Rubber thongs may be your favorite grab-and-go summer footwear, but for the long haul, you need a sandal with more support.

"While flip-flops may be the 'go to,' quick and convenient summer shoegear for some, they are not ideal for prolonged wear," says Dr. Barbara A. Davis, a podiatrist at Gilbert Podiatry Associates in Gilbert."Flip-flops do not provide the adequate support needed, which may lead to flat feet and related problems such as bunions, plantar fasciitis, tendinitis, etc. Their thin soles do not provide adequate shock absorption."Davis says that this could lead to stress being transmitted to the musculoskeletal system, which could cause knee, hip and back pain.And that's not all."They also could potentially cause trauma due to pulling apart."Davis says if you must wear flip-flops, save them for around the pool or at the beach, and not as primary footwear.If you are going to wear sandals, Davis says to look for something with a supportive arch."A strappy sandal helps keep the shoe on the foot with less chance of injury," she says.But be careful when it comes to heel height."The ankle joint is unstable in high-heeled sandals, and the majority of the body's weight is on the ball of the foot," says Davis. "This can lead to ankle sprains and metatarsalgia (pain or inflammation in the ball of the foot)."Since it's summer, maybe you just want to forget shoes altogether and step out au naturel (at least on your feet).Not so fast, says the doctor."In some areas of the world, going barefoot is the way of life. In our society, however, our feet are conditioned to shoegear and going barefoot may be difficult for some," says Davis."There is also the concern of infection and injury including warts (caused by viruses), ticks, athlete's foot (caused by fungus), hookworm (a parasite), and even foreign bodies (glass, nails, etc.) After going barefoot, the feet should be washed well and inspected, both the soles and between the toes.Just remember, when it comes to your feet, make sure to use your head.