (Also called plantar fasciitis, this painful condition is often worst when you first get out of bed in the morning.)
But wait, there’s more…When you wear flip-flops, your toes have to grip in order to keep your flip-flop from sliding around. This action makes your leg muscles work harder than normal, which can trigger shin splints and muscle pain, not to mention changes in your toes such as hammertoes.
Finally, your flip-flops could even leave you with stress fractures if you walk in them too much. That’s because their flimsy soles offer little shock absorption, which puts excessive force on your foot bones. (For an even better option to wear to the pool, in the shower and at the beach, check out our Powerstep Sandals.)
4 Times to Never Wear Flip Flops
Like we said, you should only wear flip-flops by the pool, beach or in the shower. But these 4 situations make flip-flop wearing especially dangerous:
Mowing the grass. Never wear flip-flops when doing yard work, especially when using a lawnmower. This practice can cause severe lacerations and even amputation.
Hiking. Flip-flops simply don’t have the support you need when tackling tough terrain or exploring the great outdoors. Invest in a pair of hiking shoes or boots for best protection and stability.
Bicycling. Flip-flops don’t offer any sideways stability, so it is far too easy for your foot to slide off the pedal. To stay safe, wear closed-toed athletic shoes that will protect your feet and toenails from any unexpected road contact.
Sports. Enjoying an impromptu pick-up basketball game? Don’t ruin your fun with a twisted ankle from playing in flimsy flip-flops. Stick to athletic shoes for your best game.
Even wearing flip-flops during everyday activities can result in toe fractures or torn toenail beds, because they just can’t protect your feet. So stick to safe summer footwear, and request an immediate appointment with our office if flip-flops or any other triggers leave you with foot pain.