Jelly shoes are trendy again — a podiatrist explains what they actually do to your feet

NBC Selected independently determines what we cover and recommend. When you click on or buy through our links, we earn a commission. Learn more.FYIJelly shoes are trendy again — but are they bad for your feet? A podiatrist explainsThe ‘90s shoe is making a major comeback, but foot health experts warn that they may cause discomfort and other issues.July 30, 2026, 12:05 PM EDTBethany HeitmanCommerce EditorSkip to table of contentsOne of the biggest issues with jelly shoes is their lack of support, so podiatrists suggest looking for options with built-in arches. In this articleAre jelly shoes bad for your feet?When should you wear jelly shoes?Jelly shoes that won’t hurt your feetHow to shop for jelly shoes that won’t hurt your feetFrequently asked questionsMeet our foot health expertWhy trust NBC Selected?See 4 MoreWe don’t always have the answers, but we have some people on speed dial who do — which is why we present to you our series FYI where we have experts explain if lip balm is actually bad, how often you should wash your hair and more.Jelly flats are having a major moment this summer, and it’s easy to see why: the playful, translucent shoes offer trendy’90s nostalgia and they go with tons of different looks. But before you add a pair to your cart, it’s worth pausing to ask the obvious question: Are jelly shoes actually comfortable to wear, or just fun to look at? I asked podiatrists to weigh in on whether this trend is safe for your feet — or something you should limit to occasional use.Are jelly shoes bad for your feet? The short answer: Jelly shoes are not inherently bad for your feet, but they do come with some real caveats. Because jelly shoes are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or similar plastics, they don’t offer the same flexibility as more traditional shoe materials. “I’ve personally experienced blisters from these types of shoes,” says Dr. Samantha Landau, a podiatrist and professor at New York College of Podiatric Medicine at Touro University. “The...