Why don't sandals fasten on the inside of the ankle?

[LadyOfTheCanyon]

I'm still relatively flexible thankfully but I simply can't see the logic in sandals and shoes having the fastening on the outside of the ankle which necessitates a really awkward stretch around the foot, whereas a buckle on the inner ankle would be easier all round.

Is there a reason for this that is really obvious and I just can't see it?

I haven't found a way to do them up where my hand isn't obscuring what I'm trying to do, so half the time I'm doing it blind.

The buckles scrape together when you do things like walking up castle staircases and you learn to fly with your ankles attached to each other.

Pestilentialone is correct, it's to stop them catching and tripping you

If they're on the inside of your ankle then they catch each other and break/trip you up, and they catch the skin on the opposite leg/ankle.

Sandals should do up in the middle, at the front. But then the designers aren't happy cos the buckles need to be part of the design

I can see the logic of that, but people trip over shoelaces all the time and there isn't a movement to design all shoes with Velcro straps to avoid that! I couldn't tell you the last time my ankles rubbed together when I was walking!

I have the most fabulous pair of sandals with a closed heel which has a small vertical zip. So easy to put on and no annoying buckle!

I would also end up scraping bits off my ankle if the buckles were on the inside, as I have done similar with the zips on my boots. I usually just leave my sandals done up and put them over the backs of my heels. If the leather is soft, it's easy enough and I've only ever broken one pair this way ....