Sandals are great for summer but if you are planning to wear them for any length of time, you will want a sandal that is secure and supports your feet comfortably. Arch support, adjustable straps to keep the sandal secure, and a properly fitted, cushioning sole are factors you want to consider. In fact, podiatrists suggest that you make comfort a priority when choosing summer footwear.  A thicker sole with a low heel will provide the most shock absorption for your feet. You should look for materials that cushion the feet but also are solid enough to offer good support.

Great Material for Cushion + Shock Absorption:

You want sandals with a contoured arch as they will provide more support to your arches. Arch support is important because when not supported, the arches become strained and can cause other problems, like plantar fasciitis.

When determining the correct fit for a sandal, your heel should be kept at the back to prevent your foot from sliding back and forth. This prevents blisters by preventing your feet from rubbing up against the straps repeatedly. Your feet may swell a little (or more) while you are walking which can change the way your skin and the straps interact. To test the correct placement, you should walk some distance in the shoe and note where your foot is placed and any spots that may be irritated. It is important to note, podiatrists also suggest that sandals should be slightly larger than enclosed shoes, to allow your feet to swell in the humid, warm weather.  

Your feet need to flex as you walk. Your sandals need to be flexible too. A proper fit will include a sandal that flexes where your foot flexes, at the front in line with the ball, while providing stability to the rest of the foot. Even sandals that are molded to a typical foot still need to flex in the forefoot while you are walking. If you have arthritis or other foot problems, you should avoid any sandal that can flex in half from toe to heel.

If you are going to be walking long distances in your sandals, or hiking, you may want to wear socks. It is important to note, wearing socks with sandals will cause extra heat and should be considered in hot climates. In addition, know any sandal will fit differently on a barefoot and one encased in a sock.

Our feet get larger as we age. They do, I know, it’s so counterintuitive but it’s true. Also, some of us have one foot that is a little larger than the other.  In that case, podiatrists say that you should always fit the larger foot. If you are in doubt, a podiatrist can give you your exact measurements to help ensure a proper fit. Correct measuring will ensure a good fit and should be taken seriously. 

Podiatrists recommend that sandals should match the shape of your foot. The width of your foot should fit onto the sole without spilling over to provide your foot with the right support. The length should also be correct - no toes hanging over the edge and no gaps between the back of your foot and the back of the sandal.  

Sandals can be flimsy and hard on your feet. A lack of traction can lead to a fall and a lack of stability can lead to short-term or long-term injuries, pain, and joint problems. It is important, even when eyeing that super sexy gladiator with the laces up to the knees, that you consider how much traction and stability the sandal will offer and the environment you will be wearing them in.

An adjustable strap, with a buckle or Velcro closure, will help to anchor your feet into the correct position on the sandal. This will provide the best stability and support even when the shoe begins to wear. Also look for straps that are wide enough to stop your foot from slipping in the sandal.  Straps that are too thin will not provide sufficient stability. Also, if your sandal has a platform, it should be wide enough to provide solid stability while standing and walking.

Podiatrists say that shoes with rubber soles that provide traction are very good options to prevent accidental injuries.  All shoes should have a textured outsole, as opposed to smooth and flat, as these will provide traction between you and the ground.  Surfaces that are smooth and slippery result too often in sprains and strains in the ankle and knee.

Feet need to breathe and a good summer sandal will allow for airflow and comfortable, dry feet. It is suggested that you avoid jelly type shoes which cause sweaty feet. Choose a gladiator sandal that will give your feet plenty of air while also providing support and stability.  Canvases are very good, breathable options.

Also look for secure adjustment mechanisms like velcro, buckles or straps that do not stretch too readily under pressure. Leathers stretch but are usually strong enough not to stretch too easily. Canvases also provide stretch, though a little less than leathers.  In the end, looking for higher quality materials is going to provide you with a longer lasting, better fitting shoe that is healthier for your feet.

Performance is really important in any footwear. If it does not perform well, then we may feel we have wasted our money on something that seems worthless. This is why we consider performance as being a top factor with other attributes such as comfort, fit, and etc. With that being stated, there are some defining features of performance, in regards to sandals.

With sandals, you should be aware of the environment you will be presenting them in. Are you headed to the beach? Are you walking down the sidewalk or in a mall? Maybe, you are headed to a nightclub. These are measurable places in which you can better determine if the sandal is in the right spot, so to speak.

If you're headed to the beach, then the sandal should not be made of a material that will trap sand or ruin if faced with water. Rubber footbeds are great for a beach surrounding, as they are easy to clean and repel water just as easily. If you are working with a cork footbed, then you might want to consider the mall or a nightclub for those, or some sort of waterproofing.

Also, the bottom (outsole) of the footwear should be able to perform where you will be walking. Does the traction hold up on multiple surface types, such as slick and polished floors, gravel on a sidewalk, and so forth? Rubber outsoles are great at handling slick or wet surfaces; whereas, a plastic bottom might not do so well; albeit, the traction design has a lot to do with this, as well. Herringbone traction patterns are a popular choice for multi-surface types.

Flexibility matters when considering performance, also. If you will be walking all day in your gladiators, then a stiff upper could prove painful, as the very design, generally, means an open environment with straps. The straps, if too thick, can rub blisters; especially, if walking a lot. If you will be sitting around or standing, however, then thick straps may not be an issue.

The main thing to remember is that you only know where you will be. Each pair of footwear is made a little different than another pair. Additionally, that footwear will have places it should be, and places it should never see. As such, it is vitally important to understand your surroundings and where you will be. In this, you will be better prepared for your next purchase.