Dana !
What a story.
Glad you were not hurt seriously.
Moral of the story is well taken !

katesflowers said: Dana !
What a story.
Glad you were not hurt seriously.
Moral of the story is well taken !

There must be something wrong with me (or maybe it's just my feet) - I have never, even as a kid, been able to tolerate wearing flip-flops.

I can manage it, but they have to be slowly broken in for my feet starting with short times in the house, the thing between the toes is really painful for me. The fat rubber straps that are on the cheapest of flip flops is the worse. If you can find any with a fabric piece there between your toes, it's thinner and much more comfortable. I still have to get my toes used to them, but it's a much less painful process. And I could never go for long walks with them no matter how long I got my feet used to them, walking miles in those just isn't for me and my toes, I'd end up with blisters between my toes and on top where the V shape part hits my foot.

Wearing flip flops too often, or long term, can cause bunions or hammer toes to develop. Hammer toes occur when the joints contract, causing your toe to bend abnormally. Flip-flops also cause a shorter stride in walking, leading to possible tightness of the Achilles, which may result in Achilles tendinitis.

Murky said: I can manage it, but they have to be slowly broken in for my feet starting with short times in the house, the thing between the toes is really painful for me. The fat rubber straps that are on the cheapest of flip flops is the worse. If you can find any with a fabric piece there between your toes, it's thinner and much more comfortable. I still have to get my toes used to them, but it's a much less painful process. And I could never go for long walks with them no matter how long I got my feet used to them, walking miles in those just isn't for me and my toes, I'd end up with blisters between my toes and on top where the V shape part hits my foot.

Understandable. I can't stand the cheapo ones that the drug stores or even Target sells, mainly because my foot is a bit fat where the straps go over it, the sole is thin (I need support for my bad ankle) and the thong part is really stiff and hard. Therefore it hurts between my toes too. Not that I'm attempting to talk anybody in to trying these, but what I like about them is the entire flip flop is molded and very soft, but firm at the same time. Nice thick, supportive sole, and no pinching like on the cheap ones, where the thong part goes through the sole. But I completely understand that flip flops are terribly uncomfortable for many people. Anyhoo, that's just me.

I don't need arch support and the arches on these were noticable at first, but they are low enough that it doesn't bother me and they feel like a part of my feet.

Limited-time deal: FUNKYMONKEY Women's Thong Flip Flop Ultra Soft Arch Support Sandals https://a.co/d/bo5wPWb
If you're considering these, they run a whole size large...even for my fat feet.

I wear these daily, and for light gardening like watering and deadheading, etc. Also when I'm washing and waxing the car.

RpR said: Wearing flip flops too often, or long term, can cause bunions or hammer toes to develop. Hammer toes occur when the joints contract, causing your toe to bend abnormally. Flip-flops also cause a shorter stride in walking, leading to possible tightness of the Achilles, which may result in Achilles tendinitis.

I don't have any of those issues, and I'm almost 58, but that's just me....What I do have is a horrible looking scar over my left eye, no thanks to "Doctor Hack-It-Up" 🤬🤬

I could stand to wear them around the house once my feet got used to the part between the toes, I wore them of course whenever I'd go to the beach... they were cheap, all rubber, float... best thing near the water. But now I save the bother of breaking them in by just wearing sandals without the toe piece, like these... soft fabric that doesn't hurt any part of my foot and nothing between the toes. I still wouldn't risk wearing them to walk miles, but they're very comfortable to just knock around the house or yard.

RpR said: Wearing flip flops too often, or long term, can cause bunions or hammer toes to develop. Hammer toes occur when the joints contract, causing your toe to bend abnormally. Flip-flops also cause a shorter stride in walking, leading to possible tightness of the Achilles, which may result in Achilles tendinitis.

Apparently NOT wearing them also causes bunions and hammer toes - I have both of those issues, along with a couple of toes that got rammed into table legs a time or two too often and are otherwise messed up. And then there was the time that I opened a door and it didn't quite clear my toe that was in the way and ripped the nail halfway off my big toe

Geez, when I write it down like that it makes me wonder how I can walk at all!

The stories

These are mine

I really can't garden (or even step out of the house) without foot protection because we are in a rural area. Too many obstacles that include rusty stuff, working with heavy & sharp objects, operating heavy equipment, not to mention stinging & biting insects and tall weeds in the field.
Got these at Cabelas, that's about as lightweight as I'll go.

They last about one year & waterproof, too.

Kathy I love the camo look - snakes won't see you coming

Very nice @Murky and @katesflowers. and Ginny

I have to say that the Timberland soles are hard, even though I use inserts. They also rub on my pinky toes, especially the left one, and they are rough on my joints, so I am trading comfort for safety

Legalily said: Kathy I love the camo look - snakes won't see you coming

Surprise a snake.... yeah, that'll end well (sorry Ginny, I couldn't resist )

katesflowers said: I really can't garden (or even step out of the house) without foot protection because we are in a rural area. Too many obstacles that include rusty stuff, working with heavy & sharp objects, operating heavy equipment, not to mention stinging & biting insects and tall weeds in the field.
Got these at Cabelas, that's about as lightweight as I'll go.

They last about one year & waterproof, too.

Those look like great shoes... slip ons is a must for in and out of the house without tracking dirt everywhere, and they look very rugged yet very comfy.

Weedwhacker said: Apparently NOT wearing them also causes bunions and hammer toes - I have both of those issues, along with a couple of toes that got rammed into table legs a time or two too often and are otherwise messed up. And then there was the time that I opened a door and it didn't quite clear my toe that was in the way and ripped the nail halfway off my big toe

Geez, when I write it down like that it makes me wonder how I can walk at all!

Ginny !
Yes, my shoes are approved by 99% of my snakes.

I like Red Wing steel toed boots with a steel shank. They are the best for digging because they protect your instep from bruising. I can stand on the shovel to push it into my clayey soil. The steel toe has come in handy numerous times too. I use a little bee's wax to waterproof the leather. The shoes are surprisingly comfortable, but they don't make that cool sound that flip-flops make.