Let’s get real! We all wear flip-flops because they are convenient, comfortable, and affordable. But could they have a negative impact on your health? Well, considering the lack of support that comes with them, it’s quite probable.

Below I am going to go over some of the reasons why you should opt for a different shoe choice. While you may not experience all of these things, they are all real possibilities. Wearing cheap flip-flops can make existing conditions worse and so much more.

7 Reasons Why You Should Stop Wearing Flip-Flops:

1. They can damage your toes.

Yes, wearing flip-flops can permanently damage your toes. They can cause something known as hammertoe overtime. This happens because you have to work harder to keep the shoe on your foot and without thinking about it grip it in a way you wouldn’t any other kind of shoe. This causes stiffness and can become a real issue.

2. They can contribute to back pain.

When we aren’t wearing shoes that support our feet, back pain is going to happen. While it might take longer for some people to notice if you already have an existing condition flip-flops will make things a lot worse. It also can make you more flat-footed.

3. They accentuate heel-strike impact.

Because there is literally nothing protecting your feet when it comes to flip-flops you are hitting your heel with more force on the ground. This causes a lot more intense of a heel-strike impact. While it might not seem like much overtime it can cause lots of pain and leave you unable to deal with walking for extended periods.

4. They make bunions worse.

If you already have a bunion issue wearing flip-flops is going to make it worse. This is from the over-gripping I mentioned above. If you’ve ever had a blister on your foot think about that but a million times worse.

5. They make Achilles Tendon problems worse.

If you have flat feet then your Achilles Tendon is already at risk. This being because your arches are collapsed. This tendon is the tendon that connects the heel of your foot to your calf muscle and without support can become quite painful. I don’t suggest flip-flips for anyone, let alone those with flat feet.

6. They can cause some horrible blisters.

Blisters are one of the more well-known issues with flip-flops. The strap of the flip-flop rubs against your skin constantly and is quite uncomfortable for a lot of people. Also, wearing flip-flops with existing blisters is not a good idea.

7. They mess with your posture.

Wearing flip-flops can really mess with your posture. This is because it is a very flat footed shoe. It does not bend the way a supportive shoe would. This affects more than you’d think.