Getting back into the flow of review writing - just need to make sure I keep up with the reading now...
Getting back into the flow of review writing - just need to make sure I keep up with the reading now x New review added 23/2/09
Member since:09.07.2007
Reviews:72
Members who trust:31
Welcome to the wonderful and bright world of Crocs where celebrity fashionistas, medical and care professionals, those on their feet all day, those who walk everywhere (that would be me!), those with problem feet - oh and the boating community for which this footwear was developed all live!
I am a convert. I couldn't see what all the fuss as about untl I got given some (my sister bought my Mum the same pair as my Mum bought and I have the same size feet as my Mum). But from the moment I put them on (apart from bed and a couple of occasions when I have had to wear "proper" shoes) they have been my footwear of choice this summer.
The question posed on the website www.crocsfootwear.co.uk is simple - WHY CROCS?
The 10 Reasons given (which I shall give my humble opinion on ) are as follows:
Reason 1 Nothing is softer or more comfortable Well it depends on your definiton of "softer" but they are flexible and there are no hard edges or surfaces and they certainly are comfortable. The first time I wore them I walked 3 miles in them - no blisters. I always get blisters in new shoes so since that day my last 4 pairs of shoes have been Crocs. In
fact I am beginning to worry about winter footwear now being too restrictive!
Reason 2 Hardly there (less than 6 ounces) I have weighed them and this is correct but you only have to put them on and you can feel how light they are. Great for taking abroad!
Reason 3 Air ventilation ports keep your feet cool and comfy Now here is one of my first two problems with Crocs. The bottom of my feet do remain cool and comfy but I have found with all of my pairs that the top of my foot can get quite sweaty and I have had a couple of sweat rashes. It seems to be that this happens in the "moulding" period as I don't get this now off my first pair. It may be just that I have a very high instep. But it is a temporary glitch that can be very annoying (and itchy)
Reason 4 Non-marking soles I have only tested this out on our laminate flooring but this appears to be correct.
Number 5 Resistant to bacteria and odour to keep your friends happy. Crocs are made from a proprietary closed cell resin which that molds to your feet and is resistant to bacteria and odour. I am not a scientist and so I can't do culture samples to test this claim and as for the odour well in my experience it is true that they (the shoes) don't smell (although initially they do give off a smell of rubber/plastic) but that doesn't stop your feet from whiffing! That said when you are wearing them your feet don't seem to give off a smell but it is different when they are off. Again may be just me but this is another slight downside.
Number 6 Ultra hip italian styling with moulded foot support Well they are ultra hip in as much as they are something to be seen in - they ave smooth lines so I guess that may be attributable to the Italians but they do have a molded foot bed. And the inside has lots of lovely little bumps which are fab on your feet.
Number 7 slip resistant I have recently had the misfortune to be caught up in the flooding in recent weeks and I can tell you that they are slip resistant when dry and to a certain extent when they themselves are wet but only if you are not running along a heavily polished wooden floor. Walking along it was fine - running was not.
Number 8 can be sterilized in water and bleach I have not tried to bleach them. I'm sure it is possible and that this is why they are becoming a firm favourite with the medical and care professions.
Number 9 Easy to maintain I have a top tip provided by a shop assistant . If they get really dirty, pop them in the washing machine with a little detergent on 30 degrees in a quick cycle. The come up like new. Or as I found out when my toddler nephew decided to clean everyones shoes with baby wipes, they work nicely too. You can, seemingly, buy a product from Crocs which you can use to protect them. Unfortunately the UK site is being updated at the moment so I can't get any more detail for you but I believe it is a cream protector.
Number 10 water and sand pass easily through vents (so go on and cross that river) Again my flood experience has shown that this is quite right. Unlike flip flops and other footwear that you may wear in water or on the beach these provide a security when in water or a beach like no other I have worn. I'm not saying you won't get sand or debris in your shoes but you have a lot less of it than you would normally.
Any other advantages? Well the colours (and there are many) are fun and funky and at around £30 (varies between stockists) they are not cheap but certainly not as expensive as you could pay for an exceptionally comfortable pair of shoes. You can customise them with little flowers that go into the vents but at around £2 a go this could prove expensive (and probably not for the guys!). They can be worn by men, women and children and are very good value for money for the whole family. The sizing is also universal so once you know your size you can just go and buy them.
Any disadvantages? Availability is an issue. The success of these shoes has seen shops cleared in a couple of days of stock and 3 week waits (in the case of my local shop) for my size (M6 /W8 which is the most popular for the ladies). You can of course buy on line but in my experience you still have the same stock issues. And despite the italian styling they are not the most attractive shoes in the world but they do a fantastic job!
All in all these are a superb buy - they may not be for everyone but they mostly do what they claim to do and do that rather well.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Jul 30th, 2007
exceptional by (10%):
very helpful by (85%):
helpful by (5%):
