The Importance of Proper Footwear in the Summer

Summer – like any other season – comes with its own footwear benefits and challenges. 

While you can wear more vibrant colors, you must look for shoes with enough breathability to keep your feet cool. You also need to consider the structure, overall comfortability, and many other aspects to ensure it is the perfect footwear. 

But why? You can just buy those popular airy indoor outdoor slippers, right? If these questions are in your mind, we’re glad you found this post! 

Keep reading to learn all about the importance of proper footwear in summer. We will also discuss how to find the right fit for your summer activities. 

Why Is Proper Footwear Important in Summer? 

Proper footwear in summer is crucial for several reasons. First of all, appropriate summer shoes have a breathable design with plenty of open spaces. This helps regulate foot temperature by preventing overheating and excessive sweating. 

With reduced heat and moisture, your feet also stay free from unpleasant odors and bacterial or fungal growth. Your feet remain dry, cool, and healthy. 

However, while these are summer-specific benefits, wearing the right shoes ensures you get the best comfort and support too. Here’s how:

• Less Foot Pain

Proper footwear has cushioning and support that reduces the impact on your feet. It alleviates the stress on joints, muscles, and ligaments. 

This prevents common issues like plantar fasciitis, heel pain, and arch strain. So, you can enjoy overall comfort and reduced foot fatigue throughout the day.

• Relief Excess Pressure 

Shoes that fit well and provide adequate support distribute your body weight evenly, which reduces pressure points on sensitive areas of your feet. This can prevent the formation of painful corns, calluses, and bunions.

• More Stability & Control

Footwear designed with stability features such as sturdy soles, arch support, and secure closures (like laces or straps) enhance your balance and control during activities. This stability is crucial for preventing trips, slips, and falls – especially on uneven surfaces or during sports and physical exercise.

• Lower Risk of Sprains 

The stability, coupled with proper ankle support, reduces the risk of rolling and twisting your ankle. This is particularly important during activities that involve sudden changes in direction or movements that put strain on your ankles, such as playing sports or hiking on rugged terrain.

• Protection from Hazards

High-quality footwear made from durable materials acts as a protective barrier against various hazards. For example, closed-toe shoes shield your feet from sharp objects, hot surfaces, or falling debris. Similarly, slip-resistant soles offer traction on wet or slippery floors, which reduces injuries. 

All of this offers you safety, comfort, and good foot health. This automatically leads to a better performance!

How to Select Proper Footwear in Summer?

Now that we know the features of proper summer footwear and their importance. Let’s discuss how to find them in the huge pool of shoe varieties available today!

1. Breathable Materials

Summer footwear always has an open design. You will either find shoes that expose small portions of your skin (like sandals and heels). Or ones that hardly cover your feet (like slippers and flip-flops).

Both of these summer shoe styles offer the best breathability. Your skin is able to transfer heat effectively and regulate the body temperature. This prevents sweating to a minimum. 

However, if you want to buy covered shoes in summer, make sure to examine the material. It should be made from breathable materials like canvas, mesh, or leather. They will allow enough air circulation to keep things cool. 

2. Support 

Assessing the support involves examining several aspects, including arch support, cushioning, stability features, and overall construction. Generally, you should look for shoes with:

• Arch support — maintains the natural alignment of your feet and reduces strain on arches and heels.
• Midsole & Footbed Cushioning — absorbs shocks and provides comfort during long periods of wear.
• Reinforced heels, firm outsoles, and secure closures — promote stability and prevent injuries. 

If you have a health concern, we recommend consulting a podiatrist for better shoe support features. 

3. Well-Fitting 

Most people usually know their shoe size and are able to find the right size accordingly. However, if you don’t remember your shoe size or feel like the selected shoe’s size range is different from what you typically wear, don’t worry. All you have to do is:

• Ensure there’s ample toe room to prevent crowding and avoid pressure on the toes, which can lead to discomfort and issues like ingrown toenails.
• Check the width of the shoe to ensure it matches your foot width to prevent rubbing or squeezing that can cause blisters or calluses.

Remember, a well-fitting shoe should feel snug but not tight. This provides support without constricting your foot’s natural movement. 

4. Activity-Specific Shoes 

Different activities require different features for optimal performance and comfort. For example, if you plan on hiking or walking on rough terrain, choose footwear with sturdy soles, good traction, and ankle support. This prevents slips and provides stability on uneven surfaces. 

For water activities like beach outings or water sports, opt for quick-drying sandals or water shoes with non-slip soles and secure straps. For casual everyday wear, lightweight and breathable shoes like canvas slip-ons are comfortable choices. 

5. Style 

While functionality and comfort are important, your summer footwear should also reflect your personal style preferences and fashion sense. They shouldn’t be boring! 

So, consider the style and looks. We recommend brighter colors like green and orange for a fun and summery touch.

An Important Tip Before You Go

During the hot summer months, it’s tempting to walk barefoot both indoors and outdoors – especially on grassy areas and beaches. However, never walk barefoot for long hours (that is more than 2 hours).

This is because walking barefoot provides no arch support or cushioning. You can develop severe foot problems like Achilles tendonitis. Plus, outdoor environments increase the risk of injuries and infections. 

So, it’s always best to wear some type of shoes. The best footwear for summer includes slippers, flip-flops, sandals, and breathable slip-on. They will offer comfort and protection, allowing you to walk better and without health concerns.