Current Pedorthics | July-August 2018 | Vol.50, Issue 4 | Page 20

What’s All the Flap About Flip-Flops? The flip-flop is an integral part of everyday footwear, especially in warm climates. Despite all the podiatrist’s warnings and research results, medical advice doesn’t seem to have adversely affected the popularity of the current flip-flop trend. The popular flip-flop has its heritage in countries such as Japan, where it originated as the Zori and is now known as the ‘Jandal’ –Japanese sandal. In Hawaii, the flip-flop was known traditionally as Chappals, Qainchi Chappals in India / Pakistan, Thongs in Australia, Slip-Slops in South Africa, Jandals in New Zealand and Slippers, Pluggers, Go-aheads or Chancletas in other regions of the world. In Brazil Havaianas, as they are known, is actually a brand of flip-flops that has been around since 1962. The name means Hawaiians in Portuguese. 18 Pedorthic Footcare Association | www.pedorthics.org AN ENVIRONMENTAL VIEW In its original form in Japan, the Zori sole was fabricated either of woven bamboo or solid wood, both of which are environmentally friendly. Because of growing environmental concerns, some manufacturers have began to sell flip-flops made from recycled inner tubes or car tires, as well as natural materials like hemp, cotton and coconut fibers. Because flip-flops are easily replaced and popularly made from inexpensive materials, such as EVA or MCR (blown rubber) they are frequently discarded at beaches or in the streets. These disposal habits pose more of a problem when flip-flops are made from blown polyurethane. This popular soling material contains a number seven resin which cannot be easily biodegraded and tends to lie in land-fill sites for decades, at least.