It's such a personal thing, some people love them, others hate them. I went through the jelly shoe era once already and can't bring myself to touch a plastic shoe again.
As far as tennis shoes, there are many options other than those. I wear "comfort" type shoes if I have a lot of walking to do. Privos, merrells, clarks, etc.
I have a very comfortable, attractive, pair of knee high rockport boots and I wore those almost exclusively while on vacation and did tons of walking. I have three pairs for backup!

I have a problem with the bone structure in the ball of my foot and it is extremely hard for me to find shoes that don't hurt to walk in. Even when I find something that feels ok at first, by the end of the day, I am usually in pain. I've tried Merrills, Clarks, Privos -- all are ok for a while (as opposed to cheap shoes from Kohls that hurt immediately) but after a few hours, I'm in pain again. The only shoes I have found that are reliably ok for me are fitflops/toneups (because of their enormously cushioned footbed) and crocs. So yes, I wear them. Only certain ones though -- I've found that some of the newer cuter styles have lost the "cush" factor that made the original crocs so comfortable. In the winter, I wear the fur lined clog crocs -- there's a couple lines of them and they've changed the lineup so I'm not sure what they are called anymore. I think they used to be called "Mammoth" or "Blitzen". They have a fur lining so they are great for the winter (unless it is raining/snowing, since there are still "airholes" in some models that let in the wet if you are walking through snow.

Yes, they are out of style, but I have long since traded style for the ability to walk without pain, so that doesn't matter to me. I say if you like them, go for them. I can honestly say that if they work for my feet, they have to be some of the most comfy and cushioned shoes in the world, LOL!

Bumblebeez ~Do you happen to know the name of the Rockport boots you have ?
Oakleyok ~Couldn't help myself...

Amelia flat but they don't make them anymore although there are still some in cyberland for sale. I bought them all at great sale prices.

Thx

I have never worn them, and would never wear them out in public. With that said, I have been recently diagnosed with Morton's Neuroma in both feet (so painful), and lots of people on the Web say Croc's are the only shoes they can wear. So, I am considering buying some to wear around the house. I can't go barefoot at all anymore.

Thanks, Ik. Looking at all the different styles they have, I bet a lot of people are wearing them and we just don't know it. They have some suede all-weather loafers I'm thinking about getting.

I wear an 8.5W, due to me going barefoot almost all the time, lol, and I need something that won't scrunch my toes. My big toe was broken in 2 places years ago and if the shoe is too tight, I'm in a lot of pain.

My go to shoes are usually Ked's slip-on's. I love them and they're sized just right. But not as cushy as Crocs.

I have the Capri thong sandal in black and a grayish-brown (I don't that color is offered anymore). I wear them ALOT when away on beachy type vacations - last year in Mexico we went on a sight-seeing & snorkeling day excursion, and I wore a swimsuit with a jersey cotton cover-up dress & my Crocs. They were great on my feet all day, and it doesn't matter if you get them wet. I wore them pretty much everyday in Mexico. They're my 'go-to' casual sandals for vacation & the beach.

I will wear them at home with capri yoga pants or something like that, when we're going to the lake, etc. but they're not a shoe I would wear out shopping or whatever. They are definitely comfy though - they're fantastic if you like to wear something on your feet around the house. Very light.

I also admit to having a hot-pink pair of the "original" type Crocs with all the holes in them... they're OLD, I got them when Crocs first became a fad. They are my running-down-to-the-basement shoes, or I'll wear them to quickly run to the garden, or take the dogs out. Definitely not to be seen in public, lol.

I'm surprised at all the new styles on the website, I had no idea.

Here is a link that might be useful: Capri sandal

My sister in law travels with them and I decided to try the ballerina flats. (Years ago I had the ugly clogs, but really just for gardening etc.)Since they are rubber, no problem getting caught in athe rain. And, they can be washed. I bought the Adrina, the Kadee and the Duet. Wore them all through the summer.
I have such trouble getting shoes. I have a small wide foot. I thought I was on to something with these crocs so I ordered a few in the winterized version. They were all too big. I might try to see if a smaller size would work at some point.
I think the new styles are cute and if the shoe fits....:)

Yes I wear them for work and only work. They are possibly the most comfortable shoes I own, but I would never dare wear them outside of work. I have a thing for shoes, and my crocs are possibly also the ugliest shoes I own. I have 2 pairs. One I keep at work under my desk, I would never wear them outside of the hospital (not just because they are ugly, but also because I often find myself stepping in body fluids-yuck) and the other pair are in my car in a plastic bag for when I work at the other hospital which is not very often. But I have the traditional styles, I have seen some of the newer styles and they are cute, but since I associate them with work, I'd probably never buy them.

No, I have never worn them. I love my Clarks, though.

Texanjana, MIL just had surgery on Thurs for a Morton neuroma on her right foot. She has no worn Crocs either, but I should mention it to her when she is ready to walk on it again. I am sure they would never let her wear Crocs to work as she had to get permission to wear the shoes to fit her orhtotics.

Yes. Like Polly I wear them at work. I find that they are more comfortable than the pricier nurses type shoes. Those true nurses type shoes don't usually fit me because I wear a 12 and most of them don't come that large.

I also have a few pairs at home to wear around the house. I have a fur lined pair that are my house slippers, run to the mailbox, let the dog out, etc winter shoes. Crocs are fairly supportive.

I do know people that have some of the other styles. They have commented that if they don't feel good in the store don't buy them. They really don't give in or stretch.

I wear Nothinz, which are like Crocs, but I found have a better quality strap attachment, and are more comfortable.

They are certainly not shoes that I would wear with a cocktail dress, but they are no uglier than most of what is out there today, like the gladiator style shoes, or the shoes with the huge clunky soles and 5 inch stiletto heels. And these are comfortable and won't ruin your knees or shorten your tendons.

I have a pair that I found at a thrift store. I assume, from reading people's responses, that they are the original style. They're very ugly and quite comfortable, and they serve their purpose: I wear them sometimes when it's warm and dry out, in the garden, or to walk out to the mailbox. Two things I like about them is how easily they can be cleaned, and how easily they can be slipped on or off. I wouldn't wear them in the winter because I don't think they'd keep my feet warm or dry. Something I don't like about them: they don't protect your feet from potential insect stings or bites, and, if you don't wear socks, you can't tuck your pants into your socks--something I try to remember to do because I have, in the past, pulled both dog ticks and deer ticks off me.

Polly - I am so like you!! I agree they are ugly and you can't get around the fact that they are "plastic". LOL I do know several nurses/medical personnel that wear them. The gal that does my hair used to wear them when working, not sure if she still does. She had feet trouble, I'm sure from all the time she is on her feet, and they really helped her. There is something about how your heels rest in them that is really comfortable. I have a couple of pairs of the crocs flip-flops and wear them to the lake, the beach, camping, working in the yard, etc. You can walk all day in them and no matter how dirty you get them, you can wash them. But like you said, would I wear them out and about? No. What do people wear crocs with anyway? I guess they might look okay with jeans, but to wear when I'm out and about, probably not. I guess it depends how you dress too.

tina

Go on their web site and look at all the styles! They are not ugly by any means. As I mentioned above, I have a few styles and have gotten complimented on them. I was thrilled to find a few versions that I could wear during the summer.
Yes, the original clog is very ugly, but it too can have it's place like gardening etc.
T Just wanted to repeat so that others know that there are now so many styles and some for winter too.

Oakley you are not going to look like a doofus if you wear a pair of Crocs! Go for it!

You seem to be quite the casual type gal, live in the country, spend outdoor time with grandchildren, work in your yard - they should be perfect for you. I don't own a pair, but after going to the website, I definitely want a pair of flip-flops next summer.

I do see people wearing the older traditional style slide in cooler weather with cute socks. My DD who can be quite trendy will wear them in the fall/early winter (dry weather) with dark, thick earthy type socks and boot-cut jeans with a hoodie or cute t-shirt. No - she doesn't wear them to work (teacher), nor does she wear them out to dinner, etc. Kind of like the way Tina wears hers - but she will wear them out in very casual situations.

I think they could be very appropriate with the right type of slacks for running errands - grocery shopping, Walmart, etc. PLEASE DON'T WEAR WHITE SOCK WITH THEM! LOL

Heck - I'm talking myself into a pair for fall!

I don't wear them but I agree there are some cute styles now.

For what it's worth:
When my sister lived in Phoenix, her pedicurist told her not to wear them because the material is very drying & rough on your feet (if worn barefooted). My sister has problems with dry, rough heels so she followed the suggestion. I don't know if it's true and/or only a problem in an extremely dry climate.

Tuesday, definitely no white socks! lol. HH, I would think the shoes would be the opposite of drying since they're made of some type of rubber. I was wondering about the feet getting moist in them.

I love Sketchers Go!Walk! I have back and leg issues and they are very comfortable and make my walking painfree...

upa - I too love the Skechers GoWalk shoes. Unfortunately my foot is too narrow for the slip ons, but I have these, and love them!

Feels better than barefoot. I also have the Skechers GoRun shoes that I absolutely love. I really like the fact that they are made to be worn without socks if you like.

Oak, the summer ones that I have have lots of ventilation, openings all around. I guess the winer ones you would wear with socks. I did read one review where a woman returned hers (a winterized ballet flat) because she felt her foot got hot in it.

Haven't ever had a pair. I've purchased them for DN, but never for myself. I do have rubber gardening shoes, but they have no holes.

My first thought seeing this thread was that perhaps the Croc brand had really changed from the original plastic shoes with holes that I remember buying my DN who just had to have them when they first came out about 5+ yrs ago. Looking at their website, I do see that they've added some sheepskin for a warmer shoe for cold weather, as well as some boots, etc. They certainly haven't gotten any less expensive. Can't say they would be my first choice of shoe if I were going out of the house to shop or run errands, or meet friends for lunch. I love a comfortable driving shoe, loafers to go out, or a pair of Ugg mocs for around the house.

Wondering if the Crocs have good support, etc.? Also, are there issues with slipping when wearing the styles that are primarily plastic?

Terriks, I have the slipons (just recently bought two more pairs)...I will look for the ties, would like to have them too. I think they are so comfortable!