May is here, and that means summer is right around the corner. The winter boots are back in the closet, and soon the minimalist shoes and bare feet will be our preferred options when heading outside. However, summer also presents some unique challenges for our feet. We explore those challenges and share some foot safety techniques below.
Summer Foot Safety
Below, we look at some foot injury pitfalls that are more common during summer, and we share how to avoid them.
1. Lack of Support – Sandals are often a preferred shoe option during the summer, but a lot of sandals are little more than cardboard and strings in terms of how much support they offer your arch. Invest in a quality pair of sandals that offer plenty of support for your arch, and don’t rely on them as your main footwear option. Wear them in moderation, but if you’re going to be on your feet all day, grab a more supportive option.
2. Overuse – When it gets warm out, people tend to take their workouts outdoors and tack on extra miles to their runs and walks. It’s great to stay active and get outdoors, but if you ramp up your mileage too quickly or don’t give your feet time to recover between workouts, injuries like shin splits or overuse problems can occur. Slowly increase your mileage, and be sure to do some upper-body workouts so your legs can get a day off during the week.
3. Protection – Minimalist shoes are often very breathable, but they also don’t offer many protections for your feet. If you are going to be walking on concrete or gravel paths, opt for a footwear choice that protects your feet from pebbles, stones or other hard surfaces.
4. Foot Inspections – Since you’re more likely to see your feet when you’re going barefoot or wearing sandals, you’ll have more opportunities to inspect them. Make sure you are keeping them clean, trimming the nails the the appropriate length (don’t round the edges!) and caring for any cuts or abrasions. If you don’t, a small cut can turn into a huge problem if an infection sets in, so inspect your feet every day.