August 23, 2025, 6:49 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Warm air caresses the toes: For many, no shoe represents summer quite like the flip-flop. However, they can pose several problems for our feet. An orthopedist explained to the “dpa” why and for whom flip-flops can be harmful.
Flip-flops bring a vacation vibe into everyday life for some. But living in these sandals all summer isn’t necessarily a good idea, especially if you have a foot deformity, as many do.
Quick Check to See if You Have a Foot Deformity
For an initial check, you can stand on a towel with wet feet. “If the imprint is completely wide on the towel, there’s a foot problem,” says orthopedist and author Michael Lehnert (“Good Posture, All’s Well”). This includes conditions like splayfoot, where the transverse arch of the foot collapses and the metatarsal bones spread apart, making the front part of the foot wider.
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Why Flip-Flops Are Harmful for Foot Deformities
If you frequently wear flip-flops, you can expect your foot deformity to worsen. The sandals have no side support, encouraging the foot to become even wider.
Over time, the strain shifts more and more “to areas of the sole that aren’t suited for it,” according to Michael Lehnert. The consequences can include pain and nerve irritation, even leading to numb toes. A hallux valgus, or bunion, can also be exacerbated.
From an Orthopedic Perspective, Flip-Flops Have Two More Disadvantages:
- Many of them have only a flat, thin sole, lacking a footbed that relieves the foot and strengthens its muscles.
- And: “To avoid losing the flip-flops while walking, you have to grip a bit with your toes,” says Michael Lehnert. This causes the toes to cramp, which can also lead to pain over time.
What Flip-Flop Fans Can Do
While flip-flops aren’t ideal for the foot, the orthopedist doesn’t want to demonize them. He advises wearing them in moderation, “not eight or ten hours a day.” If you’ve bought a new pair for an upcoming vacation, it’s best to break them in at home for an hour first.
What also benefits the feet—not just during flip-flop season—are regular exercise sessions. One suggestion from the author and orthopedist: place a towel on the floor and pull it toward you with your toes. This exercise trains the many small muscles in the foot, contributing to its stability.
According to Lehnert, what’s also beneficial for the small muscles in the foot is “walking barefoot a bit more, at home, but also outside, for example, in sand.”
With material from dpa