A Singapore-based podiatrist known on TikTok as "paulthepodiatrist" has identified 5 women's shoe styles that he refuses to wear, citing serious risks to foot health. From Crocs to stiletto heels, his verdict challenges some of the most popular footwear choices — and the reasons are more serious than you might expect.
Summer is the season when shoe choices tend to get more casual, and feet more exposed. Sandals, slip-ons, platform mules — the warm-weather wardrobe often prioritizes style and convenience over support. But Paul, a podiatrist based in Singapore who built a following on TikTok under the handle "paulthepodiatrist", argues that some of those everyday choices carry real consequences for your feet, ankles, and long-term mobility.
Across two TikTok videos tagged with hashtags including #foothealth, #footpain, and #podiatrist, Paul laid out his professional blacklist: five shoe styles he will never recommend, and the specific damage each one can cause. His breakdown cuts through the noise of seasonal trends and lands on some uncomfortable truths about footwear we've all owned at some point.
Crocs and flat sandals: comfort myths that damage your feet
Why Crocs are riskier than they look
Crocs have become a cultural staple, worn everywhere from hospital corridors to beach boardwalks. But Paul's assessment is blunt: these shoes are structurally inadequate. The main problems are instability and fragility. The soft, flexible material of Crocs provides almost no lateral support, which puts constant low-level strain on the muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the foot. Over time, that strain accumulates. For people with naturally flexible feet, the risks are amplified, since the foot already lacks inherent structural rigidity and relies more heavily on footwear to compensate.
The hidden dangers of flat flip-flops
Flat flip-flops and thong sandals seem harmless — and they're everywhere in summer. But the issue isn't just the lack of arch support. Paul points to two distinct problems: long-term toe pain caused by the constant gripping motion required to keep the shoe on, and a risk of slipping that's easy to underestimate. When feet swell in the heat (a common occurrence during warmer months), flat sandals become even less stable. If you're already prone to rolling your ankle, this shoe category is one to approach with real caution. For those looking to keep their feet in good shape between seasons, a solid at-home pedicure routine is a good complement to smarter footwear choices.
Slip-on sneakers and platform mules: the ankle-injury risk is real
Slip-on sneakers and the toe-gripping problem
Slip-on sneakers without laces score points for convenience. But Paul flags a mechanical issue that most wearers never consciously notice: without laces to secure the shoe, the toes unconsciously grip the insole to prevent the shoe from slipping off. This involuntary clenching movement, repeated with every step, creates chronic tension in the toe tendons and contributes to poor ankle stability. The ankle, deprived of the structural support that a well-laced shoe provides, is left to manage lateral forces on its own. And it doesn't always manage them well.
Platform mules and the fracture risk no one talks about
Platform mules are having a moment in fashion right now, but the podiatrist's warning here is the most severe on the list. The combination of an elevated platform and an open back creates a shoe that is fundamentally unstable. Paul identifies two major risks: ankle sprains and bone fractures. The elevated sole shifts the body's center of gravity forward, while the absence of a heel strap means the foot can slide or twist without warning. For anyone who has a history of ankle instability or rolling, platform mules represent a genuine injury hazard.
People with very flexible feet or a tendency to roll their ankles are at higher risk with all five shoe styles identified by Paul. The risks are not theoretical — they reflect real biomechanical patterns observed in clinical practice.
Stiletto heels: the classic villain of foot health
Stiletto heels close the list, and their inclusion will surprise no one who has worn a pair for more than an hour. But Paul's critique is precise. The problem isn't just the height — it's the excessive pressure concentrated at the front of the foot combined with the lack of rear support. A stiletto forces the entire body weight forward onto the metatarsals, the small bones at the ball of the foot that are not designed to bear that kind of sustained load. The heel counter, meanwhile, provides almost no grip or stabilization, leaving the ankle to compensate.
The long-term consequences of regular stiletto wear are well-documented in podiatric literature: metatarsalgia (pain and inflammation at the ball of the foot), nerve compression, and progressive changes to foot posture. Paul's position is clear — this is a shoe style that consistently works against the natural mechanics of the foot.
- Lace-up sneakers with structured arch support
- Sandals with heel straps and contoured footbeds
- Low-heeled shoes with wide toe boxes
- Footwear with firm lateral support for flexible feet
- Crocs (muscle and tendon strain)
- Flat flip-flops (toe pain, slip risk)
- Slip-on sneakers (ankle instability, toe gripping)
- Platform mules (sprain and fracture risk)
- Stiletto heels (forefoot pressure, poor rear support)
The broader point Paul makes across his two-part TikTok series is that foot pain is rarely random. It follows patterns, and those patterns are often tied directly to the shoes we choose. Fashion and foot health don't have to be mutually exclusive — but making informed choices requires knowing what the risks actually are. If you're rethinking your shoe wardrobe this season, it's also worth considering which shoe styles are currently earning podiatrist approval as genuinely supportive options. The feet carry the full weight of every step you take — and the shoes you put on them matter more than most people realize.
