Are Crocs good for your feet?

Love them or hate them, Crocs are everywhere. Let’s talk about whether Crocs are good for your feet. 

Quick History of Crocs 

Crocs were originally created in 2002 as an ideal shoe for boaters. They’re made from a lightweight, waterproof material called Croslite that can be easily hosed off. Plus they a grippy sole and offer great foot protection. 

By 2006, Crocs had a taken off in a big way; everyone was wearing Crocs.  

Over 720 million pairs have been sold since inception, with about 150 million pairs now sold each year (that’s insane!). I don’t doubt it; when I walk through the halls of my child’s school, it seems like half of the kids are wearing them (cutely adorned with their Jibbitz, of course).  

With their widespread use, it’s worth asking if a shoe that was originally intended for limited use by boaters is really meant to be worn as an everyday shoe.  

Table of Contents:

I. What to look for in a shoe that is good for your feet

II. Pros to Crocs

III. Cons to Crocs

IV. Barefoot shoes like Crocs

Note: This post contains affiliate links. This means if you click on one of them, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

What to look for in a shoe that is good for your feet 

There are five things I look for in a healthy shoe: a wide, foot-shaped toe box, a thin, flat and flexible sole, and something that securely attaches to the foot. Let’s see how Crocs foam clogs compare to these features and see how they measure up. 

---

Pros: Features that are good for your feet 

Wide toe box 

Crocs have a wide, foot-shaped toe box. As most shoes today feature a narrow, tapered toe box that suqishes your toes together and is very uncomfortable, it’s no surprise that so many people love their Crocs.  

Lightweight 

Another reason people love their Crocs is that they’re superlightweight. They’re basically foam! No one wants to be dragging around heavy shoes. 

---

Cons: Features that aren’t so great for your feet 

When we’re talking about what makes shoes good for your feet and body, there are a few ways that Crocs fall short.  

Don’t secure well to the foot

One of the biggest issues with Crocs is that they don’t secure well to the heel, even in sports mode. When shoes are loose, our feet tend to compensate by using our toes to grip, trying the keep the shoe on. This can lead to tendinitis, hammer toes, or a trip and fall if you try to run in them, which I see kids trying to do pretty often. 

Heel-to-toe drop 

Next, Crocs are not flat. They have a heel drop of about 8mm, which means your body must adjust for this elevated heel.  

A heel drop changes our natural walking gait, often leading to a harder heel strike and more stress on the knees and hips. While some changes may seem inconsequential after wearing Crocs for a few minutes, the repeated patterns can start to wear on our body over time. 

Lots of cushion 

Most people think lots of cushion is a good think, but that big brick of foam that makes Crocs so cushy also means there isn’t much ground feel. Such a thick sole basically muffles what 200,000 plus nerve endings in our feet could be feeling and communicating to the rest of our body about our environment. It also means less flexibility, so our feet can’t move and bend in the same way as when we’re barefoot. Instead of the foot rolling through its natural motion, you’ll likely change your walking gait based on the limits of the shoe. 

If you prefer a video discussing if Crocs are good for your feet, check out this reel on Instagram.

---

To conclude, are Crocs good for your feet? 

For me, the goal is natural foot and body function, so Crocs aren’t a shoe that I’m going to be wearing regularly. 

And before you say something like, “well, you’ll have to pry them from my cold, dead hands…” I’m not coming after your shoes. I hesitate making posts like this that are calling out a specific brand, especially one so beloved as Crocs. If you love them and you’re meeting your personal goals for health and quality of life, then great! Keep doing what you’re doing!

But if your feet and body haven’t feeling the best and you do want to move towards more natural foot function, that’s what this whole website is about. Let me be your guide as you look for healthier shoes and learn how to strengthen your feet and body.

Crocs can be a good option for short amounts of time when you need a non-slip sole or want to rinse them off after, like on a boat, gardening, or a trip to the pool. But for all day, try a healthy shoe that has enough room for your toes, securely attaches to your foot, and lets your feet walk, run and move like they do when barefoot. 

So, what shoes are better for your feet?

Shoes that are better for your feet are called barefoot shoes….since they let you walk and move like when you are barefoot. They meet all the five criteria I laid out at the top of the post. If you want more information on barefoot shoes, tips on finding the best ones for your feet, and how to make the transition, then you’re in the right spot! You’ll find all of the resources you need right here on the Barefoot Shoe Guide.

---

Barefoot Shoe Alternatives to Crocs

I. Vivobarefoot Ultra Bloom

Toddler US Size 9 – Men’s 15 | Retail: $68-120 | Code KELLY10 for 10% off | Code KELLY20 for 20% off in May 2024 |  Shop Vivobarefoot 

Code KELLY10 for 10% off

Barefoot shoes in general are a better alternative to Crocs, but if you want to keep almost all of the same features of crocs, just with a thinner, flatter sole, then check out the Vivobarefoot Ultra Bloom or the Vivobarefoot Ultra III. The Ultras are water-shoes made with sustainable algae Bloom foam. They’re flexible and durable They’re also full of holes so any water can drain out and the shoes can dry quickly. These shoes are available in toddler to adult sizes.

II. Ten Little Splash Sandals

US Sizes Toddler 4 – 13 | Retail: $39 | Shop Ten Little 

These minimalist sandals are a great replacement for both Crocs or Natives for toddlers and little kids. They’re made from EVA foam, so they’re very lightweight and very flexible. They work well as a sandal for the pool or the splash pad.

Similar to Crocs and the Jibbitz charms, you can get extra charms to adorn the velcro strap on your splash sandals–choose from stars, rainbows and rocket ships.