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"Ever since an ex called me gross for wearing flip-flops in New York City, I've kept my collection of Havaianas stashed in the closet, and only take them out of hiding when I hit the laundromat or empty the trash. The appeal is a no-brainer\u2014they're inexpensive, easy to get on and off, and lightweight, a huge plus in the heat. So why wouldn't you want to wear them? Well, because it turns out my ex was right: Flip-flops *are* gross, and really not that good for you.\\n\\n\\n\\n                   \\n\\nIn a recent [*New York magazine piece,*](http://nymag.com/guides/everything/summer-feet/flip-flops-2012-6) a writer investigated the dirtiness of flip-flops, sending both his sandals and swabs of his feet to a biochemist. His feet were coated in millions of microorganisms, while his flip-flops\u2014both the arches and underside, were covered in bacteria. Gag.\\n\\n\\n\\nBut the real problem with flip-flops isn't the yuck factor\u2014it's the damage that they're doing to your body. \\\"They don't offer your foot any support or protection, so it's like you're walking barefoot, which can lead to sore arches,\\\" says Steven Weinfeld, chief of foot and ankle surgery at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine department of orthopedics. Wearing them can also lead to strained hips, knees, and ankles. \\\"When you walk in flip-flops, your toes are gripping the strap to try and keep them on, so you're not walking in the normal heel-to-toe manner,\\\" says Weinfeld.\\n\\n\\n\\nEven though I know this, I'm still probably going to wear those bad boys to run errands, and I bet you will, too. So invest in some antibacterial soap, and keep a pack of foot wipes in your purse, like these from [Jamar,](http://www.allure.com/beauty-products/skin/2010/jamar-labs-feet-wipes) and you've got the germ thing covered. To avoid injury, don't run in them, ever (a big no-no according to Weinfeld), and tread lightly. But if we start to feel pain in our joints or arches, let's all pinky-swear that we'll rethink our summer footwear.\\n\\n\\n\\n__RELATED LINKS:__\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n  [Daily Beauty Reporter: The Worst Thing You Can Wear to Work](http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/blogs/daily-beauty-reporter/2011/07/the-worst-thing-you-can-wear-t.html)\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n  [Daily Beauty Reporter: Stop Torturing Your Feet: Five Foot Care Tips to Learn After Fashion Week](http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/blogs/daily-beauty-reporter/2011/10/stop-torturing-your-feet-tk-fo.html)\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n  [Daily Beauty Reporter: Would You Get Cosmetic Surgery...On Your Feet?](http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/blogs/daily-beauty-reporter/2012/04/would-you-get-cosmetic-surgery-on-your-feet.html)\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n  [Daily Beauty Reporter: Bare Feet In Public: Ok Or Not?](http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/blogs/daily-beauty-reporter/2009/09/bare-feet-in-public-ok-or-not.html)"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.allure.com/story/flip-flop-problems>