It’s National Flip Flop Day! Don’t you just love a simple, upbeat holiday like that? And it’s just in time for the start of summer. Now, if you live in a warm climate, it might look like National Flip Fop Day every time you walk outside. Flip flops provide a great way to keep your feet cool in hot weather. And, in my opinion, flip flops go with anything. You can wear them with a summer dress to an afternoon party, with shorts, with leggings, with overalls, and just about anything that fits into the casual luxury category. Of course, every time we wear flip flops or sandals, we do expose our feet to the elements far more than we do when we wear closed shoes. But, you can still wear this wonderfully freeing footwear and protect your feet. Here are ways to wear sandals without harming your feet.
Get sandals with an arch
Walking around in flat sandals is basically like walking around barefoot, which is fine if you’re on sand or a surface that has a little give. As for cement sidewalks and modern grounds, walking on these in flat shoes can cause serious back issues. Look for sandals that have an arch.
Choose elastic bands
Stretchy, fabric straps are where it’s at. They move with your foot, don’t scratch or irritate your skin, and don’t cause moisture build-up spots the way rubber sandals can.
Don’t go backless on your sandal. It’s important that your heel is held in place so your foot doesn’t slide off the base of the shoe, right onto broken glass or nasty bacteria.
If your feet are exposed then that means the skin on your feet are exposed. If you wear flip flops every day of the summer, you’re exposing your feet to UV rays for several hours a day, months on end. So make sure to put sunscreen on your feet.
Take them off if they get wet
If you happen to walk in a puddle, or stroll in the ocean, take your sandals off immediately after. Bacteria and fungus thrive in moisture, so you shouldn’t walk around in these waiting for them to air dry.
If you blister, toss the shoe
If a shoe causes you blisters, you should probably toss it. Wearing it over and over again, and repeatedly irritating that blister, can actually cause issues like bunions.
Or, just get leather flip flops
Leather flip flops are some of the best when it comes to preventing blisters. Plus, they’ll definitely stand the test of time in terms of wear and tear.
Wax your shoes
Try applying bee or candle wax to the straps of new sandals. This can help prevent blisters, and overrides that breaking in phase.
Always wear them in the gym shower
There is one place you should always wear sandals—any kind you can find, no matter how cheap—and that’s in the gym shower. That’s a breeding ground for fungus and bacteria. Never go in there without flip flops on.
Try to find molded shoes
Traditional thong-style sandals tend to fall apart because they consist of two parts: the base, and the straps. But over time, the part where the strap meets the base wears thin and can break. Look for all one-piece, molded shoes.
Don’t get super thin sandals
Even though they have that delicate, feminine look, super-thin sandals are not safe. The moment you step over some rocks on the beach, they can rip and cause you cuts on your feet.
Don’t take them on exercise walks
Flip flops should never be worn for exercise. Even if your flip flops have a good arch, they’ll never be as supportive as proper exercise shoes.
Do not drive in flip flops
Never drive in flip flops! This is a huge hazard. It’s too easy for your foot to slide off of the sandal when you have to slam on the breaks, and for you to lose control over your vehicle.
Make sure they fit
Don’t wear sandals that are too small, since they’re bound to pinch your feet, cause blisters, and leave your heel hanging off the back, exposed to bacteria. Don’t wear sandals that are too big since they’ll slide around, creating friction, and leading to more blisters. Get sandals that fit perfectly.
Invest in a good sandal
At the end of the day, it’s worth it to invest in a quality sandal that has support and durable materials. While spending $45 on sandals might seem silly, think of the dozens of ten-dollar ones you’ve thrown away over the years. Just get one good pair, and it can last you a decade.
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