If you’re hanging out at home, you likely decide what to wear solely based on comfort. Sure, you might not wear your decades-old sweats outside of the house (or hey, maybe you would—no shame!), but they’re your go-to uniform for days holed up on the couch.
Whether your household is a shoes-off home or not, most people have that one pair of shoes they keep by the door for all sorts of quick errands. A quick dog walk, taking out the trash, bringing groceries in from the car, walking to the mailbox…It can feel like too much work to spend the time lacing up your sneakers for a task that isn’t going to take very long.
Related: ‘I’m a Podiatrist—This Common Habit Is Wrecking Your Feet’
What you wear on your feet isn’t that big of a deal if it’s for short stints like this, but podiatrists we talked to say that there’s one type of shoe that’s often worn for longer periods of time around the house, and that’s a problem. It can lead to all sorts of issues, including foot pain and balance problems. It can even affect your posture. Keep reading to find out what shoe podiatrists are begging people not to wear around the house, and what to wear instead.
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The Shoe Podiatrists Wish People Would Stop Wearing Around the House
If you spend any prolonged amount of time in flip-flops, even if it’s just around the house, podiatrists we talked to want you to stop. “Most flip-flops don’t attach to the foot well. The strap is too low on the foot, so the shoe comes off if you don’t grip it on. This can cause foot problems, tendinitis and overuse-type issues,” says Dr. Bob Baravarian, DPM, FACFAS, the director of foot and ankle services at Docs Health in Los Angeles, California.
On top of that, Dr. Baravarian says that since flip-flops don’t offer much support or have much structure, wearing them can cause excess stress on the bones and joints, increasing the risk of stress fracture or strain.
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As Dr. Baravarian explained, each step in flip-flops requires gripping the shoe with your toes so that it doesn’t come off. Dr. Suzanne C. Fuchs, DPM, a podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon at LuxePodiatry in Jupiter, Florida, says that, over time, this can affect one’s gait. In other words, wearing flip-flops can literally change the way you walk.
“Over time, it can contribute to fatigue and pain and may aggravate conditions such as plantar fasciitis, tendinitis, metatarsalgia or existing foot problems,” she tells Parade.
Dr. Anne Sharkey, DPM, a podiatrist in Austin, Texas, adds that since flip-flops are loose and don’t hold the foot securely in place, they aren’t a stable shoe option. This is especially important for older adults to know since falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations and deaths in adults 65 and older.
“Because the foot can slip and slide around, or even off the sole, this creates an opportunity for a twisted or rolled ankle,” Dr. Sharkey says.
Related: ‘I’m a Podiatrist—Here’s How To Shop for Shoes if You Have Plantar Fasciitis’
How Wearing Flip-Flops Impacts Posture
Wearing flip-flops can even affect your posture. Dr. Baravarian explains that constantly having to use your toes to keep your flip-flops on with every step can lead to walking in a way that puts strain on the ankles, knees, hips and lower back.
Dr. Fuchs agrees, explaining that feet are the foundation of the kinetic chain. “When footwear changes how your foot contacts the ground and how you walk, compensations can occur farther up the chain. Changes in foot and ankle mechanics can influence the knees, hips and overall alignment,” she tells Parade.
While this doesn’t mean flip-flops automatically cause poor posture, Dr. Fuchs says that wearing them regularly can contribute to a change in the way you walk, which negatively impacts the kinetic chain and, in turn, your posture.
The impact of wearing flip-flops on posture has been scientifically studied. Researchers found that wearing flip-flops impacts both stride length and ankle angle when walking. It causes a shorter stride length and a flatter foot-strike, which can then lead to the changes in the kinetic chain Dr. Fuchs and Dr. Baravarian previously mentioned.
What To Wear Instead
All three podiatrists emphasize that flip-flops aren’t inherently bad; you just don’t want to make them your go-to shoe, even if it is just for relaxing around your house. Throwing on a pair of flip-flops to bring in the mail or groceries is fine, but if you wear them all day long at home, it’s time to consider another shoe choice.
“An alternative is to wear a shoe with a stable sole, an upper that is better attached to the foot with a wider upper cover or a strap that is closer to the ankle than the toes,” Dr. Baravarian says. For example, Birkenstock sandals have a higher foot strap near the ankle on most of the sandals and better arch support—and they don’t require much time putting them on, just like flip-flops.
If you still want to wear some sort of sandal, Dr. Sharkey suggests looking for one with a back strap. That will help keep your shoes on your feet without relying on your toes.
In general, Dr. Fuchs says that the best type of shoes to wear around the house are ones with a contoured footbed, adequate cushioning, built-in arch support and a stable sole.
Dr. Sharkey agrees.
“A contoured footbed helps to support the foot and evenly distribute pressure. Cushioning adds comfort and absorbs shock. A recessed heel cup helps to keep the shoe in place on the foot while walking,” she explains. However, she emphasizes that just because a shoe has padding doesn’t mean it offers support.
“Look for shoes that stay attached to the foot when you push off the floor while walking. If your heel comes off the ground and the shoe is still on the ground, you have to strain to hold that shoe attached to the foot, and that is not good,” Dr. Baravarian says.
Shoes aren’t just something between your feet and the floor; they play an important role in helping support your posture, prevent falls and protect from pain. If what you’re wearing around the house doesn’t do that, you’re better off barefoot.
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Sources
Dr. Bob Baravarian, DPM, FACFAS, director of foot and ankle services at Docs Health in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Suzanne C. Fuchs, DPM, podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon at LuxePodiatry in Jupiter, Florida. Dr. Anne Sharkey, DPM, podiatrist in Austin, Texas. Lafleur, B., Montero-Odasso, M. and Huang, S. (2025). Falls in older adults. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 197(10):E271. Shroyer, J. F. and Weimar, W. H. (2010). Comparative analysis of human gait while wearing thong-style flip-flops versus sneakers. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. 100(4):251-7.Hence then, the article about podiatrists are begging you to stop wearing this around the house and share what to wear instead was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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