How to avoid flip flop blisters
"Let’s face it, ‘how to stop shoes rubbing’ is something we've all Googled after a day out in a cute new pair which (very annoyingly) have left us limping home with weeping wounds. For me, the worst offenders are flip flops,” explains our fashion director, Amanda Marcantonio. “In the UK our feet spend nearly nine months of the year hidden in boots and trainers, protected by socks – the ultimate barrier between your feet and your footwear, so when the sun shines and we excitedly slip on a toe-post flip flop and head out for the day, it’s no wonder they start to rub. Thankfully over the years, I’ve picked up a few tricks so you and your toes can be in a happy place and hopefully a blister-free zone."
"Generally speaking, bog-standard toe-post flip flops don’t offer a lot of support so I would avoid wearing them for long walks or days out. Flip flop fanatics should seek out styles that have contoured footbeds or arch support built into them," explains Amanda. “If you don’t need your flip flops to be waterproof, think about upgrading your rubber, foam or plastic ones for soft leather. Not only do they look chic, they tend to create less friction because your feet are not as sweaty, so they rub less – hooray! Flip flops are only worn seasonally so no resilience is built up, making blisters much more likely which is why I’d recommend investing in toe-post gel cushion inserts or soft moleskin tape. If all else fails, keep a box of Compeed blister plasters in your handbag, they have rescued my feet on many occasions."
Most people own a cheap and cheerful pair of foam flip flops; they’re lightweight, take up next-to-no room in a suitcase and you can quickly slip them on and off when heading seaside or poolside (no fiddly buckles or straps to deal with), but on holiday schlepping to the beach and back every day can leave you with some serious sores, so we asked an expert from M&S for some advice.
Flip flops rub due to the minimal strapping to hold the shoe onto your foot. “This results in concentrated movement, usually at the point where the toe post is between your toes,” explains the expert.
How to stop your flip flops from rubbing
So, how do you stop your flip flops from being a total flop this summer? Our M&S expert provides four top tips to help avoid painful sores:
Choose the right size. This can be difficult as flip flops usually only come in small, medium or large. So, fit is always going to be a compromise. “Choose the right size that fits nicely between the toes and feels comfortable to offer the least amount of movement in that area when walking.”
Take your time. Wear the flip flops gradually over time to allow your feet to become used to them. “Avoid getting to the point where a blister develops.”
Help your toes. Just like with thigh chafing, toe chafing may require some additional remedies to avoid blisters and ease the pain. “Talc or Vaseline may help although this is very much down to your choice.”
Consider alternatives. If you have a sensation of pressure where the post is between your toes, consider an alternative style with no toe post. “Some people’s toes are just not suitable for flip flops!”
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