For many of us, summer means one thing: flip-flop weather. It’s the time of year where we let our toes breathe that sweet, warm air. Other industries thrive thanks to flip-flops. Think about it. Would you spend all that money on a pedicure or a fancy toe ring if you didn’t have a way to show them off? Probably not.
But as flip flops grow in popularity with beach goers, teenage girls, and outdoorsy types, they grow less popular with doctors. New research revealed at the American College of Sports Medicine’s annual meeting is not good for inexpensive flip-flop manufacturers. They found that wearing flip flops for a long period of time can result in foot, ankle, and leg pain. Two things happen with flat-soled flip flops: the muscles on the front of the leg work overtime since your toes reflexively grip onto the shoe, and your stride becomes shortened which causes pain in the legs.
Short-term use, like walking from the car to the pool, is perfectly fine. The problem comes when we wear flat-soled flip flops around the mall or on a hiking trip.
Come on, you know you’ve done that before.
But you don’t have to give up flip flops altogether to protect your lower body from pain. The medical findings point to structured flip flops as the solution. As one doctor put it, “The less flip in your flop the better it is for your feet and legs.”
Look for flip flops with arch and heel support. Start by checking out our coupon codes for flip flop retailers like The Flip Flopper and ShoeMall. Both offer a wide range of styles, some more “trendy” than practical, but many have great support. The North Face, Sketchers, Reebok.com, and adidas.com offer some great selections at a discount. A good, solid pair of flip flops will only cost you around $30-$40 here—and that should last all summer!
I had some luck on the Crocs website, where their new ABF Single Molded Flip promises an ergonomic fit and lightweight cushioning. These are only $19.99—not bad! And we have Crocs.com coupon codes there too! My favorite of the Cros is the Prepair Flip Flop (pictured) for $34.95. This option reduces pressure on the foot by 50%, improves blood flow and fatigue relief, and also promotes the natural movement of the foot.
Of course, doctors recommend that if you’re going to engage in any intense athletic activity this summer, you steer clear of the flip flops entirely. Not only can they cause pain and strain in your legs and feet, but the risk of tripping in flip flops is pretty high. No matter how good on your feet you may be, don’t risk the injury.
Check out our athletic shoe coupon codes for more great deals!
