article all best for Are Flip Flops Foot Healthy Footwear?

In this article, I am going to answer the question whether flip-flops are good for your feet. The reason I am writing this article is because a lot of people are wondering if wearing this type of foot wear is healthy. In this article I am going to cover;a general description of flip-flops, how your gait changes, whether they offer support, and the times and places that they are a good choice.

Flip-flops are a simple type of footwear. They have a flat sole held to the foot with the use of a thong, or Y-shaped strap that separates the big toe from the rest of the toes. A flip-flop does not have a heel cup or any arch support. Although the construction materials of the flip-flops can vary from a very inexpensive type of foam rubber to a quality leather sole, the basic design of the shoe is the same. All shoes, including flip-flops need replacing every three to four months.

When a person walks barefooted or with a proper fitting shoe, there is a natural order to their gait. The walker strikes down with their heel and rolls through each step, pushing off with the toes for the next step. The gait alters drastically when wearing a flip-flop. The vertical strike down with the heel has less force and the roll through to complete the step is more of a shuffle. A person's stride is shorter, to accommodate the need for the toes to grip the shoe to keep it in place. This change in gait may cause foot pain, leg pain, and/or hip pain. In effect, the walker is sliding, stomping, or shuffling along.

This shoe offers the foot no support whatever. It does not offer any arch or heel support. The design of this type is shoe does not allow for proper support of the foot or ankle for all day wear. This type of footwear also does not protect the foot from the weather, dropped objects, or injury from cuts and abrasions of rough terrain. This footwear also does not provide the wearer with a stable base to prevent falls and injuries. They may in fact, be the cause of a nasty fall or slip due to the shoe flipping off the foot.

Despite the short-comings of this type of shoe for general walking, and all day wear, there are times that this would be the shoe of choice. Flip-flops are comfortable and lend themselves easily for a quick trip to the store. They are perfect to wear when walking through sand at the beach. They are a good choice to wear for a while to give your feet a rest after a game or exercise session wearing athletic shoes. They are also a perfect choice for a bedtime slipper. Poolside is an ideal place for these shoes, as well as when navigating through a locker room.

To quickly summarize; flip-flops are a simple, casual shoe. They are the shoe of choice for certain activities. They have no support, and do not encourage a healthy walking gait. The design of the shoe is not for all day wear or for general walking.