How do you find sandals that don’t hurt your feet?

If you’re experiencing more foot pain than usual this summer, the problem may be with your sandals.

According to podiatrist Dr. Gregory AlvarezIf you’re experiencing foot or arch pain, blisters, calluses, instability or overall fatigue, the construction and fit of your sandals could be the culprit. “Many patients report that their feet feel tired or sore after wearing sandals that don’t provide support for extended periods of time,” he said.

Our carefree summer attitude may be contributing to these problems. “People expect to be able to go barefoot in the summer to keep their feet cool, but they often have no idea that summer is when most soft tissue problems in the feet occur,” says podiatrist Dr. Ebony Vincentwho appears on the TLC show “My feet hurt.” “Even if you don’t have an injury, long days of walking on the beach or at a summer concert in your cute sandals can leave you with foot pain for months.”

For the best possible fit, the experts we spoke with cited the importance of finding a physical store with excellent customer service so you can get the right size. Another pro tip? Go shopping at the end of the day, when your feet are most swollen and you can avoid buying shoes that are too small.

Before you even consider making a purchase, ask a salesperson for help in understanding what is going on with your feet. Podiatrist Dr. Hira Humayun Mirza said: “I can’t stress enough how important it is to know your foot and arch type to find the right shoe that allows you to move without pain.”

And don’t fall for the nonsense of ‘breaking in’, said the physiotherapist Christynne Helfrich“There’s a common misconception that you need time to break in shoes, but it’s important that they feel comfortable once you try them on,” she said.

Now that you’re at the shoe store, you’ll probably want to look at different styles. Start with the one with a cork footbed, recommends podiatrist Dr. Elizabeth Daughter“Those shoes can conform to the structure of your foot, provide slight flexibility and help absorb shock,” she said.

She suggested trying on a few pairs with ankle straps next, making sure the straps are adjustable or elastic. “If they are artificial, they should be spandex or latex, which will conform to swelling and not irritate the skin, which can cause blistering,” she said.

If you still want enough space to allow for flexibility, Derek VoornThe owner of Flow Feet Shoes, suggested, “Make sure there’s a thumb’s width of space between the end of the sandal and your toes.” And if you’re considering using straps, they don’t have to stay in one place forever. “Make sure there’s enough room so you can adjust the fit throughout the day,” he said.

While a comfortable fit is great, there is such a thing as too much room. “Shoes that are too big can cause just as many problems as shoes that are too small,” Daughtry said. “Make sure the arch of the shoe is in line with the structure of your foot. Our feet spread out when we stand, so stand up straight when trying on shoes.”

Support is a key consideration for many of these foot experts. Here’s a quick tip to make sure the sandal you’re considering supports you properly: “If the sandal folds over easily, it’s not providing adequate support, especially for people with certain foot conditions, such as plantar fasciitis and low arches,” says podiatrist Dr. Porscha J.Bailey.

Besides that stability of the arch support, Mirza said you’ll want to check heel support. “Make sure the heel or back of the sandal is sturdy and resistant to twisting,” she said. For enhanced ankle support, she suggested “shoes with laces or structured designs that provide adequate ankle support during movement.”

Sure, flip-flops are great to throw on right away, but there’s a price to pay for the convenience, Daughtry said. “Avoid wearing flip-flops for extended periods of time or walking around in them too much,” she said. “They can cause blisters or irritation on the skin between your toes.”

Podiatrist Marion Yaupresenter of the TV program “The Bad Foot Clinicsaid you should never buy a pair of sandals if you feel like you’re gripping them as you walk across the store floor. “This can cause your foot muscles to become overused, which can lead to pain in the toes or the top and bottom of the foot,” she said. “Never buy shoes that rub against any part of your skin, as this can cause blisters and possible infection.”

Helfrich offered encouragement to walk away, no matter how much you like the look, if you don’t like the feel of a pair: “If it doesn’t fit, keep looking. Always prioritize comfort over fashion to ensure the health of your feet. If a sandal doesn’t fit, it can also lead to blisters, pain, and even increase your risk of trips and falls.”

If you feel like your feet need a good workout before wearing sandals, it might be a good idea to try one, said Denise Smitphysical therapist and certified specialist in running technique. She suggested training exercises such as balancing on one leg, doing foot pushups and doing toe yoga by learning how to move each toe individually. “These are great first steps in preparation for becoming sandal-ready,” she said.

After a full day with a new pair, you might need some recovery time, so Smith suggested rolling your feet on a lacrosse ball to help relax the muscles after they’ve been working so hard. “Stretching the leg and back muscles also helps release tension that can build up from a day at the beach,” she said.

Finally, remember that nothing good lasts forever, especially cute and comfortable shoes. “Remember to throw them out when they wear out,” Alvarez said. “Worn-out shoes can lose their support and cushioning, leading to foot pain.”

How often should you replace your shoes? “It depends on the mileage of the shoe and its wear pattern,” says Daughtry. “If worn regularly, sandals should be replaced about every one to two years. Replace them when they show signs of wear, such as cracks, scuffs or discoloration, or when the outsole of the shoe shows less tread or the heel shows more wear on one side than the other.”

She also noted that the material in shoes suffers from “dry rot” if not worn regularly and she recommends throwing them out if you haven’t worn them in more than a year.

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