The #1 Sandal Mistake We All Make, According to a Doctor

Sandals are a summer necessity that cannot be avoided (unless you prefer your feet to be unbearably sweaty, and no one wants that). But as with many things in this cruel, cruel world, they often come with a catch—they can tend to be uncomfortable in more ways than one. Whether it's never-ending blisters, cramped insteps, or straps that hit in all the wrong places, it sometimes seems like finding the perfect pair of comfortable sandals is a lost cause. 

Since lost causes simply won't do here at Who What Wear, we decided to reach out to someone who knows quite a bit more about feet than we do—a podiatrist. Dr. Bobby Pourziaee, podiatrist and owner of Rodeo Drive Podiatry & The Spa on Rodeo, was kind enough to weigh in on the matter and give us the low-down on the most common mistakes people make when buying and wearing sandals. Besides the #1 most common mistake he sees people making, he also gave us a couple other missteps we all fall victim to, along with the solutions necessary to fix the problems. 

Keep reading to see what an expert has to say on the matter and to shop the shoes that will make your feet the happiest.

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"Opt for wider, softer straps when possible. Also make sure the straps don’t run over any bony prominences of the foot or ankle," Dr. Pourziaee advises.

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What else is a problem? "Buying sandals that have the potential to bend in half. Wearing flimsy sandals without support will lead to foot pain," Dr. Pourzaiee explains.

Another common issue: "Not breaking in the sandals properly," Dr. Pourzaiee told us. "You should break in sandals little by little before wearing them for an extended period of time. Also, use mole skin or bandages on areas that rub excessively at first. If those areas continue to be abrasive, get a new pair!" 

Related: Sandals 101: Your Definitive Trend Guide to the Best on Every Budget

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Lauren Eggertsen
Editorial Director

"Copy (200 words): Lauren Eggertsen is currently the editorial director of Who What Where and has worked at the company for nearly seven years, where she started as an associate editor and has since worked her way up. Lauren has over 10 years of experience in the fashion editorial space, starting her career with internships at Marc Jacobs, Marie Claire, and The Zoe Report, where she was later hired as their editorial assistant. Lauren has worked in the Los Angeles and New York Who What Wear offices but currently calls L.A. home. It is here where she leads and manages Who What Wear's fashion team and oversees all day-to-day editorial content and large tentpole moments. This includes all of the runway, trend, and shopping-driven content that ultimately helps to build a strong brand reputation within the industry. Lauren's role also includes helping to set the fashion direction for all original photo shoots and often styles many of the celebrity cover shoots, including big names like Sydney Sweeney, Lindsay Lohan, and Megan Fox. 


She has also attended multiple fashion weeks, including New York, London, and Milan, where her personal style has been featured on sites such as Elle.com, HarpersBazaar.com, and Vogue.co.uk. She prides herself on discovering and supporting small brands and on her knack for a good vintage shopping find. When she isn't working, she enjoys researching and dining at reputable restaurants around both her neighborhood and the globe.