Cute-looking sandals appeal to the eye, but if they fit poorly they can hurt your feet. You can buy sandals with confidence if you know how they should fit properly. A fact sheet published by the University of Kentucky says flip-flops and open-toe sandals can cause pain and injury because they do not protect the feet and they offer no support. When shopping for sandals, pay attention to stability, support, shock absorbency and fit.
Take the sandals out of the box and remove any filling in the shoe. Put your hand inside the shoe to flex the fabric slightly. Take off your socks or stockings if you are wearing any. Ask a shoe store employee for courtesy foot stockings to protect your feet.
Unbuckle or untie all straps on the shoe. Place your foot in the sandal. Your heel should rest at the back of the shoe. Secure the buckles or ties, keeping in mind that your feet will swell slightly after you stand or walk for a while. Allow for some foot expansion when you buckle the shoes. Walk around, observing the shoe movements. The sandals should not flop up and down, slide or roll around on your feet.
Examine the thongs of your sandals, if you have this style shoe. The thong should not be too long or short. Put the shoes on and look at where the thong rests. It should rest snugly between and slightly above your toes. Ill-fitting thongs cause blisters and make a tripping hazard.