Choose the Right Flip-Flops for Your Foot Health

By , Vionic Shoes

As flip-flop season ramps up, it's important to keep in mind that not all of them are created equal, according to Vionic Innovation Lab expert and NYC podiatrist Dr. Jackie Sutera. Find out why flat flip-flops can be hazardous to your foot health and steps you can take to alleviate the risks.
 
Why are traditional flip-flops so bad? "You have to over-grip when you're wearing these shoes, because there's no backstrap," Dr. Jackie says. There is a myriad of issues that can arise from this, including stress fractures, heel pain, bunions and hammer toes.
 


What can you do to mitigate the risks? "Stay away from the really thin ones that we all have in every color because they're so inexpensive and cute," she says. Instead, favor the styles, "with a thicker sole, heavier straps and a little bit of arch support."
 
Above all, Dr. Jackie urges us to remember that traditional flip-flops should be worn in moderation. "They're really made for wearing to the beach and poolside," she says, not for a long day of exploring or running errands.
 


If you're looking for a great pair of women's flip flops with arch support to keep you moving in comfort and style, check out Vionic's range of comfortable walking sandals, including our customer favorite Tide Toe Post Sandal, available in over 20 colors and patterns. Need even more of a reason to try our orthotic sandals? A recent groundbreaking study shows that Vionic sandals effectively alleviate heel pain!*
 
Have a foot health question? Check out the Vionic blog for answers from Dr. Jackie to top user-submitted questions.
 
Plus, enter to win a Vionic beach towel! We’re celebrating National Flip-Flop Day on June 17th by giving away 100 beach towels. Click here to enter to win. No purchase necessary. Contest ends June 30, 2016. See official contest rules.
 


About Vionic Footwear
Developed by Phillip Vasyli, renowned Australian podiatrist and founder of Orthaheel® Technology, Vionic shoes help restore natural foot function and relieve heel pain, promoting a more active lifestyle. Vionic’s footwear and orthotic inserts are also endorsed by noted integrative medicine expert, Dr. Andrew Weil. For additional information about Vionic, please visit VionicShoes.com.
 
*Based on a peer-reviewed clinical study partially funded by Vionic on people experiencing moderate, non-traumatic heel pain. Vionic contoured sandals were shown to be comparable in effectiveness to Vionic orthotic inserts.