Can You Hike In Crocs? Exploring the Pros, Cons, and Tips

I recently heard some people discuss hiking in Crocs, claiming that the shoes were still comfortable while going on the trail. Some of the benefits of Croc, like easy water crossing, are obvious. But can Crocs – those quirky, comfortable shoes with the holes and the bumpy soles – really hold up on the trail?

Crocs are a type of footwear that is generally not considered suitable for hiking due to their lack of traction, support, and protection. While they may be used for water crossings on the trail, they are not recommended for strenuous or technical hikes and are better suited for short, flat, leisurely walks.

In this article, we’ll weigh the benefits and drawbacks of hiking in Crocs and offer some tips for making the most of this unconventional footwear choice. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a beginner, I hope this information helps you make an informed decision about what to wear on your next outdoor adventure.

Are Crocs good for hiking?

Hiking can be a physically demanding activity, and the type of footwear you go on the hike with can have a major effect on your experience. Wearing proper shoes is important to reduce the risk of injury and to make the hike comfortable.

Crocs are not specifically designed for hiking, but more as casual day-to-day shoes. They are comfortable but don’t have tough soles and supportive designs like hiking shoes do.

This makes Crocs less ideal for hiking when compared with the alternatives. I wouldn’t go on anything more than a short casual walk on a flat surface when wearing Crocs.

It seems like most hikers agree that Crocs aren’t ideal for hiking. Based on a poll I’ve recently done on the footwear habits of hikers, out of 65 respondents, none of them regularly use Crocs for hiking. You can see the full results of the hiking footwear poll in a previous article I wrote.

The design and material of Crocs make them dry quickly, so they do seem quite good for water crossing on a hike. In that sense, they are similar to sandals, where your feet are exposed and can dry quickly and feel more comfortable.

You can take Crocs with you on a trail, wearing proper hiking footwear, but switching to your Crocs when you need to cross some water on the trail. After your feet dry out, you can switch back to your hiking shoes.

The Pros of Hiking in Crocs

While Crocs are not specifically designed for hiking, they do have some benefits you should consider:

• Comfort: The main reason why people wear Crocs is because they’re comfortable. They are made of some sort of rubber, which feels cushioned and comfortable to wear. They also don’t really require any breaking-in and should be comfortable to wear right from the start.
• Breathability: Crocs have holes and vents that allow for good airflow, helping to keep feet cool and dry. This can help minimize blisters, and provide an overall better feeling for the person wearing them.
• Water crossing: Crocs are made from a lightweight, waterproof material that dries quickly. When you need to cross a stream or river on a hike, you want a shoe that will keep your feet dry and comfortable. The design of Crocs also allows for good drainage, so when you go into the water, it will drain out quickly.

The Cons of Hiking in Crocs

As I mentioned before, Crocs are not ideal for hiking. They’re not designed for outdoor walking, so they come with some major downsides:

• Traction: The material Crocs are made of may not have the best traction on slippery or uneven terrain. This can be a safety issue on the trail, especially when hiking on a more technical trail, or some wet or muddy area.
• Support: The open design of Crocs does not provide as much support as a traditional hiking shoe. This can lead to fatigue and discomfort on longer hikes because it changes your walking pattern. This design also doesn’t support your ankles, which is really important for protection and comfort.
• Protection: Crocs do not offer as much protection from the elements or from rocks and other trail debris as sturdy hiking shoes. Rocks, sticks, or other sharp elements can cause an injury, and Crocs don’t protect your feet well enough to keep them safe.

Overall, these downsides to Crocs make them unfit for hiking in most conditions, except for very casual trails. A short, flat leisure hike can be fine, but going on a more difficult trail can result in injury.

If you like the open design and breathability or Crocs, you might want to consider wearing sandals for the hike. They typically provide better support for your feet, with the same benefits as Crocs. If you want to learn more about hiking in sandals, I wrote an entire post about whether sandals are good for hiking where I detail everything you need to know.

Tips for Hiking in Crocs

If you do decide to go on a hike with Crocs, there are some tips that can make the experience more pleasant:

• Go on an easy, casual hike: Avoid hikes that include going too much uphill or downhill or any technical terrain. Pick short hikes (nothing more than a few miles) that are mostly flat, and preferably on comfortable ground.
• Choose the right type of Crocs: There are many types of Crocs, and some can be better for hiking than others. Look for Crocs with a more aggressive sole and a higher profile for better traction and support on the trail.
• Take breaks as needed: If you’re hiking in Crocs and start to feel discomfort or fatigue, take a break and rest your feet. This can help to prevent injury and ensure that you have a comfortable and enjoyable hike.

Conclusions

In this post, we’ve discussed whether Crocs are a viable footwear option for hiking.

Considering the different pros and cons of Crocs, in most cases, they’re not suitable for hiking. While they might not be the ideal choice for most hikes, they can be a comfortable and convenient option for short leisure walks in nature.

When choosing what shoes to wear while hiking, make your own decision based on your specific preferences and based on the trail you’re going on. Have fun and enjoy your trip.