Crocs Specialist - experiences?

kanzz · Aug 23, 2009

My company does not allow Crocs, yet they are the only shoes I can wear comfortably throughout my shift. I've found Easy Spirit walking shoes offer comfort, but they don't last as long as Crocs.
I've got Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (a severe case) & I'm limited in footwear choices. I have a co-worker who swears by Z-COIL (http://www.zcoil) footwear, but I'm reluctant to pay out about $200 bucks for work shoes!
I seem to manage with my Easy Spirit walking shoes, but I'd really prefer something that would make me feel like I did 40 years ago!

I have plantar fasciitis. My feet got relief within 30 minutes after I put on my first pair of Crocs about 8 years ago, and I haven't been able to wear anything else since. The Easy Spirit slides I bought recently are better than any other non-crocs, but still just not the same.

If the reason your company will not allow Crocs is because of the holes &/or because they're backless - the Specialist will work for you.

From the Crocs website - "These casual work shoes were designed to meet workplace standards. Crocs™ Specialist is based on Crocs™ original clog design, but with a closed heel and closed toe design."

They're also making insoles now!

bgmcndn · Nov 21, 2009

Hello everyone,

I need to buy a pair of Crocs Specialist too,but I can't decide which one to buy; Specialist or Specialist Vent. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the holes? I need your suggestions, because I haven't experienced it yet and there is no store in my town which sells Crocs.Hope some of you can help me :)

~MIA~, ASN, RN · Nov 25, 2009

Crocs Specialists are the ONLY shoe that I wear for work! THEY are the best!! I have "bad" feet and have tried every shoe out there...haven't bought anything else since I started wearing Crocs Specialists.

I started out with the ones without the vents, but I found in the summer time my feet sweat in them so I went to the vented ones. I will wear the non-vented in the winter time. I actually have 4 pair in white, 1 in black and 1 in brown. I normally wear a size 6.5-7.5 shoe and in the Crocs Specialists I wear the size 7.

I highly recommend them! :up: :yeah: :redbeathe:loveya:

allnurses Guide · Nov 25, 2009

I am forever falling over my own feet, but love the lightweight crocs - so comfy for standing around in the OR. Find Danskos hard on my feet, roll my ankle, and soooooooooo heavy my shins hurt after getting spoiled by crocs!

I do hate the wide feet look - sometimes no-name brand croc imitators are just as good, cheaper and narrower.

I do wash in the dishwasher regularly to disinfect and also to shrink them back to original size. Have to use the heel straps too - don't know how people don't walk out of them when they don't.

bgmcndn · Nov 25, 2009

So I'd better to buy non-vented ones for winter and buy vented ones for summer :) I havent experienced them yet so I had no idea about the difference.thanks for your suggestions.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Nov 25, 2009

Warning- I wore and loved Crocs for a year and then got achilles tendonitis so bad I was limping right through shifts. Two podiatrists have said it was the Crocs and lack of lace-up support causing the shoe to slip and stress my foot. I've changed to lace up shoes and am slowly getting better, but now get sore feet after an hour with any type of sandal or clog.

shrimpchips, LPN · Nov 26, 2009

I own a pair of Specialist Crocs (in white). I got excited when I saw these because I hate the Crocs with the holes in them. They are EXTREMELY comfortable. They do kind of make your feet look big (I wear a size 6, though, so probably better for me than those with larger feet ). I don't find my pants getting stuck in the back strap. The bottom is kind of gross looking after walking around so much. They have another type of which I think is called the Bistro, but I'm not sure...it comes in orange and some other basic colors, like black, brown & white, but they are the same as the Specialist except with a black non-skid sole. That said, the Specialist is NOT skid proof, which is my one gripe about them. I almost busted my butt one time when the floor was slippery - luckily it was just water and not urine or some other type of fluid :lol:

I think cleaning them is easy...and actually I use those germicidal wipes at the hospital (the ones in the white container with the red top...that you need to wear gloves with) to clean them. Easy :)

lelesmith · Feb 18, 2010

i worked for four years at a very busy multi-physician specialty clinic. we all had crazy bright colored scrubs and most of us had all the fun colored crocs to go with them. unfortunately, after a year or so of daily use of this footwear and 8-9 hours a day of being on my feet i started to have a great deal of right foot pain.

i consulted with two different podiatrists and they both told me the same thing......crocs will ruin your feet. they do not offer enought support for your feet during the wear and tear of a crazy day of running around a clinic with hard linoleum floors. i had to go through a series of steroid injections to my foot as well as take oral meds for inflammation on and off for a couple of years.

needless to say, i had to stop wearing my crocs for daily use :crying2: . man, i have (or had) a huge collection. oh well, i now use them on occasion when i work in the yard or go to the beach...i have given away a few pairs here and there.

i am now wearing boring, shoes with orthotics to help prevent further damage to my feet.

NGeorgia · Feb 18, 2010

When I worked as a phlebotomist I wore these. I LOVED them. All I did was walk non-stop for 8 hours and they stopped my foot and lower back pain. Not a single complaint! And the price has come down since I bought mine, which is a plus.

Don't tell anyone, but I own several of the flip flops and flats. These are all my dad will wear now after he injured his back and neck at work.

katie w. · Feb 19, 2010

I'm personally a fan of Danskos.. they have so many cute ones and are supposed to be great for your feet and back. They're a little pricey but they are very versatile (I wear them at school, work, out and about).

CrazierThanYou · Apr 18, 2010

I have some Crocs Specialist. They are comfy as far as the footbed but mine seem to run a bit small, making my toes sore. Also, they rub the tops of my toes and make that sore too. If I went to a bigger size, they would be way too big. I wonder if the Crocs Bistro has a larger toe box?

MeganS · Apr 18, 2010

I don't know if this has been asked. I have a very narrow foot. Does Crocs come in different widths? The only Crocs I have seen/tried on are far to wide for my foot -- even with socks.