People who are fond of wearing their Crocs all day may want to reconsider their footwear options as these rubber clogs do not offer enough support for the feet, according to specialists.
Ever since they were first introduced in 2002, Crocs have become one of the most popular brands of footwear, selling more than 300 million pairs all over the world. This can be attributed to the convenience and comfortability that the clogs provide wearers.
However, experts warn that Crocs may not be a suitable option for all-day use.
In an article by Huffington Post, Dr. Megan Leahy, a podiatrist from the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute in Chicago, explained that while Crocs do provide ample support for the arch of the foot, their design fails to adequately support the heel.
She said that if the heel of the foot is left unstable, the toes would end up making up for it by gripping, which could lead to various foot problems such as corns, calluses, tendinitis and even the worsening of existing toe deformities.
Leahy added that the same can also be said about wearing backless shoes and flip flops as these do not provide support for the heel.
The American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine (AAPSM) points to the shank as the key feature of any footwear as it is the one supporting the toe and heel.
AAPSM president Dr. Alex Kor said many people claim that they experience more pain on their foot if the shank of their shoes bends when they walk. He said some of his patients who wear Crocs complain about feeling pain on the heel or arch of their feet.
Kor believes Crocs can be beneficial to people who either have high arches on their feet or suffer from an excessive production of edema in their ankles or legs. He can't, however, recommend using the rubber clogs for 8 to 10 hours every day aside from those circumstances.
Leahy agrees with Kor's suggestion, adding that people can wear Crocs during trips to the pool or beach, but they should not wear them when going for long walks. She also noticed that many Croc wearers, both young and old, tend to trip or fall while wearing the rubber clogs.
