Summer Tips: How to Walk On The Hot Sand Like A Pro

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by Sana Bun

Summer Tips: How to Walk On The Hot Sand Like A Pro

31 May 2024

Have you ever felt like you were tiptoeing across a burning lava field instead of a beautiful beach? This awkward dance of quick steps and desperate hops, all while trying not to scream "ouch" with every move, is a struggle familiar to every beachgoer. If memories of this painful experience resonate with your summertime trauma as well, join us as we tackle the age-old problem. In this article, we navigate the scorching sands without looking like you are auditioning for a hot potato contest and offer tips to keep your feet cool and your dignity intact.

Genius is simplicity: don’t walk barefoot.

Jokes apart — putting your unprotected feet on sand can cause burns, blisters, injuries, and dehydration. You definitely don’t need this during your summer holidays or any other time of the year.

Pull on a pair of shoes that protect your feet from sand, gravel, and sharp objects. They should also be flexible and stable enough to prevent your ankles from twisting on uneven surfaces, so the most common beach staple, a.k.a. flip-flops, might not be the best idea. Instead, try sandals with anatomically moulded soles, water shoes, or even beach socks.

Nike, Camper, Beach & Bandits. Source: sivasdescalzo.com, camper.com, beachandbandits.com

Another general recommendation is to choose the time for seaside getaways wisely. Hit the beach early in the morning or late afternoon — the sun exposure in line with the sand temperature and crowdedness will be less intense.

If you end up finding yourself under the burning sun with no shoes in easy reach, look around. Maybe there is a special wooden pathway, shade, or wet sand to walk on — these areas are cooler.

In case fortune turns away from you again, be the architect of your own destiny and build a bridge to freedom (or wherever you want to be) using beach towels or mats. As an alternative, spray some water on the sand or your soles. Compared to human skin, water has a higher heat capacity, so a little splash will cool them down and increase the amount of time you can handle hot sand before reaching the point where it burns your feet.

With no access to improvised resources, there is only one thing to be done. Run and run fast!

by Sana Bun