An effective way to take care of your feet in the hot summers is to allow your feet to breathe in the fresh air. Thus, flip flops are a go-to choice for many. However, many studies have been conducted over the regular use of traditional flip-flops, which have proposed shocking results. For example, one such study found that the constant use of traditional flip-flops has beenlinked to continuous back pain.
So, the blazing question is: Are flip flops really bad for your feet? Let’s take a deeper dive.
What are flip flops?
Flip flops are, in essence, a type of sandal worn by many as a part of their casual, everyday dress-up. They mainly consist of a flat sole held loosely towards the foot by a Y-shaped strap known as a toe thong that passes between the first and the second toe and around both sides of the foot – or it can even be a hard base with a strap across all the toes (these can also be called sliders or slides).
You might be surprised to know that the earliest flip flops date back to 4000 BC and were discovered from the ancient Egyptian murals.
Most ancient Egyptian sculptures and drawings show subjects wearing flip flops, including royalty and everyday citizens. A wide variety of materials were used to make flip-flops in the earlier times; these include papyrus leaves, palm leaves, rawhide, wood, rice straw, sisal plant leaves, and yucca plant leaves.
Flip flops were trending atop the fashion charts in the 2000s, but with the increasing global temperatures, they have resurfaced as the leading lifestyle picks.
They are usually preferred for their appealing design that, quite literally, allows your tootsies to breathe.
Stinky and sweaty feet have always been a pet peeve for many - a condition notably more common and intolerable during the summertime. Thus, to get some relief from the stinky, sweaty feet, flip flops have now entered the chat!
What are the benefits of flip flops?
There are a number of benefits of flip flops that reflect their appeal and popularity.
Feet can breathe
To begin with, let us state the very obvious: they allow your feet to breathe. Due to this, issues like the Athlete’s foot and ingrown toenails can also be avoided a lot easier.
Show off your style
Flip flops are versatile, and you have many options and styles to choose from. You can evenstyle them to show off yourtrending styles from ankle to toe or can even wear them for a casual day out. That new pedicure you got? It’s time to show the world!
More foot freedom
They also give you more freedom and enable comfortable mobility without worrying about blisters or unwanted cuts. You will not have to worry about your toes or wide feet being cramped up and feeling uncomfortable doing anything and everything.
Easy to grab and go
Furthermore, they are also a go-to for many as they are quick and accessible; plus, you don’t need to sit down to tie up your shoelaces or stuff your foot in a closed shoe while you are already running late for work.
What are the downsides of traditional flip flops?
By now, you may be wondering why this article is titled: “Are Flip Flops Bad for Your Feet?” since we’ve thus far just praised them. The truth is that the right type of flip flops are a great addition to your wardrobe. But that’s the key – the RIGHT type of flip flops. Unfortunately, for many, wearing the wrong size or quality of flip flop is where the issues come into play.
Not choosing the right flip flops can leave you withincreased heel pain, which may induce an additional problem on your lower spine leading to frequent and chronic backaches.You may be surprised to know this but wearing the wrong type of flip flops can also distort your posture due to the lack of support. The cheap material used in poor quality flip flops leaves them at risk of snapping off at any place and at any time, leaving you barefoot.
But again - this is only the case for bad quality, cheap, poorly-fitting flip flops. So how can you shop for flip flops that fit?
How to find the right flip flops for your feet... Go Premium! Go Custom!
A good pair of flip flops has custom arch support andcushion heel cup that cradle your feet while also providing the solid grip for walking around confidently. Our sandals are lightweight, which makes them a superior choice for many customers; the sturdy, comfy shoe cushion customizes your walking experience into what seems like you are walking on cloud nine.
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However, the award-winningFitMyFoot flip flops have been engineered to fit your feet and your lifestyle. They are available inComfort Plus (custom) andComfort (semi-custom), which have been proven to provide the additional support that ordinary flip flops lack.
TheComfort Plus sandals have been scientifically proven to reduce foot pain, improve comfort and increase stability. And we made them with waterproof materials and more durability and additional support unmatched by traditional flip flops. The deep oh-so-comfy contoured heel cup cradles and cushions your foot through every step. We are a fan of these sandals and we know you will be too!
It’s clear based on our research that flip flops are a great addition to your summer wardrobe, as long as you’re getting high quality, supportive flip flops. So, what are you waiting for? Head on and get your complete upgrade from the painful plastic traditional flip flops that tear away at your toes!
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