I have bad knees and, for me, walking in flip flops puts less pressure on my knees and, therefore, I move and walk more.

I don't understand how "walking in flip flops puts less pressure on [your] knees."  I think it would cause more pressure.   ???

Well in Asian countries, people wear flip-flops more because of the climate conditions and I find no issues for generations :)

Caribbean people wear flip- flops every day and they are fine. I take this information with a large grain of salt.

I would prefer to walk barefoot all the time, but that is not always possible or acceptable. Any kind of heel on a shoe shifts the weight forward. That puts pressure on my kees. My opinion. I have had a knee replacement and arthritis in my other knee. I make out great!

You know, most of us using this site are trying to manage our weight, and with that comes a lot of lifestyle changes, self-examination, self-recrimination, growth, and stress.  Leave me and my darn flip flops alone.  I mean really, if the only thing standing between me and my goal weight were flip flops, wouldn't THAT be fantastic.

Pshaw.  Focus on something important why don't you?

The only time I ever got a sprained ankle was from wearing boots. I've never had any pain from flip flops, and I wear them extensively. Anyway, isn't walking barefoot better than ANY shoe? I went barefoot most of my childhood and teenage years, and I think my feet are better for it. My husband has totally flat feet from a lifetime of shoe wearing.

Something like: "If I could make one thing illegal, it would be those! (my flip-flops)" - My chiropractor/nutritionist/acupuncturist

there are slip ons with support - buy them

There are flip-flops with support also - I wear Earth Exer-Fit(?) and Reefs all the time.  You just have to make sure the straps come to the back of the foot and they fit just like real shoes.  The Earth shoes with negative heels are the best but I do like to have a change and wear the Reefs and a pair of Eccos.

Obviously the people they studied in that research were not wearing flip flops right -- I never have to scrunch my toes, and my gait does not alter. It's exactly like wearing other shoes. Plus, I found flip flops with a material on the sole that molds to your foot, which means they actually support my arches, unlike almost all shoes (I have pretty high arches).

So... I disagree. I actually find I'm in less pain when I wear the flip flops than when wearing shoes.

I have a pair of 'fitflops' as against flip flops which are specifically to exercise your feet and leg muscles.    I walk about the house with bare feet, but outside find them comfortable to wear -they keep my feet nice and cool into the bargain.   Needless to say I only wear them in the summer.

Um, no.  I love flip flops.  You can't take them away from me. 

I have worn my 'FITFLOPS' all summer for 4 years now and find they give amazing foot support and are so comfortable I can walk miles in them. In Europe though it is worth remembering that it is illegal to drive in flipflops.

Plantar fasciitis rules my life. After 8 years of every available treatment, I still have to consider every day how many steps to take. Do I clean the house, or go grocery shopping, or walk once around the block, or play outside with my daughter? I can only do one of those things a day. My advice: if giving up your flip flops will reduce your chances of getting plantar fasciitis, DO IT!

They've also practiced the "art" of foot binding for centuries and culturally put beauty above practicality.  I would bet they share the same foot injuries from flip flops.  

I love my flip flops!!  I hate shoes with a passion.  Needless to say when summer time rolls around I live in flip flops, sandles and crocs.  I've never had any problems wearing any of them.  In fact, if I could get away with it I would live in them all year round.  Darn winters!!!

I don't want to argue, but there are several schools of thought on footwear and foot health. I have ALWAYS loved being barefoot. The minute I got home as a kids, shoes off and feet bare. I would walk my whole neighborhood in my bare feet if my parents would let me. 

I am a new runner (finished my first 5K a week ago) and I started training in traditional shoes. I had hip and knee issues, but contributed this to my weight.  Upon suggestion of my chiropractor, I switched to Vibram 5 Fingers about week 7 of training and I will NEVER go back. The design of modern shoes smooshes our toes and encourages heel striking...creating an improper gait. Since switching to Vibes I have run faster, longer, and with more ease. I pretty much spend the rest of my life in flip-flops, and only put on a fuller coverage shoe for work.

Since the switch my ankles are stronger, my feet are stronger, and I walk perfectly fine in my flops. I think the problem is more with people's posture than the shoe.

See Vibram 5 Fingers.

Because I was walking in flip flops, I contracted Morton's plantar.  It is a very painful condition and I don't see a cure for this....ever!  I have to wear orthotic inserts now.

 Thanks to my bad decision to wear flip flops I can never wear heels again or any backless show because the inserts will not fit.

i run barefoot. and the only shoes i wear, other than my vibrams, are flip flops. with barefoot running my knee doesn't hurt. my hips don't hurt. my old broken leg doesn't hurt. and my legs, ankles, and feet only continue to get stronger and stronger. my favorite run to date was an 8k trail run over all types of wooded terrain. feeling the textures change beneath my vibram'ed feet is more fun than i can possibly describe.

i'm SUPER glad to see that so many other commenter's agree that this silly article is certainly lacking information. but then again i don't really use caloriecount for the articles. so whatever. 

Okay, so I don't know a lot of foot issues, but I know this much is true: My fiance and I went dancing the other  night, and he wore boots and I wore flip flops. He stepped on my foot and my toenail busted into a million little pieces. I had to wait for a week for each little piece to fall off, and then I had no nail!

When in situations that you could get stepped on or scratched, wear shoes that protect your feet! Now i'm investing in some pretty ballet slippers...

I love flip flops. Wear them every single day over the summer, with the exception of when I'm at work (then I wear heels). No issues for me :) They are the most comfortable kind of shoe there is. 

Seriously?? I would have thought flip-flops would be much slower to walking barefeet - the way we naturally do - than other kinds of sandals. Man I have a pair of sandals with "arch support" and an extra strap - I wore them around the mall one day and my feet were literally nearly crippled the next day. I wear flip-flops around all the time and find my feet are fine - dirty, sometimes, but fine. I'm pretty sure people have been wearing versions of flip-flops for a very long time.

I live in flip flops and I'm a tiny lady. Nuff said. :-)

Original Post by: karibeth70

I love my flip flops!!  I hate shoes with a passion.  Needless to say when summer time rolls around I live in flip flops, sandles and crocs.  I've never had any problems wearing any of them.  In fact, if I could get away with it I would live in them all year round.  Darn winters!!!

OMG, I agree completely.  Just wearing sandals and flip flops are so wonderful.  I have never had a problem with either of them.  I guess if you were a "hardcore" flip-flop wearer you might have a problem, but just wearing them around is great.  Maybe walking around the mall for hours is not a good idea with flip-flops for some people.  Everyone is different.

I agree with the problems of "flip flops",what do you think about "fit flops"?

I understand that tie shoes are the best for stability.My feet get hot in them after long wear.Any thoughts on sandals that wrap around the foot?

The exception to this ...CHACO flip flops! They have an arch support and are cushioned.  I  have had 2  toe/foot surgeries in the last 10 months and these are one of the few shoes that I can wear comfortably.  They cost about $45....and are worth every penny. 

The $1 flip flops....I agree with you and any other cheap, non support shoe.  You get what you pay for!

I cringe when I see people wearing flip-flops in the grocery store, mall, around town, etc. - knowing that their feet are going to be black with dirt when they get home.  Flip-flops are for the home and the beach.  And I agree that even then they should be worn sparingly.  They provide zero support and leave the foot wide open to injury and infection.

Shucks, I thought this was yet another new source of all evil in the world, LOL!  Don't you think this tirade about flip flops is a bit overreactive? 

Agreeing with the above statement... Seriously...  Was this study government funded?  Heck even if it wasn't, what a HUGE waste of money...

"I cringe when I see people wearing flip-flops in the grocery store, mall, around town, etc. - knowing that their feet are going to be black with dirt when they get home.  Flip-flops are for the home and the beach.  And I agree that even then they should be worn sparingly.  They provide zero support and leave the foot wide open to injury and infection."

Really?  You cringe?  Are you kidding me?  OH MY black with dirt!!!  We wouldn't want that!!! 

You people should just concentrate on your dieting more...  I think it is causing a hormonal imbalance...

I wear flip-flops all summer long and would have a hard time giving them up. However, I have had some problems with plantar fasciitis and that was most likely the cause. I will say, though, that since I've lost some weight, I haven't had those issues, so I'll keep wearing my flip-flops! :)

I'm a varsity high school gymnastics coach and I think flip flops are evil!!!  They cause lots of problems because the ankles start to turn in towards each other, which in turn causes very weak leg muscles - shin splints, acl tears, fun stuff like that.  I am a firm believer in wearing shoes with support.  I wear flip flops only to and from softball games and going to the beach.  Otherwise its my running shoes when I know I'll be doing lots of walking.  I do tell my girls to wear shoes with support as much as possible, but most of them wear shoes with no support - flip flops, UGG boots/clogs and those cute little flats that were in last year.  And they wonder why their legs are always sore....

The flip flops I bought this year are made of a nice, rubber material, and they're the most comfortable pair of "shoes" I have ever owned!  They're the only shoes I've ever left on indoors, and my feet feel better than they used to after a whole day on my feet.  If I change something in the future to help my feet, it will be to put a lot less tile in my house! 

I hate flip flops the only time I use them as an shower shoe for the gym I've seen so many people take nasty falls because of those things Now that I am working as a cashier people are buying flip flops for their children the worst shoes in the world for a child foot Flip flops need to be outlawed they are horrible IMO

Original Post by: blossombat

The only time I ever got a sprained ankle was from wearing boots. I've never had any pain from flip flops, and I wear them extensively. Anyway, isn't walking barefoot better than ANY shoe? I went barefoot most of my childhood and teenage years, and I think my feet are better for it. My husband has totally flat feet from a lifetime of shoe wearing.

Truthfully I can only speak from personal experience...

My butt has always been the one thing I wish i could change about my body. I started running, excercising and went to the Podiatrist to get my feet checked before I went for long distance running.

Turns out I have a mild case of fasciitis... fallen arches... this is very every common.

I was told that if I wear my insoles for long distance running/walking then I can wear regular footwear the rest of the time.

Fasciitis starts by affecting the feet but what it actually does is it awkwardly pulls and stresses out tendons in your feet. It causes greater development of exterior thigh muscles, and ultimately can cause you hip problems by not allowing for proper hip turn out... I am still working on fixing this.

I have been going to hot yoga and doing hip exercises for a year and a half now and I can tell you that more than weight loss THIS has made the difference. It has actually changed my body shape where my hips don’t turn out anymore causing a wider than usual butt. I can feel it in my hips when I am wearing flats let alone flip flops. They are bad for you. They ACTUALLY are... you can like them, you can wear them. But they aren’t good for you.

My father thought that he had arthritis in his hips... he started wearing sandals with arch support around the house, and got proper insoles... he no longer has that pain. You don’t necessarily need insoles you just need the right support.

You would be surprised but yes. It actually makes that much of a difference. Pain is a deterrent... and honestly, does it take that much effort to not wear flip flops when you KNOW they aren’t good for longer walks and things? Stop being lazy. Put on a pair of normal shoes. Flip flops are not orthopaedic footwear either... if they are the only shoe you are comfortable in; there is a bigger problem, go see a podiatrist.

And as far as the person who mentioned “don’t we have better things to post” and that this is a weight loss site and all that. Do you think that focusing on low fat yogurts, new sweeteners, or butt busting exercises is any less important? Every element counts. Why don’t you just go ahead and judge every single article. As with every complex life problem there are large and small elements, all have to be taken into account, and are weighed according to a person’s need.

haha youre a funny one rab71!

Original Post by: nmliving

You know, most of us using this site are trying to manage our weight, and with that comes a lot of lifestyle changes, self-examination, self-recrimination, growth, and stress.  Leave me and my darn flip flops alone.  I mean really, if the only thing standing between me and my goal weight were flip flops, wouldn't THAT be fantastic.

Pshaw.  Focus on something important why don't you?

Truthfully I can only speak from personal experience...

My butt has always been the one thing I wish i could change about my body. I started running, excercising and went to the Podiatrist to get my feet checked before I went for long distance running.

Turns out I have a mild case of fasciitis... fallen arches... this is very every common.

I was told that if I wear my insoles for long distance running/walking then I can wear regular footwear the rest of the time.

Fasciitis starts by affecting the feet but what it actually does is it awkwardly pulls and stresses out tendons in your feet. It causes greater development of exterior thigh muscles, and ultimately can cause you hip problems by not allowing for proper hip turn out... I am still working on fixing this.

I have been going to hot yoga and doing hip exercises for a year and a half now and I can tell you that more than weight loss THIS has made the difference. It has actually changed my body shape where my hips don’t turn out anymore causing a wider than usual butt. I can feel it in my hips when I am wearing flats let alone flip flops. They are bad for you. They ACTUALLY are... you can like them, you can wear them. But they aren’t good for you.

My father thought that he had arthritis in his hips... he started wearing sandals with arch support around the house, and got proper insoles... he no longer has that pain. You don’t necessarily need insoles you just need the right support.

You would be surprised but yes. It actually makes that much of a difference. Pain is a deterrent... and honestly, does it take that much effort to not wear flip flops when you KNOW they aren’t good for longer walks and things? Stop being lazy. Put on a pair of normal shoes. Flip flops are not orthopaedic footwear either... if they are the only shoe you are comfortable in; there is a bigger problem, go see a podiatrist.

And as far as the person who mentioned “don’t we have better things to post” and that this is a weight loss site and all that. Do you think that focusing on low fat yogurts, new sweeteners, or butt busting exercises is any less important? Every element counts. Why don’t you just go ahead and judge every single article. As with every complex life problem there are large and small elements, all have to be taken into account, and are weighed according to a person’s need.

I'm sorry... but there has to be something missing here...  I am one of those people who is barefoot as much as humanly possible and have been my whole life.  I wear the crap out of flip flops and Nike Free shoes if I have to wear something.  I am in my mid 30's and have perfect arches, have never suffered foot pain, and my gait is not different in flops.... I could probably run in them if not for fear of them flying off.  I stand on my feet all day for my job as a pharmacy technician and shoes with support (like Dansko) HURT my feet.  I can't even exercise with shoes on because my feet get sore.... like overly supportive shoes force my feet into an unnatural position.

This has to boil down to what your body is accustomed to.  If you have squished your feet into "good", "supportive shoes your whole life then I imagine your bode has long since adapted.  And if you are a barefooter, well then the less shoe the better.  This article backs me up... it speaks about high heels specifically, but suggests that if you were one kind of shoe all the time, you shouldn't suddenly switch to another because your muscles and tendons adapt to the shoes you are wearing....

http://www.webmd.boots.com/women/news/20100718/high-heels-sh ort-calf-muscles?src=RSS_PUBLIC

I mean BODY not BODE in the comment above.  Sorry!  :)

I live in flip flops for about half the year, often walking for miles in them. I've been doing it for 10 years. No foot problems yet.

When I'm not wearing my flip flops or working out, I'm usually wearing ballet flats, which I've also heard are bad for you because they don't offer enough "support." My feet feel just fine.

Honestly, we have enough to worry about without making ourselves crazy over footwear too. If the shoe fits...

I have been wearing flip flops every spring, summer, and fall for as long as I can remember, and I have never had a problem.  I am a young adult, and may get problems when I am older, who knows.  However, know that I will be working full time I will no longer be wearing my flip flops all day.  But I wear flip flops whenever I can, they are the most comfortable thing to me and the closest thing to being barefoot.

I'm on the fence.  I got Plantar Fascitis working to hard in the gym, so now I can barely walk without severe pain.  I love flip flops but they may be aggravating the situation.  I might try those Vibram Five Fingers everyone is talking about and walk barefoot more.  My feet hurt all day, everyday.  The only thing that has helped is rolling them on tennis balls.  I think I need to retire the flip flops :-(

This advice is for novelty purposes at best.  Read BORN TO RUN, and it will provide you with another, opposing point of view.  There are primitive people that can still run 50-100 miles in one day wearing sandals made from only rubber (from old tires sometimes) and leather straps.

Shorter steps puts less impact and weight, or pressure on your body, not more!!!

I am not positive with walking, but when running if you run heel to toe you will damage many parts of your body.  The best way to run is to imagine you are running barefoot across hot pavement, or like you are pushing yourself along with a scooter.

I agree with the comments highlighting the fact that other cultures wear flipflops constantly without any of the problems listed in this article.  The problem lies elsewhere, lets not condemn the flipflop from this article alone.

those people also walk EVERYWHERE, so are more fit to begin with, than most of us are....

Best of both worlds - the Vibram Five Finger Shoe. They're airy, they conform to your feet, and they have a grippy sole that lets you walk in and out of water no problem. My wife and I both wore ours to the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle yesterday. We walked for 7 hours and loved every step. Although we did get no less than 20 people blatantly staring at our feet! 

I do agree that flip flops can give you some damage over long periods of time, but what about ones with protection? I hate wearing flip flops because it hurts my big toe and second toe.

However, I've recently fallen in love with these two pairs of flip flops that are more like sandals. They still look like flip flops, but they have protection at the bottom. I got them at Mark's Work Wearhouse. What do you think about those?

If flip flops work for you, then go for it, but I cannot spend the day in them.  I use them for short walks to the mail box, outside around the house, etc.  My feet and legs hurt if I wear them for extended times.  No support - I know, I've heard about certain cultures where no shoes are needed/used, but I wasn't raised there. 

On a recent trip to Disneyland, I cringed when I saw people in flip flops.  I knew we were walking around the park for six to ten hours so I figured others were doing the same.  I don't know how people can do it.  Just personal preference I guess.  To each his own. 

I found this article to be very untrue.  I've worn nothing but flip-flops for the past two years, and I'm fine! my toes aren't scrunched, my posture's good, and I have a long stride.  

However, I will admit that there are a few drawbacks, like harsh textures of certain brands, occasionally sore spots under the straps and constantly dirty feet.  But I'm proud of my sandal tan!!

If sandals aren't your bag, then just don't wear them! Duh!

I agree, this is not an article I'd hope to see on Calorie Counting…..but look at the response.  So as an AVID Barefoot advocate, there are around 56 muscles in our feet…..like the author stated.  

If you want your varsity gymnasts feet/ankles to be strong, why would you brace them all up so the muscles get weak and flabby?  TEACH those girls how to USE their FEET….(like they use all those other muscles) and they will have far less injury, not to mention probably better scores in the long run.  But you have to Teach people how to use their feet…don't just start running barefoot on a whim.  Do some research people.  ;)  Free our smart Feet!  So, what did people do thousands of years ago. . . they went BAREFOOT or wore sandals….AND the worlds FASTEST runners prefer barefoot as well.  Hmmmm. . . . 

lame article. . .

Thanks for the post. I am 52 years old and had been running about 12 miles a week for fitness and fun however recently had to cut back to 3 miles a week because my feet had been hurting in the evenings. This was just about the time I started wearing flip flops for summer. I don't know if there's a correlation or not, but I think it's worth looking into.