Affect of Flat Shoes on Your Hips

In general, just wearing flat shoes will not throw your hips out of place. Your foot's natural position is flat, and keeping your foot flat is more likely to keep your hips aligned properly. In fact, you are more likely to throw your hips out of alignment by wearing high heels because the height of the heel tips your pelvis forward. Flat shoes are not without their drawbacks, however, and you can experience postural problems from other factors besides the height of the heel.
Proper Fit
Poorly fitting shoes can throw your hips out of alignment because they can adversely affect the way you walk. If your shoes are too big, you may clench your toes to keep your shoes from slipping off. If your shoes are too small, your toes will not have enough room to spread, which can affect your balance. If your balance is off, your hips and knees have to adjust to compensate. Shoe width and height are both important, and shoe sizing depends on the style of shoe. For the best results, measure your foot in the store and take the shoes for a test drive on a variety of surfaces.
Proper Support
Some flat shoes may not offer proper support around the heel and ankle. If the heels and ankles wobble, that can lead to misalignment in your knees and hips. Improper support could be the result of the materials around your heels and ankles, or the design of the sole of the shoe. For example, flat shoes that have a narrow heel provide less support than those with a broad heel. Sandals and flip-flops that have open heels have no material to support or stabilize the ankles and heels.
Tread Type
The type of tread determines how well you walk on different surfaces. If the tread is too smooth, you will alter your gait to avoid slipping. Altering your gait can throw your hips out of alignment. Athletic shoes have a textured tread to provide traction on a variety of surfaces. Dress shoes may have no tread and increase your chances of slipping. If your shoes do not have adequate tread, purchase non-slip grip pads to stick onto the soles of your shoes.
Considerations
Whether high-heeled or flat, shoes can cause postural problems and throw your hips out of alignment. When wearing flat shoes, ensure that the shoe conforms to the shape of your foot and that there is 3/8 to ½ inch of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. The ball of your foot should fit snugly, but not tightly, into the widest part of the shoe, and your heel should fit comfortably with minimum slippage. Do not buy shoes that are too short or narrow because they will not stretch to fit.