# Crocs (the shoes): what do you think? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 2, 2007, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocs-the-shoes-what-do-you-think/398380 "2007-04-02T03:26:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![scareyfaerie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scareyfaerie/32/3135_2.png) [@scareyfaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scareyfaerie)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2007, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocs-the-shoes-what-do-you-think/398380/21 "2007-04-02T08:51:13Z")
Crocs get my vote for the ugliest and silliest shoes I’ve ever seen. No matter how beneficial they might be, there’s nothing on earth that would get me to leave the house in daylight wearing anything looking like that! ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2007, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocs-the-shoes-what-do-you-think/398380/22 "2007-04-02T08:54:32Z")
Got 'em against my better judgement thanks to a similar thread here. I felt like Mickey Mouse wearing them. My friends and my wife laughed at me, but within a couple of days I was a convert. My wife borrowed mine one day, and now wants a pair of her own. ---
**Author:** ![Girl\_From\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3da27b/32.png) [@Girl\_From\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girl_From_Mars)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2007, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocs-the-shoes-what-do-you-think/398380/23 "2007-04-02T09:57:20Z")
I’ve got a pair of the gold [mary janes](http://shop.crocs.com/pc-34-4-mary-janes.aspx?reqid=34&reqProdTypeId=41p&subsectionname=footwear§ion=products) , which are a whole lot more attractive than the standard ones. I wear them with jeans around on the weekend - good for the summer at the beach, and wandering around the markets, when you want something slightly more protective than thongs, but it’s 35 degrees out. I don’t think I’d wear the others though, too ugly. ---
**Author:** ![Hanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b3f665/32.png) [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2007, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocs-the-shoes-what-do-you-think/398380/24 "2007-04-02T15:25:36Z")
I have a pair of the Crocs flip flops (the Athens). Just be careful where you are wearing them. The first time I had mine on I stopped to take a picture in Big Bend National Park and stepped out of the truck - and promptly got a 1.5 inch thorn that went though the sole of my Crocs and into my toe. I was on the pavement (I would have put my boots on if I had thought I’d be doing anything more than snapping a picture from the road) but I was wearing the flip flops to be comfortable during the endless hours of car travel to the park. Otherwise they’re very nice flip flops. ---
**Author:** ![cherry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cherry)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2007, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocs-the-shoes-what-do-you-think/398380/25 "2007-04-02T17:40:30Z")
[QUOTE=Rubystreak] They need to be wearable to the beach, but not embarrassing to wear elsewhere. I liked my Tevas but they did get kinda stinky, which these apparently don’t, thus the attraction. [/QUOTE] I wouldn’t wear them to the beach if I was walking in the water. If I’m walking only on the sand they are good for that. I have two pairs and love them but when I wore the closed toe ones to the beach a critter got in my crocs and I had to take my foot out so it could walk out and hide in the sand. It got washed into my shoes by the waves and didn’t feel too good. ---
**Author:** ![Spiral\_Stairs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Spiral\_Stairs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiral_Stairs)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2007, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocs-the-shoes-what-do-you-think/398380/26 "2007-04-02T17:49:01Z")
Someday, you Croc-wearers will sit around with your descendants, looking through a photo album, and the children will giggle and point and exclaim, “Grand[ma, pa, etc], what are those things on your feet?” You will respond, “Those were called ‘Crocs.’ They were very popular in the late aughts.” The kids will continue to laugh. “But they make you look so silly!” You will chuckle and say, “Yes, you know, they did. Now, take off your nano-carbon fiber foot sheathes and relax next to gramps.” ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2007, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocs-the-shoes-what-do-you-think/398380/27 "2007-04-02T17:51:25Z")
I’m totally in agreement with the “they’re ugly” camp and I have two pairs. One pair is black and the other is tan. Incredibly comfortable. Seriously ugly. I really want a purple pair. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2007, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocs-the-shoes-what-do-you-think/398380/28 "2007-04-02T18:32:43Z")
They are all the rage for Appalachia Trail thru-hikers and long distance backpackers in general because they weigh next to nothing, are comfortable in camp, and can be used for stream crossing. I’ll pick up a pair this summer at some point. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2007, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocs-the-shoes-what-do-you-think/398380/29 "2007-04-02T19:54:19Z")
You can buy knock offs for about $10. ---
**Author:** ![HubZilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ccd318/32.png) [@HubZilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HubZilla)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2007, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocs-the-shoes-what-do-you-think/398380/30 "2007-04-02T19:58:25Z")
They’re good for kids, because they’re so easy to slip on and off. Plus, you can buy little “Jibbitz” to make them look cooler. My [daughter’s crocs](http://www.dulcemichaelanya.com/anyaChina43.htm) has one with the Univ of Nebraska and Hawaii’s logos. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2007, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocs-the-shoes-what-do-you-think/398380/31 "2007-04-02T20:58:38Z")
Oh, sure, Crocs are cute and comfy, but dey never gonna get dat Zeeba. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2007, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocs-the-shoes-what-do-you-think/398380/32 "2007-04-02T21:06:20Z")
[QUOTE=Shirley Ujest] You can buy knock offs for about $10. [/QUOTE] Yes you can, but if you tell your wife on the phone that you’ve bought her a pair of Crocs and then when you get home and give them to her and later she realises that they’re a pair of £5 Chinese knock-offs and not the real thing you might get in trouble. ^ Voice of experience. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2007, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocs-the-shoes-what-do-you-think/398380/33 "2007-04-02T21:15:04Z")
My mom just bought my husband and I a pair of real Crocs and they are truly ugly but oh-so-comfortable! Mine are brown and his are black, and I can’t wait to wear them in the summer at the pool or beach, or around a campground. They would have been perfect on our cruise back in January, both for on-deck and at the islands we stopped at. I saw a lot of people wearing them then. Mom “discovered” them in PEI last summer, and is slowly buying pairs for everyone in the family. Everyone has the same reaction… and everyone falls in love with them. Yes, they are ugly. But worth it! ---
**Author:** ![MadPansy64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@MadPansy64](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadPansy64)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2007, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocs-the-shoes-what-do-you-think/398380/34 "2007-04-02T21:24:27Z")
It’s a zen thing. One must embrace their uglyness for one’s feet to achieve bliss. I have the “beach” in purple & turquoise, each pair worn at least twice a week for the last 14 months. They are hideous, comfortable, durable and non-stinky. I love my ugly shoes. My sweaty feet love my ugly shoes. The only down side is that they attract a lot of attention and questions, but even that makes waiting on line a little less dull. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2007, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocs-the-shoes-what-do-you-think/398380/35 "2007-04-02T22:20:49Z")
[QUOTE=Rubystreak] Yeah, they’re dopey looking, which is why I have resisted getting them. Also, quite trendy right now. [/QUOTE] No they’re not. They were quite trendy _last_ summer, but not anymore. “But Diosa,” you surely say, “They are in all the stores!” So are Uggs and Uggs have been out for about 3 or 4 years now. That doesn’t detract from the point though. If you like 'em, buy 'em. I think they are ugly as sin and don’t find them to be particularly comfy. ---
**Author:** ![Nightsong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nightsong/32/3083_2.png) [@Nightsong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightsong)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2007, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocs-the-shoes-what-do-you-think/398380/36 "2007-04-02T22:48:22Z")
[QUOTE=Rubystreak] I wear orthotics in my shoes but can’t wear them in open shoes, so this is good to know. [/QUOTE] I’m in the same boat, but I’ve found to my delight I can wear my orthotics with my moc-crocs ($10 at the local discount department store): it’s been ages since I’ve been able to wear a pair of slip-on shoes. The heel cup is just deep enough for them to slide in and dissapear and with the heel strap they don’t flop around enough for people to see the orthotics nestled within. That being said, however, I do think the shoes are rather ugly. If I could find a better looking pair of slip on summer type shoes that I can put my orthotics in, I’d be all over them in a heartbeat! * * * \<\\> ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2007, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocs-the-shoes-what-do-you-think/398380/37 "2007-04-02T22:56:06Z")
I was at the mall with my father during the Christmas holidays a couple of years ago, and we passed by one of those Crocs carts you sometimes see. He asked for my opinion and I said: “They’re the most hideous creation ever made”. He let out a sigh of relief. Apparently, he was planning on getting me a pair for Christmas, since they were all the rave among his elementary school teachers. I was SO happy we decided to go shopping together! I can’t imagine wearing shoes that I thought were ugly. Ugly shoes that are comfortable are still ugly shoes. I guess I’m vain that way. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Woodhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@Miss\_Woodhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Woodhouse)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2007, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocs-the-shoes-what-do-you-think/398380/38 "2007-04-02T23:11:23Z")
They are supremely ugly. the ugliest shoe I’ve seen in years. I love mine. They are light blue Caymens. 🙂 I can’t think of another shoe that fits your needs nearly as well. Just be happy you live in a time when such an ugly, practial shoe is popular and you look cool wearing them. Be careful buying knock offs. Some are good (the Payless version is pretty good) but some are just horrible (don’t buy the Walmart ones!) The good ones are soft and flexible. the bad ones are just stiff and plastic-y. ---
**Author:** ![Caridwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c89c15/32.png) [@Caridwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caridwen)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2007, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocs-the-shoes-what-do-you-think/398380/39 "2007-04-02T23:20:15Z")
I have a pair that I wear for gardening. I’d never wear them out in public. Frankly I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone wearing them in public unless they worked in a hospital. . ---
**Author:** ![PastAllReason](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f07891/32.png) [@PastAllReason](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastAllReason)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2007, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocs-the-shoes-what-do-you-think/398380/40 "2007-04-03T00:27:29Z")
I have a pair in khaki of the type called Endeavor. It’s the closed shoe type, so no holes. They are very comfortable for walking long distances in though I would \*\*never \*\* wear them without socks. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocs-the-shoes-what-do-you-think/398380.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocs-the-shoes-what-do-you-think/398380.md?page=3)