Crocs shoes are suitable for random use or wearing at home. You may love to wear Crocs for their comfort and durability. At the same time, you are planning to enjoy beautiful nature by hiking on the mountain. Now you may be wondering whether are Crocs good for hiking or not.
The short answer is no. Crocs are not suitable for hiking. They will provide you with comfort, breathability, and durability. But while hiking on the trail will face rocky terrain, steep terrain, muddy terrain, and sometimes waterfalls or streams.
So, you will need a pair of waterproof hiking boots with so many unique features that will protect you from potential injuries. Now we will dive into the complete explanation of the good and bad sides of wearing Crocs for hiking. In the end, I will provide you with some pro tips for wearing Crocs while hiking.
Pros of wearing Crocs shoes while hiking
Everything has good sides and wrong sides. Also, wearing Crocs for hiking has pros and cons. So explaining all the pros and cons, I’ll give the final discission whether are Crocs good for hiking or not.
Comfortable
While hiking on the trail, you need a pair of shoes or boots that can provide you comfort to enjoy hiking easily. Comfortable shoes will help to prevent quick sweatiness and blisters on your feet.
Crocs are well-known for their comfort and versatility, as they provide superior cushioning and responsiveness while hiking on various surfaces. Made with lightweight materials and a unique design. The airy mesh design also helps prevent moisture from accumulating inside the shoe’s material and offers enhanced air circulation.
So considering the comforts of crocs, they are suitable for hiking.
Easy to put on
When hiking on the trail, sometimes you need to put off your shoes to take rest or for any other reason. Then you must put your shoes on again after you are done for the reason you took them off. Therefore, you should choose shoes that are easy to put on and take off.
Crocs are a type of shoe that is known for its comfort and for being easy to put on and take off. If you feel uncomfortable or your feet get wet, or your feet get sweaty, you can take them off immediately. Plus, they feature an adjustable back strap, so you can quickly adjust the fit of your shoes with no hassle!
Whether your feet tend to swell in the afternoon or after a long hike, this is perfect because you won’t have to stop to readjust them between activities. Because of their slingback style design, they make taking them on and off very easy.
Quick Drying
Hiking requires a pair of shoes that is quick-drying. While hiking, sometimes you must go through waterfalls, muddy terrain, or streams. Then your feet will get wet. So, then you have to dry your shoes quickly so that you can start hiking again.
Crocs shoes are made with a revolutionary material known as Croslite. This closed-cell resin is lightweight, non-marking, and odor-resistant. It provides cushion and comfort while also maintaining its shape very well.
Additionally, the material is antibacterial and easy to clean, which means if you hike through muddy surfaces, you don’t have to worry about that. So, considering the quick-drying feature, Crocs shoes are suitable for hiking.
Lightweight
A pair of lightweight shoes is one of the essential gear for hiking. While hiking on the trail, sometimes you might have to take off your shoes and store them in your bag. If your shoes are heavyweight, you will feel uncomfortable, and you will get shoulder pain.
Crocs Shoes are soo lightweight. You can easily carry them in your bag without getting shoulder pain.
Breathable
Breathable shoes are a must for hikers because they help wick away moisture from the inside of the shoe and keep your feet dry, which in turn prevents blisters, smelly feet, and excess heat from sweaty socks.
Furthermore, breathable shoes allow air to circulate inside to create a steady internal temperature, which increases comfort and performance during long treks up and down mountainsides.
Breathable hiking shoes promote healthy feet while boosting performance on challenging trails, making breathability an important quality to look for when shopping for footwear suitable for any hike.
Crocs are made from a special material called Croslite that features breathable pinholes for ventilation to help keep the wearer’s feet cool and dry. The even texture of the Croslite foam helps to distribute air circulation around the foot for an even cooler temperature within the shoe.
Crocs shoes also feature breathable vents along both sides of the shoe as well as built-in arch support, which provides improved breathability and comfort.
So, considering breathability, crocs shoes are suitable for hiking.
Affordable
Crocs are such affordable shoes. You can find them anywhere from low price to high price. Their price starts from $30 to $100+.
Cons of wearing Crocs shoes while hiking
Besides the pros, there are some significant cons of wearing crocs for hiking. After explaining the cons of hiking in crocs, I will give the main verdict. So keep reading.
Lack of Ankle support
It’s always essential to protect your ankles from potential injuries while hiking, even if the terrain doesn’t seem particularly treacherous.
A good ankle support system helps to absorb impact and prevent rolled ankles, both of which can ruin a hike. It helps to stabilize your feet and ankles, preventing you from slipping or losing your balance on slippery surfaces or steep terrains.
Crocs shoes don’t provide enough ankle support as you need while hiking on the trail. They are not specially made for hikers. They are suitable for everyday use or random use. If you wear crocs for hiking, you will get caught on steep or rugged terrains.
So considering ankle support, crocs are not good for hiking.
Lack of Durability
For hikers, one of the most important considerations to make before venturing out is the durability of their shoes. Trails can often be uneven, rocky, and slippery, so durability is key to ensure that your feet are supported and not exposed to painful tears and abrasions.
Durability is critical in hiking as it ensures your feet are protected from the elements and provide extra stability as you manoeuvre rocky terrain.
High-quality durability makes it possible to traverse rugged terrain with confidence, ensuring that you can enjoy the great outdoors without worrying about ruining your footwear.
Furthermore, durability adds longevity to your shoes so you can enjoy your trails for years to come without having to replace them often.
Crocs shoes are not durable as you need while hiking. They can be ruined while hiking on uneven, rocky, and slippery surfaces. So considering durability, crocs shoes are not good for hiking.
Lack of Traction & Stability
Traction and stability are two key components of finding appropriate shoes for hiking. Traction is important to ensure that your feet don’t slip on uneven terrain or loose rocks, as a fall could cause serious injury.
Your shoes’ treads should be designed to grip both in wet and dry conditions so you can firmly plant your feet before tackling any incline or decline.
Stability on different types of hikes is critical due to sharp turns and challenging trails, so it’s important to find shoes with supportive midsoles that hug your heels tightly.
Hiking requires good shock absorption, too, so make sure the shoes you select provide some cushioning to reduce the stress on joints. With the right mix of features, traction and stability will help keep you safe while embarking on a journey through nature’s most challenging terrains!
Crocs shoes don’t provide enough traction and stability while hiking on uneven, rocky, and slippery surfaces. The sole of crocs shoes is soo smooth. Their soles are suitable for walking on city roads, not on the trail. So, considering traction and stability, crocs are not good for hiking.
Potential Injuries
Wearing crocs for hiking means you’re allowing injuries to get into your body. There has a possibility of getting injured in the ankle by slipping. There has a chance of ruining your crocs while hiking on uneven, rocky, or steep terrains.
Overall, Are Crocs good for hiking or not?
Now, it’s time to give the verdict of whether are Crocs good for hiking or not. Well, after learning about its pros and cons, what seems to you? I will tell you that, Crocs shoes are not suitable for hiking.
If you hike for a short time, that would be okay (but risky). But, if you want a deep or long hike, like hiking on uneven, rocky, slippery, or steep mountain terrains, you need a pair of hiking boots.
As I mentioned, Crocs shoes don’t provide enough ankle support, traction, and durability while hiking on mountain trails. So will get potential injuries. So, you should avoid crocs for hiking since you can get a pair of hiking boots at a reasonable price.
Hiking boots will keep your feet dry in wet conditions and warm in cool conditions. Hiking boots will provide you with ankle support to keep your feet from bending on the mountain trail.
Hiking boots have excellent traction, so you don’t have to worry about any path you want to go on. Hiking boots have excellent durability; you don’t have to worry about them getting ruined.
So if you really want an enjoyable and relaxed hike, you should wear hiking boots instead of Crocs shoes.
Crocs vs Hiking Boots Comparison Table:
| Features | Crocs | Hiking Boots |
| Traction | Not good as you need for hiking | Excellent Traction |
| Ankle Support | No | Yes |
| Durability | Less Durable | Excellent Durable |
| Breathability | Yes | Depends on boots |
| Rubber sole | No | Yes |
| Comfort | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistance | No need | Depends on boots |
| Versatility | Yes | Yes |
Tips for Hiking in Crocs shoe
Hiking in Crocs can be a great experience with the proper preparation. While it won’t provide the same level of support as a traditional hiking boot, Crocs offer comfort and breathability.
When wearing Crocs shoes, you can get the most from your hike by following these tips:
- Choose shoes with thicker treads for better grip on uneven terrain;
- Select closed-toe designs for more ankle protection;
- Go for a wider sole with more arch support;
- Wear socks to help protect your feet from debris and chafing;
- Look for models with an air-cushioned midsole for extra support and shock absorption;
- Adjust straps for improved fit and stay power;
- Ensure ample room in the toe box to prevent blisters from forming between your toes;
- Lubricate any plastic parts as necessary for smoother movement up and down hills and beneath streams.
With these tips, you will surely be able to make every hike an enjoyable one in your Crocs shoes.
Alternative to Crocs for Hiking
The best alternative to Crocs shoes for hiking is buying a pair of hiking boots with many features like water resistance, durability, good traction, ankle support, and lightweight. I have three pairs of hiking boots. One for short or random hikes. The other two are for long hikes.
Salomon Quest 4 GTX is one of them. This pair of boots have so many excellent features, including waterproof support. I feel so comfortable and relaxed wearing Salomon Quest 4 GTX for hiking. This pair of boots cost 230$.
If you think that is a too high price for you, then there is another good option available. Best Budget Hiking Boots Merrell Moab 2 Mid WP ($86.83). This pair of boots also offer a good number of features. I will suggest that when buying any boots, ensure that they suit you. And carefully read their feature or terms and conditions.
Some Crocs shoes and How much do they cost?
Here are some good Crocs shoes. You can choose one pair from them for a better experience.
CLASSIC HIKER IKAT CLOG
- Adjustable footbed with arch support and heel cup for added comfort.
- Ankle straps to secure your foot in place and prevent slippage.
- Rubber outsole, durable and slip-resistant.
- Price $70
Crocs CLASSIC LINED CLOG
The Crocs CLASSIC LINED CLOG is a legendary clog now with a warm, fuzzy liner. It’s incredibly light and easy to wear with pivoting heel straps for a more secure fit.
You can customize it with Jibbitz™ charms for a unique look. It features Dual Crocs Comfort™: blissfully supportive and soft with cradling comfort. When I’m writing this article, the price of this pair is around $50.
Merrell Hydro Mocs
Merrell Men’s Hydro Moc Waterproof Shoes feature 10% recycled rubber fleck for on-trend function and a rear heel sling made of translucent rubber. Injected EVA foam upper is more water-friendly & more durable than others of its kind.
- 10% recycled rubber fleck for on-trend function
- The rear heel sling is made of translucent rubber
- Injected EVA foam upper is more water-friendly & more durable than others of its kind
- Merrell Air Cushion® in the
- The price is $55.
Crocs All-Terrain Clog
The Crocs All-Terrain Clog is a lightweight, comfortable clog that can go from the office to the outdoors. The upper of this shoe is made of Croslite™ material, which feels like a combination between rubber and foam.
This unique material provides all-day comfort for your feet while still allowing them to breathe. The heel strap on this shoe makes it easy to adjust so you can get the perfect fit. The price of this pair of Crocs is $60.
Crocs Offroad Sport Clog
This Crocs model has a reinforced toe kick area and rugged sole. This Crocs will provide you with good traction on muddy paths. This model of Crocs also comes with ankle straps to secure your foot in place and prevent slippage.
The upper is made of Croslite™, which is lightweight and soft to the touch, making this clog both comfortable and easy to wear. When I’m writing this article, the price of this pair is $44.99.
Crocs Kid’s Classic Clog
With pivoting heel straps, the shoes are easy to wear, and they’ll stay securely on your child’s feet during any activity. Plus, they’re easy to clean – just wash them in the washer when they get dirty.
And because they’re made from our iconic Crocs Comfort™ material, your child will enjoy 360-degree comfort all day long. When I’m writing this article, the price of this pair is $18.44 – $69.00 on Amazon.
Crocs Kid’s Boys And Girls Electro II Clog
This clog is dual-coloured with iconic holes and the Crocs logo. It also has a croslite™ material back strap for active kids everywhere. The advanced toebox ventilation system will keep their feet cool and comfortable, while the slip-resistant and non-marking soles make these clogs perfect for any activity. Odour-resistant materials keep their feet feeling fresh all day long. The price of this pair is $55.