Here's What Podiatrists Think About Your Crocs (2024)

FAQs

Here's What Podiatrists Think About Your Crocs? ›

Long-term wear of Crocs may also cause other serious foot conditions. “You're not thinking about it, but when you're wearing a shoe that wide, you're gripping with your toes, and when you grip with your toes to keep a shoe on, you can get tendonitis, plantar fasciitis and hammertoes in the long-term,” Dr. Barrow notes.

That said, Crocs lack arch support, so exercising, walking for an extended period of time, or working in them is not recommended by foot specialists. The plastic construction may also lead to sweaty, stinky feet and even blisters.

The bottom line

Many people enjoy wearing Crocs. They're lightweight, comfortable, and roomy, which makes them ideal for a range of activities. On the other hand, their lack of arch support can cause issues like plantar fasciitis, while their plastic construction may give you sweaty, smelly feet.

But, as the NY Times said, Crocs continues to grow. They had their best ever year at schuh in 2023, and we expect even bigger things from their astronomical journey in 2024.

When plantar fasciitis starts to become a problem for you, a good pair of arches will make all the difference. Crocs can be a great option because they provide comfort and arch support.

Hospital leaders there cite safety concerns raised after a needle fell through one of the holes and inside the shoe of an employee at a hospital in Tampa.

Overall durability result? We have two robust options for sandals or clogs. Crocs are better around water, and Birkenstock are better for drier conditions.

The bottom line is yes, you can wear socks with Crocs. The style is widely accepted, perhaps more so than wearing socks with sandals or flip flops. (C'mon, are we really still doing that?) Many people like wearing Crocs without socks, though, because it's comfy and cool on their feet.

One of the main reasons nurses prefer clogs is the fact they have no laces. If you're assisting in surgery or carrying sharp instruments, it's difficult to see if your shoes are untied and this could cause an accident.

Unfortunately, the experts say that is a big “No'. According to a recent HuffPost article, Crocs simply aren't suitable for all-day wear. "Unfortunately, Crocs are not suitable for all-day use," Dr. Megan Leahy, a Chicago-based podiatrist with the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute, told HuffPost.

Are Crocs losing popularity? ›

Crocs have been around since 2002 and are the rage once again. The company has sold more than 850 million pairs of shoes since 2002 and ever since the pandemic started, Crocs sales have increased over 200 percent and were considered the “perfect” house shoes.

Turns out, Crocs have reclaimed a spot in the footwear world. The shoes have become a multigenerational footwear staple for many and the brand has collaborated with a range of celebrities — including Post Malone, Justin Bieber and Luke Combs. Crocs are also Amazon's No. 1 best selling shoe, according to Today.

The economic recession of 2008 hit Crocs hard, and they faced significant financial difficulties. In addition to the economic downturn, fashion trends began to change. The bulky, brightly colored Crocs started to fall out of favor as sleeker, more traditional shoes regained popularity.

When the temperature starts to rise and flip-flops abound, Glickman also recommends trying Crocs instead. “Crocs offer more protection for your feet than flip-flops,” says Glickman. “Flip-flops don't provide a lot of arch support; they're open-toed so you can stub your toe and hurt yourself.

Why? Crocs don't secure the heel - like flip flops crocs won't keep your heel in place; when that happens you're going to grip with your toes which can lead to tendinitis, worsening of existing foot problems, and nails issues.

Why We Recommend It. Birkenstocks are a favorite for foot pain thanks to their moldable cork footbed that fits to your foot for complete support. Birkenstock Milano sandals also feature a third strap around the back of the foot for added support, and all three are fully adjustable to keep feet in place.

Crocs are made of a lightweight antimicrobial resin, called Crosslite, designed to mold to the wearer's feet. Wear them all summer, no matter how hot and sticky it gets. Because of Crocs' antibacterial material, they won't be stinky by summer's end.

They reduce the amount of foot fatigue and most importantly back pain that I get when I stand washing dishes on porcelain tiles in my kitchen. Other footwear like slippers can work but honestly I don't believe that they have the same cushioning effect. So if you suffer from foot or low back pain then try some Crocs!