Summer Flip-Flops: Foot Friend or Foot Foe?

The days are getting warmer in Austin, TX and those flip-flops are calling your name from the closet. With the ability to slip them on quickly, allow your feet to stay cool, and outfit your feet for just a few bucks, flip-flops definitely have their positive qualities. But are these good for your feet? Here’s what you need to know.

Cheap flip-flops don’t offer support for your feet.

One of the things people love about flip-flops is they’re cheap. You can easily invest in ten different pairs in different colors. However, flip-flops also don’t offer a lot of support for the shape of your foot. Most of the inexpensive versions are made out of a piece of foam rubber and a strap. The foam rubber doesn’t have any arch support, which can put a lot of stress on your feet, ankles, and legs when you walk.

Flip-flops leave your feet open to injury.

Flip-flops that are made from cheaper materials do not offer a lot of protection for your feet. Something as simple as a sharp rock could easily pierce the base of the sandal and cause a severe injury to your foot. Many visits to a podiatrist every year stem from injuries to the feet caused by wearing flip-flops. Even though flip-flops can be comfortable, they are not the best footwear when you are out and about.

Not all sandals are bad.

Even though the majority of flip-flops do not offer much in the way of support for your feet, there are some sandals that can be suitable for wear, so you don’t have to toss them all. Look for sandals that:

• Offer some level of arch support for your feet
• Have secure straps around your toes to prevent bending your toes to keep the shoe in place
• Provide a dense enough sole to protect the bottom of your foot

Let Us Help You with Your Feet in Austin, TX

Protecting your feet is vital, even if it means letting go of ill-fitting and ill-protecting footwear. If you are having problems with your feet, reach out to us at the office of Dr. Jeffery LaMour, DPM, PA.