Have you caught the croc bug yet? If so, you’re in good company. The lightweight, airy shoe style has caught the attention of many healthcare workers, teachers, and other workers who spend a significant amount of time on their feet each day.
Those who know of crocs but don’t like them are often appalled by the unflattering appearance of the overall style. Yet, there’s a large population of people who believe crocs are ugly but choose to wear them anyway due to comfort.
There’s definitely an appeal to shoes that you can easily slip on and off without messing with shoelaces. Wearing crocs could save you a lot of time getting dressed if you work in an environment with a casual dress code. There’s just one question you should ask and answer before slipping on those cozy crocs for another long day on your feet:
Can You Use Crocs to Stand in All Day?
Our goal is to help our patients and community members improve their foot health, so we decided to give you a detailed answer to this very important question.
Are Crocs Good for Your Feet?
There are two things that crocs have going for them when it comes to foot health:
If you ask most croc lovers why they wear this style of footwear, most will tell you how comfortable they feel on their feet. Many also enjoy the convenience of slipping them on and off. They even come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, so matching them to scrubs or other clothing is easy.
What’s not to love? Quite a lot, actually.
When podiatrists were asked their opinion of crocs, they admitted that the shoes provide adequate arch support. That may seem like a big check in favor of wearing crocs, especially if you have a known foot problem that requires great arch support.
Unfortunately, arch support and comfort only make this style perfect for short-term wear. There is one big problem with wearing crocs for long periods, and we’re going to discuss that next.
What if You Stand All Day?
Your feet need more than arch support and general comfort when you spend long hours on your feet for work or at home. They need support for every part of the foot, and that includes the heel.
Crocs offer no support at all for the heels, and that causes the front of the foot to work harder at stabilizing the body. The toes pick up the slack by gripping the shoe tighter to maintain balance. When the toes and front of the foot are forced to work harder for hours at a time, there are some severe consequences, including:
We mentioned just a moment ago that it may seem like crocs are perfect if you already have issues with your feet. The problem is that the lack of heel support cancels out the benefit of adequate arch support. The foot is forced to work harder and endure greater stress when the heels are unsupported.
It may not hurt your feet to go short periods without heel support. It’s not much different than wearing flip flops or some sandals with open-heel designs. You just probably wouldn’t wear those flip flops or sandals to work if you stand all day, and the same logic should apply to crocs.
So, are crocs good for standing all day? The answer is no. They’re designed for short-term wear and can harm your feet if worn for long periods.
What About Crocs RX or Crocs at Work?
Before we rule all crocs out for all-day standing shoes, we have to admit that not all crocs are designed the same. The brand has expanded its offerings substantially over the years. Some of the updates include collections designed for workers who stand all day.
The first option was the Crocs RX line. They got some attention from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), but Crocs shoes are not currently listed as having the organization’s seal of approval. That’s possibly because Crocs RX have been discontinued. They’re no longer a recommended option by the APMA.
The next best option are styles featured in the Crocs at Work collection. They’re marketed as “standing shoes” for professionals who spend long days on their feet. There is also the non slip crocs that are popular with workers in the healthcare and food industry. There are multiple designs in the collection, and some do offer more substantial heels that may fix the problem with the standard crocs design.
The biggest complaint against these newer Crocs designs is that they don’t have all of the port holes that are built into the original design. That often results in the shoes holding in more heat, which can lead to some discomfort and issues with foot health.
Should You Wear Crocs to Work if You Stand All Day?
Where does all of this information leave us on the “standing all day in Crocs” issue? While designs that have no or minimal heel support aren’t adequate for all-day standing, there are some Crocs at Work designs that offer excellent arch and heel support. Just keep in mind that they may trap in more heat, which could still lead to some problems for your feet.
There are a few questions to ask before you wear your crocs to a job that requires you to stand for long periods:
If your feet hurt after wearing Crocs for short periods, you probably don’t want to test them for a long shift at work. You should also check with your medical provider if you have an existing issue with your feet.
If nothing is holding you back from trying Crocs for standing long periods, make sure you select a pair that is closed at the heel. Proper fit is critical, and you should stop wearing the Crocs for long periods if you feel any discomfort at all.
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