Finding the Perfect Flip Flop That Won’t Fail Your Feet

Guest post by Mercedes Potter

Summer is in full swing so you’re bound to find yourself in flip flops a majority of the time. Outside of work, many people prefer to wear these casual sandals because they are comfortable and easy to use. As with any type of footwear, there are many different designs and options. Some are easy on your feet, and others can pose serious problems. To avoid pain associated with bad flip flops, take these tips into consideration prior to making a flip flop purchase.

Avoid Leg Strain

You should always walk around in a flip flop before purchasing it. Many styles require you to constantly curl your toes while walking. If you don’t, your flip flop could clip right off your foot. At first, this doesn’t seem like a bad thing. Constantly curling your toes in this way puts extra strain on the muscles in front of your shin. At the end of the day, your legs are bound to be very sore. If you plan to walk a lot, make sure to choose a flip flop that doesn’t require you to curl your toes to keep it firmly in place.

Look for Extra Cushioning

The cheapest models on the market have little to no padding. That’s not a huge deal if you’re hardly going to walk at all. If you plan to do even a moderate amount of walking though, you should choose a flip flop that has extra heel support. The small amount of extra money that you’ll spend will be well worth it.

Insist on Arch Support

Even if you’re not flat-footed, the wrong flip flop can make you that way. Extremely cheap flip flop styles have no arch support at all. If you wear them for long periods of time, your feet will gradually begin to turn inward. Without arch support, your feet will ache constantly. This is why it pays to take your time when buying these types of sandals.

Additional Points to Keep in Mind

In addition to looking for a flip flop with arch support and heel support, you should choose one that is made out of materials that bend. However, they shouldn’t be too flexible because they won’t offer enough support. To cut to the chase more easily, you can consult a list of flip flops that have been approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association. With the right flip flop, you’re summer could be epic; choose the wrong one, and you may find yourself with a flip flop fail.

Mercedes Potter is an elite writer with an eye for fashion. This blog post focuses on flip flops and how to find the perfect match. Follow her on Twitter @CedesPotter for other fashion ideas.