I have a confession to make – I’m a flip flop addict. Since I was a teenager I have enjoyed the ease of being a flip flop wearer. In fact, I’m know to wear a pair until they literally fall apart (ever been the person trying to hold your flip flop together in the middle of a store? Just me?).
And while my love of flip flops has not really faded my love for my own health and well-being has forced me to look elsewhere for comfortable shoes. Ladies, with much regret I am here to inform you those flip flops are bad for your health.
Why Ditch Your Flip Flops?
A 2012 survey found that 78% pf American adults that are over 21 have some form of foot problem. Our feet are the foundation of our body, the base of our skeletal system. When this base in not properly supported it only makes sense that issues can (and likely will) arise.
An Auburn study in 2008 set out to analyze the differences between college students that wore flip flops vs. basic athletic shoes. Their results showed that the flip flop wearers took shorter steps and had heels that hit the found with less vertical force than their counterparts. The result? They were changing their whole gait! In changing the way that they walked flip flop wearers were more likely to have joint, back, and knee pain.
Other Common Issues
- Bunion Formation and Hammer Toe – Your toes are forced to grip the shoes constantly to keep it in place. This can lead to a contraction of the joints that force it to bend abnormally. A Pinky Toe Bunion may form.
- Cracks in the Bones – By walking long distances on a thin, flat surface you can cause damage to the actual bones of your foot.
- Flattening Out – The lack of arch support associated with most flip flops can lead to ones arch flattening out over a period of extended wear.
- Bacteria — A 2009 report from the University of Miami found that one pair of flip flops was home to more that 18,000 bacteria.
Overly Supportive Shoes Can Be Harmful Too
On the opposite side of the spectrum, overly supportive shoes can be harmful too for many of the same reasons you should avoid flip flops. One of the largest issue being that due to the support and make the shoes they also alter the natural step and posture of the wearer creating unnatural walking patterns.
What Are Your Options?
You best bet is to look for shoes that let your foot (and in turn walking and posture) be as natural as possible.
Birkenstocks and Barefoot Sandals in the summer.
Barefoot! When I do wear shoes, they are flip flop-esque but they have a strap on the back to keep them from flip flopping. This is crazy that you posted this today…I talk about it today too! http://mindsoulbodywhole.com/2014/07/23/barefoot-benefits/
I just discovered your blog and really enjoy it! I love this post. I am a footzonologist and work on the feet all the time. Most people don’t know that their feet contain a signal system for their entire body. So what goes onto and into their feet gets taken to every place in their body. So the idea of 18,000 bacteria being spread throughout the body isn’t the most pleasant thought. Thanks for this post!
Chacos! While rather expensive, well worth every penny. I’ve had mine for years and pretty much live in them. I have a high arch and they have the best arch support I’ve ever found.
[…] out, I decided to replace my flip-flops with running shoes for all the normal stuff. Here is an article with another trip to help you grip the perils of flip-flops. Like chronic overeating, wearing […]