# Shin splints and flip flops **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 15, 2018, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shin-splints-and-flip-flops/821388 "2018-09-15T13:20:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![What\_the](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shin-splints-and-flip-flops/821388/1 "2018-09-15T13:20:11Z")
Has anyone ever had shin splints that were traced to wearing flip flops too much? Whether or not… can anyone recommend a good flip flop with more support than the average? Please… no flip flop hate…TIA ! ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shin-splints-and-flip-flops/821388/2 "2018-09-15T13:35:01Z")
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**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shin-splints-and-flip-flops/821388/3 "2018-09-15T13:53:56Z")
I don’t know about shin splints, but your average flip-flop definitely needs better support designed in. I wear Vionic flip-flops, to help ease my plantar fasciitis. They’re specifically designed to have great firm arch support, and they don’t look too clunky or orthopedic. I wish they’d charge less, though. > **[Orthopedic Sandals & Flip Flops with Arch Support | Vionic](https://www.vionicshoes.com/orthotic-sandals)** > > Our orthopedic sandals offer a unique combination of style & comfort. For plantar fasciitis relief, shop our favorite orthotic sandals & flip flops for men & women! ---
**Author:** ![Scribble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scribble/32/3317_2.png) [@Scribble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scribble)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shin-splints-and-flip-flops/821388/4 "2018-09-15T15:06:41Z")
I need good arch support, and I’ve come to love my OluKai flip flops. I have the Ohana, which has a great footbed, though there’s also a model designed specifically to be orthopedic. AFAICT, the orthopedic model looks just like the ostensibly non-orthopedic (but still highly supportive and comfortable) one. ---
**Author:** ![thatguyjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6de8d8/32.png) [@thatguyjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thatguyjeff)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2018, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shin-splints-and-flip-flops/821388/5 "2018-09-16T11:54:31Z")
My understanding of shin splint pain is that it’s primarily caused by poor gait and/or improper alignment of the hip/knee/ankle. Changes in footwear can help, but that’s sort of the “give a man a fish” approach (as opposed to teaching a man to fish). Strengthening the core and/or thigh can really help. As well as concentrating on your step, how your foot lands, and correcting over pronation. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shin-splints-and-flip-flops/821388/6 "2018-09-17T00:03:00Z")
> [@thatguyjeff](#): > > My understanding of shin splint pain is that it’s primarily caused by poor gait and/or improper alignment of the hip/knee/ankle. Changes in footwear can help, but that’s sort of the “give a man a fish” approach (as opposed to teaching a man to fish). Strengthening the core and/or thigh can really help. As well as concentrating on your step, how your foot lands, and correcting over pronation. Yes. And for me, the way that taught me how to do that was wearing good foot supports, which got my foot and gate into the right shape so that I started walking well even when barefoot. ---
**Author:** ![What\_the](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shin-splints-and-flip-flops/821388/7 "2018-09-17T12:07:14Z")
Interesting because my gait is pretty messed up but it has been for about 60 years. I have always been barefoot at every opportunity and throw on flip flops when required. I’ve never had shin splints before. Regarding my gait… the lower leg swings out rather than maintain a straight/forward alignment. Also the problem is my right shin and I always wear out the right flip flop before the left. I actually wear a hole in that right heel. ---
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shin-splints-and-flip-flops/821388/8 "2018-09-17T14:21:09Z")
For great support it’s hard to beat [Chaco](https://www.chacos.com/US/en/flip-flops/) – worn by long distance hikers and also great for long periods of standing still, like a day at Disneyland. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shin-splints-and-flip-flops/821388/9 "2018-09-17T16:39:00Z")
> [@teela\_brown](#): > > I don’t know about shin splints, but your average flip-flop definitely needs better support designed in. > > I wear Vionic flip-flops, to help ease my plantar fasciitis. They’re specifically designed to have great firm arch support, and they don’t look too clunky or orthopedic. I wish they’d charge less, though. > > [https://www.vionicshoes.com/orthotic-sandals](https://www.vionicshoes.com/orthotic-sandals) I love my Vionic flip-flips. I hadn’t been able to wear flip-flops for ages before discovering these! I have some Chacos, and they’re ok, but the footbed support in Vionics is far superior. Closer to that of Birkenstocks, but without looking all hippie-ish. Oh, and my two pair have lasted me nearly two years and look practically new. That makes up for the price. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shin-splints-and-flip-flops/821388/10 "2018-09-17T16:56:25Z")
I put 200+ miles a year on my flip flops including walks up to 5 miles. I pretty much wear them every day. The best I’ve found are the [Sanuk beer cosy](https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=sanuk+beer+cozy+2&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=229128867312&hvpos=1t1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7190605649544314605&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028841&hvtargid=kwd-306996808939&ref=pd_sl_2xqvsmpwcd_e_p38) EAch pair lasts me 6-12 months and they feel like walking on clouds. That being said I’m not prone to shin splints so I don’t know specifically if they would prevent them. ---
**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shin-splints-and-flip-flops/821388/11 "2018-09-17T17:28:26Z")
I’ve gotten them, but only when wearing flip flops for lots of walking for a long time. I tend to get flip flops that are more of a platform style with a thicker foam sole. It molds to my feet and provides more support. ---
**Author:** ![wombattver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b77776/32.png) [@wombattver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wombattver)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shin-splints-and-flip-flops/821388/12 "2018-09-17T20:37:08Z")
Look at sandals and flip flops by Cushe. I’ve got 3 pairs and love them. I have a history of foot problems and my Cushe sandals are as supportive as my sneakers and more comfortable. They have some that are pretty flat flip-flops;I’ve never tried those - all mine are the molded footbeds.