The Truth About Flip-Flops and Your Feet

Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon — Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI. Last updated April 2026.

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Why Flip-Flops Are Worse Than You Think

Flip-flops — universally popular summer footwear in Michigan from Memorial Day through Labor Day — are biomechanically problematic despite their casual appeal. While the occasional flip-flop use for short walks or pool areas is unlikely to cause lasting harm, prolonged daily use in flip-flops throughout summer has predictable and well-documented consequences for foot health.

Zero Arch Support

Most flip-flops provide no arch support whatsoever — a flat, thin sole that allows the arch to completely collapse with every step. For people with mild flat feet who are asymptomatic in supportive footwear, months of flip-flop use can unmask or worsen plantar fascia tension and arch pain. The plantar fascia works much harder maintaining foot stability without arch support, predisposing to plantar fasciitis particularly when combined with summer activity increases (more walking, beach tourism, outdoor events).

Altered Gait Mechanics

Research using motion capture technology has documented that flip-flop wearers significantly shorten their stride, increase toe-gripping muscle activity (to keep the sandal on the foot), and alter their normal gait mechanics. The toe-gripping pattern increases hammertoe formation risk and places abnormal stress on the plantar digital tendons. Shortened stride length from flip-flop use changes the mechanics of the entire lower extremity chain.

No Heel or Ankle Protection

Flip-flops leave the heel and ankle completely unsupported and exposed. This increases the risk of ankle sprains on uneven terrain, provides zero protection from stubbed toes or dropped objects, and exposes the feet to plantar wart-transmitting surfaces at pool areas (where flip-flops are ironically most used). The thin sole provides no cushioning for impact forces on summer pavement and concrete.

Better Alternatives for Summer Foot Health

Sport sandals with a contoured footbed, arch support, and heel strap (Birkenstock, Vionic, Chaco, Teva sport sandals) provide the open-foot comfort of summer sandals with the structural support of proper footwear. For pool and shower areas, purpose-designed pool sandals with closed-toe design and drainage holes provide hygiene protection without the biomechanical penalty of flat flip-flops. Athletic sneakers with moisture-wicking socks remain the best option for any extended walking. Contact Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 if summer footwear has created foot pain that’s disrupting your Michigan summer activities.

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The Truth About Foot Health Myths

Misinformation about foot health leads people to delay treatment or try ineffective remedies. At Balance Foot & Ankle, Dr. Tom Biernacki provides evidence-based foot care and helps patients separate fact from fiction about common foot conditions.

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Clinical References

1. Richards CE, Magin PJ, Callister R. Is your prescription of distance running shoes evidence-based? Br J Sports Med. 2009;43(3):159-162.
2. Johal KS, Milner SA. Plantar fasciitis and the calcaneal spur: fact or fiction? Foot Ankle Surg. 2012;18(1):39-41.
3. Gupta AK, Versteeg SG, Shear NH. Onychomycosis in the 21st century: an update on diagnosis, epidemiology, and treatment. J Cutan Med Surg. 2017;21(6):525-539.

Your Board-Certified Podiatrists

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

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Dr. Carl Jay, DPM

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Related resources

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Better Sandal Options
• Arch pain consult

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When to See a Podiatrist

If foot or ankle pain has been bothering you for more than a few weeks, home care alone may not be enough. Balance Foot & Ankle offers same-week appointments at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills clinics — no referral needed in most cases. Bring your current shoes and a short list of symptoms and we’ll build you a treatment plan in one visit.

Call Balance Foot & Ankle: (810) 206-1402  ·  Book online  ·  Offices in Howell & Bloomfield Hills

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a double board-certified podiatrist and foot & ankle surgeon at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has reached over one million views.