Crocs!

[mel1977]

I just got a pair not long ago-a gamble though I must say. How they heck are they so good!?

I have Plantar Faciitis-I had Berkies which were so much better than my tennis shoes but man, my heels would hurt so bad, seriously, a 10/10 on that pain scale! Nothing seemed to help. I did the stretching, the ice, everything. Finally, I was just fed up with it. I even put padding in the heels. Didn't help. On a whim, I bought the crocs. I got the kind that don't have holes in them. Immediately my heels quit hurting. Now, my knees seemed to hurt more though-over a week or so, the knees quit hurting and NOW I feel wonderful. No more heel pain! I don't wake up in the am hobbling around like I am 90-I am so dumbfounded as to how they work and why they are so much better than the birkies. I feel bad though, My mom bought the birkies for me and I have no reason to wear them again.

I am 28 with some injuries and issues that add to my over all discomfort. I had bilat knee hyperextension when I was a Highschool cheerleader which is now arthritis. I have had a fusion of my lumbar spine too.

Simply amazed. BUT

[bdgriff]

i just got mine in the mail today. but today after they arrived i found a website that i could have saved money on because they sell crocs the cheapest i have ever seen. http://www.shoebuy.com/sb/s.jsp?&Brand=Crocs&b=2&b0=0.82907&b1=94.132547&scrc=-1&Page=1

Not too sure where you live or bought them before, but if you live in an area with a Sportsman's warehouse, I bought mine there for 29.99 each!!!

[DR2004RN]

Crocs does make a style of shoe for people with PF. It is called the "Relief." I just ordered those yesterday, but the ones without the holes also accomodates my orthotics. They are so darn comfortable!

[Gompers, BSN, RN]

The facility I work at just banned them - the corporation says that they are a greater fall risk of sliding in urine, etc.

I think that's bogus, personally - I've tried to slide with mine on a wet floor, and they aren't any worse than other shoes.

That's very interesting since one of the reasons Crocs were created was for people to wear on boats so they don't slip when they're on deck. Seriously.

I, too, find myself "sticking" to the floor in my Crocs.

I will say, however, that the cheaper "Beach" Crocs with the holes on the top shouldn't be allowed in hospitals. For only $10 more, you can get either the "Relief" or "Professional" versions that have no holes on the top but side vents for ventilation. The side vents have a lip around them so if you drip something onto your shoes, the liquid won't go straight into the vents, but instead will run around them.

[Gompers, BSN, RN]

Straight from the Crocs website:

"Originally intended as a boating/outdoor shoe because of its slip-resistant, non-marking sole. By 2003 Crocs had become a bona-fide phenomenon, universally accepted as an all purpose shoe for comfort and fashion."

http://www.crocs.com/company/history.jsp

[catlady, BSN, RN]

I actually have a pair of Crocs on right now as I am stretched across my bed typing this. But they're not all that comfortable, and goodness knows, they're ugly as sin. I just put them on because they were the nearest thing to my feet when I needed to put something on! I bought them last year and have gotten very little use out of them. I tried wearing them to work again the other day because of what everyone said in this thread, but I wasn't particularly impressed. My good ol' Keds with an insert work just fine.

[MiaLyse, APRN]

I have bought the Skecher brand and the Airwalk from payless. I find them both very comfortable but the Airwalks are the most comfortable.

[banditrn]

Straight from the Crocs website:

"Originally intended as a boating/outdoor shoe because of its slip-resistant, non-marking sole. By 2003 Crocs had become a bona-fide phenomenon, universally accepted as an all purpose shoe for comfort and fashion."

http://www.crocs.com/company/history.jsp

Thanks gompers! I'm wondering if the problem isn't with some knock-off brand.

I've thought of contacting Crocs to tell them of this.

[Gompers, BSN, RN]

Thanks gompers! I'm wondering if the problem isn't with some knock-off brand.

I wonder that, too. I've seen the knock-offs - they are in no way made with the same material as Crocs. While they may be just as comfortable, they are not the same quality as far as anti-skid traction goes. PLUS - Crocs are antimicrobial so they don't absorb odors, which is quite a nice perk! I mean, $30-40 for nursing shoes these days is pretty cheap, so for work, I'd go with the originals.

[MrsMommaRN]

i just got my knock of crocs (allheart brand) they were a deal i am hoping they help me out. i burnt out my walmart dr. scholls. has anyone tried the allheart version and liked them?

[veg]

i haven't bought them yet, just wondering ahead of time if the next size up fixes this problem. ???

:)

If you go to the manufacturer's website, you can find referrals to local stores that sell crocs. Or maybe it would be easier to call local stores that you are already aware of that sell comfort shoes. Perhaps when you have a chance you can walk in and try a pair to get a sense of the right size. Then you can order them from wherever you feel comfortable.

I originally ordered from crocs.com. However, if you go to Amazon.com and enter crocs in the search feature, you will find other vendors. Perhaps the other vendors can save you money, since crocs charged me $10 shipping. Consider that there are many styles online not offered through local stores. Nurses may need a shoe that is completely closed with no holes and those are not as popular through regular retail stores. Also note that the models in local stores may not offer the specific sizing you can get with models that you will find online. For example you will see the Beach model in general sizes like s, m, and L. You will find the Endeavor model in specific numbered sizes 4 through 12.

[mel1977]

I am glad I started this thread! I think that PF is completely individualized. My mom has it too and once she wore her Birkenstocks, her pain went away, where mine just stayed the same or got worse. I think I read something about crocs and how they are made for certain support. I think the Birkenstocks that are plastic w/o the cork inserts may be just as good, but they are really expensive-I can go 12 hours w/o any pain now AT ALL-I am still in shock :) I wear an 8 and bought an 8 and with the strap my toes touch the front and it is just too snug, so I go w/o. I could have bought the 9's I think but there weren't any in the black so I got the 8. Of course, at the time I didn't want the strap, now some times I wish I had the option. But, no reason to change right now. I may have to look into the relief ones.

I catch my right foot ALL THE TIMe. I have to laugh at myself as I go tripping down the hall. I did the same though when I wore my birkies, which are also a plastic. I think my right foot is a bit lazy (plus, it is a little longer than my left).

anyway, if they have worked for you GREAT! If not, the birkies are good and some places will give a discount for medical workers (but I think they only came in white). They aren't the regular birkenstocks though-just called birkies. I guess the last best thing would be orthotics made special for your own foot. I know I stand heavy on my heels with my knees hyperextended from that injury-so maybe there is something there with the heel that the others don't have. My arch doesn't hurt either.

Strange. Well, I know what I'm gonna wear assuming ours don't get banned! (I don't see it happening though)

[mnwhaley]

i love my crocs! my feet no longer hurt after 13 hr shifts........ it's like you are walking on air.