
“All that shock at heel contact needs to be adequately transferred up the chain to the ankles, knees, hips, and back,” she says. Add in the fact that each running step generates an impact force around three times your body weight, and you have a recipe for injury, says surgical podiatrist Dr. Overpronation doesn’t just cause issues for your feet-it throws your whole body alignment out of whack. How Arch Support HelpsĪrch support counters overpronation, or the tendency for your foot to roll inward ( or “pronate”) too much during your stride. Halloran, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S., an Austin, Texas-based podiatry specialist. Paul Nasri, P.T., D.P.T., C.O.M.T., a physical therapist and owner of The Game Plan Physical Therapy in New York City and Daniel T. Nelya Lobkova, D.P.M., a surgical podiatrist based in New York City Dr. Janine Ferrigno-Taddeo, D.P.M., a New Jersey-based podiatry specialist and expert consultant at Aetrex Dr. To get reliable info on the science behind arch support, I included input from multiple podiatrists and a physical therapist: Dr. I’ve written more about running shoes than any other category, and have firsthand experience testing models from a range of brands. “Additionally, look for a midsole that is thick to assist with shock absorption.Show more The Expert: I became a runner in middle school and have covered running and outdoor gear for years, both on-staff at Runner’s World and as a freelance journalist. “A deep heel cup will increase the stability among other things,” Sayed explains. Most rubber soles are also waterproof, meaning you don’t have to worry about slipping and sliding. Flip-flops with rubber soles support and comfort your feet, allowing you to walk on all surfaces without stumbling around. Your flip-flops should not only withstand normal wear and tear, but they should also have a strong sole that keeps you from tripping, falling, and twisting your ankle, says Tulpule. A contoured footbed is also more comfortable, because they consistently support your foot alignment while also helping to prevent painful injuries like shin splints and collapsed arches.Ī sandal’s sturdiness matters too. This type of footbed is often made of cork or natural latex and provides even distribution of your weight across the shoe.

Contoured footbeds are ideal because the molding tends to fit feet better. The footbed shape should follow your natural foot shape, Andersen says. “It should just immediately feel comfortable-like a perfect match,” Tulpule explains. Most people have a normal-to-flat arch, says Tulpule, adding that you can tell if a flip-flop matches your arch by simply trying them on. “You want a flip-flop that supports your arch type,” explains Saylee Tulpule, D.P.M., a podiatrist at the Foot and Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic in Washington, D.C. If you have a flat arch, you need flip-flops with a lower arch. Think of it this way: If you have a high arch, you need flip-flops with a similar high arch. Here are three other tips to keep in mind while shopping: Choose a pair that matches your foot arch.įlip-flops feel different for each person, mainly due to your foot arch. In other words, if the flip-flops can easily break, they can easily damage your feet. For one, your flip-flops should never be paper-thin (unless you’re wearing them exclusively as shower shoes at the gym).



However, there are sandal features that you should keep in mind to make that possible. Yes, you can rock flip-flops (cute ones, too!) without your feet having to pay the price.
Arch support shoes kids how to#
How to find the best flip-flops with arch support
