Flip Flop Health Concerns

[Feralpeg]

I admit that I don't wear flip flops. I don't wear them for two reasons. Number one, I don't find them comfortable. I don't like anything between my toes. The other reason I don't wear them is because there is no arch. I already suffer from heel spurs. My heel spurs are the result of wearing shoes with no arches for many years and age. Over time, your feet will flatten if you don't wear shoes with good arches. Flat feet can cause pain.
So, I have to wonder what will happen in the future to the flip flop generation.

I was at Universal about a year ago with friends. He is an orthopedic surgeon. I commented on the number of ladies I saw wearing heels to the park and how hard it must be on the feet to walk around on a hard surface in heels for so many hours. He told me that his concern was the number of people he sees wearing flip flops non-stop. He predicts that in 15 to 20 years, he will be inundated with patients suffering from foot problems due to flip flops and the lack of an arch.

I am not trying to start an ugly debate here. I'm just interested in your thoughts. Those of you who wear flip flops, have you thought about potential foot issues? I know that I did wear them some when I was a little kid (we called them thongs), but it was for very brief periods. Also, my DD has recently decided to wear them. She is not a trend follower so I don't know if she will continue. It does concern me.

Thoughts?

 

[horseshowmom]

My daughter wears the Rainbows or Reefs which actually do have arch support. She finds them to be very comfortable. I'm sure you're talking about the "regular" type that so many people wear.

 

[mickeyboat]

My winter shoes have a lot of arch support, and my summer shoes aren't too bad, either. I don't wear flip flops because I cannot stand how the thong feels between my toes.

Denae

 

[ducklite]

I wear them, but I don't live in them. For shoes that I'm going to be in for a long time I generally look for arch support or even a little heel.

I'll wear them if I'm running to Publix for "ten items or less" but not for a full shopping trip.

Anne

 

[Poohnatic]

I love my flip flops, but they don't love me-so they hardly get worn. High arches and heel pain did me in. I do have several pairs of 'tall' flip flops-and they've got good arch support. I end up wearing those when it's time to wear flips.

Suzanne

 

[Beth76]

I have a few pairs of Speedos flip flops that do indeed have arch support. I wear them almost constantly during the summer. I wear them to Six Flags, to the zoo, I even wore them walking around Chicago for 3 days (we did A LOT of walking). My feet never hurt. They are way more supportive than my Nike Xtrainers. But I do know what you're saying, I don't know how people can wear those flat flip flops all the time.

 

[Tinker74]

I wore Teva mush on our trip in August..They were so comfortable
Iam pretty sure they had arch support and that was what made them so good.
I also wore the crocs flip flops but although good i didn't find them comfy for longer periods. But the mush were heavenly

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

I practically live in flip flops in the summer, so I may be in for some foot problems.

On the other hand, I have unusually *high* arches, so maybe this will counteract the flip-flop-flattening!

 

[hydster]

I'm a complete flip flop wearer and have been for years. I love them. But since I live where we get cold and snow for 1/2 the year I can't wear them year round but if I could I probably would! I hate traditional sandals and tennis shoes are too hot when it's 105 so flip flops work for me. I may regret it later but I'm wearing them now!

 

[apirateslifeforme]

I LOVE flip-flops and any type of "flat" shoe. In the winter, I live in my Converse Chuck Taylors. I have flat feet, and any shoe with arch support causes excruciating pain. The doctors I've seen for my knee problems (I dislocated both knees back in HS) say it's a non-issue for me.

 

[sk8ingmom]

If it is over 60 degrees, I'm in flip flops (except for work).

My feet are really, really flat. I've never been able to wear tennis shoes (sneakers, cross trainers) for anything other than working out. If I wore them to WDW for a day I would have bruises on the bottoms of my feet where my arches should be & wouldn't be able to walk the next day.

Maybe I'm messing my feet up by wearing flops, but probably not any more than if I didn't wear them.

 

[hentob]

The Crocs version of flip-flops give me decent support

 

[sk8ingmom]

clogs = winter flip flops !!

 

[r3ngels]

I love my flip flops... no pain.

 

[Feralpeg]

Thank you all for the info. I will encourage DD to look for a brand with arch support if she wants to continue wearing flip flops. I will admit that I didn't know there were flip flops available with arches. Good to know!

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

I am a lifelong flip flop wearer. Living in Florida, I wear them year round. In fact, I might own a pair of closed-toed shoes. I've never had a problem with foot pain because of them. I do own a couple of better pairs with arch support in them, but I wear the flat kind as well. I love them so much.... it's the closest thing to being barefoot!

As far as wearing them in the parks.... I almost always do. Last time I wore a pair of sneakers for a day trip, I had blisters so bad I could hardly walk by the end of the day. I guess I have claustrophobic feet!

 

[KristinBelle]

I live in my Croc flip flops, they have support, I can walk all day in them.

 

[azgal81]

I practically live in flip flops as well but I'm not all that concerned with foot problems. My feet are more comfortable in them then my shoes! I also don't wear shoes walking around the house so that probably affects my feet as well.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I have flat feet and flat shoes (like flip flops) hurt my feet pretty badly. I usually wear a shoe with some sort of heel or arch. I have flip flops from Skechers that I love. They are soooo comfy and have a small arch.

 

[ziggystardust]

During the summer months I wear flip flops non stop (that might change this year with a new job that frowns upon them) but I do buy flip flops that have arches. I have a very high arch and can't wear shoes for long periods of times that don't have them. I will also spend a lot more money of flip flops than someone else might b/c I do wear them so frequently and will only buy specific ones.

I am one of those you will see at WDW wearing only flip flops. And will continue to do so. You might want to look into a shoe like Merrels if you want a really nice flip flop that you can wear for long periods of time. These are my shoe of choice in WDW