DATA
Enter
HUFFINGTON
07.21.13
How Flip-Flops Are
Killing Your Feet
This summer staple might be a real health flop.
Aside from the obvious lack of protection (meaning
you’re more vulnerable to dropped objects,
stubbed toes and the like), your favorite pair could
be seriously damaging your feet. “The feet are the
foundation of your whole body. This is the base
of the skeleton,” says Jackie Sutera, a podiatrist
in New York City. “It’s a domino effect... the rest
of your joints and bones have to compensate.”
Like anything else, moderation is key: Slipping
flip-flops on by the pool or for a short jaunt likely
won’t cause any harm — the problems arise when
your thongs become your go-to summer shoes.
Sutera, along with Cary Zinkin, a podiatrist in
Deerfield Beach, Fla., and a spokesperson for the
American Podiatric Medical Association, break
down exactly what’s happening to your
feet when you slide into a pair.
NOT ALL FLIP FLOPS ARE CREATED EQUAL
Tips for picking a better pair
THE
BEND TEST
STRAP
IT IN
SIZE
MATTERS
THINK
MATERIAL
IT’S IN
THE ARCH
GO
SHOPPING
If you pick up
a flip-flop and
it easily bends
right down the
middle, put it
back. You need
more support
than that. (It
should only
bend at the
ball of the foot
where you need
it for walking.)
A thin thong
doesn’t provide
much support,
and leaves your
foot moving
all over the
place. Look for
a shoe with a
strap across
the back, or at
least longer,
thicker straps
in the front.
One-sizefits-all flops
are not your
friend. Zinkin
recommends
finding a
pair that fit
properly,
without your
toes or heels
hanging (even
a little) off
the end.
The American
Podiatric
Medical
Association
recommends
a high-quality,
soft leather
over other
materials to
cut blister and
irritation risk.
Sutera
recommends
picking a
flip-flop with
a thicker sole
and a little
bump in the
middle to
create arch
support.
Flip-flops wear
out — replace
yours each
year, especially
if they’re
showing
obvious signs
of wear.
TAP CIRCLES FOR ADDITIONAL INFO
SOURCES: JACKIE SUTERA, NEW YORK CITY PODIATRIST; CARY ZINKIN, DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA. PODIATRIST AND SPOKESPERSON FOR THE AMERICAN PODIATRIC
MEDICAL ASSOCIATION; A.D.A.M. MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA; AUBURN UNIVERSITY; TODAY. PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK AND GETTY. ILLUSTRATIONS BY JAN DIEHM