How to Choose Healthier Flip-Flops Menu Verywell Fit Nutrition Weight Management Nutrition Facts Nutrition Basics Diets Meal Plans Meal Delivery Services View All News Fitness and Nutrition What to Buy How We Test Products Fitness Gear Nutrition Products Tools Recipe Nutrition Calculator Weight Loss Calorie Goal BMI Calculator Body Fat Percentage Calculator Calories Burned by Activity Daily Calories Burned Pace Calculator About Us Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Search Walking Shoes, Apparel, and Gear How to Choose Healthier Flip-Flops Keep Your Warm-Weather Feet Happier By Wendy Bumgardner Wendy Bumgardner Wendy Bumgardner is a freelance writer covering walking and other health and fitness topics and has competed in more than 1,000 walking events. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 07, 2021 Reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by nutrition and exercise professionals. Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Michele Stanten Reviewed by Michele Stanten Michele Stanten is a walking coach, certified group fitness instructor, and running coach. She is the author of Walk Off Weight and The Walking Solution. Learn about our Review Board Print Flip-flops are popular as summer comfort shoes, but they aren't the correct type of footwear for every activity. They aren't made for running, walking long distances, or lifting and carrying. In addition, you should steer clear of poorly-made flip-flops and choose those that give your feet appropriate support and cushioning. Learn what to look for in well-constructed flip-flops that won't fail your feet. Choose Flip-Flops that Bend Only in the Ball of the Foot Flimsy Flip-Flop Bent in Half. Wendy Bumgardner Cheap flip-flops usually lack any structure or support for the foot. If you can bend them in half or twist them into a pretzel, they aren't going to help prevent foot fatigue. A good flip-flop bends only where you need it to flex when walking—in the ball of the foot. "This minimal flexibility indicates the proper balance, arch support, and alignment for healthy feet," says podiatrist Phil Vasyli. Get the Right Size Flip-Flop Doesn't Fit. Wendy Bumgardner Your heels and toes should not be hanging off the edge of the sole, inviting rocks and toys to give you a nasty cut or stubbed toe. One walker calls this "shrimp cocktail toes." Likewise, don't just slip into an oversized pair with edges that can catch on uneven surfaces and cause you to trip. Take special care when driving while wearing flip-flops. The sole can get trapped under the accelerator and cause an accident. Replace Worn Out Flip-Flops Worn Out Flip-Flop. Wendy Bumgardner Flip-flops aren't forever. Before you slip into them, look for cracks in the soles and uppers or signs that the post is coming loose. You don't want a blowout to trip you up. If there is a deep foot indentation in the sole, or you can see the outlines of your toes from last year, it's time to replace them. Where Not to Wear Flip-Flops Switchbacks on Multnomah Falls Trail. Wendy Bumgardner 2010 You'll quickly find that going downhill on a steep slope is a bad idea when wearing flip-flops. The toe posts can bite into your feet. They aren't great for going uphill, either, as you can slide right out of them. Flip-flops change your walking gait because your toes flex to try to keep the sandal on your foot. Flip-flops do not allow you to achieve a powerful walking stride by striking with the heel and pushing off with the toe. You end up with a shorter stride and just slogging along flat-footed. The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) says that you shouldn't wear flip-flops for distance walking. Also, don't wear them for gardening or while playing sports. Wear athletic shoes for walking, hiking shoes for hiking, and garden shoes for gardening. You can wear flip-flops at the pool, beach, party, or around the house for light walking. Avoid Foot Irritation The toe post and straps can cause rubbing, irritation, and blisters. You can prevent these minor injuries by using an anti-blister lubricant or pads until your feet have developed tougher skin in those areas. If you have diabetes, you need to be vigilant in preventing blisters and sores that can lead to an infection. 7 Best Walking Sandals for Women That Feel and Look Great Check for the APMA Seal of Acceptance The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) recognizes flip-flops that provide proper foot support and promote good foot health with their Seal of Acceptance, which they have been awarding for more than 50 years. To get the seal, the product is reviewed by a group of podiatrists and they examine the evidence the company provides on product testing for safety and quality control. Products that don't have thorough documentation or that don't promote good foot health are rejected. The seal is awarded for up to a three-year period and renewal must be requested by the manufacturer. APMA has a complete list of flip-flops that have received the Seal of Acceptance on their site. You'll note that only a few companies have received this recognition. Here are representative models from these manufacturers, in alphabetic order, with the features that make them superior choices. FitFlop FitFlop sandals have a microwobbleboard technology, which basically gives your feet mini-massages all over as you walk. They provide excellent cushioning. FitFlop also received the APMA Seal of Acceptance. They are a good choice to wear after a long walk, or for wearing on a long day of shopping and standing. They don't have the arch support you find in the Vionic designs, which suits those who have lower arches. Buy from Amazon.com Vionic Flip-Flops Australian podiatrist Phil Vasyli designed his Vionic line to prevent overpronation. If you wear motion control shoes for sports and fitness walking, his flip-flops can continue to provide the guidance your feet need to correct for this gait problem. Vionic has both beach styles of flip-flops and dress styles for those parties around the shrimp on the barbie. Buy from Amazon.com Chaco Flip Flops Chaco is another brand that has quite a few styles for both men and women on the APMA list. Recommended styles include Lost Coast Leather, Lost Coast Web, Marshall, and My Flip. Buy from Amazon.com OOFOS Recovery Footwear OOFOS is known for its "recovery" footwear which can be especially comfy after a long run, long walk, or hike. But they also provide extra cushion and comfort for your feet any time of day. OOFOS Luxe slide sandals, sports sandals, and Oorginal sandals are easy to wear and come in a range of colors. Buy from Amazon 12 Best Walking Sandals for Warm Weather Walks Disclosure At Verywell Fit, our Expert writers are committed to researching and writing thoughtful and editorially independent reviews of the best products for your life and your family. If you like what we do, you can support us through our chosen links, which earn us a commission. Learn more about our review process. Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Avoid a Flip-Flop Fiasco. American Podiatric Medical Association. https://www.apma.org/Patients/HealthyFeetTips.cfm?ItemNumber=9864. Chard A, Greene A, Hunt A, Vanwanseele B, Smith R. Effect of Thong Style Flip-Flops on Children’s Barefoot Walking and Jogging Kinematics. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. 2013;6:8. doi:10.1186/1757-1146-6-8. Chen TL-W, Wong DW-C, Xu Z, et al. Lower Limb Muscle Co-contraction and Joint Loading of Flip-flops Walking in Male Wearers. Jan Y-K, ed. PLoS ONE. 2018;13(3):e0193653. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0193653. By Wendy Bumgardner Wendy Bumgardner is a freelance writer covering walking and other health and fitness topics and has competed in more than 1,000 walking events. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit Related Articles 12 Best Walking Shoes for Flat Feet, Tested by a Flat-Footed Walker 9 Best Walking Shoes for High Arches to Keep You Comfortable for Miles 7 Best Walking Sandals for Women That Feel and Look Great The 7 Best Walking Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis We Tested the Best Walking Shoes for Overpronation by Walking 100 Miles The Best Walking Shoes for Seniors of 2022, According to Experts The Best Treadmill Running Shoes of 2022 for Logging Miles The Best Women's Walking Shoes, Tested By a Personal Trainer The 10 Best Walking Shoes of 2022 for Any Distance Expert Tested: The 10 Best Cushioned Shoes for Walking The 11 Best Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Spur Relief Products Available 12 Best Gym Shoes for Women of 2022, Tested by a Personal Trainer Tested and Approved: The 10 Best Comfort Shoes for Walking and Running How to Choose the Best Cycling Shoes 12 Best Walking Sandals for Warm Weather Walks The 8 Best Walking Shoes for Travel of 2022 When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept All