The Dangers of Flip-Flops

Could baring your sole be destroying your feet?

By Brett Zarda Posted 06.24.2008 at 12:07 pm 11 Comments

Bare Your Soles (CC Licensed) Dave Scelfo

For non-metrosexual men, they’re one of three pairs of shoes on the closet floor. Between the dusty brown loafers and Adidas cross-trainers lies a pair of flip-flops. In Providence they’re worn four months a year, in Florida everyday after work and in California—from birth. Flops are an extension of man’s feet, but could the pleasure of air running through ones toes be outweighed by long term complications?

Research conducted at Auburn University suggests the sandals significantly change the gait of their wearer. The data, presented last month at the American College of Sports Medicine Conference in Indianapolis, showed that while wearing flops subjects had a shorter stride, exerted less downward force, and didn’t lift their feet as high as when wearing athletic shoes. The study analyzed 39 men and women using a force plate and video analysis. Lead researcher Justin Shroyer suggests the changes are in part due to using toe muscles to retain the shoe and worsened by the lessened cushion provided by the flops. Shroyer believes it’s still safe to wear flops but cautions that they should only be worn for short stints or on white sandy beaches.

Both men and women are likely familiar with flip-flop pain. A solid walk in flops through Boston Garden after a six-month winter in boots will either require a foot massage or time in a hot tub. Shroyer’s research offers plausible explanations for the source of such pain. However, after 196 consecutive days in flops, most men could run a marathon in their favorite pair of Rainbows in under three hours. So is it wearing flops, or taking a break from flops, that leaves one writhing? As a native Floridian and current Californian, I’ll pray for the latter.

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11 Comments

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jellybean

06/24/08 at 5:28 pm

oh please, you men need to squeeze your feet into some 5 inch stiletto's for a few minutes and then rethink complaining about the damage flip flops can do to your feet.

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linedancingfool

06/24/08 at 9:04 pm

Love the ref to non-metrosexual male but hate the fact that it needs to be specified!
Men... if flip flops are bothering your feet, wear cowboy boots!
and I agree with jellybean... good point

** http://38step.blogspot.com **

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Drxl_UGrad

06/26/08 at 11:13 am

This isn't a matter of us guys complaining that flip flops hurt after a while. Its a study. There have been many before it that have showed that flip flops are bad for your feet giving no support and leading to joint as well as back problems. But please don't complain about wearing stillettos. I know many guys can join me in saying, if they don't feel comfortable, then don't wear them ladies. Yeah, they may look nice, but i would rather my girlfriend wear comfortable nice looking shoes rather than 'cute' heels that she'll complain about hurting her all night.

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Drxl_UGrad

06/26/08 at 11:13 am

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highdobb

06/27/08 at 5:06 am

No matter your sex, or the shoe/flip-flop your wearing, if it hurts don't wear them!!!!! DUH!!!!!

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JasonK

06/29/08 at 5:10 pm

Well, some of us struggle with issues others don't even notice. But why go into the arguments and try to find out who is right, its not possible. Everybody has an opinion, right?

Just dont do what doesnt suit you, and that's it.

http://sandals-flipflops.com/adidas-sandals/

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Ant2206

07/03/08 at 7:59 pm

In New Zealand, flip-flops (we call 'em jandals. The Aussies call 'em thongs) are everywhere. People wear 'em at work, when they're out at night, summer, winter, it just doesn't matter. And for someone like me who's really grossed out by feet, it's pretty horrid. There are also a few people who were jandals... with SOCKS.

Here's hoping this study is accurate.

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herbalexcel

07/08/08 at 7:11 pm

My feet always hurt after walking around in some flops for any length of time. They're perfect for around the house, but once you try to do some distance in them you're bound to need some natural male enhancement afterwards.

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orajnamalik

02/17/09 at 3:09 pm

ok, seriously, first off, men are smart enough to not "squeeze" into a pair of heels, and second off, what type of dodo runs a marathon in flip flops. I wear flip flops to almost everywhere, but chances are, im not going to be running. if i know that i am, I'll wear me sneakers.

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comfortable1

08/30/10 at 11:40 pm

Flipflops are both dangerous and good for you. Gee I look at women who have been wearing boots and high heels all their lives and their feet often appear distorted. Wearing open sandals and or flip flops can ensure you have a healthy foot, albeit wide from not wearing compressions every day of your waking life. So good and bad image for the beloved flip flop.

www.comfortablefoot.com/naot-shoes

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aaronjenkins

07/22/11 at 4:17 am

Flipflops are very comfortable especially if you are at the beach and walking around. It also depends on the kind of flipflops because there are variants that are not soft and they are not comfortable to wear. These footwear are really good for both men and women. I love flipflops. :)

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