Wet flip-flops can pose a different problem: You might find your foot keeps slipping off the pedals before you can push them down. While in politics to “flip-flop” is a bad thing – see Boris Johnson’s jibe that Keir Starmer has “more flip-flops than Bournemouth beach” – it is the shoe’s malleability that means it can be all things to all people.

When you take a step, your heel meets the ground first. Without cushioning to soften the strike, the tissue around your heel absorbs the force of the impact, stressing the ligament further.Your plantar fascia is a ligament that runs along the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel to your toes. When your plantar fascia tears, it can cause pain in your heel called plantar fasciitis. Not everyone around the world calls them "flip-flops," though. In New Zealand, they're called "jandals" (short for Japanese sandals). They're "thongs" in Australia and "plakkies" in South Africa. Even some areas of the United States have special names for them, such as "zories" on the East Coast, "clam diggers" in Texas, and "slippers" in Hawaii. After a trek in flip-flops, you’ll likely notice your feet ache, almost as if you wore no shoes at all. Playing sports Cohen PR. (2019). Beach feet: A sand-associated thermal injury to the soles of the feet and the plantar aspect of the toes. For such an easy breezy summer classic, there is a lot of contention about the flip-flop’s roots. Many people cite the Ancient Egyptians as the style’s forefathers – they weaved theirs out of grass, papyrus or palm leaves. Or, in the case of Tutankhamun, had them decorated with gold, birch bark and even bone.

Your ankles tend to roll more when you wear flip-flops. For short periods, this change in gait probably won’t pose a serious concern. But over time, your ankles may grow less steady, making them more vulnerable to sprains. Shin splints Walking in flip-flops makes the muscles in the front of your leg work harder than they would if you went barefoot, or wore more supportive footwear. Price C, et al. (2014). Does flip-flop style footwear modify ankle biomechanics and foot loading patterns?Hoffman MD. (2016). Etiological foundation for practical strategies to prevent exercise-related foot blisters.

Without arch support, your foot flattens more than usual when you step down. This can also cause the ligament to stretch.

Not Quite!

Just like you might remember from gym class, it’s always a good idea to wear closed-toe shoes for sports and other outdoor activities. Driving Zhang X, et al. (2013). A comparison of gait biomechanics of flip-flops, sandals, barefoot and shoes. Do you own flip-flops? Most kids probably have at least one pair of flip-flops to wear in the summer. If not, you can usually buy a pair at a local store fairly cheap. If you don't own a pair or simply need a new pair for warm weather, ask an adult friend or family member to take you shopping for some new flip-flops today! Harish C, et al. (2021). An analysis of postural control strategies in various types of footwear with varying workloads. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

When you slide your feet into a flip-flop, the skin on your toes may rub against the strap. If your feet are sweaty or wet, this moisture and friction can form the perfect recipe for blisters. Flip-flops might have you covered in certain situations, but other circumstances call for sturdier shoes. You’ll typically want to grab more supportive footwear when: Walking long distances

Your toes need to flex and grip the strap to keep the shoes on. This may cause the ligament to stretch.