You say they are about style over function. But then you claim they aren’t all that stylish? 
Crocs are one of the best examples of form & function over style. No one buys them for their style, it’s all about how comfortable they are.
So you don’t like the way they look. The links in your post just showed some people having fun.
You have never worn a pair, yet you claim they are uncomfortable.
You could really use a chill pill.
It’s funny. I never owned open heal clogs. Didn’t see them as very practical for my life living in the mountains where we have snow 6 months out of the year.
I changed my mind. Not because of what some other person considered a good looking shoe, but because my Wife liked them. She got good use out of them.
That’s the key.
You Waverly are a silly goose to care so much about what other people like that you quite obviously know nothing about.
I’m a sillier goose for giving a darn what you think, other to say that sometimes, I like to defend those odd things that come down the pike that I just happen to find useful.
And simple practicality.
A simple, open heal clog, with a strap if you want.
They are great for just knocking about.
I like Keens too. Merrells fit me as well. And Nikes.
I have another option.
Life is good.
I just thought the OP should know that I bought my first pair of Crocs yesterday, thanks in large part to this thread. They’re ORANGE, too, so as to complement the largest proportion of my summer wardrobe. I’ll pick up more pairs when I have the cash.
And boy are they cushy & comfy. No complaints so far.
Jeez. And I used to think you were cool, Scarlett. Well, not really, but I was willing to fake it.
At least post a pic of the orange Crocs so that I can have a laugh.
Here ya go! (Hey, this world can use all the laughs it can get.)
Thanks for being a good sport, but that link doesn’t work.
Dang, I tested it . . . OK, try this one.
Cool. 
Well, since I did such a poor job talking you out of them, I may as well tell you to enjoy them.
I really don’t get why people care what shoes other people wear. I think a lot of Crocs are ugly, but last summer I bought a pair of the knock-off brand for wearing around the lake (dashing from the cottage to the dock, or going in the boat, etc… flip flops let too much dirt onto your feet, fall off too easily, plus I hate having something between my toes–it hurts) and I especially liked that they float. I didn’t find them very comfortable, because my toenails would catch against the inside roof of the shoe. Now before anyone says “good god, cut your nails!” this is right after cutting my nails. They aren’t long, they’re just THICK. So I have a pronounced ridge where the nail drops off, and that would catch on the shoe and it felt icky. I now wonder if the pair I got was just too big? maybe if they weren’t so loose on my feet this wouldn’t be a problem.
Anyway, I hate wearing shoes of any kind, ever. I far, far prefer to be barefoot. I find shoes to be horribly stifling–like wearing ski gloves all the time or a big parka. For this reason, I’d consider getting a better-fitting pair of Crocs and seeing if they work as an errand-running shoe. I hate hate HATE wearing sneakers because they just enclose my foot too much, and they’re too heavy, and I can’t move my toes, etc. If I could find a shoe that was light weight and let me move my foot I’d be happy. Don’t know if Crocs would do that but I’d give them a try. Right now I usually wear Birkenstocks because while they aren’t light, they at least allow me to feel air on my feet and let me wiggle my toes. Do I think they look good? Eh, never really thought about it, since I didn’t buy them for looking good. And if someone is going to fall over and have a seizure because they saw me wearing Birkenstocks (or, gasp, because they SAW MY TOES!!!) then they are welcome to do so. I may point and laugh as they flop around gasping for breath. Anyone that concerned about other people’s appearance really needs therapy.
There are those that admit that they make judgments about people based on appearance, and then there are those that are fooling themselves.
I’m on my feet for 10 hours or more a day…I think this thread has convinced me to buy some Crocs. But since Crocs are specifically forbidden in our company dress code, I thought I’d never be able to wear them at work, with my skirts and dresses…until I clicked on that link to the Prima. Come payday, I’m getting them.
Everybody makes judgements (internally) based on people’s appearance. What I said was anyone that concerned with other people’s appearance. I implied a level that went beyond what a normal person feels. Some of the people in this thread are absurd in their judgmentalness, and petty beyond all reason, and quite willing to push their personal opinions on others.
My Crocs came on Monday. I wore them around the house, to “break them in”–like I’ve had to do every other leather shoe or athletic shoe in my life. So habituated am I by breaking in new shoes, that I even took my old shoes (with orthotics) to work with me in a bag, just in case.
These Crocs are like manna from heaven. I have never worn such a comfortable pair of shoes, ever. I have the Pearl ones (closest I could get to white) with the side vent holes. My feet do NOT ache at the end of the day; my knees do not crack and pop. I’ve worn them for 3 days in a row at work, 8-12 hours at a time. No blisters, no hint of blisters, no heel pain-nothing.
I am sold. The surgical nurses have some wild ones–swirled lime green and acid yellow to just name one. That is not my style, but in an OR, as long as proper cleanliness is adhered to-who cares?
I don’t like the holes on top for practitioners–there is too much risk for spatters and body fluids.
All that said–and a special :dubious: :rolleyes: for the “southern belle” here who must wear uncomfortable heels for what purpose god only knows–I drove past a busy bus stop yesterday. There was a middle aged woman there, dressed in pink Bermuda shorts, tank top and hot pink Crocs. Yes, she did look stupid, but I’ll bet she was comfortable and on a 90+ degree day-more power to her.
I am looking at Croc’s sandals as well, and perhaps some closed toe ones for winter.
I’ll keep my $600 not covered by insurance orthotics for all my other shoes–including my running shoes (not that I run anymore–it hurts too damned much).
Missed the edit window. My point re the breaking in stuff was that from the first moment I put them on, these shoes have been comfortable-no blisters, period.
they’renotreallywhitebutlookithere
I wish they were white–that’s the hardest thing for me (I’m old school and like nurses in white shoes), but they’re a light gray instead. I’ll cope.
And re the whole high heel thing: in the 80s, tons of women started wearing their Reeboks to work and changing into their heels once at the office. To me this means that female fashion needs to adapt a bit to allow more “acceptable” expressions in footwear for professionals etc.
I heard on some news show (I don’t always get to hear the entire news reports due to work), that some healthcare facilities were considering banning crocs for this very reason.
They do make Crocs without those vent holes. If you click on Crocs for Work, you will see that they are going to have a model that has a more closed heel as well. I might get a pair like that for this winter.
The all-terrain ones are the only ones I have any interest in. No exposed heels for meeee.
I might be more open to getting a ballet flat or the fancy sandals for work if they didn’t have the brand name stamped on the straps. That kind of thing is for sneakers.
Actually…checks shoes…if I didn’t tell you that I’m wearing Cherokee sneakers, you wouldn’t know. My feet are not your advertisements. This is for the good of all mankind.