Flip-flops are a summertime staple—or if you live in, say, California, an anytime staple. But Doug Kechijian, D.P.T., doctor of physical therapy at Peak Performance in New York City tells Men’s Health flip-flops are not the best choice for your feet.
According to Kechijian, when you wear thonged sandals, you have to slightly clench your toes (curling them down towards the pads of your feet) to keep them on, and that’s not a natural position for your feet. As opposed to walking barefoot and your midfoot and toes bend at the end as your heel leaves the floor; when you clench your toes while walking, your foot is stiffer, and the step won’t flow.
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Kechijian cautions that this constant tension in your foot alters your gait, and can eventually cause muscular issues in your feet and calves. That can lead to the painful condition plantar fasciitis—also called “jogger’s heel”—when you run. You’ll feel a sharp shooting pain in the bottom of your heels with each step. In extreme cases, flip-flops may even be the cause of other lower-body issues like knee pain.
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But what if you love flip-flops? Kechijian says they’re still OK to wear as long as you put a cap on the distance you travel in them. He says to try to limit your distance to about 10 blocks; any longer, and you should be wearing regular shoes.
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Another option is to find a sandal that stays on easily and doesn’t put your foot to work like flip-flops do – like something that completely wraps your feet in straps in a, according to Kechijian.
The main goal is to make sure that the toe area of your sandals bends. If the zone where your toes sit is too stiff, it can negatively impact your gait.
Curated article and photo credit from Men’s Health
