Slippers are more popular in Hawaii than shoes, but feet need the right support and care to stay healthy.

According to Livestrong.com, the best shoes have a low heel, a large toe box, laces or velcro straps and good arch support.

“I wear these expensive slippers that have support, and I wear them all the time. Since I hate wearing shoes, these slippers feel more comfortable than shoes,” said freshman Chien Jardine-Winter.

As people age, feet tend to get bigger and flatter due to the stretching of ligaments and tendons. Along with problems of age, other foot problems can occur without proper support, including plantar fasciitis which causes the ligaments at the bottom of the foot to become inflamed or heel spurs, a hook of bone that forms on the heel. In order to avoid problems such as these, wearing shoes with support is best.

Although slippers are the footwear of choice for many in Hawaii, they do not have enough arch support and leave the feet vulnerable to damage because of the lack of coverage. Some of the injuries can be sprained ankles, scraped feet and even broken toes. The lack of support that slippers offer can also lead to plantar fasciitis or tendonitis.

Although slippers are suitable for the beach, they’re not made for everyday use.

“I wear rubber slippers all the time and I don’t think that they are doing any damage to my feet. They’re comfortable and I don’t like wearing shoes outside of school. I don’t think that wearing slippers will have a negative effect on my feet in the future,” said junior Kiara Moad.

Sophomore Haley Clark did not agree. “I wear shoes a lot. I have Sketchers shape-ups. They are really comfortable and are so light that I don’t feel weighed down. I prefer shoes because when I wear slippers I don’t feel as if they provide enough support and end up with sore feet.”

Math teacher Angela Deitch, agreed with Clark. “I believe slippers are bad for your feet. There are multiple studies that prove they lack arch support even if they are comfortable. However, I don’t usually wear slippers or shoes. I wear more heels and flats.”

Medical News Today provides 10 Steps to maintaining healthy feet:

1. Inspect your feet regularly and pay attention to changes in color, texture or appearance.
2. Maintain good foot hygiene, including washing and drying between the toes.
3. Hydrate the skin. Weather and open shoes can cause rapid loss of moisture from the skin and may result in cracking or the formation of fissures. It is helpful to replace moisture content by using lotions or creams on a regular basis.
4. Buy properly sized shoes. Different manufacturers often size shoes differently. Purchase new shoes late in the day when feet tend to be at their largest. Always buy the shoes that feel best.
5. Don’t ignore foot pain. Symptoms that increase or do not resolve within a reasonable period of time need to be evaluated by podiatric physician.
6. Cut toenails straight across. Never cut into the corner which can cause an ingrown toenail. Gently file away sharp corners or rough edges with an emery board.
7. Exercise. Walking is a great way to keep weight under control and is an excellent conditioner for the feet. Be sure to wear appropriate athletic shoes when exercising.
8. Alternate shoes each day. Since the feet have sweat glands, and shoes absorb moisture from feet, it is important to allow shoes to dry out completely.
9. Avoid walking barefoot to help protect feet from injury and infection.
10. Put sunblock on feet while wearing sandals during the day to avoid sunburn.