It’s summer: flip-flop season. But just because it’s the perfect time of year to wear flip-flops doesn’t mean you should be putting them on everywhere you go.
Brian Donley, MD, a foot and ankle surgeon at Cleveland Clinic’s Orthopaedic & Rheumatologic Institute, says flip-flops may be fun, fashionable, and easy to get on and off, but they are not for everyday use.
He says they can be damaging if you wear them too often because they don’t support or protect your feet or your arches as you walk. They tend to slide or slip off, counteracting how you normally walk.
However, if you like wearing flip-flops, there’s no need to stop. To avoid problems, such as heel and arch pain, just be careful to avoid extended use, Dr. Donley says.
Below, find tips to having flip-flop savvy:
- Don’t wear flip-flops if you’re going on a long walk. Wear shoes that give your feet support, testing their supportiveness from heel strike to toe push-off.
- Do flaunt your flip-flops poolside or at the beach, where you use them for short periods of time and enjoy easy slip-on and slip-off.
- Do throw away flip-flops that are worn or torn.
- Don’t buy flip-flops with soles that freely bend or twist.
Dr. Donley says that he and his family enjoy wearing flip-flops, and so should you. He says, it makes sense to wear them at the pool or at the beach or anywhere you want to get your shoe on and off quickly, just not every day and not for extended periods.
