Flip-Flop Wearers Beware

By drodriguez Jul 17, 2008

130

Now that the warm summer months are upon us, you may want to toss the sneakers and boots to the back of the closet. Many of us opt to wear something light and airy like the flip-flop for running errands or attending a more casual occasion.

Before heading to the shoe store this summer, you may want to hear about some new research published in the New York Times that shows wearing thong style flip flops can be very hard on your feet, ankles, and legs.

Researchers at Auburn University in Alabama conducted a study by recruiting 39 college-age men and women. The researchers had them wear both flip-flops and athletic shoes. The subjects were then told to walk on a platform where vertical force was measured as their feet hit the ground.

While wearing flip-flops, the subjects in the study tended to take shorter steps and their heels would hit the ground with less vertical force than when they wore athletic shoes. Justin Shroyer, a biomechanics doctoral student explained the study’s findings by saying, “We found that when people walk in flip-flops, they alter their gait, which can result in problems and pain from the foot up into the hips and lower back.”

So does this mean we should say goodbye to the flip-flop for good? Probably not. Shroyer, who admittedly owns a couple pairs himself, recommends people only wear flip-flops for shorter periods of time, like at the beach or running a quick errand. Shroyer stresses that the flip-flop is just not designed to support the foot and ankle for all-day wear.

What do you think of the new research stating that flip-flop wearers may experience foot, ankle, and leg pain?

Now that you’ve heard about the study, will you to give up the flip-flop on longer excursions?

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Comments

by nat3547 | HARTSVILLE, SC

Jul 24, 2008

I love my flip flops and they don't hurt my feet!

by VacationQueen | Ada, OK

Jul 24, 2008

I Love wearing flip flops! I hate having my feet confined and I would wear them all year long if I lived in a state that was warm year around!! However, I have found 2 pair I love they are made of soft leather and have arch support. 'Ocean Minded' -which I found in Hawaii- and 'Clarks' -which I found at Famous Footwear. I do not experience any leg or hip pain.

by Paige6802 | Florence, AL

Jul 23, 2008

I like the convenience of flip flops, but I have already been looking into getting Croc's Patra shoes. They have great support and they would be great summer shoes. I have to have support or I suffer at the end of the day.

by charity23touche | Richlands, NC

Jul 23, 2008

I stand and walk on a concrete floor all day at work, I have to wear skid resistant athletic shoe (New Balance makes a really good one) but as soon as I get home they come off and my Joe Boxer flip flops go on. Even in the winter most days after work or on my days off I've got my flip flops on. LOL I love them.

by rks1977 | bybee, TN

Jul 23, 2008

i do love flip flops but when i wear them my feet do hurt.but i also where ceap o's i guess if i pay a little more i might get a good pair that my feet love lol

by msh441 | Mount Vernon, WA

Jul 23, 2008

I love to wear them too, but have developed a horrible foot condition called neuroma (like carple-tunnel of the feet and toes) from wearing backless shoes and flip-flops mainly. The pain can get really bad at night, but have found going to the chiropractor helps (foot adjustment). I still wear shoes like that, but not every day. I need to give my feet a break and wear shoes that don't require my toes to grip/curl when walking.

by ElleBelle13 | Erie, PA

Jul 23, 2008

I wear my Hurley flip flops on a daily basis and despite being purchased 3 years ago, they have kept up with me through my first year of college. It really all depends on the flip flops themselves and the activity that you're trying to do. I have gotten severe blisters from a Walmart knock-off pair of Croc flip flops while I was at a college tour which means walking around the entire campus. It really is just buyer beware.

by tevans | Katy, TX

Jul 23, 2008

i love flip-flops. I love my croc flipflops. I just bought a REEF pair and they are comfy,too. I live in Texas so I either in my flip-flops or my uggs!(feast of famine here.)

by alisonada | Cincinnati, OH

Jul 23, 2008

Oh no! I LOVE flip flops, to me there is nothing more comfortable, and I would wear them 365 days per year if I could! I guess I should look into some other types of sandals that might offer more support.

by tizoc061402 | joliet, IL

Jul 23, 2008

I love my flip flops but I do agree they are not so loving to my feet! My hips are always popping too, I wonder if that is why???

by gramybax | Sanibel, FL

Jul 23, 2008

I live in Florida so that's all I wear. I have for years. When I don't have to wear dress shoes I am in some sort of sandal. I don't wear the kind that goes between your toes that often though. And I do weart Crocs around the house. Lately I have just started to have foot and hip pain. I have stopped working so I am wearing casual shoes all the time now. I wonder if that is a contributing factor. Certainly worth looking into. But I just hate wearing athletic shoes unless I am at the gym or doing some other activity that I have to wear them for. What a dilema, trade comfort now for pain later.

by emjkharris | Santa Clara, CA

Jul 23, 2008

Rainbows - they are flipflop style shoes that are constructed with arch supports and the same amount of "padding" as an athletic shoe, but without the leather/canvas covering the top of your foot. I wear a size 11.5 N and am not made of $$, and "the right shoes" are virtually impossible to find, in my experience. Turns out my Rainbow flip flops are the only shoes that do NOT hurt my feet, ankles, knees or hips!

by nikilynn00 | Jenera, OH

Jul 22, 2008

I wear Nike flip flops during the summer, because there is some support and cushioning in the sole. I only own one pair of the thin-soled plastic type ones, and they were my cheapy-in-the-shower-while-camping pair! I cannot possibly stand to wear tennis shoes during the summer-my feet complain WAY too much. =)

by yankeejan | SHINER, TX

Jul 22, 2008

I wear only good leather flip flops with arch support and a heel wedge...works for me!

by patybluetx | WHITE SANDS, NM

Jul 22, 2008

I LOVE my flip flops! I wear them all day, every day but the truth is my hips do hurt but I've always blamed that on childbirth b/c my hips never hurt until I got pregnant. Though now that I read this, I'm going to have to re-evaluate my flip flops and get some with better support.