They are very comfortable, Lorna. I wear mine a LOT - to work! And most of the women I work with wear them, too. Our dress code is very lax. Most of us have been surprised by the amount of foot support they provide (the REAL Crocs, not the Walmart knock-offs). They have really helped the pain in my heels and another woman here has reported that her constant leg pain is all but gone.

But for gardening...when I use a shovel I'm always afraid I'll cut into them (haven't so far so maybe it's a non-issue). Where I live we don't actually have soil - it's sand - and it gets right in through the holes. I have to empty them out now and then when working outdoors. Same for water. And mulch. But they do seem very tough and durable and they can be washed with the hose.

I wore Croc Mary Janes in the garden last summer after it was too hot for my hiking boots. When I plant (using a shovel) or do strenuous work, I always want the support and safety of my hiking boots. When I'm just pruning and weeding, I wear the Crocs.

My son has been wearing the same brand of hiking boots for years as his everyday footwear! He has gone through a lot of them, but he's an archaeologist and is outside digging a lot. Mine are probably 8 years old and even though I wear them in the garden, I also wear them for hiking. They are Gore-tex, so they clean up easily. The style that I have (Vasque Sundowners) have been discontinued now.

Cameron

Thanks, Linda and Cameron! I will get a pair of the Croc clogs. I'll probably get red ones, or dark blue. :-) I was happy to learn that they offer good support. Good shoes make a world of difference to one's general well-being. Poorly built shoes can cause foot, ankle, knee, hip and/or back pain.

I wear round-toed, lace-up, leather western boots for heavy outdoor work or clomping around the wild part of my land. There are critter burrows out there, which could turn an ankle. My boots come up to the bottom of my calf. The pair I am wearing today are five years old and still in very decent shape. I recently put gel pads inside to make-up for the wear and tear on the inner soles.I love these old boots.

Lorna

Hi Lorna,
I love my crocs, but for the garden I wouldn't be without my Sloggers. I keep a pair near each door and one in the trunk of my car. I like the ones with the lining (which is removable for drying) the best. I even tramp out to the garden in the snow in them when I feel the urge to take a look around out there. They are VERY comfortable too.
Below is a link to the lined kind.
Patti

Here is a link that might be useful: Lined Sloggers

Those would certainly help with the sand, water and such that get into my Crocs, Patti. My only concern is whether they would be hot on your feet - I guess if they are lined you wouldn't have the problem of sweaty feet = blisters, though.

Hello, Patti,

Why do you prefer the Sloggers for gardening, Patti? Is it because they don't have cutouts?

Lorna

Lorna, I like the ruggedness of the Sloggers. I can't imagine my Crocs holding up for long with the heavy gardening chores ( somehow I tend to dig a lot of big holes and work with a lot of sharp objects! lol). The lined Sloggers are excellent for working in the damp, muddy, cold spring and fall, keeping your feet warm and dry.

Linda I admit I am a freak about keeping my feet dry and I hate getting sand/pebbles in my shoes. So yes, the holes are a major factor for me. I wear unlined Sloggers in the summer with a light pair of socks. Not very fashionable I admit! Probably Crocs would be a very good choice for summer gardening for "normal" people! lol

I have friends who love their Muckboots and Trellos too.
Patti

I just tore thru a pair of sloggers in about 6 months! They come up very high on the foot, and that eventually gave way and cracked. I do admit, I had to walk MANY miles in them to get to and from my gardening jobs. However, I have never had any Croc damage. I think it's Alice I'm in now. They are a low cut version of the Mary Jane and are much more narrow. I love that Crocs make women's shoes in my size!! I've inserted a cheap store brand insole of similar lightweight plastic adding more stability and arch support (I have very high inner arches) - I love that they don't press down on the tops of my feet. I think you can get Sloggers now at Target for a very nice deal.

GGG

I've had Slogger type clogs for years, but only the real thing has lasted more than a season. The cheaper versions usually start to split at the heal. IMO, Crocs are only good for walks through the garden. They're not intended for heavy duty work.

I appreciate everybody's comments. GGG, your comment about how high the Sloggers come up over the top of the foot let me know that I cannot wear them. I don't do heavy gardening work in clogs, so the Crocs ought to be okay. Though the dreaded goatsheaded stickers will no doubt be able to find their way through those cutouts. Horrible, nasty little buggars those goatshead stickers!
Lorna