Water shoes are in-style these days and for good reason. Whether you’re kayaking or hanging out at a pond, it’s nice to be wearing a pair of shoes. But can Crocs be used as water shoes? If you use the Crocs you wear around the house, that’s one less thing to buy and keep around the house. And it could give you a good reason to wear your stylish Crocs out in public.
The answer depends on the situation. It’s perfect for relatively slow and shallow water. They’re not good for deep or fast river. It’d be good for a pool or shallow river but walking through a crossing with a heavy backpack would be a mistake (and possibly dangerous). According to a recent survey, respondents (who were campers) were split 50/50 on whether Crocs would make good water shoes. In general, they’re not as tight, stable or secure as regular water shoes. Many of the people who were okay with Crocs with water shoes thought there were better options out there.
What Are Water Shoes?
Some people don’t know what water shoes are as not everyone has one. Their function fits their name: the footwear is designed to be submerged underwater. Typically, they’re made of a flexible material like mesh. This makes it much easier for the feet to breathe. Usually, there is better traction on the bottom of the shoe so that the wearer can easily walk on river beds or on the beach. Water can easily flow in and out of the shoe, which helps with draining.
One key aspect of water shoes is that they’re quick drying. You won’t have to worry about carrying around soggy shoes the whole day after submerging them. They can be used for passing through bodies of water and activities like paddle boarding or kayaking.
Unlike water sandals, water shoes are fully enclosed around the toes. This is to help protect the foot against rocks, trash and other sharp objects that can injure the wearer.
Crocs are not made from mesh material. They’re made from a rubberish material known as Croslite. They do not soak in water. Do note that Crocs also do have holes in the top.
The Pros of Crocs as Water Shoes
Let’s start with the benefits of your favorite shoes. Some Croc wearers are unaware that Crocs a have a “sport mode” that can be easily applied. Simply put the strap of the crack up. This makes the shoe more secure. It’ll hold the heel back and keep the toes more firmly in the front of the footwear. It basically converts your Crocs into more of an “athletic shoe” than “comfort shoe”.This will help prevent slips and make your walk more steady. This is highly recommended to do in the water as there are moving currents and many of the surfaces are slippery.
Crocs also float in the water. This can be a definite plus as it makes them easier to find if they fall off. If your kayak flips in the water and your shoes slip off, they’ll just float to the surface. Regular shoes might sink and might require you to dive into the water to find them. If you don’t have goggles, this could be a challange.
Crocs are also very quick to dry. The croslite material that Crocs are made of does not absorb water. This is one of the main aspects of water shoes in general. Crocslite also does not absorb water. Walking in soggy shoes is not fun and you don’t have to worry about this. However, they might squeak for a bit.
The footwear is also very lightweight. It’s not like you’ll be lugging around heavy boots in the water. Crocs will add barely any weight to your body.
Crocs are known to be especially comfortable. Although often ignored, this can be a huge plus if you’re spending several hours on an activity. Don’t underestimate the benefits of comfortable footwear.
The Cons of Crocs as Water Shoes
One of the most frequent drawbacks of using Crocs as water shoes is that sand and rocks easily get into them. This is not a problem if you’re using it in a pool. But if you’re walking in pond or river with a sandy or rocky bed, they’ll get lodged in. This might get uncomfortable after awhile. You might need to empty your shoe every so often. This might be a minor nuisance but it’s something to be aware of.
Another point is the danger that some Crocs aren’t designed to be water shoes. If you’re walking across a river, you could slip which could have serious consequences. Make sure you only use them in shallow and slow moving water. Whether you’re visiting Buffalo National River in Arkansas or exploring Crystal River in Florida, great care must be taken. Do your research.
Some people like to use their water shoes on camping trips. Keep in mind that Crocs are bulky and take up alot of room. Packing them in luggage or in a car would be an added hassle. Also if you have to walk in between rocks, the Crocs might be hard to maneuver. Be careful not to slip, especially considering the rocks might be slippery.
In short, Crocs are a viable option for many situations. If you plan on wearing Crocs for slow and shallow water, they can work perfectly. However, they should be avoiding for deep or fast moving water. They’re lightweight, comfortable and quickydrung. Specially designed water shoes are often superior though because sand and rocks won’t get lodged in the shoe.
