Choosing the Right Footwear in Summer

The arrival of warm weather in Toronto prompts an outburst of outdoor activities, from relaxing on or around the water to hiking and running. One of the best things: we get to store away our boots in the closet! The question now is: which footwear to use – minimalist running shoes, sandals or flip-flops?

Minimalist Running Shoes

These shoes are like sandals for running. However, they do no give the feet much support and they are designed to ‘strengthen’ the feet by forcing all the muscles in them to work to support the feet. The idea for this type of footwear is based on the concept that man originally developed walking and running barefoot, thus, we should not need shoes to support our feet. However, not everyone is comfortable in these running shoes. You should still try them on, and see if they work for you. If you find your feet to be hurting during or after running, then they might not be the right choice for you.

Sandals

This type of footwear offers less support. Some people wonder, does wearing sandals cause damage to the feet if worn too long? The answer is no, it doesn’t. Our feet, some people might not know, are remarkably strong. Majority of us do not even need a supportive shoe to maintain their shape. However, you would not go on a five-mile run in sandals, of course! That requires an entirely different level of stability. If you have flat feet, you do not have to worry about wearing sandals, either.

Flip-Flops

Ahh… Flip-flops. This type of footwear is one of the favourites during summer. They might make you feel like you are on vacation but in reality, they are making your feet work overtime. Notice how when you wear flip-flops, you have to slightly clench your toes to keep them on? That is not a natural position for your feet. In a 2008 study, it was found that flip-flops can actually change the way wearers walk – sometimes permanently. The changes can bring about more problems to the rest of the body, with distinct and noticeable effects from the wearer’s posture to their gait. However, like all things, flip-flops can still be worn in moderation. You just have to make sure that you get high quality pairs, and if you can buy leather ones, that’s a better choice.