By Rehan Iqbal
Summertime is here, and with it comes the flash flood of flip flops and other foot health nightmares. Thong sandals are one of the most popular shoe models of the season, but they also happen to be the worst option for your overall health. The feet are the base of the body, and they require proper care and attention to avoid serious problems down the road.
While comfortable and easy to wear – at least at first – traditional flip flops miss the boat by not providing the necessary padding, support, and stability to prevent an array of heath issues ranging from plantar fasciitis and shin splints, to joint pain and bone fractures.
Top Flip Flops for Flat Feet
Orthotic designs and technology allowing proper support for flat feet and permitting proper alignment can make all the difference. The following flip flops are safe and the best supportive options to allow you to enjoy your summer in style.
1. Oofos Ooriginal Thong Sandal Recovery Shoes Unisex
Oofos takes a step towards another planet with the styling of their recovery thongs. But for those who need unparalleled comfort and control in a summer-friendly flip flop, the Ooriginal Thong Sandal Recovery Shoes may be their personal nirvana. The unisex sandals are made from lightweight orthotic-conforming synthetic foam and come in over a dozen color options to meet any fashion needs that may arise during the warmer months.
While these unique shoes can be used for a number of reasons, they were specially designed to act as recovery instruments to fully recharge the feet and body after intensive workouts. Ergonomic and textured footbed provide ample arch support and slip resistance. The sole has amazing grip traction and contains the necessary guidance measures to help support and control pronation concerns.
2. Olukai Ohana Thong Sandal
Men's
Women's
Those super flat, lightweight flip flops are on the market, waiting for consumers to snatch them off of the store shelves. And men comply as easily as women. You can tell by simply partaking in a little foot watching. It’s true: flip flops are comfortable – at first. But after a short amount of time, trouble ensues. Men deserve support and style in their favorite summer sandals as much as the ladies do.
Olukai has tackled the problem with ease. These summer essentials have the classic look with multiple benefits. Made completely of synthetic materials, these are vegan friendly. Multiple color combinations provide a perfect fashion fit for men and women. Compression-molded midsole conforms to your foot shape. And razor cuts on the sole grip even wet surfaces for a non-marking, smooth and safe glide.
3. Vionic Tide Sequins Womens Orthotic Sandals
little sparkle goes a long way. It can turn a drab day into something festive, and evolve a ho-hum outfit into a work of art. Foot glitz is a wonderful trend, but it can all too often be a painful one. Orthaheel by Vionic Tide Sequins Women’s Orthotic Sandals changes this completely.
The cute, sparkly thong-style sandals come in a variety of fashionable color options for mix and match ease. But unlike traditional flat flip flops, these orthopedic-styled wonders provide the necessary support and stability for all-day comfort.
Orthaheel Technology supplies quality all-day comfort, support, and stabilization. Due to the therapeutic qualities, these can take a week or two to become fully comfortable. But once that happens, they help correct alignment and foot conditions such as plantar fasciitis. These are full sizes only, so be sure to order down a half size if you’re in the middle.
4. Crocs Unisex MODI Flip
Crocs have a specific fan following. While the footwear is comfortable and supportive, let’s face it – many people just can’t get past the unusual design of the shoes. When it comes to certain brands, you either love it or hate it. And for a lot of people, Crocs tend to fall into one of those categories.
However, when it comes to specific types of shoes, such as flip flops, quite often odd and unique are optimal qualities. Crocs has toned down in the odd department to provide fun-looking shoes that improve foot health on the go, and the Crocs Unisex MODI Flip happen to be one of the best summertime options. The entire shoe is made of Crocs patented Croslite material. Uppers come in multiple color options to compliment current fashion choices. The Croslite footbed stimulates circulation via built-in circulation nubs. Meant especially for the beach, slip resistant tread is non-marking for other surfaces as well and ensures safety all season long.
5. Telic Men’s Flip Flop
It’s darn near impossible to find quality apparel made solely in the U.S.A nowadays, but that’s exactly what you’ll get with Telic Men’s Flip Flop Flip Flop. In this case, double the flip flop means double the fun. These unique sandals are made of tough vinyl and come in a huge assortment of fun summer colors. While they may look like boats, they’re actually lightweight, super comfortable and machine washable.
The anatomical footbed instantly provides comfort and reduces pain associated with impending or existing foot health conditions while aligning the body properly to ensure they don’t acerbate. Propulsion-grip sole keeps you secure while guiding the feet forward for an enhanced and effortless glide.
6. Skechers Women’s Reggae Trailway Flip Flop
Who needs seductive stilettos or body busting ballet flats for summertime fun? Sporty is the new sexy as proven by Skechers Women’s Reggae Trailway Flip Flop. The world-class best selling footwear manufacturer combines high quality materials, orthopedic technology, and athletic styling to provide a top-of-the-line health-centric thong sandal your feet will love wearing all season long!
Rich leather uppers are available in three color combinations to compliment many summer styles. Textile patterned additions are found on the top strap and center toe separator to act as eye catching detail. Mesh lining wicks moisture away from the feet and helps the shoes to dry naturally and as quickly as possible. Synthetic footbed had built-in arch support, and the outdoor shock absorbing sole is grip patterned for secure traction.
7. Reef Men’s Phantoms Thong Sandal
Beach and water-based fun is a must during summertime. And if you’re like many, your shoe of choice is a typical sporty flip flop sandal. They’re great fun and offer a stylish finish to warm weather apparel. Certainly, you can walk into your favorite discount or department store and walk right out with a trendy pair of summer sandals. But at what personal cost?
In most cases, not only does your wallet suffer, but your overall health does as well. Typical flip flops are as bad for men as they are for women.
But the Reef Men’s Phantoms Thong Sandal takes handles the health end beautifully, and often for the same or less than what you’d spend for the store option. The spot-trend sandal is made of synthetic and mesh materials for high durability, and comes in a huge array of color options to match or compliment your favorite summer styles. They’re water friendly enough to wear in, near, or away from the lake or pool. High density sole contains serious compression footbed which provides ample arch support and stabilization, while grip tread makes walking a breeze.
8. SOLE Men’s Sport Flips
A popular trend in footwear is a modern supportive shape. Certainly the support itself is what counts, but a pleasing visual form is often just as important to consumers. When the two are combined, the magic happen – as it does in these SOLE Men’s Sport Flips. The sporty uppers of these stylish orthopedic wonders come in multiple color options to cater to your summer wardrobe.
Wide, ergonomic footbed contains a metatarsal pad and platform which allows for extra movement and quicker recovery after exercise. SOLE footwear is specifically designed to conform to one’s feet in order to provide necessary arch support and help to offset potential problems with severe gait issues such as flat feet and pronation concerns. The anti-slip grip treading ensures continued safety for all of your warm weather excursions.
9. Vionic With Orthaheel Technology Men’s Ryder Thong
Vionic kicked into high gear to prove themselves as worthy contenders to male thong enthusiasts with their Vionic With Orthaheel Technology Men’s Ryder Thong. This may appear to be a typical flip flop one can get at any discount store, but looks are almost always deceiving with Vionic. The manufacturer has mad skills in the orthotic footwear game. These leather and synthetic flip flops come in black or brown to add a classic finish to your summertime outfits.
This sandal contains the APMA Seal of Acceptance for its Biomechanical orthotic properties such as orthotic footbed with textured grips and built in arch support. Orthaheel Technology involves the implementation of a deep heel cup to help reverse the issues that lead to bodily pain. And motion control helps correct pronation to encourage a more natural foot gait. Wavy tread provides proper traction for your warm weather excursions.
10. Vionic Women’s Tide II Toe Post Sandal
Vionic knows women’s feet. This is why their thong sandals are so popular. But if you’re not the girly type, you may prefer the smooth and modern styling of the Vionic with Orthaheel Technology Women’s Tide II Thong Sandal. Synthetic materials comprise this classic looking flip flop. The upper V-band has a patent leather appearance and comes in multiple color options to instantly compliment your favorite warm weather wardrobe.
Motion control footbed is triple enhanced to focus on correcting plantar-related needs, encourage a neutral foot gait, and re-align the body for proper posture and healing. The EVA midsole is medium density and absorbs shock so the body doesn’t have to. Diamond shaped tread grips all terrain for a smooth and secure glide whether you’re at the beach or the mall. These do require a breaking in period. Medical professionals suggest wearing them only a few hours per day for the first few days so that the body can adjust naturally to the orthopedic properties.
11. Spenco Yumi Leather – Men’s Orthotic Sandals
Spenco offers their gentlemen clientele specifically what they want from a good looking thong sandal. At the same time, they twist it up to provide the comfort and support needed expected in quality footwear. Spenco Yumi is the male version of a high quality modern orthotic flip flop. While the concept may raise a brow or two, the result will make you wonder how you lived without them so long.
Full-grain leather and canvas-edged uppers are available in neutral colors to match your fashion needs and personality. These total support sandals have orthotic-quality heel and arch support, although the heel can feel under-padded for those with spurs or other existing painful heel conditions. Built-in motion control and shock absorption reduce and help control all pronation issues – both under and over. And the unique grip sole ensures your last step is as safe and secure as the first.
12. Vionic Women’s Bella II Sandal
OK, so you love the look of flip flops, but need the support and comfort of a sneaker. Oh, and a sweet feminine touch wouldn’t hurt one bit. Vionic has you covered. The vibrant man-made upper of the Vionic Women’s Bella II Sandal comes in a huge variety of colors to match or compliment your favorite summer fashions.
Delicate bow adorns the classic thong shoe “V”, while a nylon toe separator strap ensures durability season after season. But while these may look like a typical flip flop, the rest of the shoe proves otherwise.
The microfiber lined footbed is super comfortable and podiatrist-designed to give the perfect amount of support and comfort to flat feet. Orthaheel Technology holds the heel correctly to provide stability and realign the body to avoid foot problems, as well as overall bodily and joint issues. And the sole-based 1st Ray Flexor Zone ensures comfort and flexibility, while providing a safe and secure walking grip.
13. Chaco Women’s Lowdown Flip
With summer here, you need footwear that looks good, makes you feel confident, is easy to wear, and matches an array of your favorite seasonal fashions. Flip flops immediately spring to mind as the shoe of choice. But traditional flips are total flops.
They’re considered the absolute worse choice of sandal by many medical professionals because they give little to no support and cause all sorts of health issues from plantar fasciitis to migraines.
However, the Chaco Women’s Lowdown Flip is far from a traditional flip flop. Fabric uppers in an assortment of colors and patterns can easily compliment the trendiest summer styles. The footbed provides arch support and comfort not found in the generic flip flops at your favorite discount store. LUVSEAT design properly aligns the feet and body, creating stability. And the lug-style sole grips ensure continual safety so you always feel as good as you look.
14. Chaco Flip Ecotread Flip Sandal
Chaco offers a simple but effective flip sandal for men and women. Flip Ecotread comes in multiple top strap color options so you can enjoy endless summer adventures in total comfort and style. Man-made materials provide durable and comfortable wear regardless the terrain or weather conditions of your summer excursions. The Chaco footbed is famous in the footwear game for its sleek and supportive BioCentric technology.
Polyurethane material is textured for a slip-free experience. Deep heel cup and aggressive arch support work together to correct severe over-pronation and stabilize flat feet. Ecotread rubber sole is non-marking, made with 25% recycled materials, and develops specifically to absorb extra shock so you can focus on your excursion while avoiding foot pain and health issues altogether. All-purpose tread keeps you safe and secure throughout the season.
