Last Updated on 11/12/2021
Is Hiking in Crocs a Good Idea?
In this guide to hiking in Crocs, we break down everything there is to know about wearing Crocs for hiking. You will learn about the benefits and risks of wearing hiking Crocs so that you can decide for yourself whether or not it is a good idea.
Crocs are among some of the comfiest footwear to wear around the house and in the garden but should you be wearing Crocs to hike in? Yes and no. You can wear Crocs for hiking if you are comfortable doing so but they do have their limits.
Due to their lack of ankle support and not having a lacing system, Crocs are not recommended for longer hikes or when carrying a heavy backpack on steep inclines. They are perfectly fine for casual strolls and shorter walks and are perfect if you plan on crossing rivers. It is up to you to judge if Crocs are suitable for the trail you plan to hike but there are things you can do to make an educated decision.
Are Crocs Good for Hiking?
To answer this we have to take a few things into account like the tread/grip, ankle support, breathability, and protection of the Crocs but it is also important to consider the type of terrain, environment, and weather of the trail you want to walk.
The grip on Crocs is not very good for hiking on any type of incline due to the shallow depth of the tread which provides little traction on loose material or slippery surfaces. Crocs also don’t have any laces so there is no way to pull them tighter and prevent excess movement of your feet or provide support to your ankles.
On the plus side, Crocs are possibly the most breathable shoes you can use for hiking in after sandals. They have ventilation holes all across the top of the shoe as well as around the sides which also help to drain any water out when crossing rivers and creeks. While they don’t protect your feet from getting wet, they do not absorb water and so will dry out in minutes and are perfect for getting wet.
Are Crocs Good for Your Feet?
According to Podiatry expert Dr. Roxanne Toole, D.P.M., Crocs are great to wear after any kind of foot surgery or for diabetes sufferers in hot climates. This is down to their wide fit with a large toe box and ventilation that helps your feet breathe. Another benefit is that Crocs are lined with an antibacterial layer that prevents bacterial and fungal infections.
As well as their benefits for foot injuries, Crocs are also comfortable, lightweight, and have adequate arch support for everyday wearing. You can wear them barefoot without socks and not suffer from blisters. Overall Crocs are kind and forgiving to your feet around the house and garden or even down to the shops but for any serious hiking, you really want some proper hiking footwear.
Are Crocs Good Walking Shoes?
Crocs are not a good hiking shoe due to their lack of grip and ankle support. They are not designed for any kind of incline or decline and are not especially good in rough terrain. Gravel can easily get inside when walking on trails and you don’t get much protection from thistles which happens more than you might think.
Crocs are a great companion to walking boots or shoes for things like water crossings and wearing on an evening during through hikes or multiday treks. You can easily keep them inside or outside your backpack and they hardly weigh much at all.
Are Crocs Comfortable to Hike In?
Crocs are one of the comfiest slip-on sandals/shoes you can buy. They are spongey, lightweight, breathable, wide fitting, and have excellent underfoot support. Slipping them on is easy and they are kept securely on with the heel strap even while wading through fast-flowing rivers or even swimming in the ocean.
They are comfortable with or without socks which is great but are Crocs comfortable to hike any kind of distance? Crocs are not designed for trekking and while they are ok on flat ground for one or maybe two miles but after that they become a risk to your feet. Socks will help but still, you should be wearing proper footwear to hike in.
Are Crocs Good for Walking All-Day?
We found that Crocs are good for casual wearing all day long and could be worn with socks if you were on an easy trail but for any kind of mountains you should get some proper hiking boots. The good thing about wearing Crocs all day is that they are very breathable and comfortable but may start to rub after hours of walking. If your hike involves lots of river crossings then Crocs would be a good choice for walking.
What are the Best Hiking Crocs?
There are two types of Crocs we would recommend for hiking which are the Offroad Sport Clog and the Classic All-Terrain Clog. They both have a much better grip on slippery surfaces and slightly better tread for loose material on the trail. You can even get them in a Realtree camouflage color scheme.
Are Crocs Worth it?
Most Crocs cost between $25 to $40 and will last for a lifetime. They are comfortable and ideal for wearing around the home and garden but not ideal for hiking. Something they are good although is being excellent camping shoes and river crossing footwear. They are super comfy to put on in an evening after a full day of hiking and don’t weigh or cost very much which is great news for thru-hikers on a tight budget.
How Much Do Crocs Weigh?
Classic Crocs Clogs can weigh between 320 grams and 480 grams (11 oz – 17 oz) per pair depending entirely upon the size of the shoe. If you are trying to save weight when packing your backpack, Crocs are relatively lightweight for the value they offer. Different models of Crocs can weigh both less and more than the Classics however not by a significant amount.
Can You Wear Crocs Barefoot?
Crocs are great to walk barefoot in although if I was hiking in them I would always wear socks underneath – Socks and sandals baby! If you do wear them barefoot you get the most benefit as your feet are able to breathe and it is so easy to slip them off and on. You have the option of wearing your hiking Crocs with or without the heel strap so if you are using them barefoot and it starts to rub you can simply rotate it out of the way.
How to Avoid Crocs Sweaty Feet
If you are hiking barefoot in Crocs then you will no doubt experience sweaty feet thanks to the rubber-like material they are made from called Croslite. There are three things you can do to reduce foot sweat while wearing Crocs:
- Wear socks to wick moisture
- Use Talc powder to absorb moisture
- Spray antiperspirant to reduce sweating
Try all three and see which works best for you. We found that wearing socks is the easiest and most logical solution to the problem.
Are Crocs Good for the Beach?
Crocs are perfect for wearing to and at the beach as well as in the ocean. They are comfortable, breathable, and will be unphased by the sand and saltwater. You can easily take them off when the sand is nice and put them back on when walking over pebbles or rocks. They don’t absorb water so you can walk out of the ocean and watch the water bead off.
Are Crocs Good for Creek Walking and River Crossings?
Do Crocs float? Find out why Crocs are the perfect creek walking and river crossing footwear choice and more below:
- Firstly, they are completely waterproof and don’t absorb any water which means they can be dry within minutes of being underwater.
- Crocs have an ankle strap to help keep them securely on your feet so they don’t disappear downstream.
- They float which means you won’t have to dive down to retrieve them from deep water.
- Ventilation holes along the side also act as drains so that you don’t have to walk with a squelch.
- A protective toe box keeps your toes safe from sharp and loose rocks underwater.
- They have a fairly good grip on slippery surfaces and even underwater.
- As a second pair of shoes dedicated to river crossings, they are great because they are so lightweight and can easily be strapped to the outside of your backpack.
Are Crocs Considered Shoes?
Crocs are considered as both shoes and sandals, depending on who you ask. Most people who talk about Crocs use the term casual shoe because they are perfect for wearing around the house or in the garden. Not many people wear Crocs out in public and if you do, people ask why you’re wearing your slippers (this actually happened). That being said there is no reason why you shouldn’t wear Crocs in public just maybe not to formal events.
How to Prevent Blisters from Crocs?
The best way to prevent blisters when hiking in Crocs is to wear a pair of socks, or better yet, two. Socks will create a barrier to the friction your foot will experience when hiking any kind of distance in Crocs. You can also experiment with vaseline which helps to reduce friction but the side effect of this is your feet slip about inside more. If you do experience a blister from Crocs then you should replace them with some better footwear on your next hike.
Are Crocs Slippery When Wet?
Crocs don’t have an especially deep tread on the soles and so they have a good grip on slippery surfaces when new. They do get worse over time but the actual material that Crocs are made of is fairly grippy in itself. The all-terrain Crocs mentioned further up the page will perform better on slippery surfaces than the Classic Clogs due to the more aggressive tread pattern and deeper lugs.
Why You Should Consider Crocs for Backpacking
Crocs are so good as a second pair of shoes for backpacking. If you find thongs/flip-flops uncomfortable for your feet and don’t mind rocking the Crocs in public then we would highly recommend them. They are good value, lightweight, durable, waterproof, breathable, and comfortable among other things. Some people also find Crocs trendy in their own weird way and if nothing else, you are far from home and people you know so who cares what they look like?
Conclusion
Hiking In Crocs isn’t recommended for any distance greater than 2 miles however if you are wearing them all day long around the house or in the garden they are a fine choice. They offer lots of other benefits other footwear doesn’t have but they are not designed for serious hiking.
