Are the slides good to wear for your feet?

The slides as a category of footwear are becoming an increasingly popular type of casual footwear. The slide sandals typically are an open-toed type of sandal that is easy to slip the foot in and out of, hence the name of ‘slides’. They usually have a single strap that goes over the top of the foot attached to the sole unit. Slides are similar to the flip flops in that they have a flat sole, but instead of the y-strap, slides have the single, wide strap that crosses the top of the front of the foot near the toes. The slides used to be a functional casual type of footwear but have become fashionable in some settings with some designs. Wearing slides is generally acceptable in casual settings, especially in warm weather or indoor environments like the beach, pool, or around the house. Many people find them comfortable, practical and convenient as quick and easy footwear to use. Historically, slides can be traced back to at least Ancient Rome. In the 1960’s, Birkenstock from Germany produced their sandals with a slide like design that had a deep and flexible foot bed that became and still is popular. In the 1970’s Adidas came up with their swimming pool slides with the launch of the Adilette brand. It too became popular. More recently Adidas have collaborated with Kanye West and the Yeezy branded slides. With the emergence of athleisure wear in the 2000’s, the slides started to become even more popular as a type of footwear. There are a number of popular brands such as Oofos. Slides can be made with a range of different types of material, from leather to fabrics, through natural fibres such as the cork used in Birkenstocks to synthetic materials such as EVA.

Are slides good for your feet? The answer to that is a qualified yes and no and ‘it depends’. Like any footwear, the comfort and suitability of slides for you and your feet will depend on various factors. Some slides do not provide any significant arch support and other have a substantial arch support built into them such as the Archies slides. Different slides have differing levels of cushioning. Some may have more padding or cushioning than others and this can affect if a particular slide is right for you. The material that the strap and sole are made from can impact comfort and breathability and these vary a lot. Just like the choice and fit of any footwear, the slides should fit well and are not too tight or too loose. If they are too tight, that can cause discomfort, while those that are too loose may not provide adequate support and be uncomfortable. Specific foot problems may also be affected by slides and affect if they are good for your feet or not. For example, the strap may put too much pressure on bunions if you have them. If you have a foot type that needs support, then that is not going to be helped much by slides that offer no support. If you have a particular problem and want to wear slides, it may pay to see a podiatrist to get advice if they are suitable for you or not.

Craig Payne is a University lecturer, runner, cynic, researcher, skeptic, forum admin, woo basher, clinician, rabble-rouser, blogger and a dad.