Let this be the summer you stop sweating through heavy sneakers and tripping over flimsy flip-flops. There are plenty of sandals out there that let your feet breathe and provide them with a sturdy, supportive base.
Good arch support can help your feet feel comfortable for longer and prevent the stabbing pains along the sole of your foot known as plantar fasciitis, Amy DeGirolamo, DPM, a podiatrist at Florida Foot and Ankle Associates in Miami, tells SELF. In other words, it’s a win in the short- and long-term—plus, there are some seriously cute options out there that experts recommend.
How can you tell if a sandal will be supportive?
Simply put, your shoe should match the shape of your foot. So, if you have high arches, you need a shoe that has a similar height in the midfoot to hold your foot in place, Nick Cutri, DPT, physical therapist and founder of MOTI Physiotherapy in Los Angeles, tells SELF. And if you have low arches, your shoe’s arch shouldn’t rise higher than is comfortable. In other words, your foot should feel held and supported by your shoe.
Beyond a specific arch height, the key is to look for a good balance between flexibility and rigidity in your footwear, Dr. Cutri says. A shoe that’s too firm won’t feel good, and one that bends too much won’t provide enough support.
READ RELATED: A Chatbot Replaced Workers at an Eating Disorder Helpline. It Went Horribly Wrong.
Here’s an easy test from Paulina Piekarska, DPM, a foot and ankle specialist and surgeon at Hartford HealthCare Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute St. Vincent’s Medical Center: If you can fold it or bend it in half, it’s not supportive enough.
Dr. DeGirolamo says you can also look for shoes that have a seal of approval from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). This indicates that the APMA has found that pair of shoes to be conducive to foot health.
Best sandals with arch support
If you’re ready to get the support you need for all your summer strolls, check out our selection of expert-recommended sandals with arch support from Teva, Chaco, Keen, and more.
