When learning how to choose sandals, there are several common mistakes you’ll want to avoid, as they can seriously undermine your foot health. These involve prioritising fashion over fit, underestimating the importance of comfort and support, and overlooking poor-quality materials and thin soles.
Sandal season coincides with British Summer Time (late March to late October). In fact, the Guardian jokes that BST also stands for British Sandal Time! Buying new sandals is a great way to celebrate warmer, brighter days – provided you choose the right pair for your feet.
The problem is that because sandals are associated with fun in the sun, sandal shoppers tend to view them as unimportant, ‘throwaway’ footwear. Instead of thinking carefully about how to choose sandals properly, many people make impulse buys driven by trends.
At our London chiropody clinics, we often treat patients whose feet have been damaged by disappointing sandals that aren’t secure, stable or supportive enough. With that in mind, we’ve created this guide to common sandal shopping mistakes so you can avoid the pitfalls and step confidently into sandal season.
Foot Problems Linked to Unsuitable Sandals
If you don’t know how to choose sandals that support your feet, you may experience the following problems, all of which are closely associated with wearing unsuitable sandals regularly:
- Calluses and blisters can indicate feet are being exposed to excessive friction (in slip-on sandals, say). Sores may appear if straps are tight or narrow, as is the case with gladiator-style sandals.
- Hammer toes are permanently bent – a deformity linked to toes gripping loose sandals and becoming strained. Peep-toe sandals can push your big toes into the others, contributing to the development of bony lumps called bunions.
- Metatarsalgia refers to painful inflammation in the ball of the foot, which can occur when poorly cushioned sandals put metatarsal bones under pressure. Persistent pressure can create stress fractures.
- Plantar fasciitis means inflammation of the sole’s shock-absorbing tissue, and can be triggered/worsened by sandals without arch support and cushioning. Sharp heel pain is the main symptom.
- Achilles tendonitis occurs when the main tendon connecting heel and calf becomes painfully inflamed – an issue associated with unstable, backless sandals. Instability can also lead to sprained ankles, especially if you favour stiletto or platform heels or wedges and walk over uneven terrain such as sand, rocks or neglected London pavements.
Sandal Shopping Mistakes Create Foot Health Risks
Familiarising yourself with the common sandal shopping mistakes below will help you to avoid foot health woes.
- Sandal Shopping in the Morning
Feet swell during the day because gravity pulls fluid downwards, and the effect is more noticeable in hot weather as blood vessels dilate. You could be half a shoe size bigger by night-time. So sandal shopping in the morning can lead to sandals that soon start to bite.
- Guessing Your Sandal Size
It’s a mistake to assume your sandal size and shoe size are the same, as sandals are far more open and usually worn without hosiery. Sizing issues can result in overhanging toes or feet sliding around, so it’s advisable to buy from brands with a measuring service.
- Prioritising Appearance over Fit
If you’re distracted by styles, colours, embellishments, etc., you may overlook how well (or badly) sandals fit. No matter how good they look, they should be avoided if they don’t make feet feel good.
- Settling for Inferior Materials
Neither cheap synthetic leather sandals nor plastic ‘jelly’ sandals let feet breathe properly. Sweaty feet are smelly, easily invaded by athlete’s foot fungus and prone to skin irritation. Although you can save money by buying mediocre sandals, they may cost your feet dearly.
- Choosing Ultra-Thin Soles
They look chic, but sandals with flat, rigid, ultra-thin soles don’t reflect your feet’s natural shape, facilitate movement or provide arch/heel support and cushioning. To make matters worse, they often have ultra-thin straps without sturdy fastenings so are highly unstable too.
Your Sandal-Shopping Checklist
Remember to go sandal shopping in the afternoon, have your feet measured and look for sandals that offer:
- The correct size for a snug fit
- Contoured footbed with arch support and cushioning
- Breathable, high-quality uppers, ideally made of leather
- Wide straps across toes and around heels/ankles
- Secure, adjustable fastenings such as buckles
- Thick rubber soles with good grip and low heels
Prepare Your Feet for Sandal Season
If you’re unsure how to choose sandals or are already experiencing foot discomfort, our London chiropodists can help. We offer treatments including callus and corn removal, nail care, fungal treatments and more – helping you step into sandal season with confidence.
Call Feet By Pody today on 0207 099 6657 to book an appointment and transform your feet!