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flip flops are not the best for your foot health

TYH:The pros and cons of Flip Flops

Aug 13, 2019 | 9:30 AM

Flip Flops are a common, “go to” summer shoe–they were mine for the longest time! But, on this week’s To Your Health I learned about why the shoe might not be the best for you.

I don’t blame you for wanting to reach for the easy to wear shoe, your feet can breathe while not being hot, and they’re so easy to pack! This week I spoke to Shalina Edge, a Certified Pedorthist at Farrance-Edge Orthotics and she is not the biggest fan of the flip-flop, saying that they can actually cause more harm than good if they are worn on a regular basis.

“Flip flops they’re not mean to be sandals for putting on your feet and doing a lot of walking,” she said to us in an on camera interview, she mentions that they can cause people to twist their ankles, as well as strain their toes, which are constantly having to crunch to hold the shoe on. She says that the toe crunching can lead to an increase in calf cramps during the summer.

“Flip Flops are really good for using in the shower, when you are travelling, or if you are at the pool and you are going from the change room to the pool deck or to the edge of the beach or whatever, for short use.”

While the shoe may not be the most beneficial to fully grown feet, it can have its benefits for younger ones. Edge says that for kids under the age of eight, the shoes can actually help with muscle development, “flip flops are fine for that age group, because they actually imitate barefoot walking, which strengthens the foot for little tiny kids.”

So after learning this I asked her what sandals would be the best for the summer, seeing that I probably won’t wear flip flips again–unless I am at the pool. She told us that she recommends a sandal with a backstrap and a thick sole in order to still be able to let your feet enjoy the summer, without facing a consequence.