The weather is finally starting to look like summer, and the forecast looks like it’s here to stay for a while, which means many of us will soon be digging our sandals out of storage for another year. Sandals can be a lightweight and breathable option for our feet, but they can also lead to some foot problems if you’re not careful. In today’s blog, we share some tips for navigating sandal season and keeping your feet injury free.
Preventing Sandal-Related Foot Injuries
Sandals can be a fine foot option, but many people aren’t aware of some to the problems they can cause for your feet. That’s not to say that you should never wear sandals, but you should at least be cognizant of some of the issues they could present. Here are some tips for navigating sandal season this year.
1. Find A Pair With Arch Support – A number of sandals offer very little in the form of arch support, and if you spend a lot of time in your sandals, arch-related issues can develop. Problems like fallen arches or plantar fasciitis can develop if you wear sandals that are lacking arch support. Do some research and find a pair that will contour to your arch and help support it.
2. Don’t Spend Too Much Time In Them – Sandals are great for walking to the beach from your car, but you don’t want to wear them for hours at a time. Sandals aren’t very supportive and don’t offer that much protection from the elements, so don’t wear them if you’ll be walking a lot or on your feet all day.
3. Beware Thong Sandals – Thong sandals have a tendency to shift a bit on our feet with each step we take. To counter this, oftentimes we end up flexing or curling our toes to help hold the sandal in position. Over time, this repetitive stress can cause problems for the soft tissues in your toes. Sandals that strap or buckle on in order to stay in position will help keep strain off your toes.
4. Wear Sunscreen – Sandals are a perfect option for soaking up the sun, but our feet are an area that oftentimes gets overlooked when it comes to sunscreen. If your sandals allow your feet to get some sun, make sure you hit these areas regularly with sunscreen.
5. Replace Worn Out Pairs – This is smart advice for any type of shoe, but sandals tend to wear down more quickly simply because they aren’t built to take much of a physical beating. If the bottoms are worn or they no longer fit correctly, swap them out, because they could become a tripping hazard.
6. Right Shoe For The Job – Finally, because sandals don’t really offer your feet much protection from the elements, only wear them in the right situation. If you’re going to be on a rocky or uneven surface, opt for a more protective shoe so that pebbles or debris don’t cause problems for your feet. Just like you shouldn’t wear sandals if you’re going to be doing a lot of walking, you also don’t want to wear them on the wrong terrain or when you want some protection from stones or equipment.