Footwear debate: Jandals v Crocs

Podiatrists have their heel on the neck of the defenceless jandal, warning against the dangers of prolonged use of the ubiquitous summer footwear. Some experts are weighing in on the side of the Croc the multi-coloured rubber clog many see as the nadir of Western fashion crimes saying it is a more supportive, less damaging summer scuff.
Masterton mother/daughter duo Lesley Goodall (wearing jandals) and daughter Joletta (sporting Crocs) were out enjoying lunch yesterday and spoke to the Times-Age on the merits or otherwise of the two competing open-air loafers.
"I love Crocs but they make my feet sweaty," Joletta, who wears her Crocs throughout summer, said.
Mrs Goodall said she had only recently returned to jandal wearing last summer after 20 years of abstinence.
Although she realised they were not good for the foot, she said comfort and coolness were the qualities that brought her back to the rubber flip-flops of her youth.
"I only wear them for about an hour a day after wearing solid shoes all day at work, they're just comfy and my feet can breath when I put them in the old wandals (sic)."
Travelling Wairarapa podiatrist Les Jonsson said the main problem with both jandals and Crocs is their lack of rigid support.
"The problem is the soft material & as you go through the various range of motions it leads to sprains, strains and joint discomfort particularly in the knees, feet and ankles," Mr Jonsson said. "Crocs and jandals should only be worn briefly around the pool, in the shower or into the yard besides that people should be using a more supportive leather sandal."
Mr Jonsson did admit to owning a pair of Crocs but said he only used them while travelling to avoid fungal infections in showers.
He said from this time of year he typically began to see a spike in complaints directly related to the wearing of non-supportive footwear like jandals and Crocs.
"People love their jandals, it's a real Kiwi thing and I'm not knocking it everything in moderation but we do tend to overdo it."