Feet-freeing sandals are all the rage during warm summer weather, but there are some things you should be aware of. While you’re on your way to Haig Shoes to take advantage of our summer sale, consider the following safety tips for wearing sandals in Rochester Hills:
- Be mindful of pain: You may think that flip-flops and sandals that can bend are flexible, and thus good for walking in—nope! Sandals that can bend in half do not have adequate arch support and are less likely to protect your feet should you step on a sharp object. A lack of foot support will also lead to body pains starting at your toes and ankles then moving up to your knees, hips and lower back. It’s a big chain reaction of ouch.
- Flimsy flips are hazardous: Whether a pair of sandals is too big for your feet or it’s cheaply made, if they’re bending and flexing too much, they could pose a danger, like the front toe part catching on the ground and folding under as you walk, which can cause you to trip. If tripping is a regular problem, you must face the fact that you need different sandals.
- Break them in: It may seem okay to strap on or slip on your brand new sandals and head out for a full day of fun or pack them for vacation. But just like any new shoe, it’s best to break them in first. Some suggestions are to lightly stretch the material around toeholds and to tug on straps to loosen them a bit. Wear them around the house for a couple days to make certain they are not going to give you trouble when you are out and about—like blisters, callus formation, painful rubbing and tripping.
- Don’t wear sandals to drive: Opened toed and scrappy sandals can get stuck on the gas or brake pedal, or they may slip off, getting pinned in between the floor of the car and the pedal and preventing your feet from being able to push down on the brake. If sandals and flips are your footwear of choice, keep a spare pair of tennis shoes in the trunk to change into before you get behind the wheel.
- Yard work? Shoes on: Without having thought about it, many of us have done outdoor chores in our sandals. This is a big no-no, especially since yard work may entail the use of tools with blades, lifting heavy objects or climbing a ladder. Also, it’s not unusual for yards to have hidden holes and cracks that can cause twisted ankles or broken toes.
- They aren’t for playing sports: Summer is a time for outdoor sports, but don’t wear your sandals to play touch football or disc golf. Not only can it mean smashed feet, broken toes or bent toenails, but other parts of your body will also feel the pain due to running around without proper arch support.
Now that you’re informed and ready to take on summer, visit us at Haig Shoes to shop for select styles of quality sandals in Rochester Hills during our summer sandal sale!