Are Flip-Flops bad for feet?

Flip-flops might seem to fall under the umbrella of minimalist footwear. But research suggests that walking in flip-flops is far from normal, and that only more structured models can approximate the elusive barefoot-like gait. (Article from LER Magazine)

By Justin F. Shroyer, PhD, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, and Wendi H. Weimar PhD

There is much anecdotal evidence that flip-flops are not conducive to the health of individuals’ lower legs and feet; however, when individuals are asked why they wear flip-flops, “comfort” is the usual response. Even though there is a negative stigma attributed to flip-flops by medical professionals with regard to foot and lower leg health, the masses still wear the light airy footwear. On any given sunny summer day, one can observe the popularity of the flip-flop footwear for all ages.

But if one asks foot experts, practitioners would conclude that flip-flops are not always the best choice of footwear. One podiatrist at New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery, Rock Positano, DPM, has stated, “Flip-flops have singlehandedly caused more problems with people’s feet in the last couple years than probably any other type of shoe.”1

Why are flip-flops so bad? Podiatrist Greg Cohen, DPM, from Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, NY, postulates, “Flip-flops don’t really hold on the foot like most shoes do, so we use the tendons and muscles to hold them on.”2 Interestingly, Cohen seems to be suggesting that more muscle involvement may be a bad thing, yet one company (FitFlop Ltd) has sold thousands of flip-flops claiming that their model tones and firms the hamstrings and buttocks by increasing the demand placed on the muscles of the foot, leg and thigh.

Though flip-flops are often worn for comfort, the excessive wearing of flip-flops has been linked to discomfort. In fact, according to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) in 2006, an increase in usage of flip-flop sandals by teens and young adults has led to an increase in heel pain.3 ACFAS spokesperson Marybeth Crane, DPM, has reported that practitioners are seeing more heel pain more than ever in patients 15 to 25 years old, noting that heel pain is a marker of plantar fasciitis which accounts for 15% of all adult foot complaints.3 Furthermore, the ACFAS recommends that patients with heel pain should avoid flat shoes with paper-thin soles and should also avoid walking barefoot since wearing flat shoes (including flip-flops) and walking barefoot provides little cushioning as well as little to no arch support.3 This lack of arch support and cushioning of the heel while wearing flip-flops seems to exacerbate any abnormalities in the biomechanics of foot motion, and may perpetuate heel pain and inflammation.

https://lermagazine.com/article/flip-flops-fashionable-but-functionally-flawed