I've read some things (mostly on whiteblaze) about how ubiquitous crocs are, but everything seems to be dated around the time the crocs' popularity was peaking. Are crocs as camp shoes still pretty popular? Are they that much more comfortable than flip-flops? whats the weight difference?
Posted Nov 11, 2015, 4:30 AM UTC
Crocs allow you to wear socks more easily, which is good when it's cold. They're also sturdier than most flip flops.
The AT is single handedly keeping the Crocs company afloat!
I used Vivobarefoot shoes for camp shoes and would have preferred Crocs. The Vivobarefoot shoes were light and great in the water but the soles were super thin so you could feel every little rock and root when walking around camp. The thicker sole of the Crocs would have been much nicer.
I kept the same pair of cross the whole trip and never had a problem with them falling apart. I did though try to be gentle with them as much as possible, along with the rest of my gear because of how tight a budget I was on. Overall a good buy.
Here's a tip from someone who has worn crocs almost exclusively for 3 summers straight (it's fashionable where I work)
If you heat your crocs up to about 180 degrees f and then stick your feet in them you can mold your crocs to your feet for a much more comfortable experience.
Thanks for all the comments, these are definitely going to be added to my gear.
Also, I went to the crocs website and they're have a 25% off sale that ends tonight.
You could also find a knock-off brand that is essentially the same thing, for much cheaper.
They might be cheaper but they will definitely fall apart faster. I've had crocs survive 3 summers of punishment outdoors and my friends with knock off brands couldnt survive a summer without breaking down
Fair enough, from my experience they've held up the same but I imagine it depends on the pair.
I prefer Chacos to Crocs. I like the freedom in my toes, they're even okay to go on a day hike with, and if my feet get cold, I just throw on some crew socks with them and then they become... Sockos!
I have a pair, but I hardly wear them because the arch support peaks in the wrong place and hurts after a bit. Also (the pair I have) are pretty heavy. But I guess if you use them for both camp and (occasional) trail shoes that has some usefulness.
I've got a pair of knock off crocs from Payless that I paid $3 for, and they are about 8 ounces for the pair. They are super comfortable, and provide more warmth that flip flops and allow you to wear socks comfortably. I'd pick them over flip flops any day.
I don't know how much a pair of crocs weigh, but these are airwalks and they are crazy light.
How sturdy would you say they are?
Sorry I missed your response, I think they are sturdy enough for the next 5 years as camp shoes, and I can't very well complain about a $3 pair of shoes even if they only lasted a year.
Normal Crocs last forever, there's people who hike the whole AT in Crocs every year and their pairs last well over 500 miles which is more than most trailrunners.
I love my Crocs for campshoes, light, waterproof, and let my feet swell and breathe.
I started out with Chacos but switched to Crocs in Erwin, TN for the weight difference and convenience. My Crocs held up well until the end, but be careful about how you carry them on your pack! I had mine attached by the action strap, which turned out to be no match for Mahoosuc Notch.
Crocs!! Do it
cros are the most popular due to price.
but vivobare are 2nd camp 'shoe' for the ultralight if you have the money. they seem to be pretty durable if you aren't rough with them. they make a great water shoe once you're done hiking.
How do people generally carry their crocs? I've never owned a pair so I do not really know how much they weigh or how bulky they are but I am probably going to use them for my camp shoes.
Mostly hooked on to the outside of the pack. They're fairly lightweight but pretty bulky. I used the cord loops on my backpack to secure the ankle band of the croc to it.
Very much still popular as camp shoes.
I think that the biggest advantage that they have over flipflops is that crocs are more durable and last longer.
Also, crocs can make decent footwear for fording streams in addition to usefulness as camp shoes.