Crocs for SHTF?

[Half Sense]

http://www.shoesoftheday.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/blue_crocs.jpg

I walked a couple of miles in Crocs recently, and they made for pretty decent walking shoes in a pinch. I've had this pair for 3 or 4 years, just for knocking around the house and yard, and they still look new. I even wore them recently while chopping out a stubborn crepe myrtle stump, figuring they'd do a good job of deflecting an axe blade if it slipped. I was thinking about how cheap, light and weatherproof they are, and how they could serve as the basic shell for a warmer shoe or boot enhanced with leather, cloth, or wool.

They certainly are not perfect; it's easier to stumble, harder to climb, etc. For many tasks you'll want your good work or hiking boots. But having several pairs of Crocs around would allow you to put less wear on your good boots. I can tell you than in the Deep South, Crocs really insulate your feet from scorching hot pavement and beaches. And they're great for doing anything around water.

Some of the more stylish ones cost over $50! But if you stick with the basic design and shop eBay, Wally World, thrift stores, etc you should be able to find them cheap. They are one of the few shoes you could actually buy used because they can easily be sterilized with bleach and water.

I think I will add few more pairs to the preps.

[MNeagle]

I agree they're great clogs, but I certainly wouldn't risk my feet with ax-work while wearing them.

Maybe try an experiment, and swing an ax on an empty pair...

[RJB]

If it's good enough for cars...

http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/tiresandals.jpg

http://www.neoanderthal.com/rs2k0255.jpg

[madfranks]

They're good shoes and very durable, also the resin they use is non-porous so they won't retain foot odor and are easy to clean. I like them, but they're not really utilitarian shoes, they're like lounge shoes.

[sunnyandseventy]

I wear mine more than I should. They are ugly.
Easy on. Easy off. Easy to clean. Quick to dry.
Once the snow gets cleared off the walks and parking lots around here, people are back into the Crocs and Birks. Makes it much easier when you have to take you boots or shoes off everytime you go indoors.

[hoarder]

Never tried any Crocs on. It seems like a good idea, good alternative to flip flops and probably great around water, but I can't get over the stupid looks. Damn they're ugly in a loud way.

[Book]

Damn they're ugly in a loud way.



http://wholesomegaycouple.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/crocs.jpg

Yooooo Hooooo! Look at my feet everybody!

:)

Since this is the Prep section do they come in camo?

[MNeagle]

And don't forget you can add 'bling' to them too now!

http://demandware.edgesuite.net/aadb_prd/on/demandware.static/Sites-crocs_us-Site/Sites-siteCatalog_CrocsUS/default/v1299107321670/2ndaryBnnr_Jibbitz-SearchK.JPG

(I only know because our neighbor kids were toting them around on their Crocs, even the little boy...)

[RJB]

http://wholesomegaycouple.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/crocs.jpg

Yooooo Hooooo! Look at my feet everybody!

:)

Since this is the Prep section do they come in camo.
LOL. The pink ones would save someone the energy in SHTF of carrying a sign that says "please kick my ass."

[crazychicken]

Those CROCS are some ugly s**t!!!!!!!!!

CC

[mightymanx]

They work pretty good as a spare pair in the pack to use around camp to let your boots air out, or "over the boot top" water crossings.

They are uglier than homemade soap but they weigh less than a small bag of bellybutton lint.

Personaly I use Tevas for all of the above reasons the reason I pay the weight penalty for taking tevas is; I can run in them. and they make me slightly less than Libaracci gay when wearing them, unlike crocs.

[ximmy]

Crocs are cool... ;D

[MNeagle]

LOVE Tevas. Have to get a new pair, thanks for the reminder!

[Half Sense]

http://store.realtree.com/images/product/thumbnail_product_detailed_image_548_1310.jpg

The ones I have are in camo pattern. I got them down on Sanibel Island, FL a few years ago.

The bright colored Crocs would not be good for OPSEC, but could be useful for signaling, as floats or markers, etc. Also difficult to lose :)

I now use my Crocs for yard work. The are more comfortable and they will outlast the old Rockport walking shoes I had been using. Super easy to rinse off, too.

They even make a special closed-heel design to meet hospital standards. Lots of nurses switching to Crocs and I see a lot of food industry people wearing them, too.

[Book]

The ones I have are in camo pattern...

I now use my Crocs for yard work. The are more comfortable and they will outlast the old Rockport walking shoes I had been using. Super easy to rinse off, too. They even make a special closed-heel design to meet hospital standards. Lots of nurses switching to Crocs and I see a lot of food industry people wearing them, too.



I'm taking another look at your premise now. If they really are more durable than Rockport walking shoes you convincingly made your case. Anyone else have actual experience with their durability and life-cycle? Maybe I wrongly assumed they would wear out fast because they are made of really soft rubber.

:dunno

[MNeagle]

On the recommendation from someone on Classic GIM, my husband ordered the "Orthopedic" style to wear after his foot surgery.

He wasn't able to wear a regular shoe for months. He still wears those Crocs every week. (Only in the house during winter).