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If You Have Flat Feet, You Need To Add These Sandals To Your Summer Rotation
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BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Read More Without proper support, your flat feet could suffer this summer. Here are the sandals an expert recommends. Kristen Adaway is a staff writer at HuffPost where she covers shopping trends and problem-solving products. Dr. Chanel J. Perkins, a board-certified podiatrist based in Texas, told us that without the proper foot support, flat feet can become painful due to muscle and ligament fatigue, stress and strain, and may eventually cause conditions like plantar fasciitis and muscle tendinitis. “The best sandal for people with flat feet is one that has an inherent arch support,” she said. “It’s best to avoid flimsy sandals that can easily fold in half. Flat feet need sandals with rigidity and firmness throughout the insole.” These include wedge sandals and sandals with adjustable straps around the ankle and across the top that provide support for flat feet. To make your sandal journey a bit easier, we asked Perkins to provide her recommendations for the best sandals to wear if you have flat feet. Check them out below. The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted. The recovery shoe brand, Oofos, has been recommended by experts several times in previous reporting and offers a wide selection of sandals, clogs, and sneakers made from a proprietary foam material designed to absorb shock, reduce joint strain, and support active recovery. These machine-washable flip-flops come in up to 17 colors and sizes for both men (3–16) and women (5–11). Get them from Oofos for $42.99+ (originally $59.95). "This is one of few brands of flip-flops I would recommend for flat feet!" Perkins said. "Vionic has redesigned the flip flop with wider straps that hold your feet better and has also added a molded footbed that contours to curvatures of your arches for the ultimate support." These sandals have targeted comfort zones that promote stability and alignment and provide relief for plantar fasciitis, flat feet, high arches, bunions and heel spurs. The contoured arch, cushioned insole and deep-seated heel cup will keep feet supported and comfortable all day. They come in five colors in women's sizes 5–11. "These provide plenty of traction due to the grip of the outsole," Perkins said. "They have a durable design with extra comfort for flatfeet and also adjustable straps. They are extremely durable. I think of them as a walking shoe disguised as a sandal." The Tread comes in men's sizes 8–14 and two colors. "This is a great sandal for those with flat feet. The straps are adjustable which is great for wider feet. Also, the footbed sweetly contours to your foot overtime, basically creating a custom shoe just for you!" Perkins said. These iconic Birkenstock sandals have adjustable straps, a soft footbed with a cork layer and durable EVA outsoles that provide the perfect amount of support and comfort. They come in women's sizes 4–12.5 and men's 6–13.5. Get them from Zappos for $154.95 (available in five colors). "This sandal is designed for easy slip-on. The straps are also adjustable to give a customized fit and the insole isn’t overly cushioned, allowing for the durability necessary for flat feet," said Texas-based podiatrist Chanel J. Perkins. The Adelle sandal is available in women's sizes 6–11 in navy blue, black and taupe.
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