You are absolutely right about flip-flops providing no protection. I was wearing flip-flops and tripped off a curb. It ended up that I had dislocated my left foot and broken my left fibula (I was told my x-rays should be in a text book because the bone wasn't just cracked, it had separated and there was about an inch of space between the peices). I had to have surgery to put everything back in place. I had a screw through my ankle and a plate on the fibula. I ended up having to have two additional surgeries due to complications during my recovery. Thankfully, I had a wonderful surgeon who worked with me and truly cared. Now, two years later, I am no longer in pain,