When I first laid eyes on a pair of Crocs they were at the airport on the feet of my fresh from Florida parents. I couldn't help laughing at them because they were so ugly. My Mom was wearing a pair of bright pink Crocs and my Dad a pair of "oh so manly tan" ones. I can just see the salesman saying "wait sir we can fit you into a pair also, do you like black or tan".
I thought it was a joke or maybe some street hustler took them for their money like the peddler in who sold Jack a few beans for a cow. Now keep in mind this was a few years ago and up here in Maine fashion comes slow. We tend to embrace the practical over the flashy, fashion of the moment. If it is from LL Bean usually that's good enough for us and besides if it fails after 10 years of wear we can get a free replacement because we expect clothes to last and last and not go in and out of style every season.
Back to the Crocs, I've since seen quite a bunch of Crocs around on just about every age from toddler to senior citizen, in every color imaginable and in every season. Some kids don't ever seem to take them off.
The reason is that beyond the outlandish colors these sandals come in (and the clunky clown show look to them), deep down they are extremely practical and comfortable. They are feather-light, soft and squishy and they breath. Also, very importantly here on the coast, they are waterproof. You can easily take them kayaking or sloshing around in the garden or woods.
So yes, they look absolutely ridiculous on a non-circus individual but its function over form. For people who are on their feet all day, people with foot problems, people with sweaty feet or someone looking for waterproof sandal these Crocs are perfect.
Now on the downside I've seen a lot of "Croc Abuse" going on. Because these shoes are so comfortable some people don't take them off even when a different kind of shoe would make more sense. For example I've seen people climbing the trails in Acadia National Park in their Crocs. I've seen kids running around the playground in Crocs. Kids playing sports in Crocs. (And kids falling on their faces in Crocs).
Crocs are good for general walking but they don't have the ankle support needed for hiking and they don't have the traction for tearing around the playground or climbing slippery rocks. Wearing the wrong footwear can lead to serious injury and falls. Also Crocs are a casual shoe and have no place at fancy restaurants or night clubs!
So be warned! Once you try Crocs you might never want to wear another shoe even to the point of endangerment! (Both physical and social!)
The reviewer comes clean:
I admit it. I've wore ugly shoes for the sake of comfort. Back at the university I wore Doc Martin's. (A lot of people did and still do - in fact they are the standard issue shoe of the punk "alternative" uniform). Anyway they looked like Frankenstein shoes. But they were roomy and comfortable.
Available in whole sizes and medium width only Ventilation ports increase breathability and filter water and debris away from the footbed Footbed conf...More at Amazon
Available in whole sizes and medium width only Ventilation ports increase breathability and filter water and debris away from the footbed Footbed conf...More at Amazon
Available in whole sizes and medium width only Ventilation ports increase breathability and filter water and debris away from the footbed Footbed conf...More at Amazon
Available in whole sizes and medium width only Ventilation ports increase breathability and filter water and debris away from the footbed Footbed conf...More at Amazon
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