View Full Version : Sandals or Crocs
Phoenixdadeadhead
05-04-2009, 17:47
For years I have carried a pair of Tevas on every hike, and wear them on a regular basis during the hike. I had not thought of buying anything different until this year. My nephew bought a pair of crocs for his hike, and while at his house he asked me to hand them to him, when I did I was shocked how lite they were. I bought a pair and at first found them a bit uncomfotable, but after wearing them around the house here and there for a week, I began wearing them all over.
Here's my question, which do you prefer and why?
Chaco Taco
05-04-2009, 17:51
Crocs are too big and bulky.
I use Chaco's. I know you are saying "No way Chaco uses Chaco's"
Yes I use them. I hiked with them alot last year. Sometimes I dont carry any kind of campshoes because I feel like they are unnecessary. In warm weather, they are IMHO the way to go!
Crocs. I just started carrying camp shoes last year, and crocs were the first thing i grabbed. Just way comfortable.
You will never go back :banana:
Phoenixdadeadhead
05-04-2009, 17:52
Color me stupid but what are chaco's?
Chaco Taco
05-04-2009, 17:53
Crocs. I just started carrying camp shoes last year, and crocs were the first thing i grabbed. Just way comfortable.
You will never go back :banana:
Yea and dont get the huge crocs that are out, the offroad one's I think they are. The regular ones are ok, flip flops are just as good and so much lighter and pack so much easier
What type of sandal are Chaco'? I currently don't carry anything and just loosen my laces while in camp, but a sub 5 ounce pair of camp shoes would be nice, especially if they were usable for creek crossings.
Phoenixdadeadhead
05-04-2009, 17:54
Found Chaco's lol I like the Z/1's
Chaco Taco
05-04-2009, 17:54
Color me stupid but what are chaco's? Oh good lord
www.chacousa.com/
Chaco Taco
05-04-2009, 17:55
What type of sandal are Chaco'? I currently don't carry anything and just loosen my laces while in camp, but a sub 5 ounce pair of camp shoes would be nice, especially if they were usable for creek crossings.
They are heavy as hell but you can hike in them, they have a vibram sole. Dont get the toe loop unless you wear toe socks!
Where the heck have you guys been
Phoenixdadeadhead
05-04-2009, 17:56
I have a short 1 week hike coming up, should I risk it and take the crocs, or take my sandals, which don't laugh, the pair I have right now are candi's. What can I say they were comfortable lol
I got a pair of the blue strap (Powersuit) Z/1s online for $55 from TravelCountry.com. I had them on when I went to REI last week and was back in the shoe department just checking out the 'latest n greatest' and another customer said "excuse me, are those Chacos?" I told him yes and he said he really liked the color and that REI didn't have that color. I suggested he shop on line and told him what I paid for them. He handed the ones he was trying on back and thanked me! :)
http://www.shopwiki.com/detail/d=CHACO_Men%60s_Z-1_Unasweep_Sandal_Powersuit/
Crocs all the way. I live in them.
Color me stupid but what are chaco's?Not stupid at all . . . just living and learning. :)
I like crocs because they have toe protection so i dont gash my big toe on anything.
sheepdog
05-04-2009, 21:15
crocs, strong, light, comfortable, durable
Phoenixdadeadhead
05-04-2009, 21:29
You guys are making me feel much better lol
I wore sandals throughout Penn. and nearly killed my feet at night. Way too many rocks in that state. This year, I'm sporting crocs.
I have tried both teva and chacos and found the chacos to be a bit heavier. On my trip to Canada for a summer fishing trip in really rainy/wet conditions I found myself wearing the Teva's atleast 85% of the trip. Unfortunately my dog got ahold of one of my teva's, so now I am also considering a pair of crocs.
Phoenixdadeadhead
05-05-2009, 21:02
The only thing that worries me about my crocs is that they feel kinda loose. It may just be me, because I always liked having my tevas well fitting and cant stand flip flops because they flop.
mister krabs
05-06-2009, 13:40
They're supposed to be that way.
The Perfect Crocs™ Fit
Crocs™ should not fit like other shoes:
They should fit very loosely.
The sides of your foot should not really touch the sides of the shoe.
Your toes should never make contact with the front of the shoe.
Once you have centered your foot on the foot-bed:
You should have about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch of space in front of your toes, behind your heel and when you lift the strap you should be able to comfortably get your finger between the strap and heel.
In other words the fit should be "loose".
I know that this goes against everything that you have ever been used to in a shoe, but these are the parameters that the shoe was designed to be worn under.
No Pressure points Ever!
To ensure that the strap is not pulling your foot into the front of the shoe, rotate the strap forward and determine if your foot rests comfortably in the foot bed and there is room all around your foot. If so, you have the proper size but the strap is too short. To alleviate this issue, work your fingers around the strap and stretch it as you go around being careful not to put excessive pressure on the rivet hole. Stretch the strap until it is just short of the back edge of the shoe. The resin material has memory and will stay at the proper length after one or two of these types of adjustments.
Crocs', they are very light weight and I don't get the chaffing i get from teva sandal straps. Plus if u do any yard work they're great for that too, then u just wear them in the shower to clean off and lighter than anything else
brooklynkayak
05-06-2009, 15:48
A couple disadvantages of Crocs. From someone who wears them a lot:
1) Slippery when wet and easy to slip out of. Not good for crossing creeks.
2) Soft material. Glass or sharp rocks can easily penetrate. I know several people who have been really hurt from this.
I now carry a shoe made by Speedo. Slightly heavier than crocks, but they stay on your feet better and have a little stronger sole that grips when wet. Great for fording streams and wearing around camp.
personaly think crocs are nice for camp-town shoes but as far as hiking I hiked down in GA-NC with my tevas old style ofcourse and did well after buying a pair of expensive pair of trail runners from canada that hurt my ankles.Mind You I usually cary 45-50 pnds and like the fact you can strap them tight.ky
Bear Cables
05-06-2009, 21:55
I take a pair of Crocs "mary jane" style. I like the strap and closed shoe. very light but I wonder if Teva would be better if I anticipate wet crossings. I have also been told by other hikers that they hike in the Chacos. Always wondering about what's best....
bpenpusher
04-28-2010, 02:02
Personally I rather have a pair of chacos over crocs because of its support when trail hiking... crocs may be soft and comfy to the feet but it really gets uncomfortable because of its softness, it feels murky when it rains... chacos may not be as soft as it looks but it gives sturdy support...
I love my Crocs. I am on my 4th pair (and they about need replacing). I wear them exclusively at work, where I have to stand on my feet all day on concrete floors (surgery).
I have carried them on all of my overnight trips, and been very happy with them. I have used them to cross rivers and was completely comfortable and felt secure. I like them on trips because they are fairly light weight, does not absorb any water and dries off extremely fast and is super easy to clean up so no mess if storing them inside your pack. They are super easy to slip on and off, and they are comfortable.
I wear mine with the heel strap towards the front. I don't like the straps around my foot. However, I do put them around the back of my foot while crossing rivers. The Crocs take some getting used to, IMO. They are meant to fit extremely loose, which is what makes them so comfy.
They can be slippery when wet say on tiled concrete floors such as in hospitals, or in wet grass, or wet rocks (I have hit the ground more than once while wearing them.....) For this reason and the fact that they are so loose fitting they are not ideal for hiking in, unless it is on simple walking trails that are flat and without lots of debris that may have to be climbed over.
As for the Chaco's, I want a pair, but am not so sure that I would carry them as extra shoes on a backpacking trip, mostly for their weight. I could see how they would be a better choice as a back up for in case your boots went out, over the Crocs, but for me it's just not worth it. YMMV. But I do want some, and am curious about using them exclusively for hikes. I would have to wear them for quite a while though before I trusted myself to wear a pair of opened toed sandals to hike in, for serious hiking. Eventually I'll get me a pair, but it will have to be on sale, I don't want to drop a Benji on them (there are other things I still need.........)
Just saying.......
Kerosene
04-28-2010, 15:10
I haven't brought my Crocs for my last 3 hikes. While I like the comfort of Crocs, I also found them bulky and heavy relative to the WalMart slip-on sandals I now use (13 vs. 7 ounces). The sandals work pretty well for most camp chores, although the Crocs are superior for hiking down a steep trail to get water or foraging for firewood.
I used to always carry a pair of crocs but I quit carrying them because I never really needed them and my size 12's weigh almost a lb (15 oz I think...).
I'm wearing trail runners now - they make great camp/town shoes too so definitely no need for camp shoes.