Why Foot Support Matters

Your feet are the foundation of your body, supporting your weight and absorbing the impact of walking, running, and standing. They are complex structures made up of bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, all working together to keep you moving smoothly. Proper foot support is crucial for maintaining the alignment and health of your entire body. Without adequate support, you might experience common but painful conditions like plantar fasciitis, morton’s neuroma, and chronic ankle instability.

The Problem with Most Flip-Flops

Typical flip-flops offer minimal support, which can be problematic. Most have thin, flat soles that do not provide the necessary cushioning or arch support. This lack of structure can cause your feet to overpronate (roll inward) or supinate (roll outward), leading to alignment issues and discomfort. Additionally, the casual straps on flip-flops can cause further stress. The effort required to keep flip-flops on your feet can also cause your toes to grip excessively, leading to muscle strain and fatigue.

When to Wear Flip-Flops

Despite these issues, there are appropriate times to wear flip-flops. They are suitable for short-term use, such as:

• At the Beach: Protects your feet from hot sand and sharp objects.
• Around the Pool: Prevents slips on wet surfaces.
• In Public Showers: Reduces the risk of infections, such as warts or nail/skin fungus.

However, flip-flops should not be your primary footwear, especially for activities that involve prolonged standing or walking.

Features of Good Quality Flip-Flops

If you love wearing flip-flops, consider investing in a high-quality pair that offers better support. At BioPed, we recommend the PowerStep Archwear Orthopedic Sandals to keep your feet feeling their best this summer. They are an extremely comfortable and supportive option with several key features:

• Arch Support: Look for flip-flops with built-in arch support to maintain the natural alignment of your feet.
• Cushioned Soles: A thicker, firmly cushioned sole can absorb shock and reduce pressure on your feet.
• Wide and Snug Straps: Opt for flip-flops with wider straps that distribute pressure more evenly and reduce friction. Snug straps keep the foot securely in place and reduce excessive toe-gripping.
• Deep Heel Cup: A deeper heel cup can help stabilize your foot and prevent excessive motion and injury.

The Importance of Removable Insoles

For those with more complex foot conditions, sandals with removable insoles are a game-changer. They allow you to insert custom orthotics, which are specially designed to meet the specific needs of your feet. Custom orthotics can provide enhanced support, correct alignment issues, and alleviate pain from various foot conditions.

While most flip-flops are not ideal for prolonged use due to their lack of support and potential to cause foot stress, there are high-quality options that can provide better comfort and health benefits. Reserve flip-flops for short-term wear and choose pairs that offer features like arch support, cushioned soles, and wide straps. Your feet are the foundation of your body, and taking care of them is essential for your overall well-being! If you’ve got questions about your summer footwear, we’re here to help. At BioPed, we’ve got just the right sandals you’re looking for to keep you feeling comfortable all summer long!

The post Is there such a thing as a good flip flop for your feet? appeared first on Relieve Foot Pain & Leg Pain.

Mephisto

These sandals are comparable to the birkenstock but come in a wider strap variety and some models even have a removable footbed so you can use your custom orthotics all summer long. Orthopedically designed, Mephisto sandals have adjustable straps and built in arch support as well as moldable footbeds.

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Power step

The Power Step flip flop is more akin to your typical flip flop footwear. With both slide and thong styles this is the most interchangeable style of orthopedic sandal. With built in arch support these flip flops do not have an adjustable strap, but they are stiffer than most flip flop straps and hold the foot more securely to the foot. They are not made of a moldable cork footbed, but rather, an EVA foam, making it wonderful for sand and surf. If the tried and true flip flop is your choice summer sandal, the Power Step is a fantastic orthopedic step up.

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Biotime

Regularly stocked and an affordable option, the Biotime sandals come in a variety of styles, many with an adjustable strap and built-in orthopedic arch support. Ranging in options from cork bed to soft bed, and a few EVA foam options, these sandals are a great choice for all of your summer needs.

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Birkenstock

These sandals are not classic flip flops, but rather strap sandals, often a slip-on, with a cork or soft footbed that mould to the feet with wear. The firm footbed offers support and is designed to support the medial longitudinal arch of the foot, as well as have a deeper heel cup for more control of a flexible foot and a metatarsal mound at the forefoot to offload the ball of the foot in the case it has dropped. The adjustable nature of the straps also ensures your foot is less likely to slip out, allowing for increased comfort and support.

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The bad and the ugly for all foot types

If you are choosing non orthopedic sandals, but true flip flops here are some things to consider. The construction of the flip flop itself is problematic. The materials themselves are often not of the best quality. They do not have an adjustable enclosure. Flip flops themselves are not typically made as supportive footwear. They do not properly strap onto the foot; by nature they flip and flop, wither as a slide style with a single wide strap across the forefoot, or a thong style with a piece that fits between the hallux (the big toe) and the second toe with two straps making a V over the forefoot. These straps do not secure the shoe to the foot in a supportive way, often causing harmful mechanics that cause cramping and soreness. Flip flops cause the toes to grip, resulting in hammering of the lesser digits and hallux valgus of the big toes (a veering of the great toe towards the lesser toes) which is a precursor mechanic to developing bunions. Furthermore, flip flops are made of a softer foam that compresses with use, wears out quickly, and they do not offer any integral support to the foot. While they may feel nice for a day or two or a week while on vacation, choosing them as a staple in your summer footwear rotation not only perpetuates existing issues, but can also cause new ones.

Flat feet

The flat foot needs support and control to maintain the neutral arch of the foot that flattened out during weight bearing. This excessive movement of the foot is a common cause of plantar fasciitis – the overstretching and aggravation of the plantar fascia, a supportive structure that runs the length of the foot, is meant to support, not over stretch, and this causes pain and discomfort. Treatment for plantar fasciitis and flat feet in general, is support and control. Most flip flops available are made of a flat foam material that does little to correct the excessive movement of a flexible flat foot type, and once the cushion wears out it’s not better than walking directly on the pavement.

High arches

High arched feet often cramp and have muscle pain from maintaining an unsupported shape throughout the day. Flip flops widen that gap and offer zero support for the higher arch to rest on. The flatbed of the flip flop does nothing to offload the heel and the ball of the foot (metatarsal heads) which takes all the pressure during weight bearing because of an unsupported arch. This can lead to increased development of calluses and corns, a thickening of the skin which can become painful in areas of high pressure.

When it’s time to make the switch

Flip flops may offer style for your feet, and are easy to slip in and out of quickly. However, if your feet hurt, it’s time to switch to something more supportive.
To sum up, you’ll probably want to reserve flip-flops for taking out the trash, showering at the gym, or wading at the beach. For anything more strenuous, opt for a more supportive sandal.

The post Flip Flops: the good, the bad, and the ugly for your feet! appeared first on Relieve Foot Pain & Leg Pain.