How many of you spend majority of the summer months in sandals? I pretty much live in mine once the warmer weather hits, so I’m going to go ahead and guess that a lot of you do, too. I’m also going to guess that I’m not the only one who’s suffered from blisters, backache and sore feet from said sandals.
You see, while our flip-flops might be great for keeping our feet feeling cool, they often lack the necessary support needed for our soles, which – if we’re walking around a lot – is vital for foot and overall body comfort.
So how can you ensure that your new season summer sandals are going to provide the proper support you need? Keep this checklist in mind the next time you go sandal shopping:
Midsole support
Good support in the midsole of a sandal is super important as it will help to realign your feet, preventing them from rolling in and minimising that sore, burning feeling you might feel in the arch of your foot when wearing flip-flops. Proper midsole support will also provide increased shock absorption, which in turn will help to reduce things like ankle, knee and back pain. It’ll also ensure your shoe doesn’t wear away unevenly, improving durability and enabling your sandals to last more than just one season.
Suitable straps
Straps that are too tight are the biggest cause of blisters and can leave your feet looking and feeling extremely sore. Likewise, if your straps are too loose, your toes and arches will be working overtime to try to keep your sandals on. When shopping for your summer sandals it’s best to choose something with adjustable straps so that you can ‘customise’ your sandal to fit the shape and size of your foot. Straps around the ankle and forefront of the foot are ideal for re-aligning the feet of those who tend to roll in; while sandals with multiple straps are great for providing support while making wider feet appear slimmer (bonus!)
Good quality materials
Quality sandals should last you more than one season, so if your sandals are bin-bound after one summer, chances are they’re not made from fantastic materials. Look for sandals that are made from real leather with a lining made from breathable, anti-bacterial material as this will help to keep your feet feeling and smelling fresh, minimise skin irritation and won’t start to break down after one season’s wear. If the bottom of the sandal is made from a material with a good grip it will also help to keep them intact for longer.
Not sure where to get sandals that tick all these boxes and still look great? Head to The Athlete’s Foot and check out its new range of women’s summer sandals, which are guaranteed to provide you with the support your feet need, while still looking stylish. We love Merrell Womens Henna in Squash, Orthaheel Women’s Raie in Turquoise/White, and Propet Womans Bahama Silver Emu.
Have your summer sandals ever hurt your feet/body? Did you know to take these tips into consideration when choosing your sandals for the season?
