How To Choose A Summer Sandal That Won’t Hurt You
Summer is here, and if you are in the DFW area, that means high temperatures and lots of sunny days. While athletic shoes are almost always the shoe of choice to prevent foot and ankle problems, that isn’t always feasible in the summer heat. Here are some shopping tips on what to avoid and how to choose the right sandal to help beat the heat!
Avoid Completely Flat Sandals And Flip-Flops
A common flip-flop is completely flat with no support whatsoever. This is the worst shoe to choose for the summer due to the overwhelming number of issues that it can cause such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis and stress fractures.
Choose Heel-lifted Shoes
Finding shoes with a natural lift in the back compared to the front can easily prevent the multitude of issues listed above. Vionic and FitFlop are examples of brands that incorporate this.
Avoid Backless Shoes
This is more targeted to individuals prone to Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis. Shoes without a back make these two parts of our bodies work harder, thus putting us at risk for getting an acute flare.
Choose Strap Sandals
An adjustable strap to a shoe is much more secure, especially for summer days where you are on your feet for long hours.
Avoid Sandals With No Arch Support
The majority of shoe brands fail at including arch support in their design. This is unfortunate due to the number of issues that can occur without arch support, including posterior tibial tendonitis and stress fractures.
Choose The Arch Support Right For You
Not all arch-supportive shoes are created equal. Depending on your foot type, you may need more or less support. Also, do not be deceived by the presence of a small “bump” in the arch of the shoe. When you try the shoe on, make sure you can feel the lift to the arch of your foot. Dansko and Birkenstock are two examples that have different styles of arch supports.
Summer sandals don’t have to cause you pain. If you would like to have your foot type assessed to be sure you are in the right type of shoes, give us a call at Foot and Ankle Associates of North Texas, or visit FAANT.com to request an appointment today!
Locations:
2421 Ira E Woods Ave., Suite 100, Grapevine, TX 76051
816 Keller Pkwy., Suite 101, Keller, TX 76248
