Crocs are they really the super healthy and comfy shoes they are made out to be?
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The idea was to create a simple, lightweight and resilient shoe with healthy posturpedic properties akin to the expensive Birkenstocks of 10 years ago fame and make them cheaper so everyone could buy them. That was the original problem with Birkenstocks was that they were really quite expensive - the average price was near $100 for a pair of sandals. Now come the Crocs where the average retail price is $30 and they are literally flying off the shelves.
Most people say they are some of the ugliest shoes ever made. There are a few die hard Croc groupies that actually find them atractive (probably Ben & Jerry's customers or granolas from Austin TX). To most the main thing is they are super lightweight and quite possibly the most comfortable shoe ever made. Per the manufacturer the rubber compound used in making and molding the shoe is antibacterial and the form is made to support proper foot movement, motion and alignment. Numerous podiatrists and other specialty doctors are actually recommending the shoe as beneficial for diabetics, pronation and bunion problems and even lower back pain (as the shoes in correcting foot motion tend to also correct poor posture - this is in current research at a leading medical school).
So the short term prognosis is obviously excellent. But what about long term use? What about heavy usage as the Croc has only been around for a few years? Well, lets keep things in perspective. Running shoes are recommended to be replaced every 6 months or so as they will lose their support and could actually cause improper motion and pronation. That is for someone whom only wears them while running. What about for hospital workers like nurses and nurses aides whom are always on their feet? Well we tested both the CRoc and a knock off purchased through Target stores and wore them every day for a 5 month period.
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The original Croc looked better at the getgo. It was obviously better made as it looked sharp and didn't have mold marks and improperly formed areas. Both were extremely comfortable and definitely corrected posture and helped with flat or weakened arches (I have one foot with a high arch and the other with a nearly flat arch. I have never worn shoes (even Birkenstocks) that corrected this and made my feet equally comfortable. The original Croc fit a little better and the knockoff had a little break in period as it wasn't quite 100% fit to my foot and there were some areas like the top of my arch and side of my foot that received abrasions at first from the shoe improperly wearing against my skin.
Each of the shoes (both the original Croc and Target knockoff) were worn for 5 months straight with only occasional breaks (it just isn't good to wear Crocs to a wedding or funeral and other important events). They both wore quite well and were super comfy. They corrected my foot movement and arches and even helped improve my posture. I have a bad back from an accident I was in and the shoes actually made it so I could walk without any pain most of the time - I would have paid hundreds for a shoe that could do this! After about 3 months the molded compound started to give a little and they were beginning to lose their support (it was also a part of the fact that I was getting used to wearing the shoes so I also didn't feel it as much as when I first started wearing them). Still even after 5 months I still notice a huge difference between wearing the Crocs and any pair of shoes - even my super comfy Johnston and Murphys ($150)!
The original CRocs definitely held up better and still looked attractive or newish when compared to the faded and yucky looking knockoffs (the Target knockoffs also lost more of their support than the Crocs). At the price paid ($30 for the real Crocs and $9 for the Target knockoffs) they were easily a great deal and I have become addicted to the things. My suggestion is to get a real pair of Crocs for going places and get a second pair of knock offs for use around the house and in the yard. Yes, they started to show some wear at 5 months, but they were still much more comfortable than any shoe I had ever worn regardless of price! The only problems noted was that the knockoff may have been made with a cheaper compound that was not quite antibacterial or anti fungal as only with the knock off did I develop a minor case of athletes foot.
So there you have it. Crocs really are everything they are made out to be and more. Don't believe me? Go out and get a pair for yourself (even the knock offs are far better than regular shoes). Crocs may not be the best looking shoes around and can be quite ugly, but with the latest styles, colors, etc... you can find something that will work for you and you will probably become addicted like me. Hell, for $30 or less you can get shoes far better than the best $100+ shoes made even including custom orthotic shoes which can cost $400+! I highly recommend Crocs and they have earned the Bestbraindrain thumbs up award for this week!
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