The sun. The heat. The swimsuit-model pool parties. (You don't have those?) It's hard not to look forward to the laundry list of perks that summer’s got in store, especially with Memorial Day just over a week away. But before you can indulge in all that out-of-office goodness, there are some important preparatory measures that must be taken. And we’re not just talking about getting your body into Gronk-level shape—though it certainly wouldn’t hurt. We're referring specifically to your feet, and everything you need to do to prime them to see the light of day.

Now, maybe you’re simply not comfortable with someone getting up close and personal with your digits. Or maybe you’re just more of a D.I.Y. kind of guy. Whatever the case may be, if you’ve decided to ignore our prior advice and forgo stopping by your local nail salon for a Kobe-approved pedicure, then there’s more than a little work to be done before you take the liberty of kicking your shoes off and donning a pair of flip-flops this upcoming long weekend. Here, your step-by-step guide to remedying the situation at the end of your legs.

Buckler’s Chapped Skin Remedy, $19, shopspring.com

Soften Your SolesWe’re going to guess that last fall, once the temperature dipped, you shoved your feet into a pair of socks and never looked back. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, mind you; we’ve definitely done the same at some point. But, in all likelihood, six stowed-away months will have the skin on your soles cracked and dry beyond recognition. So before you even think about slipping into sandals, you'd better give that skin the attention it’s been lacking. A heavy-duty moisturizer like Buckler’s Chapped Skin Remedy will definitely help with that, as will a hearty scrubbing with an exfoliating pumice stone, which will help to beat back calluses and smooth your soles in no time.

Remington 4-in-1 Vacuum Trimmer, $69, macys.com

Tame the StraysThere’s nothing inherently wrong with having some hair on your feet. Those follicles may very well become a problem, though, if left unchecked, drawing attention away from the parts of your body you’ve worked so hard to hone in time for swimsuit season (i.e., literally any other part of your body). Luckily, there’s an easy solution: Simply grab whatever you use to manscape, set the guard to approximately half an inch, and buzz back the bush on your toes. Don’t already have a trimmer? Might we suggest this option with a built-in vacuum by Remington. Cleanup has never been easier.

The Art of Shaving 7-Piece Manicure Set, $160, bergdorfgoodman.com

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Refine Your Nail GameNo matter how adept you are at maintaining the skin and hair on your hooves, all that hard work goes to shit if you don’t treat your toenails to a touch of TLC. That means starting the summer with a thorough clip, clean, and file and following up regularly as the season progresses. Don’t think you can keep it up? Try investing in a manicure kit; the expense alone will guilt you into using it more often.

Jack Black Dry Down Powder, $20, macys.com

Deodorize Your ToesAnd now for the final piece of the puzzle: smell. It happens to the best of us, especially after a long winter and wet spring in weatherproof boots and shoes all day. But that doesn’t mean that it has to win. Depending on the severity of the problem, any number of measures may help ease your foot stink, but a good place to start is with sweat—get perspiration in check, and it’s likely that odor will improve.

And if it doesn’t, well, you can always put your shoes back on.

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