As the spring season changes to summer... we find ourselves wearing less. When we look to cool off, we sometimes neglect to maintain certain levels of protection. We no longer have long sleeves to protect against the harmful rays of the sun and usually, we do not put sunscreen on, on a daily basis. Putting on socks and shoes is no longer appealing and the ease of sliding on some sandals is refreshing. However we take for granted the need to strap or tie on footwear. What we are not necessarily aware of is that when we choose to slide on those sandals, some may have a better fit than others.
For myself, I find that it is more refreshing to slide on some boat shoes than to put on flip-flops. Being a man and not too concerned about fashion this might not be the case for everyone. I never appreciated the fashion of wearing something that made the sound of a dying fish flapping around in a boat, but that's just me. I do however like the return of the Spartan look these days for more than just one reason.
The Spartan style is fun. There are numerous ways in which to wrap around the ankle and accentuate different areas. The main reason why I like the Spartan style of foot wear is that it maintains the airiness of sandals while allowing the mechanics of the ankle and foot to work properly. While wearing a flip-flop with just a thong in between the big toe and second toe you must alter your gait to accommodate for the sandal not to slip off.
Looking at the mechanics in gait while wearing flip-flops, you can see more stress is applied to the body due to the over use of certain muscles. When wearing flip-flops the foot must try to grip or grab the sandal due to the lack of an ankle strap. The sole of the sandal does not stay on the bottom of the foot (that is where the sound of the flipping and flopping comes from!). The constant use of your toe flexors will eventually result in inhibition of the muscles and dysfunction of the foot mechanics even when the sandals are taken off. The dysfunction is usually felt by or seen as an inflammation of the plantar fascia or Achilles tendon. You also shorten your stride and turn your foot in to compensate for the sandal not falling right off of your foot in extension. The turning in of your ankle and lower leg will result in your hips and torso compensating for the lack of range of motion in the foot. That small lack of external rotation in the lower leg could have negative results on the rest of your body which could lead to lower back pain, shoulder issues or stiff necks.
If you do end up wearing flip-flops, beware there are changes happening in your gait and you don't want to over stress your body. Try taking shorter walks with them and taking them off whenever you can. Flip-Flops are not meant for all day use. Why not invest in something with an ankle strap and a little more protection, which does not force you to compensate in your ankles and feet. There are plenty of sandals out there that are just as easy to put on and will not force you to alter your gait.

Further Reading:

Flip flops can damage your health By Julie Wheldon, Daily Mail
03 August 2006

AU study shows that overuse of flip-flops can lead to orthopedic problems Auburn University, 02 June 2008

Flip-Flops, Heels Examined For Performance, Impact
American College of Sports and Medicine, 29 May 2008

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