It’s time to tuck those winter boots away for another season and dust off your summer footwear options, which surely includes one or more pairs of sandals. If you’re like us and enjoy wearing sandals, you need to be smart about how you transition back into the footwear after months in more protective and supportive shoes. In today’s blog, we share some tips for making the transition back to sandals so that you can reduce your risk of injury.
Sandal Season Tips
By taking a few smart steps, we’re confident that you can reduce your risk of suffering a foot or ankle injury while wearing sandals. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you switch over to sandals.
1. Start Slow – Sandals will inherently support your foot differently than your normal shoes, and this can cause muscles in your feet to take on more stress. Ease them into this role by only wearing your sandals for short periods at the outset. Don’t wear your sandals for eight straight hours the first time you wear them this season. Help your feet get used to these new stress patterns to reduce your risk of an overstress injury.
2. Right Fit – Although your feet may appear to be done growing, make sure to check that your sandals still fit properly before you commit to them for another summer. If the sandal is too small or too big, your toes may have to work harder to help keep the shoe in place, and that can increase your risk of toe-related injuries.
3. Still Supportive – Also, make sure that your sandals are still durable, supportive and protective. If they are worn down or lacking tread on the bottom, you may be at a heightened risk for different types of injuries. If your sandals are looking a little ragged, it may be time to upgrade to a new pair.
4. Know What’s Ahead – Sandals aren’t always the most supportive or protective shoe, so don’t wear them if you’ll be participating in activities that require this added level of support or protection. If you’ll be on your feet all day or walking on a nature trail, you should consider a more supportive and protective shoe. Know what activities are to come, and plan your footwear accordingly.
5. Not A Primary Shoe – Finally, it may be wise to have a more comfortable and supportive shoe as your primary set of shoes this summer. Always wearing sandals can lead to overstress injuries, even if you aren’t on your feet all day. Mix them in when appropriate, but it’s probably best not to get in the habit of always wearing your sandals this summer.
Keep these tips in mind and reach out to a foot and ankle specialist if you are dealing with any new foot discomfort that could be related to your footwear choices. For more information, or for help with a different foot or ankle issue, reach out to Dr. Silverman and the team at Silverman Ankle & Foot today at (952) 224-8500.
