There’s nothing better than kicking off your Sunday shoes and sliding into a soft pair of slippers on a chilly evening. Life’s good, right? Well, maybe not for your feet.
You may feel like your favorite pair of just-in-the-house shoes give your feet a nice little treat, but it turns out that wearing slippers too often might be doing more harm than good.
We know—we feel your pain. But just like it’s important to wear good everyday shoes, house shoes have just as much power in affecting your foot health. Wear unsupportive shoes too much, and you might need to visit a foot pain specialist for a variety of reasons. Let’s break it down.
Balance
One of the main problems with wearing slippers too much is that you’re basically giving your foot muscles a free pass to not work as hard. Shoes with more structure offer lots of support, but slippers don’t, which can lead to weaker foot muscles over time, particularly in your arches.
The result? Reduced balance and stability. Weak arches make it harder to maintain proper posture while walking, which can throw off your balance and increase the risk of trips or falls.
So if you’re relying on slippers a lot, especially if they’re flat and unsupportive, your feet aren’t getting the workout they need to stay strong and stable.
Hygiene
Slippers, especially if they’re worn without socks, can make a warm, damp environment. We don’t want to gross you out, but that’s the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and fungi.
When you sweat, it gets trapped in the fabric of the slippers, which can cause unpleasant foot odors or fungal infections like athlete’s foot. You may even need to see a podiatrist for toenail fungus.
Maintaining proper foot hygiene is essential and includes taking care of your feet at home too. Regularly washing your slippers can help, but it’s also a good idea to just give your feet a break and let them breathe.
Support
To tell you the truth, most slippers are designed for comfort, not support. They don’t have the built-in arch support, cushioning, and structure that your feet crave.
Your feet may especially dislike wearing slippers often if you have pre-existing foot conditions.
Without proper support, flat slippers can also add fuel to the fire for conditions like heel spurs and general foot fatigue—ouch. And without cushioning, your slippers can put pressure on your big toe joint and have you headed in for bunion surgery.
Opting for more supportive footwear, even when you’re inside, could help prevent some of these common foot problems.
Walking
Make sure you’re sitting down for this one—it might rock your world. Because they don’t offer much in terms of support, wearing slippers can actually change the way you walk. Over time, this altered walking pattern—we call it your gait—can lead to discomfort, joint pain, and even issues with your knees, hips, or lower back.
Slippers let your feet flatten out more as you walk, putting strain on your joints and muscles. This won’t seem like a big deal at first, but over time, it can lead to big problems, particularly if you already deal with foot or joint pain. We don’t want that to get any worse.
Injuries
As cozy and soft as slippers are, they can also be a little bit dangerous, especially if they’re loose or don’t fit right.
They can usually easily fall off your feet, get caught on things, or make you trip on uneven surfaces or those pesky stairs. They might seem like your champions of comfort, but slippers could be trying to undermine your safety.
The lack of traction of the soles of most pairs of slippers also makes it way easier to slip on smooth surfaces like hardwood or tile floors. This can be particularly dangerous for older adults since falls can cause even more injuries.
With little protection between your feet and the ground, it’s also much more likely that you could get hurt by stepping on a sharp object than if you’re wearing thicker shoes.
Never Say Never
Of course, we’re not saying to never wear your slippers—they certainly have a place in our comfort routines. But, like most things, the key is moderation.
It’s totally fine to enjoy a cozy pair of slippers every now and then, but it’s also important to make sure your feet are getting the support, hygiene, and exercise they need to stay happy and healthy.
But no worries—there are plenty of solutions. You could rotate your footwear out to give your feet some variety. Or you could find some slippers with better arch support instead of the ones that look like you’ve had them since 2003—because you have.
If your feet seem to be begging you to make a change when you’re walking around the house for long periods, listen to them. There are plenty of supportive indoor shoes on the market that will have your feet thanking you instead.
With a quick search for a “podiatrist office near me,” you’ll be well on your way to healthier feet. After all, your feet deserve just as much attention as the rest of your body.
Infographic
We understand your discomfort. Just like everyday shoes, house shoes play a vital role in foot health. Unsupportive footwear may lead to foot pain and the need for a specialist. Read this infographic to learn more.
