Summer is here and if you are in the DFW area, that means high temperatures and lots of sunny days. While athletic shoes are almost always the shoe-of-choice to prevent foot and ankle problems, that isn’t always feasible in the summer heat. Here are some shopping tips with what to avoid and how to choose the right sandal to help beat the heat!

Avoid - Completely flat sandals/flip flops.

  • A common flip flop is completely flat with no support whatsoever. This is the worst shoe to choose for the summer due to the overwhelming number of issues that can create; a few include plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and stress fractures.

Choose - Heel lifted shoes.

  • Finding shoes with a natural lift in the back compared to the front can easily prevent the multitude of issues listed above. Vionic and Fit Flop are examples of brands that incorporate this.

Avoid - Backless shoes

  • This is more targeted to individuals prone to Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis. Shoes without a back make these two parts of our bodies work harder, thus, putting us at risk for getting an acute flare.

Choose - Strap sandals

  • An adjustable strap to a shoe is much more secure, especially for summer days where you are on your feet for long hours.

Avoid - Sandals with no arch support.

  • The majority of shoe brands fail at including arch support in their design. This is unfortunate due to the number of issues that can occur without arch support including posterior tibial tendonitis and stress fractures.

Choose - The arch support right for you.

  • Not all arch supportive shoes are created equal. Depending on your foot type, you may need more or less support. Also, do not be deceived by the presence of a small “bump” in the arch of the shoe. When you try the shoe on, make sure you can feel the lift to the arch of your foot. Dansko and Birkenstock are examples of two brands that have different styles of arch supports.

If you are in the DFW area and want to have your foot type assessed for the right type of shoes, give us a call at Foot and Ankle Associates of North Texas or click here to request an appointment today. We look forward to seeing you soon!

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