Summer Sandals – how do you know which is the best?

With summer fast approaching, the season of beaches, barbeques and tanning is upon us. Out goes the closed-in sneakers to keep your feet warm and in comes the slip-on sandals to keep your feet cool. However, as many people soon realise, most thongs and sandals aren’t the most foot-friendly footwear to be wearing, particularly if you are suffering from pain in your lower legs and feet. Most styles have a severe lack of support which can lead to rolled ankles, bruises and broken toes. They can also influence your skin, leading to dry cracked heels and painful blisters in unwanted areas.    

Luckily, there are some supportive and stylish sandals out there! We’ve come up with a list of brands to check out to keep your feet healthy throughout summer. The main features we look for in podiatry-approved footwear is:

• Arch support
• A heel cup and some form of back to decrease stress on the skin around your heels, reducing risk of cracks
• Comfortable thick straps to prevent friction on the skin, which can lead to blisters
• A thicker rubber sole to take the pressure off the intrinsic and extrinsic musculature of your feet, preventing conditions such as plantar fasciitis, heel spurs and stress fractures

So here it is, Mount Lawley Physiotherapy and Podiatry’s list of approved summer sandals and thongs for 2019.

1. Birkenstock

Coming in hot at number 1, Birkenstock have made a name for themselves as the go-to summer sandals for hipsters, beachgoers and everyone in between. With a sturdy anatomically designed sole and plenty of arch support with a deep cradling heel cup, they’re extremely comfortable to walk around in all day every day.

2. Bared

Created by podiatrist Anna Baird, Bared have a great range of sandals and slides for summer and everything from ballet flats to heels for winter. Not only that, but every shoe has a variety of support to provide the best comfort for each person.

3. Frankie4

Another brand initially started by podiatrist and physiotherapist Caroline McCulloch, Frankie4 has provided fashionable shoes for females between the ages of 30-65 for all needs. With plenty of arch support and cushioning, they are great for women looking to get out and walk without pain every day.

4. Orthaheel

Orthaheel are well known for providing thongs and sandals with plenty of arch support. With a nice soft heel and a rubber outsole to provide grip, they are a great choice for travellers or those who enjoy spending their time down on the beach.

5. Honourable mentions

Other brands such as Merrell and Teva have some great sandals for outdoors-wear, that have great grip and support. You can also visit stores such as Paul Carroll and Stride with Confidence where you will find brands such as NAOT, Ziera, Ecco, Propet, Vionic, Arcopedico and Klouds, all of which are designed with great support and cushioning.