Flip-flops are cheap, simple, and fun, they might just be more trouble than they are worth. Consider at least limiting the amount of time that you wear flip-flops and choose shoes that give you more support for most day-to-day activities. Take care of your feet. You can’t get around without them.

1) Negative gait

Studies show that people who get accustomed to wearing flip-flops, often take shorter strides than they should, completely changing your gait.

2) Hard on your feet

Change of your gait can lead to some pretty painful chiropody problems over time and even cause some severe issues. The lack of sufficient arch support offered by most flip-flops can also lead shooting pains in your legs.

3) Bacteria beware

A study by the University of Miami’ mobile flip-flop lab found that flip-flops have significantly more bacteria than traditional shoes, especially when worn in public restrooms.

5) Booming Bulla

And speaking of blisters/ bulla, most flip-flop straps can create massive amounts of friction on the top of your foot and your toes; leaving you to suffer more pain as you walk in search of better shoes.

6) Plantar Fasciitis, Bone Spurs and Poor Posture

These issues sometimes require expensive surgeries to fix. The joint and ligament damage can also lead to bone spurs, painful bone growths on your joints.

7) Poisonous plastics

Flip-flops are so simple to wear; people sometimes forget to think about the quality of materials used to make the shoes. Carcinogenic materials, such as latex or BPA, can be found in flip-flops and can have profound effects on one’s health.

8) Exacerbated Bunions

Flip-flop wearers commonly use their toes to either gain traction while walking or as a way to keep the lightweight shoes from slipping right off their feet entirely. This extra friction is known to exacerbate your already aching bunions—yet another reason to skip the use of flip-flops altogether, instead stick to something with more support, like Birkenstocks.