Is it just me, or does anyone else remember Crocs being the butt of the joke for years before they suddenly became everyone’s favorite casual shoe brand? Blame the pandemic’s effect on fashion trends or Kanye’s Croc-ish shoe design or just the fact that they are comfortable — for whatever reason, Crocs are now a footwear mainstay, whether you’re slipping them on for household chores or a trip down the red carpet. (High heels optional.)
Of course, all this Croc talk got me wondering what these shoes do to your feet. Sure, they’re convenient to slip on and match with a surprisingly wide variety of trendy outfits, but do they provide arch support? Sure they’re comfortable, but what about foot stability? Are Crocs good for walks? It seems like everyone is wearing Crocs these days, so it’s a good time to investigate whether your muscles, joints, and bones love them as much as your sense of fashion (and convenience) does.
Are Crocs Good For Your Feet?
Let’s start with the good news. “Crocs are OK to wear, within reason,” says podiatrist Ejodamen Shobowale, DPM. A rule of thumb: you’re good to wear Crocs for short-term, nonexercise use. “If you’re just running a quick errand where you’re not going to be on your feet for an extended amount of time, then I think that they’re fine,” Dr. Shobowale says. Some light work around the house or a very short, leisurely walk is OK too, as long as you don’t have any foot problems or pain. (More on that below.)
Crocs are pretty wide, and while that can be an issue for some people, it can also be beneficial if your foot is swollen from an injury or from traveling, Dr. Shobowale says. (Note that Crocs are not appropriate to wear for many foot injuries, as we’ll get into later. It’s worth checking with your doctor before you make them your go-to when injured, whether you have swelling or not.) Shoes that are too narrow have the potential to impede your foot’s natural movement and mechanics and cause pain, discomfort, and injury, which isn’t an issue you’ll have with Crocs either — they provide plenty of room for your toes to splay out.
Another benefit of Crocs is that they’re well ventilated, Dr. Shobowale says. That allows air circulation around your foot, which prevents mustiness and accumulation of fluid, which is especially helpful if you sweat a lot. It’s also a positive for people with foot fungus, because “fungus thrives in dark, wet, warm areas,” Dr. Shobowale explains. With Crocs, there is plenty of air and light circulating around your feet. Many types of Crocs are machine washable as well, which helps to prevent dampness and keep the area around your feet nice and clean.
