Foot Health: Why A Summer of Flip-Flops and Sliders Aren’t Ideal for Growing Feet
Why Growing Feet Need Better Summer Sandals Than Flip-Flops.
Summer brings long days outdoors, family holidays, paddling pools, beach adventures and plenty of opportunities for children to kick off their shoes. And while flip-flops and sliders are often seen as the go-to choice for warm weather, many parents are surprised to learn they may not be the best option for growing feet when worn all day, every day.
Children’s feet continue to grow rapidly throughout the summer months, and the warmer weather often means they spend even more time active, running, climbing, jumping and exploring. Just like during the rest of the year, growing feet still need comfort, flexibility and thoughtful support, especially during periods of heavy daily movement.
That doesn’t mean flip-flops and sliders are “bad” in every situation. They’re practical for short trips to the beach, around the pool, or slipping on after swimming. But many podiatrists and foot health professionals advise against wearing them for extended periods, particularly for younger children whose feet are still developing.
Why flip-flops and sliders can cause problems.
Unlike more thoughtfully designed sandals, many flip-flops and sliders provide very little structure or stability. Because they are loose-fitting by nature, children often instinctively grip with their toes to stop the shoe slipping off while walking.
According to the College of Podiatry, constantly gripping with the toes can place unnecessary strain on growing feet and may alter natural walking patterns over time. Many lightweight flip-flops also offer minimal cushioning, little heel stability and limited protection around the toes and sides of the foot.
Children are naturally active and unpredictable in how they move. One moment they’re walking calmly, the next they’re sprinting, climbing, skipping or jumping. Footwear that can easily slip off or move around the foot simply isn’t designed for prolonged everyday wear.
Some common concerns with prolonged flip-flop and slider wear include:
- Reduced stability and balance
- Toe gripping while walking
- Minimal protection for toes and soft skin
- Increased risk of trips and slips
- Lack of cushioning during high activity
- Poor support for long periods of walking
The Royal College of Podiatry and many paediatric foot specialists recommend choosing footwear that stays securely attached to the foot, allows natural movement, and provides flexibility alongside protection.
What should parents look for in a good summer sandal?
The best children’s sandals strike a careful balance between freedom and protection. They should allow feet to breathe and move naturally while still offering the security and comfort active children need throughout the day.
Here are a few things worth looking for when choosing summer footwear for growing feet:
1. Secure fastening
Sandals should stay comfortably and securely attached to the foot. Adjustable straps, buckles or hook-and-loop fastenings help create a better fit and reduce the need for toe gripping while walking.
At Young Soles, many of our sandals combine either a traditional buckle or a hidden hook-and-loop fastening, making them both practical and easy for everyday wear. Styles such as Pearl, Flo and Sonny are designed to feel lightweight and open for warmer weather while still providing a secure fit for active little feet.
2. Flexible soles
Children’s feet need to move naturally. A sandal should flex comfortably with the foot rather than feeling stiff or restrictive. Overly rigid soles can interfere with natural movement, while soles that are too thin may not provide enough cushioning for busy days outdoors.
At Young Soles, all of our sandal soles are made from natural rubber, chosen for its combination of flexibility, durability and grip. Natural rubber allows the foot to move more naturally while still providing the traction active children need for running, climbing and everyday adventures.
Natural rubber also becomes even softer and more flexible in warmer weather, making it particularly well suited to summer footwear. Whether it’s a more structured and padded style like Noah or Flo or lightweight open sandals such as Pearl, Sonny or Rhonda, flexibility remains an important part of supporting growing feet throughout the day.
3. Soft, breathable materials
Children’s feet can sweat surprisingly heavily, with some experts estimating that feet can produce up to a thimble full of sweat each day. During warmer summer months, breathable materials and linings become especially important for comfort and foot health.
Many flip-flops and sliders are made primarily from plastic, rubber or EVA foam. While these materials are practical around water, they are also largely non-breathable and waterproof, meaning moisture and heat can become trapped against the skin for long periods throughout the day.
When children’s feet sit in warm, damp conditions for hours at a time, it can increase the risk of irritation, rubbing, unpleasant odours, fungal conditions and bacterial infections.
At Young Soles, our sandals are designed with breathable, hypoallergenic linings that help manage moisture more effectively during everyday wear. We use a specially developed synthetic leather lining chosen specifically for its softness, breathability and durability, helping feet stay cooler, drier and more comfortable throughout busy summer days.
Combined with premium responsibly sourced leathers that soften beautifully with wear, styles such as Pearl, Sonny, Flo, Rhonda and Noah are designed to support growing feet while remaining practical enough for long days of adventure.
4. Balancing freedom with protection
Summer sandals should feel open, breathable and comfortable while still being practical enough for active children. Younger children especially benefit from sandals that stay securely attached to the foot and offer a little more coverage during busy days of running, climbing and exploring.
Traditional fisherman sandals remain popular for good reason. Styles like our Noah sandal combine the breathability of a summer sandal with a woven upper that helps provide a little extra protection and stability for everyday adventures.
More open styles such as Pearl, Bunny and Flo can still work beautifully too, particularly when paired with secure fastenings, flexible soles and thoughtfully designed footbeds that help support natural movement throughout the day.
The key is choosing sandals designed for all-day wear, rather than footwear intended only for short periods around the pool or beach.
5. Room to grow and move naturally.
Children’s toes should never feel cramped or restricted. A well-designed sandal should allow enough room for toes to spread naturally while still holding the foot securely in place.
This becomes especially important during periods of rapid growth, which often continue throughout the summer months. Thoughtfully shaped sandals such as Pearl, Noah, Rhonda and Flo are designed to balance comfort, flexibility and natural movement while remaining secure enough for active everyday wear.
A balanced approach to summer footwear
Flip-flops and sliders absolutely have their place. They’re easy, practical and perfect for short periods around water or on holiday. But for all-day adventures, busy family days out and everyday wear, children benefit from sandals that offer a little more structure, flexibility and protection.
The good news is that supportive summer footwear doesn’t have to look overly sporty or technical. Thoughtfully designed children’s sandals can still feel timeless, nostalgic and effortlessly wearable while supporting growing feet properly.
At Young Soles, our sandal collection combines heritage-inspired design with modern comfort features including flexible soles, soft premium leathers, secure fastenings and cushioned footbeds designed for long summer days outdoors.
Because childhood adventures don’t stop when the sun comes out — and growing feet still deserve thoughtful footwear every step of the way.
Discover the Young Soles Sandal Collection
From classic fisherman sandals to lightweight open-toe styles, our Summer sandal collection is designed to support growing feet through every adventure.
Crafted using soft premium leathers, breathable linings, flexible natural rubber soles and secure fastenings, each pair is thoughtfully designed for comfort, movement and all-day wear.
Explore the Young Soles Sandal Collection.
Sources & further reading
The Royal College of Podiatry
https://rcpod.org.uk/
NHS Children’s Foot Health Guidance
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/children-and-young-peoples-feet/
Healthy Children (American Academy of Pediatrics)
https://www.healthychildren.org/
Paediatric foot health and gait development resources
https://www.apma.org/