Long has the war against Crocs raged on.
Sure, they’re treasured for their comfort, rubberiness and the fact you can wash them in the dishwasher. They’re also equally popular with toddlers and celebrities, but – put plainly – they’re ugly. And many of us just can’t accept them.
But fans of the unsightly plastic shoe have maintained that the comfort of Crocs outweighs their appearance. Right? No. Turns out that’s wrong.
New evidence has been unveiled to finally help the anti-Crocs side win the battle, with doctors saying they’re actually bad for your feet, The Huffington Post reports.
Several podiatrists were consulted on whether the shoes were actually good for your health, and they all resoundingly said no, citing that the main issues with Crocs are the fact that the open back with only a loose strap leaves your heel and shank – the supportive structure between the heel and the toe – unstable.
Dr. Megan Leahy told The Huffington Post:
Unfortunately Crocs are not suitable for all-day use.
These shoes do not adequately secure the heel. When the heel is unstable, toes tend to grip which can lead to tendinitis, worsening of toe deformities, nail problems, corns and calluses.
The same thing can happen with flip flops or any backless shoes as the heel is not secured.
Bad news for those of us who love flip flops.
Dr. Alex Kor, however, took issue with the shank. He explained that the most important feature in any shoe is this area, which provides support between the heel and the toe.
Noting that Crocs are one of the worst offenders when it comes to shoes with flexible shanks, he said:
Patients are more likely to have foot pain if their shoes bend in the shank.
On a daily basis, I see patients who come into my office complaining of arch or heel pain and they are wearing Crocs. The only two types of patients that may benefit from wearing Crocs are patients that have a very high arch or those who suffer from excessive edema of their legs and ankle.
But, under no circumstances can I suggest wearing Crocs 8 to 10 hours per day.
Dr. Leahy also noted that she’s observed people tend to trip and fall more while wearing Crocs than any other type of shoe.
So, while they’re suitable for very short walks – such as from the shower to your room or from your chair to the pool – they aren’t suitable for all day or everyday use.
Basically, for anyone who ever refused to like Crocs – you were right all along.
