Beachwear should be casual, easy to wear, and look good—all of which make Crocs (and shoes like Crocs) a great choice! But do they stand up to the beach environment? We’ve done the research for you to determine if they’re truly a good option.
Crocs were originally designed as boat shoes. They’re ideal for wearing around the water, thanks to their unique material and how it stands up to water and wet environments.
If you want to wear Crocs at the beach, here’s everything you need to know. We’ve spoken about the good points, but we’ve also included some possible problems that you’ll need to be aware of before you choose to don Crocs on the sand.
What Do You Need In Beach Shoes?
You can wear just about any pair of shoes to the beach, but not all of them will be suitable. If you’re looking for a pair of effective beach shoes, they must have certain properties.
Comfort is important for relaxed activities like spending time on the beach. Your beach shoes should keep you comfortable throughout the day, whether resting or walking on the sand.
Water resistance and quick-drying properties are essential for beach shoes. They should also be well-ventilated so that your feet don’t overheat in the summer weather.
Beach shoes should be durable enough to withstand water, sand, and heat without being damaged. They should also be easy to clean, protective, and offer enough support for your feet.
What Makes Crocs Great Beach Shoes?
Considering wearing Crocs at the beach? Here’s why they’re a great choice for beachwear.
Waterproof
Crocs are made of a proprietary foam called Croslite. It’s a closed-cell resin material, rather than the usual foam or rubber of other similar shoes.
This makes it completely waterproof, so water won’t damage the shoes. You can easily walk through the surf, get splashed, or wear them while showering off as you walk off the sand.
Interestingly, they’re also buoyant! If you lose a Croc in the water, chances are you’ll find it easily, floating on the surface.
Well-Ventilated
Crocs may be made from solid, waterproof material, but their perforated design allows for great ventilation throughout the shoe.
Large holes on the top of the shoe let air flow through the inner chamber of the Crocs, keeping your feet cool. You’ll also find drainage holes around the edge of the toe box, which helps water to exit the shoe easily, so your feet don’t stay wet.
Slip-Resistant
You don’t need a slip-resistant shoe on sand. But when you step off the sand onto the boardwalk, the road, or into a store, it doesn’t matter if your shoes are wet or if the floor is slippery.
You’ll be safe on your feet, thanks to the slip-resistant properties of Crocs. The outsoles are made of the same material as the rest of the shoe, but you should note that while they’re slip-resistant, Crocs is careful to mention that they’re NOT completely non-slip.
Lightweight
The last thing you want to wear on the beach is a pair of heavy or clunky shoes. Despite their spacious fit, Crocs are surprisingly lightweight, so you’ll hardly even notice them on your feet while you’re doing beachy things.
You can easily throw them in a bag if you want to go barefoot and take a pair of shoes along, just in case. Their weight makes them easy to wear and easy to carry.
Good Support
Crocs are known for providing better support than most other slip-on casual sandals do. They tend to have solid arch support, ensuring your joints stay aligned, so you’re less prone to developing foot conditions or getting an injury.
The added heel strap also gives you a better lockdown on your foot. This helps you to take advantage of that arch support as your foot will be held in position gently.
Protective
Croslite material may be light, but it’s solid and durable. There’s almost zero risk of stubbing your toe when you’re wearing Crocs!
Whether you’re worried about sharp objects hiding in the sand or bruising your foot by bumping it, Crocs will provide a strong layer of protection against the outside world.
Comfortable
Your comfort is important when you’re having fun on the beach. You won’t be able to enjoy yourself as much if you’re uncomfortable in your shoes, but the good news is that Crocs are known to be extremely comfortable.
Odor-Resistant
Hot weather and beach activity means you’re likely to sweat. Even though the ventilation on Crocs is great, there’s a high likelihood that your feet will sweat, but you don’t have to worry about your Crocs developing an odor.
The Croslite material doesn’t hold onto odor, so you can do as much exercise as you want to in these shoes, and they won’t smell. This is ideal for hot weather, no matter what you’re doing—not just the beach!
Easy to Clean
Have you ever tried to clean a mesh shoe after being on the beach? When you get home after a beach day, simply rinse your Crocs off under running water; they’re as good as new.
You may need to use a bit of soap in warm water for stubborn stains. But that’s as hard as you’ll need to work when cleaning your Crocs.
Are There Any Negatives to Wearing Crocs at the Beach?
You won’t be able to swim with your Crocs on, even though they’re waterproof. Their larger-than-average fit means a high risk of losing your shoes in the water.
Their buoyancy also keeps you from swimming properly as they try to rise to the surface, which can be annoying and leave you with aching muscles.
There’s some debate about whether or not Crocs hold onto salt water. However, they claim to be waterproof and make no mention of the saltwater issue.
You should also note that the material Crocs are made of may get damaged if it’s exposed directly to high temperatures. So, for example, if you’re tanning in the sun with your Crocs on, the sun may cause the material to crack or soften and lose its shape. It’s best to wear them while you’re walking or active, so they don’t sit in the sun.
Although Crocs protect your feet from the sun, there’s a chance of getting sunburnt in a strange pattern through the holes on the upper! Make sure to apply sunscreen to your feet for this reason or wear waterproof socks with your crocs.
