One would think that less is more and that shoes that don’t cover your whole foot would be cool and prevent sweating – but is that true? Do all sandals keep our feet dry and chilled?
Your feet might sweat in sandals because of shoe choice, foot condition, or because your feet are prone to sweating. To prevent sandal foot sweat, buy new sandals each year, keep your feet clean, utilize foot lotions, roll-ons, or sprays, and talk with your doctor if preventative steps fail.
Read on to learn why your feet get sweaty, even while wearing airy sandals. I’ll teach you what makes feet sweat, why some feet sweat a lot, how to stop sweaty feet, and what footwear to buy to prevent foot sweat.
Why Do Feet Sweat?
The best way to address an issue is to know the “how” behind the “why.” Feet are amazing machines that don’t just hold us upright – they do so much more!
There are over 120,000 corkscrew-shaped sweat glands on the bottom of your feet. These glands regulate body temperature by sending water (sweat) to cool us down.
When we are scared or excited, our body releases hormones that raise our temperature. As this occurs, we sweat since sweat is a response to heat or emotions.
However, sweat is helpful since it makes our skin cooler and moister, helping us chill out – whether the sweat was a response to anxiety, excitement, or heat.
Foot sweat regulates our temperature and usually is unproblematic, but it can be smelly and uncomfortable. So, what can you do if foot sweat concerns you?
The Best Way to Stop Having Sweaty Feet in Sandals
If you are reading this, you worry about sweaty feet. Follow these steps to walk dry in sandals:
- Swap out old shoes. How old are your sandals? Sandals have plenty of ventilation holes to let in the air. However, since you don’t usually wear socks with sandals, dirt and grime build up over the years, leading to foot bacteria growth. So, exchange old shoes for new ones each summer to keep your feet clean and dry.
- Find sandals with space. Can you wiggle your toes in your sandals? Some shoes bind the toes tightly and prevent air circulation. Find sandals that allow your toes to move so that your toes feel the breeze and don’t overheat. Wiggling toes will stay cool and thus dry.
- Keep your feet clean. Dirt settles on your feet, between your toes, and under your toenails. Grime adds up over time and can cause bacterial growth. So, scrub your feet with soap and water daily to help keep your feet from getting bogged down by dirt in your sandals. A pumice stone or callus remover clears away dead skin. Soaking the feet in water with baking soda, vinegar, or Epsom salt can also clear your pores of dirt and old sweat.
- Foot lotions, roll-ons, and powders keep sweat at bay. I recommend using Carpe Antiperspirant Foot Lotion (Amazon) to keep your feet dry and comfy. If you prefer not to touch your feet, give Certain-Dri Clinical Roll-on a try. These products plug your pores and cool your feet, reducing the sweat your feet can produce in your sandals.
- Powders are another option. One home remedy is dusting the feet with corn starch. You can also try Thursday Plantation Foot Powder (Amazon) to absorb moisture and keep your feet sweat-free.
These basic maintenance steps will help keep feet dry, reducing the sweat your feet produce and keeping your sandals from soaking up sweat.
Still, sometimes regular attention doesn’t stop the problem, and you must dig deeper to solve the ‘wet foot’ mystery.
What Does It Mean When Your Feet Sweat a Lot?
Normal foot sweat cools the body’s core, but some people may sweat more than others.
As discussed above, foot sweat causes include shoe choice or cleanliness, but you may also have a genetic predisposition to excessive foot sweat. To figure out why you struggle with this wetness, address the most accessible culprits first. When interventions fail, seek help.
Excessive foot sweat is called “hyperhidrosis.” Folks plagued with this ailment slosh around in wet shoes and can be embarrassed by soaked footwear. Hyperhidrosis generally begins in childhood, but it can start later in life.
If you have hyperhidrosis, there are medical treatments available. Doctors may prescribe medicine, render botox injections, or schedule surgery to address this condition.
How to Choose the Best Sandals for Sweaty Feet
Once you understand the dynamics of why feet sweat and how to keep your feet healthy, select sandals that maximize airflow, minimize heat, and mitigate bacterial build-up.
As discussed above, toes need room to move around so air can flow. You allow movement when you buy adequately sized shoes.
Shoe companies design their shoes differently, so try them on before you buy them. Otherwise, if you buy shoes online, make sure you can return them if they are the wrong size. Wearing cramped shoes encourages foot sweat.
Some sandals are anti-microbial. These preventative footwear pieces anticipate that grime will accumulate in your sandals, and they have a design that minimizes sweat, dirt, and bacterial growth.
If you ever worry about having sweaty sandals, it is worth investing in antibacterial sandals because these shoes fight off bacteria and keep your feet sweat – and smell-free.
You wouldn’t sit in a hot car with the windows rolled up on a hot day. Similarly, don’t wear plastic sandals that prevent your feet from breathing.
Plastic does not allow airflow to move through it, which creates an environment where your sweat will pool at the bottom of your shoes. So, avoid trendy plastic shoes and select a more natural shoe material like leather or mesh if you have sweaty feet.
Conclusion
It is common for feet to sweat in sandals. However, it can be socially awkward and uncomfortable if your foot sweat is too noticeable. Even worse, your sandals could start producing an embarrassing farting noise.
The best ways to combat sweaty feet in sandals are to rotate new shoes annually, keep feet clean, and utilize moisture-wicking products such as lotions, roll-ons, or powders.
When selecting sandals, ensure that they are the correct size so that your toes have wiggle room. Stay away from plastic sandals that prevent feet from breathing. Pick an anti-microbial option that will stave off bacteria and start you on your path to dry, healthy feet.
Comments are closed.