Flip Flops: Do They Hurt Your Feet?

Spring is upon us, and with it the time to strap on some fun, stylish flip-flops and start enjoying the season's beauty. So run to the local drug store, grab some inexpensive flip-flops, and head outdoors, right? Wrong.

The truth is many of our favorite flip-flops can be sending us feet first into serious injuries to our feet, ankles, knees, hips and even our back. Over time these injuries can lead to serious bone, tendon, and joint damage.

Believe it or not, there's been a lot of research regarding flip-flops. A recent study found that flip-flop wearers tend to grip the footwear with their toes, causing shorter stride length and improper force when their feet hit the ground. What does this mean? Basically, a powerful force is transferred up our legs, putting additional stress on our lower body.

Unfortunately, our bodies aren't designed for that type of stress. The spongy nature and lack of arch support found in many flip-flops causes the feet to roll inward toward each other causing pain and injury to the arch as well as plantar fasciitis. And if you're not flat foot, you actually could become flat foot by wearing poorly made flip flops.

Those aren't the only problems; there are the more obvious hazards of uncovered footwear. These include stubbed toes, cuts, bruises, bug bites; not to mention dirty feet. Because flip flops tend to lack support and a tight fit to the feet -- combined with usually poor treads -- slips, falls, and sprained ankles are much more common. I'm sure we can all think of at least one flop or fall while wearing them!

So what are some tips to picking healthy summer footwear? Well, start by looking for support. Choose sandals and flip-flops with significant arch support, as well as an indented heel cup to hold the heel in place and reduce instability when the heel strikes the ground. Don't make the most common mistake by going for the flat soled option. Also, be sure to look for proper materials in your footwear. For the sole, this means forgiving yet firm materials, such as rubbers or soft plastics.

Do not buy cheap foam material that are too flimsy and lack a solid form. A good general rule is to try to bend the sole along its length. It should bend only slightly, and if it can almost touch the heel to the toe, you're definitely looking at the wrong material.

Pay careful attention to straps, as well. Consider leather or soft materials to reduce irritation and blisters. Avoid plastic or cotton straps, or any that are too thin and can cut into the skin.

In addition, consider overall quality and opening up your budget a bit. Keep in mind that you may need to spend as much on a quality pair of sandals or flip-flops that you would on a nice pair of sneakers. It's well worth it!

Lastly and maybe most importantly, is to wear your sandals and flip-flops in moderation. This means avoid them during all-day events, athletic activities, and especially during yard work. Even if you follow my guide and buy the very best flip-flops, they are still less suited than sneakers for these activities. Your feet should feel as good as they look, and if you use my advice buying your next flip-flops, your feet will enjoy the spring and summer months as much as you do.

 

 

 

Comments

[Steven Sashen]

09:19 PM on 04/10/2011

I'm no fan of flip flop, but that's because the don't fit me (or anyone I've seen). But I've been wearing nothing but sandals -- Invisible Shoes to be exact -- for the last year and a half. I've never had a problem with stubbed toes or cuts or bruises. And the lack of support has made me *use* the muscles in my previously flat feet... for the first time in my life, I now have arches in my feet.

[Kathie Hansen]

04:36 PM on 04/10/2011

When you walk barefoot in dirt and soft grass your arch is hitting the ground and supported. When you add flat shoes with no arch support, your arches do not get any support and the natural shape of your foot is slowly distorted.

[Kathie Hansen]

04:31 PM on 04/10/2011

I lived in flip-flops all summer for many years and even a nice leather fitted pair for work . That was the fatal mistake- I developed planter facitis and morton's neuroma and damaged my lymphatic. It is lucky I can still wear any shoes at all. It may take many years before the damage shows up, but believe me it does.Can't spell

[KelaMa]

04:06 PM on 04/10/2011

This article is weirdly ethnocentric. A great portion of the world wears "flip-flops" 24-hours-per-day and they get along just fine, thank you. Next up on breaking American health news: If men don't wear pants we can't tell if they're men and why shaving is necessary to womens' health.

[yogiboogie]

02:33 PM on 04/10/2011

Have you noticed how every year one of these articles come out about how bad flip flops are for your feet? I always wonder if these folks are being paid by shoe and orthotics companies. And why don't we get an article each fall about how bad SHOES are for your feet, and how they "cause" all kinds of lower back problems, arthritis, ligament tears, etc.?

[skunky93]

01:06 PM on 05/18/2011

They come out bc people who have just spent time recovering from having a nerve branch taken out of their foot are horrified at the idea of people abusing their feet the way that they used to do...and at the cost of losing permanent toe sensation, dealing with a permanent surgical scar, and losing control over toe movement. Have you ever noticed that people who suffer want to warn others so that they don't suffer? Yeah. And btw, it wouldn't hurt to pay attention to those orthotic companies bc they actually have a healthy message for us. One that I wish I would have listened to a long time ago.

[bekhuff]

02:06 PM on 04/10/2011

Chaco flipflops. I found them when I already had plantar fasciitis in both feet (from a combination of the wrong running shoes, weight gain, and moving ourselves and therefore carrying heavy items for several days). I was looking for leather, because plastics make my feet stinky; and arch support. Chaco flipflops did the trick. I have been through four pairs in 2.5 years and rarely wear anything else. We live in Florida and work at home, so "style" is not really an issue, though because these fit right and aren't "sloppy" like cheap flip flops, I dare say they look nice enough for our casual lifestyle. It is FAR too hot here for socks and shoes.

[Freon Sandoz]

01:55 PM on 04/10/2011

Arch support? How did humans survive for a million years without it? Ancient humans did a lot more walking and running barefoot and in crude sandals than anyone does in modern society. Flip-flops may have some problems, but I can't believe that lack of arch support is one of them.

[bekhuff]

02:08 PM on 04/10/2011

I agree with the sentiment here; however, humans didn't used to walk on hard concrete, let alone the tremendously hard tile floors of our home. There are runners that do barefoot running and swear by it, but I think they mostly run on dirt/grass and/or rubber track.

[skunky93]

01:08 PM on 05/18/2011

Exactly.

[dnharris14]

01:45 PM on 04/10/2011

I don't know if they hurt peoples' feet, but they certainly hurt my eyes.

[hpehall]

10:15 AM on 04/10/2011

Sounds to me this guy owns stocks in footwear companies, and probably never traveled to Asia in his life. "Bug bites"? "Dirty feet"? Who are your target audience anyway? Average Americans or residents of Papua New Guinea? I would have fired you if I am your boss.

[HookedonMac]

09:41 AM on 04/10/2011

Yes, they can damage your feet or at least help in the process of damaging them. I now have planta in my left heel and cannot walk on long walks outside until this goes away. Doing all sorts of exercises; have had a steroid shot and the pain went away for 7 mos. but came back. Steroid shots too often can further do damage. Had the foot wrapped and taped and wore a special shoe and that helped a little but the pain was still there. I now wear special insoles and no shoes with no back. Wearing these things will catch up with you.

[Violet Lazarte]

07:30 AM on 04/09/2011

Flip flops have been worn by generations of Filipinos. Do we just switch to 'shoes'?

[Rockinon]

07:16 AM on 04/09/2011

There is some disagreement in this area.

A doctor at a sports clinic in London, Ontario, Canada has conducted research at the UWO calling into question the way foot injuries are handled. If you injure a shoulder, the physio does not tell you to brace the injured joint, refrain from using the affected muscles and do this indefinitely. No, you exercise the muscle and joint and encourage healing with strength and mobility.

But with foot injuries, it is another story. We bind them up in shoes, fit othotics to brace and support them, and we prevent the foot muscles and joints from moving freely. We weaken the feet; We don't strengthen them.

So, what shoe does this Canadian research scientist, Tom Jenkyn, wear at home? He likes a backless pair of Crocs; These allow his forefoot to spread and they exercise his foot muscles. He says any backless sandal which a person finds comfortable and which does not confine the foot should work – and make the foot work, too.

[pghflash]

06:46 AM on 04/09/2011

Really? What research? the specific research was never mentioned. I would like to see the actual results of this study. I have been wearing dense foam flip flops and running barefoot for the last several years and my lower back and hip problems have almost vanished.

What about high heels that are the sole cause of bunions and of many women's deformed feet? Seriously, that is the footwear that destroys feet. Why are there never any articles about that?

Swing Set Fitness - perhaps your athletes are wearing flip flops in their off time because their over stabilizing athletic shoes are actually hurting them and they need relief.

[skunky93]

01:09 PM on 05/18/2011

Maybe you should look around more. There are plenty of articles on heels being terrible for the feet.

[lancealgoriddim]

11:29 PM on 04/08/2011

Men should not wear sandals. They're feminine. I don't want to see guys hairy legs and nasty feet. The worst is looking at some dude's toe hair when i'm trying to eat. RALPH!!!

[hpehall]

10:05 AM on 04/10/2011

If you really think guys' legs and feet are nasty, then DON'T look! Why, you can't control your eyeballs, and you are trying to control other people instead in order to suit your taste?

[FranklinCat]

11:05 PM on 04/08/2011

The arches of your foot are designed to support, not be supported.

[Karimala]

07:14 AM on 04/09/2011

As someone with flat feet, I beg to differ. I'd give just about anything for my arches to be properly supported.

[jmddc]

01:06 PM on 04/10/2011

And as someone with high arches, I also beg to differ. Flat shoes hurt.

[skunky93]

01:10 PM on 05/18/2011

You don't have foot problems do you? lol Figures.