How to Buy and Walk in Flip Flops

Flip-Flops are definitely 'in', and they come in all different colors and styles. They are not the same to walk in as regular shoes, and you have to learn how, or else you might just find yourself walking 'out' of them.

Steps

Make sure they don't rub the top of your feet. This will irritate the skin. Flip-flops with rubber straps can be easier on the feet but those with leather or cloth straps can be fitted to be more snug and easier to walk in.

When walking, keep your feet pointed relatively straight. If you walk with 'duck feet' or with your toes pointed together, you are more likely to have them get caught on the ground and you will trip.

Pinch your big toe and pointer toe together as you walk. This will help you to keep control of the position of the flip-flop on your foot.

Curl your toes and foot a little as you walk.

Walk heel to toe. If properly fitted, there should be no need to slide your feet continuously to keep your flip-flops on.

Tips

• Your foot should never hang over when standing. If the sole is much bigger than described, your flip-flop is probably too big and you'll also have a hard time walking in them.
• One of the alias names for flip-flops is 'slaps'. The name comes from the slapping sound made when you walk in flip-flops and the sole of the flip-flop hits the bottom of your foot.
• As someone who lives in flip-flops I suggest trying on a pair that fits loosely, and has at least an inch sticking out the back of your heel. This allows me to walk without pinching my toes around the strap, as my foot can drift over an inch back when I walk and still be in the flops. As I am a guy and dont care about looks, this probably looks sloppier, but its much more comfortable than your heel falling off the sole.

Shirley Chen

1

Get a good pair of flip-flops. When standing in them you should be able to see about a 1/2 an inch (1.27 centimeters) of a sole all around your foot.