Sandals are one of the oldest types of footwear known to man dating at least 10,000 years back. The earliest sandals were known to be of Greek origin being made out of twigs, leaves, and fibers. Thankfully, they’ve come a long way since then. These days you can find sandals that are much more durable, better looking, and comfortable.
Over the past few years, there has been a splurge in the different types of walking sandals you can buy but before we delve into that you need to be sure if you even need sandals in the first place.
Why Should You Buy Sandals For Walking?
Sandals are inherently very simple to other types of shoes. They’re meant to be simple In their construction consisting of a base and strap to hold them to your foot. While this design may seem a bit archaic and primitive, it is meant to serve very specific purposes. You have to remember that these aren’t just any average pair of footwear. Sandals will be used in situations where regular shoes are unfavorable and vice versa. With that in mind, here are some of the more common reasons why you would want to buy and use walking sandals.
- Weather
This is probably one of the biggest reasons that people often make a switch to sandals. Unlike conventional shoes, sandals offer a more open design. This means that you will more interaction with the outside climate. This is especially helpful when the weather outside is blistering hot and you need to cool down somehow. Where conventional shoes will roast your feet in them like an oven, sandals will provide you the means to directly vent out all the heat thanks to their design.
Another advantage of sandals is that they allow your feet to interact more openly with the outside air. This makes them the perfect shoe choice for swampy or humid weather where you want to prevent moisture on your feet. This is also great if your feet tend to sweat more. Sandals will make sure that no moisture builds up inside them and they will keep your feet as dry and cool as possible.
- Feel
There’s no denying that if you’re picking up sandals, the feel of them is one of the reasons why. Sandals provide a feeling of openness and freedom. You don’t feel like your foot is restrained as it would with a standard shoe. The relaxing feeling of a good sandal is something that no shoe could ever replicate. Their casual relaxed feel makes them perfect for situations like walking around the house or taking a walk in your neighborhood.
- Cost
It’s a simple fact that sandals cost much less than any other footwear variant. They take fewer quantities of materials to be manufactured which results in an overall lower cost. It is much cheaper to find a pair of good quality sandals than it is to find a good quality pair of shoes. This makes them the perfect budget shoe for those that may be struggling a bit to afford a decent pair of shoes.
The low cost of sandals also makes them very disposable. Should something go wrong or break with your sandals, you can easily go and buy a new pair without putting much hurt on your wallet. This reason makes them very popular among travelers and tourists who will buy pairs when traveling to different places, use them, and then throw them away when their trip comes to an end.
- Comfort
There’s something about sandals that just project positive and comforting vibes. The inherent design of the sandals allows your feet to breathe easily and freely. They work for a variety of different situations whether you taking a small walk around your block or going out somewhere. Sandals are often recommended by doctors to people suffering from foot damage as the open design puts less pressure on the feet. They’re also a great treatment for athlete’s foot where the chance of budding infections goes down thanks to the sandal’s openness.
- Look
While you probably wouldn’t wear them to a party, sandals have a very distinct look to them. Their design makes them synonymous with summertime vibes making them excellent beach shoes. You can also wear them with your favorite pair of cargo shorts and a t-shirt for the best hiker/safari look. They also look great for certain indoor situations such as spas, tennis courts, and indoor pools.
Types of Walking Sandals
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to walking sandals. While you could probably use your sandals for a host of different activities, certain sandal styles will be more optimized for certain situations than others. Bearing this in mind, here are some of the common walking sandal types and their most common uses.
Flip-flop Sandals
These sandals are a hybrid between flip-flops slippers and sandals. They’re usually very simple in their construction and don’t really have a specific visual design. These types of sandals are mostly designed for indoor and backyard use as they are light and soft. These types of sandals tend to be the cheapest.
Fisherman Sandals
These sandals have an enclosure formed out of leather bands and typically leave the toes covered. They’re great for use in scorching hot weather where you want your feet to be ventilated but also safe from exposure to direct sunlight.
Sports Sandals
Sports sandals are designed to be more rugged and durable than most types of sandals. They tend to resemble running shoes since they have a similar shape. These types of sandals are great for outdoor activities and sports such as hiking and trekking.
Orthopedic Sandals
These sandals are specifically designed for people with foot conditions. The soft padding and foot balance of these sandals provide great comfort and stability.
High Heeled Sandals
These sandals are more common among women for a more fashionable choice. They look like standard standards with a high heel and often come with colored or fashionable straps.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking for a cheap pair of shoes to use around the house or something to complete your summertime look, comfortable walking sandals are the perfect choice for you.