A woman wearing a dress and summer orthopedic sandals with supportive straps.

Stylish & Supportive Orthopedic Sandals For Summer

A woman wearing a dress and summer orthopedic sandals with supportive straps

Summertime is one of the most active times of the year. Between long hikes, weddings, and days spent at the beach or by the pool, your feet are bound to be busy. Just because it’s sandal season doesn’t mean you have to kiss your orthopedic supports goodbye, though. Many brands now offer stylish and incredibly supportive sandals that meet all your summer activity needs. We’ve compiled a list of the most stylish orthopedic sandals for men, women, and kids to wear while having fun in the sun this summer

What Makes A Summer Sandal Supportive?

A typical sandal is usually flat, with little to no arch support or heel counter. This forces your toes to do all the heavy lifting, causing pain in your arches and calves. When shopping for orthopedic sandals this summer, look for ones with these supportive elements.

  • Good Arch Support: Certain brands like Mephisto shoes make curved sandals that fit the contours of your feet, offering more support for your arches and heels. You can wear them all day and still be pain-free.
  • Natural or High-Quality Materials: You want sandals made from materials that can breathe, get wet, form to the shape of your foot, and are shock absorbent. Birkenstock shoes are famous for being trendy and super comfy, because their soles are made of a latex/cork blend that’s not only shock-absorbent but also molds to the shape of your foot over time. The more you wear these orthopedic summer sandals, the more supportive they get. 
  • Firm Heel Counters: Sandals don’t usually have any heel support, which causes the foot to move and slide around as you walk. Look for ones that have firm heel counters, like FitFlop slide sandals, which actually grip the heel and help stabilize the foot as it comes down. 
  • Stabilizing Straps: Classic thong-style flip flops and slides are great for beach days or lounging by the pool. However, if you plan on doing a lot of walking or moving around, you’ll want a pair with different kinds of straps to keep them in place as you move about. Vionic makes sandals with stylish and stabilizing straps that can be dressed up or down. 
  • Thicker Soles: Sandals with super thin soles may be great for lightweight packing, but you’ll feel every bump and pebble along the way. Sandals with thicker soles help absorb the impact of your steps and protect the bottoms of your feet from uneven surfaces. 

  • The Many Styles of Summer Orthopedic Sandals

    There are so many different fun and supportive summer sandals to choose from. Whether you’re going to a BBQ, white-water rafting, or a concert in the park, we’ve got the styles that’ll keep you feeling good and refreshed.

    Flip Flops

    Man leaning against a wall wearing supportive summer sandals, sunglasses, and a hat.

    Flip-flops are usually the first thing that comes to mind when you think about summer. Unfortunately, support is usually the last thing you think about when it comes to this classic style. The good news is that many brands have started creating flip-flops for women and men’s casual sandals with thicker cushioning and more resilient soles. Like Alegria’s Recovery Thongs that actually relieve tension and put less strain on your feet, making them perfect to wear while going for long walks on the beach or after hitting the gym. 

    Athletic Sandals

    Close up of a woman and child wearing strappy orthopedic summer sandals.

    Athletic sandals are the perfect summer orthopedic shoe. With their adjustable straps, flexible soles, and shock-absorbent materials, you can tackle rough terrain, wade through water, and exercise, all while staying breezy and comfortable. They’re also one of the best orthopedic children’s flip flop options due to their stabilizing straps. Athletic sandals aren’t just for backpackers and kayakers, though. Brands like UGG are starting to make chic styles for men and women that belong on the river and in restaurants. 

    Wedges

    When it comes to supportive summer sandals for women, wedges take the cake. Casual, comfort wedge sandals have a gentle sloping shape that puts the heel slightly higher than the ball of the foot. This allows the body's weight to be evenly distributed throughout the entire foot. This makes them far more comfortable than traditional high heels, where all the weight rests on one thin point. which can cause heel, knee, and back pain. There are elegant and stylish wedges that can be worn to formal events and cute, casual ones that are perfect for a night of drinks on the patio with friends. 

    Slides

    Slides have come a long way from being a casual house slipper and post-soccer game shoe. Vionic makes unisex slides with cushioned footbeds and motion and arch support. You can run errands all day in these orthopedic summer sandals and still feel relaxed and pain-free. 

    Platforms

    When you’re looking for a sassy height boost while being supported and comfortable at the same time, platform sandals are exactly what you want. Unlike wedges, platforms lift the entire foot. Making you taller while keeping your feet evenly supported. Their thick soles and versatility make them perfect for dressing up or down. Even brands known for athletic sandals, like Teva footwear, now make cute platforms stylish enough to wear on a date or while exploring foreign cities.

    A pair of brown supportive summer sandals on the beach

    With these orthopedic summer sandals, you can sit back, relax and focus on all the fun you’re having instead of worrying about being in pain or out of style. Because no matter what you do or where you go, your feet will look good and feel good. Start shopping for your supportive summer sandals at What’s Hot Clothing today!

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