Are Jelly Shoes Good For Your Feet ? [Know Before You Buy]

Jelly shoes are an unexpected twist in the world of footwear.

Back in the 80s and 90s, they were pretty popular, mainly for children and women, but then they sort of disappeared. A quick jump ahead reveals that this type of footwear has made one of the most surprising comebacks in recent years.

Although this isn’t particularly surprising given that fashion fads tend to cycle back around after a while, this time around, jelly shoes have managed to reach consumers of all ages and genders.

But this time, a question has been raised by many, are jelly shoes good for your feet?

Even though jelly shoes are comfortable and lightweight, they are not good for your feet as they can cause painful blisters if worn for long periods, especially in summer. This is because they are made of PVC plastic, they get hot very easily, and don’t provide much balance.

To understand how jelly shoes work and their pros and cons, I have jotted everything down in this article, so give it a read till the end.

What Are Jelly Shoes?

Before I tell you about the good and bad of Jelly shoes, let me first tell you what Jelly shoes actually are.

Jelly shoes are a type of footwear that is manufactured using polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic. They get their name because of the material, which is semi-transparent and has a gloss that is similar to that of jelly.

They can be of many different structures and designs, including heels and flats.

But typically, the top portion of these shoes consists of numerous straps that secure the footwear to the wearer’s feet, and the heel strap may or may not include a clasp, depending on the design of the shoe.

Check out our separate post Do Crocs Make Your Feet Stink.

What Are The Pros Of Jelly Shoes?

Now, before purchasing anything (including footwear), we tend to measure out the pros and cons.

So, when it comes to getting jelly shoes, what are the pros? What are the advantages of jelly shoes?

Well, I have mentioned them for your convenience below.

They Are Cheap

Let’s face it, everyone loves stuff that is affordable and cheap. Jelly shoes are just that.

Jelly shoes, since they are made of plastic, are very cheap and easy on the wallet.

Back in the 80s and 90s, they sold for as low as one dollar per pair!

So, for those who want an affordable pair of lightweight shoes for summer or spring, they are a good option.

Also read, Does Converse Make Your Feet Look Huge.

They Are Lightweight

Jelly shoes are very lightweight compared to shoes made of other natural materials.

They are so lightweight that they don’t even weigh a kilo, just a few ounces.

The use of plastic results in the jelly shoes being exceptionally lightweight. Due to the fact that they are constructed entirely of plastic, they do not weigh very much.

There is not a single stitch, seam, piece of suede or leather material, or any other type of additional design to these jelly shoes.

This makes them excellent for all those lazy and quiet days when you would want your feet to breathe while you unwind. It is one of the key reasons why most children were allowed to wear these shoes since they could easily run around and play while donning them.

They Are Waterproof

One of the best qualities of jelly shoes is that they are waterproof.

Since plastic does not absorb water, these jelly shoes being made entirely of plastic are waterproof.

So, if you are going to the beach and don’t like walking barefoot or wearing flip-flops, then they are a great option for you.

You may like Do Crocs Make Your Feet Sweat.

They Are Durable

The next good thing about jelly shoes is that they are durable.

As you know, plastic is very long-lasting and pretty indestructible. So, jelly shoes, being made of plastic, are also very durable and will last you a long time.

So, if you get yourself a pair in the right size and your feet don’t grow in the coming years, you can use your jelly shoes with no worries.

They Are Easy To Clean

Cleaning shoes can get exhausting, but cleaning jelly shoes is pretty simple and easy.

The plastic material is not as prone to collecting dirt and grime as the materials used in other types of shoes. They may get stained, but the stain is also easily removable – so, there’s no need for you to stress over getting them cleaned.

What Are The Cons Of Jelly Shoes?

Now that you know the good parts of jelly shoes, what are the bad parts or disadvantages of getting jelly shoes?

They are as below:

They Are Not Breathable

Since jelly shoes are made of plastic and plastic is non-porous, jelly shoes are not breathable.

This means they do not allow air to pass through as effectively.

Due to this, your feet tend to sweat when wearing jelly shoes, and they don’t dry out easily because of the lack of breathability of the material.

Check out our separate post: Do Uggs Make Your Feet Sweat.

In hot summers, the jelly shoes can get really hot and your feet can get really sweaty due to this.

They Can Cause Blisters

Probably one of the worst things about jelly shoes is the fact that they can cause really painful blisters on your feet.

If you wear them for long, especially in hot summers, then they will result in unpleasant, painful blisters.

Blisters are caused by the fact that the PVC plastic, particularly the straps, can be irritating to the skin of the feet.

Friction is another factor that contributes to blister formation. Walking in these shoes, particularly on a warm day, can create blisters due to the frequent rubbing that occurs.

They Do Not Help Maintain Balance

The jelly shoes don’t help much when it comes to balance because they may result in you losing balance sometimes. And like you know, it is because of the material used – plastic.

The plastic does not absorb perspiration as other materials do. As a consequence, people who sweat a lot are likely to find that these shoes get slippery very rapidly.

As a direct result of this, the likelihood of you losing your balance or sliding and falling is increased.

They Can Feel Uncomfortable

The thing about jelly shoes is that since they are made of plastic, they can get quite uncomfortable to wear and walk in from time to time.

This is due to the hardness of the plastic, the friction created, and the bruises, as well as the nonporous characteristic of the material that causes the feet to sweat and get slippery.

While you can wear them in the summer, the heat can cause the shoes to get really hot and unpleasant.

FAQs

Are Jelly Shoes Bad For The Environment?

Yes, Jelly shoes are bad for the environment.

Since they are made of plastic, which is non-biodegradable, they also fall in the same category.

Moreover, many toxic chemicals are used while manufacturing these shoes which add to their unfavorable environmental after effects.

Do Jelly Shoes Make Your Feet Smell?

Yes, Jelly shoes make your feet smell, especially if you generally have sweaty feet.

Since plastic is nonporous, it makes your feet sweat. As your feet sweat and do not dry out effectively, the bacteria and fungi feed on the sweat and produce bad and unpleasant feet odor.

Conclusion

Stating whether jelly shoes are okay to be worn or not is a difficult job considering their popularity and demand. But I believe it is safe to say that you must be cautious of blisters and cuts if you wear them often.

Many people love these shoes, and abandoning them may be tough. If you have sweaty feet, I recommend you refrain from buying them.

But if you like them a lot, get yourself a pair. Just be careful about the blisters.

Was this informative article helpful? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.