Crocs may or may not be bad for your feet, depending on the activities and the duration you choose for them, and your foot health. How so? We’ll get into it in a moment!
Many Crocs users vouch for how comfortable these shoes are. Although your Crocs may be cozy and easy to slip on, they are not the best footwear for your feet, according to some podiatrists. They don’t provide the best foot support, nor the best security and stability.
If you have been wearing Crocs all this time despite them being called ugly and all the bad press, it might be time to reconsider. Are Crocs bad for your feet?
In this article, we’ll be discussing why Crocs may not be the best footwear option, when to wear them and when not, and more! Keep reading to find out!
Can wearing Crocs damage your feet?
Crocs don’t damage your feet, but if worn frequently, they can be detrimental according to some podiatrists. Podiatrists advise that despite their comfort, they are actually bad for your feet and can lead to tendon inflammation, callus formation, corns, and other issues.
“Unfortunately, Crocs are not suitable for all-day use,” according to Megan Leahy, a Chicago-based podiatrist. However, it’s not like you should always avoid Crocs, you can wear them, but you have to consider your activities and the surroundings.
How Crocs Can Cause Damage To Your Feet
According to footwear and ankle surgeon, Dr. Jason George DeVries,
“While Crocs and other unsupportive shoes may feel good on the feet, allowing air to circulate and your feet to breathe, the danger lies in the fact that these forms of footwear offer little to no support. That often leads to twisted ankles, irritated feet, and general overload. The foot has to work that much harder because the support offered by a closed shoe just isn’t there.”
Crocs have an open-heel design, mostly the back of the shoe remains exposed. Also, the toes’ have the propensity to hold the front of the shoe since the back sections of the shoe don’t provide enough support. Additionally, the flexible shank may cause pain and other foot-related problems to arise.
When To Wear Them
As long as Crocs don’t hurt your feet, wearing them on some occasions is ok. When you are just running a quick errand and won’t be standing for a long period of time, Crocs are just fine to do work. Here are some activities which suit Crocs:
- They work well as all-day casual wear, for running errands and wearing out and about.
- They are also good for wearing around the house and doing chores at home.
- You can do light and low-impact activities and exercise like walking a specific distance, or yoga.
- Crocs also work effectively as gardening shoes and beach shoes.
- Crocs are pretty wide, so they can be beneficial if your foot is swollen as a result of an injury or from traveling.
- There are endless collections to play around with in the Crocs line-up of platforms, slides, sandals, and other types of footwear, which you can style for various occasions or as street fashion.
When to Skip Them
Opting for regular use of Crocs irrespective of the activities you are engaged in have some negative effect. So sometimes, Crocs are not good for your feet. Let’s take a look at when to skip your Crocs.
- When Engaged In Prolonged Standing Or Walking
Given that they do not offer enough cushioning when worn for an extended amount of time, Crocs are more suitable for short-term wear.
Your feet’s soles and heel pads have to take greater strain during active muscle contractions when Crocs are worn during walking or even standing for long hours. They can cause foot issues like corns and calluses and can make your pre-existing foot conditions worse. Also, they can’t provide the support you need for long-term use.
- While Hiking Or Mountain Biking
Some advantages of Crocs are their comfort, quick drying nature, and breathability, for which many of you might think they are a good choice for hiking. However, the fact that they offer little to no support, are slippery when wet, and might result in blisters should also be taken into consideration. So it’s better to say Crocs are not a good choice for adventurous activities.
Leave the Crocs at home if you intend to travel across any difficult terrain, such as snow, scree, or sharp rocks. Even decent hiking sandals are preferable to wearing Crocs on the hike because they provide more traction and stability.
- During Intense Workout
Comfort and support both are important when exercising. Given their small weight and convenient design, Crocs can seem like the perfect option, but they might not be the best for vigorous exercise.
Crocs may not offer enough ankle or arch support, and their lack of traction on slippery surfaces or exercise equipment can cause slipping and sliding. Also, they cushion well enough for exercises like gymnastics or jumping, which makes them uncomfortable.
- Not The Best Choice For Older People
Unfortunately, elderly people may have some issues wearing Crocs. They are at risk of tripping because of the side soles and loose structure. Also, since Crocs don’t actually support the arch all that well, this shoe is ineffective for walking without pain or discomfort. The legs, hips, and back may experience additional joint pain as a result of inadequate foot support.
However, an older foot surgery patient who has been approved to walk a few feet at a time can wear Crocs since they can slip over medical bandages easily and provide temporary foot stability. Also, seniors with foot lymphedema who are encouraged to move to increase circulation can also wear Crocs.
- Not The Best Footwear For Physically Active Children
Children should wear supportive shoes for their daily activities because they put a lot of strain on their legs. The problem with Crocs is that they are not advised for kids who are constantly running around because they offer little foot support and stability.
Running about and engaging in other high-intensity activities while wearing Crocs might put your children in danger of falling and suffering injuries. You should not allow your children to run in Crocs.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it bad to wear Crocs every day?
Unfortunately, Crocs are not ideal for everyday wear. Long-term use of Crocs may lead to foot conditions like plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, and hammertoes. When you’re wearing a shoe as wide as Crocs, you’re gripping with your toes and you get limited heel support, which can also cause foot issues.
- Why do doctors recommend Crocs?
Many doctors and medical staff prefer Crocs over other footwear since they want footwear that has a comfortable footbed, is simple to put on and take off, and requires little upkeep. In addition to being cushioned and flexible, Crocs are footwear that offers a ventilation system to the feet to keep them feeling fresh. They are also wonderful for strolling.
- Are there health benefits to wearing Crocs?
Yes, there are some health benefits to wearing Crocs. When walking on hard floors, the cushioned shoes shield the feet, ankles, and back from an impact. Also, the toe box section of Crocs is not overly constricting, which is advantageous for people with foot edema or foot abnormalities like bunions or hammertoes.
- Why do hospital workers wear Crocs?
Since Crocs have a comfortable footbed, are breathable and durable, help with posture and back pain, and can be cleaned without much hassle, hospital workers prefer to wear Crocs.
- Are crocs bad for your back?
No, Crocs are not bad for your back, in fact, they encourage correct walking mechanics and posture.
- Are crocs bad for plantar fasciitis?
Crocs can be bad for the plantar fascia, which may experience additional strain because of the lack of arch support on Crocs. This can lead to plantar fasciitis, which causes pain at the bottom of the heel and midfoot. Walking, or ascending stairs becomes difficult for someone with this disease.
- Are crocs bad for your knees?
Crocs can be bad for your knees if you have pre-existing knee issues. Because Crocs are rigid and unyielding, they impose a lot of strain on your knee joints, which over time can lead to excruciating knee disorders as well.
- What are the disadvantages of Crocs?
The absence of arch support in Crocs is one of its disadvantages. According to podiatrist Sidney Weiser, this lack of arch support can lead to the development of plantar fasciitis, a condition that causes discomfort in the bottom of the heel and occasionally the bottom of the midfoot. Moreover, they also lack heel support which might make it harder to maintain stability when walking
Final words
Hope now you can decide whether and when Crocs are bad for your feet. They may be ideal in some circumstances, but you ought to avoid them when you engage in high-impact sports or if you are prone to foot pain
It’s not that you shouldn’t wear Crocs at all, but you should consider your activities and surroundings before deciding to wear them. These shoes are not completely worthless, in fact, a lot of doctors and medical staff are seen donning practical shoes for improved comfort, ease of slip-on and slip-off, breathable nature, and low maintenance.
If you plan to wear Crocs, take care of yourself. Consult a doctor and try a new style of the shoe if you frequently wear Crocs and get foot pain. Good luck!
