Summertime is all about hitting the beach, barbecuing, taking long walks, and participating in other outdoor activities. And the sunny season calls for some wardrobe changes—starting with your footwear. While stashing away your cold-weather boots and cozy slippers might be a welcome transition, you aren’t doing yourself any favors if your summer sandals hurt your feet.

In many instances, sandals have subpar straps and uppers and offer substantially less support than other shoe styles. This can lead to blisters, calluses, plantar fasciitis, and other painful conditions. But this certainly isn’t always the case. At Vionic, we’re dedicated to creating comfortable stylish shoes that are not only not painful but also beneficial for the feet. On top of that, it’s our mission to help people find the right pair—or pairs!—for every season.

Comfortable walking sandals are meant to provide your feet and toes with a bit of freedom, especially after they’ve been cooped up in winter shoes for months. If you’re always uncomfortable while wearing sandals and flip flops or if your feet hurt afterward, it’s probably time to reconsider your summer footwear. Here’s our picks of sandals that are good for your feet and additional tips for finding sandals that benefit your feet.

 

5 Sandals That Are Good for Your Feet

The best sandals for your feet will offer adequate arch support and cushioning. They should be made with high-quality materials and never be restricting. But if you think you won’t be able to find a stylish pair that covers all the bases, don’t worry. You’ve got tons of fashionable options. Check out these five trendy and chic sandals that can actually benefit your feet.

1. Toe-Post Sandals That Are Good for Your Feet

With Y-shaped straps and a simple, slip-on design, toe-post sandals are very similar to flip flops. However, they usually have slightly thicker soles, wider traps, and tend to provide a little more support. If you’re wondering where to get good-for-your-feet toe-post sandals, look no further than Vionic.

Orthotic toe-post sandals from Vionic have:

• Comfortable footbeds with elevated cushioning
• EVA-rubber midsoles with shock absorption
• TPR-rubber outsoles
• Patterned tread for added traction

These slip-on sandals go above and beyond by actually providing benefits to your feet. In a peer-reviewed study, people with heel pain who wore contoured Vionic sandals experienced more relief than standard flip flops. Furthermore, the Vionic sandals were shown to offer foot benefits similar to our best-selling arch support inserts. Toe-post styles, like our Tide Aloe Sandal, are a supportive stylish option.

2. Ankle-Strap Sandals That Are Good for Your Feet

Sandal straps are supposed to secure your foot, offer support as you walk, and they often provide adjustability. However, in many cases, straps really don’t help your feet at all. With the wrong pair of sandals, the straps can dig into your heels and toes, restrict circulation, and continuously rub your skin.

Believe it or not, many types of ankle-strap sandals won’t hurt your feet, which you can find at Vionic. And like our flip flops and toe-post sandals, our styles are beneficial to your foot health.

We offer classic ankle-strap sandals in soft leather, patent leather, cork, and durable textiles with sturdy footbeds and comfy cushioning. Choose from sporty styles and elegant designs that completely conceal the orthotic contouring. We even carry strappier styles like gladiators. For gladiator style tips, check out our guide on how to wear gladiator sandals.

3. Slides That Benefit Your Feet

Slides are a go-to summer sandal for both men and women. They can be dressed up for a night out or dressed down for a day at the beach. And with the right fit and a supportive design, you don’t need to worry about foot pain or injuries[1].

Vionic slides have flexible uppers made of leather, cork, or durable textiles with EVA-rubber midsoles and microfiber-covered footbeds. They’re made to absorb shock and reduce stress on your knees, ankles, arches, and toes—even after walking for miles or being on your feet all day. Like our toe-post sandals, Vionic slides have patterned tread, which offers traction on a variety of terrains. Opt for a comfortable, slip-on style like the Roni Sandal for women or Charlie Slide Sandal for men and experience the benefits of supportive cushioning.

4. Supportive Wedges That Are Good for Your Feet

If you’re like a lot of women, you might prefer wearing shoes that add a few inches. And you’d like to be comfortable while you wear them—is that so much to ask for? With Vionic contoured orthotic wedge heels, it’s not!

To elevate your summer wardrobe, go for a pair of feminine yet practical wedges like our Coralina Wedge. The styles from Vionic have thick, extra-sturdy soles, which prevent twisted or sprained ankles[1]. Also, you can walk on sand, pavement, grass, and any other surface you find yourself on this season. In addition to contoured footbeds, Vionic wedges have deep heel cups and plenty of cushioning.

 

Size Matters When it Comes to Sandals

One of the most critical components of sandals that benefit your feet, aside from supportive features, is getting the right size. When your footwear doesn’t fit—including sandals and closed-toe shoes—you can expect foot and heel pain[2]. In many cases, you might be left with an irksome foot condition such as heel spurs, Morton’s neuroma, overpronation, or an ingrown toenail.

How should sandals fit, anyway? First of all, it’s important to remember that feet come in all shapes and sizes. While this might seem obvious, knowing your foot type is crucial in getting sandals in the proper size.

You might have:

• Wide or narrow feet
• High arches
• Flat feet
• Long or short toes
• An underlying foot condition

Additionally, keep in mind that some people are born with wide feet and other foot conditions, while others may develop them over time. So, if your feet have been average when it comes to width for most of your life, they could be broader now. On top of that, your feet can grow in length over time. That’s why we recommend measuring your feet every few years.

How to Measure Your Feet

First of all, you should always measure your feet at night[5]. Why? Similar to how you can expect to weigh a pound or two more in the evening, your feet expand throughout the day and are ever so slightly larger at night. And although a millimeter or two might not seem important, trust us—it matters. Here’s how to measure your feet for sandals.

1. Get a piece of paper, a pencil, and measuring tape.
2. Set the paper on the flattest area of your floor, and step onto it.
3. Carefully trace an outline around the perimeter of each foot.
4. Step off the paper and use your measuring tape to measure and record the length and width of each foot. (Length is from your longest toe down to the edge of your heel, and width is the distance of the widest portion of your foot.)

Don’t be surprised if one of your feet is wider or longer than the other. It’s not uncommon to have one foot that’s a half size larger[5]. Compare your measurements to a shoe size chart to determine your current size and whether your feet are wide or narrow.

For sandals, the entire perimeter of your foot should sit within the sole. If your heels protrude over the back or your toes hang over the front or sides, then the shoes are too small. When your toes and heels don’t fit within the soles, you might end up with a stubbed toe, ingrown toenails, or blisters from constricting straps[1]. On the other hand, your sandals shouldn’t be overly loose, either. Shoes that are too large can lead to foot problems as well.

 

Orthotic Sandals for Men and Women from Vionic

If you’re in the market for sandals that are good for your feet, Vionic shoes have your back(and feet!). With exclusive Vio-Motion Support technology, all of our podiatrist-designed shoes have built-in orthotics that are totally concealed within every pair. Also, many of our shoes have a Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association, which means they benefit foot health.

We carry comfortable men’s sandals and women’s sandals in a wide range of shoe sizes (including half sizes), as well as medium and wide widths. Aside from orthotic sandals, Vionic offers men’s and women’s casual sneakers, comfortable work shoes, travel shoes, and other closed-toed footwear for all occasions.

For stylish summer sandals that don’t compromise on support and foot health, browse the comfortable sandals for men and women from Vionic today!

 

Sources:
1. https://www.health.com/style/comfortable-sandals

2. https://www.prevention.com/beauty/g20434003/9-sandals-that-won-t-wreck-your-feet/

3. https://www.womansworld.com/posts/health/do-i-have-wide-feet-166501