The summer weather appears here to stay, and if you’re like most people getting ready for Memorial Day and the rest of summer here in Minnesota, odds are you’re rearranging your shoe closet and dusting off your sandals and flip flops from winter storage. Sandals are a refreshing change from winter boots, but they can also cause some issues for your feet if you aren’t careful. In today’s blog, we share some tips for preventing flip flop foot pain this summer.
Stopping Summer Sandal Pain
If you keep these tips in mind, we are confident that you will be able to reduce your risk of developing foot pain that is a direct result of your sandal usage.
1. Don’t Use Them As A Primary Shoe – Most sandals don’t offer a lot of protection and support for your feet, so try to avoid making your flip flops your main footwear choice this season. They are great for a day at the beach or for lounging by the pool, but consider a more supportive pair if you’ll be doing a lot of standing and walking. Excessive strain on your feet when they aren’t adequately supported can significantly increase your risk of developing foot pain. Don’t make your sandals your primary footwear this summer.
2. Prioritize Straps Over Thong Style – If you’re shopping for a new pair of summer sandals, consider choosing a pair that has straps as opposed to a thong-styled sandals. You’re more prone to curling your toes in order to keep your sandal in place if you go with a thong sandals, and that can cause problems for the ligaments and soft tissues in your toes. Let the straps do the work, not your toes.
3. Don’t Go Cheap – We’re not saying that you need to drop hundreds of dollars on a pair of sandals, but because they oftentimes can be created using just a little material, you may be able to find sandals for under $10. Really cheap pairs are little better than having cardboard strapped to your feet, and they will do nothing to support your feet. We understand that you don’t want to break the bank for sandals, but at the same time, incredibly cheap pairs can put your foot at risk of pain if they aren’t adequately supported.
4. Break Them In – Consider breaking your sandals in over the course of a few days. If the first time your wear them this season is for 10 straight hours, odds are your feet will be sore when the day is done. Sandals can rub our feet in new ways and lead to the formation of sores or blisters, so see how your feet react during limited use before you bust them out for an entire day.
5. Look For Arch Support – Finally, sandals don’t need to be a completely flat shoe. Ideally your sandal will have some arch support, but also remember that an over-exaggerated arch can be just as problematic. Limited arch support is one of the leading causes of new foot pain when wearing sandals, so when picking out a new pair, opt for a pair that provides some support to your arch.
For more sandal tips, or to talk to a foot specialist about a different foot issue that you’re dealing with, reach out to the team at Silverman Ankle & Foot today at (952) 224-8500.
