Why Cheap Flip-Flops Are a Total Flop for Healthy Feet

4 Key Elements to Look for When Choosing Sandals

When selecting flip-flops, you will need to pay attention to four key elements: surface area, stability, materials, and overall safety.

1. Surface Area

The safest, best flip-flops will have a significant amount of surface area contact between the bottom of the foot and the sandal. As a general rule, the more contact there is between the sandal and the foot, the more supportive the flip-flop will be.

However, if you have particularly flat feet, a large amount of surface area contact may be misleading in terms of surface area. Your flip-flop should be wide enough to reach both sides of the foot. Your toes should not curl over the ends of the sandal. You will also need to pay attention to arch support and other factors. Look for sandals that have a footbed that hugs your feet the way the insole of your tennis shoe hugs the foot. Cheap, flat flip-flops rarely provide arch support.

2. Stability

In addition to surface area contact, there are other aspects of the sandal that need to be examined. The width of the straps over or around the foot is directly related to the stability of the sandal. Select flip-flops with wider straps, and preferably straps that are adjustable so you can customize the fit across the top of the sandal to your foot.

In addition to examining the straps, surface area, and arch support, pick up the flip-flops and try to bend them. A flip-flop should only bend easily at the ball of the foot like any other shoe. Flip-flops that can easily be bent in half or twisted anywhere else will not offer good stability and should be avoided. Cheap flip-flops rarely offer stability or adjustable straps.

3. Material

While flip-flop style sandals come in a variety of materials and styles, leather is the best option. Leather will hug the foot with less likelihood of irritation. It is also durable and less prone to sudden damage. Avoid plastic or rubber flip-flops at all costs, as they provide no support or stability and are prone to breaking along the straps while you walk.

Leather is able to withstand greater wear and tear and is far less likely to suddenly break or fall apart. Additionally, plastic or foam flip-flops will not protect against sharp objects you may step on.

4. Safety

For added safety assurances, look for flip-flops or other sandals that carry the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) seal of approval. Regularly inspect your sandals, whether APMA approved or not, for damage. As soon as you notice tears or severe wear, discard them and select a new pair. If the toe thong irritates your foot between the toes, look for a better-fitting pair, since this irritation may lead to blisters or even infections.

Avoid Wearing Flip-Flops for Physical Activity

If you regularly wear flip-flops, avoid wearing them while doing yard work, sports, or when walking long distances, and do not ever run in flip-flops. For everyday wear and walking shorter distances, properly fitting sandals generally pose very little risk of injury.

However, these sandals are not meant to be worn as any type of protective footwear, and they do not provide the necessary stability required for physical activity. Wearing flip-flops while doing yard work, participating in sports, or walking long distances greatly increases your risk for foot and ankle injuries.

Flip-Flops Are Better than Walking Barefoot

Finally, when in public, never walk barefoot. At the gym, public pool, at the beach, or in a hotel room, flip-flops are a good option to protect the soles of your feet from plantar warts, athlete’s foot, and other infections.

If you have suffered from foot, ankle, or leg injuries related to flip-flops, do not hesitate to call Kansas City Foot Specialists to schedule an exam. Be sure to bring your flip-flops with you so the podiatrist may examine them as well. Call us today at (913) 338-4440.