Warm summer weather typically indicates that you can wear sandals more often without having to worry about your feet getting too cold. They are more appropriate than boots and other similarly heavy footwear as they allow the feet to breathe in addition to being easy to slip on and off when at the beach or by the pool. There is a wide selection of sandal styles to choose from, one of them being toe post sandals. Read on for a comprehensive look at this footwear design.
What are toe post sandals? A toe post sandal is a design of footwear that features a flip flop-like post between the big toe and second toe that connects the upper of the sandal to the sole.
A toe post is a thong-like material that is usually made from the same material as the upper of the sandal. There are a variety of designs for this style of sandal –some feature a strap that goes behind the ankle, others feature an upper that is decorated, and some even feature a wedge or some sort of heel. Although they are breathable and easy to wear, toe post sandals have some downsides that are worth noting. For beginners, the toe post tends to rub against the toe and cause a lot of discomfort and even blisters. Varieties that have flat soles also the lack the much-needed support that your arch needs and those that lack a backstrap fail to keep the foot in place.
Toe sandals are especially among women and girls as they provide a more elegant alternative to flip flops during the summer. Here are the various aspects of this style of footwear.
The different designs of toe post sandals
One of the many reasons why toe post sandals are so popular is that they come in a wide range of styles that can be worn with a variety of outfits and to different occasions. Here are some of the most common.
- The strappy upper design – This is the basic design for this type of sandal that may feature one or more straps on the upper. Skinny jeans and t-shirt/vest combo will work superbly with this style of toe post sandal. For a particularly hot day, swap your jeans for a pair of denim shorts.
- The backstrap design – Some toe strap designs feature a back strap that goes behind the ankle. The strap is meant to hold the foot securely in place and consequently allow for more balance as you walk.
- The bejeweled design – This design of toe post sandal is slightly fancier than the basic design as they feature shiny, jewel-like decorations on the strap. This makes them for casual occasions such as a night out or a barbecue with the family. Opt to pair them with a cute, short flowery dress or a flirty skirt for a fun and summery vibe.
- The wedge design – These are toe post sandals that feature a wedge heel. If you are looking to add a bit of flair to your look, then this is the toe post sandal to go for. For a chic look, pair these sandals with an A-line dress or skirt. Add some complementary accessories to complete outfit and head out for a casual dinner date.
- The heeled design – This particular design of this style of sandal typically features a heel that is distinct from the sole. The height of the heel will vary from one sandal to another, with the higher ones being favored for events such as weddings or even for a casual office day, while the lower heels are more on the casual side. Although heels are known for their ability to accentuate the legs, avoid going for towering heels as they may cause a lot of foot pain at the end of the day.
The downsides of toe post sandals
Despite the popularity and practicality of toe post sandals, they have some downsides that are difficult to overlook.
1. The toe post tends to hurt between the toes
The distinct toe post feature of this type of sandal can cause a lot of discomfort as it tends to rub against the skin between the big toe and the second toe. As a result, this could cause blisters to develop in the affected area especially if you plan to walk a considerable distance in the sandals. If you continue to wear the sandals regardless of the blisters, they could end up popping which will leave you with open sores between your toes. This is risky as you could easily pick up infections especially when you are walking in public where there is a lot of pathogens lurking about.
If you still want to go for toe post sandals despite the potential harm they could cause between your toes, there are some preventive steps you could take to keep this from happening:
- Avoid wearing the sandals for extended periods – If you notice that your toe post is a causing a lot of pain between your toes, avoid wearing them daily or for extended periods, no matter how much you love them, this is because wearing them constantly will only serve to exacerbate the problem. Give your feet a breather to heal by wearing other styles of footwear that are not hard on your toes, only wearing the toe post sandals when it is necessary.
- Use some moleskin or an adhesive silicone pad – If you are not too keen on giving up your toe post sandals for some time, opt to wrap the toe post with an adhesive silicone pad or some moleskin. This way, there will be a barrier between your skin and the toe post that will provide some level of cushioning and prevent friction. Consequently, you won’t have to deal with blisters.
- Never wear toe post sandals when they are wet – If your toe post sandals somehow end up getting wet, always let them dry first before you wear them. This is because when they are wet, they will soften the skin between the toes, and when combined with sweat, there will be a lot of moisture in the area and consequent friction. This will inevitably lead to blisters.
- Apply antiblister gel – Antiblister gel is designed to reduce friction in areas of the body that are subjected to constant rubbing, which mean that it can be applied between your toes to act as a lubricant. Before application, ensure that you go through the provided instruction on the package so that you don’t end up applying too much or too little.
- Talcum powder or cornstarch – Sprinkle talcum powder between your first two toes to reduce the risk of the toe post rubbing against them and causing blisters. For this technique, you will need to reapply the powder frequently especially when your feet sweat. If you prefer a more DIY approach, opt to apply cornstarch instead as it possesses similar absorbent properties.
- Use some deodorant – Another alternative is to apply a bit of deodorant between your toes as well as on the toe post. Since deodorant is a lubricant, it will keep the toe post from rubbing and hurting the skin in the affected area.
- Apply some antifriction solution – This is a product that can be applied to the toe post to form a coating that will serve as a barrier between your skin and the sandal. Alternatively, you can use petroleum jelly in the same way, but it is not a long-term solution as it will keep drying out.
- Apply some wax on the toe post – Coat the toe post of the sandals with a few drops of candle wax or beeswax to create a barrier that will reduce friction. The wax will also soften the toe post and make the sandals more bearable to wear.
- Take the sandals to a cobbler – if all the suggested techniques fail to work for you, consider taking your sandals to the cobbler. A qualified cobbler will have the tools to soften the toe post and make it more comfortable against your toes. Ask for recommendations from family and friends or find a positively reviewed cobbler online.
2. Lack of arch and heel support
A majority of toe post sandals have flat soles, which means that they lack crucial arch and heel support that you need to be comfortable when walking in them. Wearing these varieties of the sandal will result in a lot of pain in these areas, and since toe post sandals are open on either side as well as the back, you wouldn’t want to slip an insole in them. Your best option, in this case, is to go for a pair of toe post sandals that offer arch and heel protection.
3. They can cause you to lose balance
The feet tend to sweat as the day progresses, and may end up sliding in and out of a backless toe sandal as a result. To solve this issue, opt to go for varieties that feature a back strap meant to keep your foot in place.
Final thoughts
Toe post sandals are simple yet fashionable styles of footwear that are ideal for the summer. Since there are many designs available, you have a lot of options, whether you are hitting the town for a night out or attending a wedding.