Crocs Rule

[peter wells]

Hi all,
This is my 1st time on the forum but having spent hours on the forum before I did the Camino looking at lots of posts about footwear I thought I would pass on my experience.

I decided to take 2 sets of footwear - my very comfortable Crocs (Duet Sport Clog) and a pair of Newbalance joggers just in case. I started at St Jean Pied De Port in early September and walked Via Orisson in terribly wet and windy conditions to Roncevalles and at no time did the Crocs cause me to slip or cause any aggravation to my feet. Having done the first leg in horrible conditions I decided to wear the Crocs for the rest of the time on the Camino.

I only did 240 K's on the Camino but walked every step in my Crocs - I got a lot of funny looks and some interesting comments but I can assure you all that the Crocs were ideal for me especially at the end of a wet day when fellow pilgrims were concerned about how to dry out their water-logged hiking boots and all I did was wash the dirt off my Crocs and dry them with a paper hand towel and then wore them to dinner !

I'm not advocating wearing them for the whole 800K's of the Camino but I guarantee that when I do some more of the Camino in 2019 I will be taking and wearing my Crocs.

Buon Camino

Peter - Sydney - Australia

 

[HedaP]

I lead a bush walking group. One of our members always walks in Crocs. Well, not really, he always walks in the Aldi version of Crocs. And that is summer (ie. snake season) and winter (ie. Australian winter with no snow). I use Crocs as my gardening shoes at home because easy to get on and off but choose to walk the camino in trail runners because would be worried about turning an ankle.
Everyone has things that suit them and yay for that! I so wish I could write this last sentence in Spanish.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I have not seen this version of Croc's before, but it looks like they have better soles and traction than the older standard style. Did you always wear them with bare feet or use them with socks? I always wear socks with my shower sandals on the chillier evenings on my Spring caminos....it feels so cozy!

 

[pelerine]

For many years I have been using a sling back narrow version of crocks, always to change into upon arrival, walk about town and into the shower. They are the only other pair of shoes besides my walking boots. A very important point: they are so light. And as Peter said, you wash and dry them in an instant!

 

[Bradypus]

I lead a bush walking group. One of our members always walks in Crocs. Well, not really, he always walks in the Aldi version of Crocs. And that is summer (ie. snake season) and winter (ie. Australian winter with no snow).

I am one of those odd people who is fascinated by reptiles - and snakes in particular. I am sitting typing in a room with a small python in the corner for company. I was really excited to meet a couple of new species last month on the Via de la Plata. At one point I moved a very dozy Viperine Snake off the path just in case someone trod on it by accident or killed it out of fear. It helps that in the UK and Spain even the relatively few venomous snakes are in practice not a serious threat. But I must confess that even as a snake fan given the spectacular collection of nasties that you have in Australia I don't think I would set foot on a bush trail there without a pair of these!

https://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/3d-model-armor-boot-v2/968946

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I so wish I could write this last sentence in Spanish.

Me gustaría poder escribir esta última frase en español.

 

[HeidiL]

Crocs are wonderful on the Camino! And in albergues, where some people just cannot wash their clothes without spilling water on the floor...

 

[jmcarp]

... I don't think I would set foot on a bush trail there without a pair of these!
View attachment 37332
https://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/3d-model-armor-boot-v2/968946

@Bradypus, I used to wear something very similar when quail hunting in the south Texas brush back when I lived there among the rattlesnakes, but alas, I forgot to oil them after a rainy-day hunt and they will no longer flex at the ankles and knees

 

[Northern Laurie]

Crocs are wonderful on the Camino! And in albergues, where some people just cannot wash their clothes without spilling water on the floor...

Oh laundry, no matter how careful I washed thee, I was fated to discover as much water on the floor as in the wash basin. And not a mop in sight.

On behalf of all laundry clutzes - I apologize. I don't know what I do wrong, but I always managed to splash everywhere.

 

[lovingkindness]

...But I must confess that even as a snake fan given the spectacular collection of nasties that you have in Australia I don't think I would set foot on a bush trail there without a pair of these!
View attachment 37332

..ha, ha, ha...

I came across a few snakes whilst walking in Latvia this summer. Most were squashed flat or partly eaten, all except one, a thin blackish snake which I observed with fascination as it slithered through grass.

As for wearing Crocs, I've thought about buying a pair, perhaps for my next jaunt.

Cheers

 

[Deleted member 56069]

Peter, your not the only 'Croc Lover' out there. Both my wife and I have at various times, especially on our first couple of Camino's found our Croc's to be a life saver. Although I have not put on the kind of miles you have in them, I did walk complete stages in them. Honestly, on a few days it was either the Croc's or taking a cab.
Once I 'saw the light' and gave up completely on hiking boots, my Croc's were relegated back to evening wear primarily. Probably my favorite footwear, always have them on working in the yard and even for walks close to home .

 

[HedaP]

I am one of those odd people who is fascinated by reptiles - and snakes in particular. I am sitting typing in a room with a small python in the corner for company. I was really excited to meet a couple of new species last month on the Via de la Plata. At one point I moved a very dozy Viperine Snake off the path just in case someone trod on it by accident or killed it out of fear. It helps that in the UK and Spain even the relatively few venomous snakes are in practice not a serious threat. But I must confess that even as a snake fan given the spectacular collection of nasties that you have in Australia I don't think I would set foot on a bush trail there without a pair of these!
View attachment 37332
https://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/3d-model-armor-boot-v2/968946

I volunteer once a week at the local agricultural show office at the showgrounds on the edge of the town. A very large tiger snake has moved in with our closest neighbour which is a very large and very beautiful blue tongue lizard. They share the same hole in the conrete beneath our building and come out to sun themselves. We have a snake wrangler coming in next week to relocate the snake because tiger snakes are reasonably dangerous. The snake wrangler is bringing a mouse to lure the snake out of the hole.

 

[Bradypus]

I volunteer once a week at the local agricultural show office at the showgrounds on the edge of the town. A very large tiger snake has moved in with our closest neighbour which is a very large and very beautiful blue tongue lizard. They share the same hole in the conrete beneath our building and come out to sun themselves. We have a snake wrangler coming in next week to relocate the snake because tiger snakes are reasonably dangerous. The snake wrangler is bringing a mouse to lure the snake out of the hole.

When I moved to the house where I now live I was delighted to discover the garden has lots of slow worms - small and totally harmless legless lizards in beautiful gold and copper colours. No sign of any snakes though. Here in Wales our reptiles are not that common and they are all pretty modest compared with yours. I hope your new neighbour is rehomed with everyone safe and sound at the end of the day.

 

[linkster]

Crocs are awesome. I pull the insoles out of my shoes and put them into my crocs.

 

[Bungkus]

FYI: Apparently you can distinguish between an alligator and a croc by whether it sees you later or in a while.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Crocs are awesome. I pull the insoles out of my shoes and put them into my crocs.

Great idea!

 

[Kitsambler]

I'm intrigued - but worry about how they function on the loose stoney footpaths of the routes in France. Any reports for performance on surfaces such as that?

 

[Deleted member 56069]

I'm intrigued - but worry about how they function on the loose stoney footpaths of the routes in France. Any reports for performance on surfaces such as that?

Would not be my choice for those type of conditions, but on hard, flat mostly level trails, they are surprisingly good. When my feet were blown up, I wore double socks in them and they are surprisingly comfortable for walking all day. They are so light, almost like wearing nothing on your feet.

 

[Northern Laurie]

Crocs are awesome. I pull the insoles out of my shoes and put them into my crocs.

I am fascinated. And now want to go buy a pair of Crocs to try it out.

Ok, I just spent way too much money on a pair of Hoka's for post-Camino in town walking. I put them on and it was like putting on Crocs, but with support. Love at first stride.

 

[Robo]

I saw the title and thought it was something like..............

Rule # 1.........

Don't bathe your feet in the Billabong at Dusk ! CRIKEY!

It's Steve Irwin day at the Australia Zoo

 

[HeidiL]

When we did our first Camino Portugese, and and many paths were flooded, Crocs would have been wonderful for wading. Instead, we had the choice between getting our shoes wet or chancing that we wouldn't cut our feet on the stones.

We got really good at drying shoes in the evening. Crocs would have been so much better - and now we wouldn't walk a Camino without them.

 

[Mark Barnes]

I took Swiftwater Crocs for my Albergue and around town shoes and loved them. I could have easily worn them on days I walked on road surface and such. I would not wear them on gravel or loose rock trails due to likelyhood of getting pebble in them that you would have to stop and get out. Love my Swiftwater Crocs but no other model Crocs work for me.

Camino Frances 729km October 2017.

 

[linkster]

I took Swiftwater Crocs for my Albergue and around town shoes and loved them. I could have easily worn them on days I walked on road surface and such. I would not wear them on gravel or loose rock trails due to likelyhood of getting pebble in them that you would have to stop and get out. Love my Swiftwater Crocs but no other model Crocs work for me.

Camino Frances 729km October 2017.

Did you wear them in the shower? If so how quickly did they dry?

 

[Mark Barnes]

Did you wear them in the shower? If so how quickly did they dry?

I wore them in the shower one time and I would say they dried within 10 to 15 min. I did not wear them again as I did now want to leave wet footprints and did not like having wet shoes so I did not wear shoes in the shower anymore.

 

[Walk with Ernie]

I use Crocs all the time..... cheap knock offs... I have found that if I leave them close to a heat source, they get smaller. They are inexpensive and rather comfortable. On my next , Crocs will be taking up space in my pack.... my hiking shoes will be, my crocwill be on my feet.

 

[Sunbun]

Crocs are wonderful on the Camino! And in albergues, where some people just cannot wash their clothes without spilling water on the floor...

Are the soles slippery in the shower or wet floors?

 

[Kanga]

Oooh @ernie pease, that photo of your pack, all ready to go, just made my chest flutter with anticipation ....

 

[Walk with Ernie]

Oooh @ernie pease, that photo of your pack, all ready to go, just made my chest flutter with anticipation ....

That photo was taken 18 April 2017 at the Estella municiple Abergue. I started at SJPdP on 14 April 2017. My new (much lighter)pack is sitting packed waiting for my next April 2018 Camino....perhaps English, or Portuguse.
Buen Camino. Estaré en España por navidad. Parace que un sueño de 7 años me va a cumplirse. Una Srta(she is as old as me) aceptó mi propuesta de ser mi esposa. Tendré mi eterna compañera desde entonces.

 

[Sailor]

Wow! Vivan los novios! Congratulations y que la luz de Dios alumbre su camino.

 

[SeaHorse]

I like my Crocs very much, actually have many different pairs for almost every occasion. But for Camino I would be careful not to over-Croc: a little worn Crocs tend to become slippery both on the outside on wet well polished cobblestones in the old towns and from the inside meaning your foot is not as stable, you may slip off the shoe and strain the ankle.

Latvia this summer. Most were squashed flat or partly eaten, all except one, a thin blackish snake which I observed with fascination as it slithered through grass.

In Latvia there are only 2 types of snakes - viper with the characteristic ornament on the back ("odze") and the black with yellow "ears" grass snake ("zalktis"). And there is "glodene" - a leg less lizard, is it called "slow worm" in English? Not slow at all....

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Are the soles slippery in the shower or wet floors?

Crocs can be deadly on a smooth, wet surface - trying to walk across the wet main square in Valletta (Malta) which is paved with ancient marble slabs was akin to watching a two year old earning to ice skate. Cesare Borgia's tombstone nearly flattened me too.

 

[linkster]

I find that crocs have reasonably good traction when they are new, but they are treacherous once they become worn. I will not allow anybody to wear crocs on the boat. They are better off in their bare feet than their crocs. I would have no problem wearing a newer pair of crocs around town and do. I have hiked in my crocs at Myakka River once, but I think they are to squishy and almost turned an ankle.

 

[peter wells]

I have not seen this version of Croc's before, but it looks like they have better soles and traction than the older standard style. Did you always wear them with bare feet or use them with socks? I always wear socks with my shower sandals on the chillier evenings on my Spring caminos....it feels so cozy!

On 2 cold mornings I wore socks for the about 2 hours and then took them off.

 

[peter wells]

I'm intrigued - but worry about how they function on the loose stoney footpaths of the routes in France. Any reports for performance on surfaces such as that?

I had absolutely no problem with my Crocs (Duet Sport Clogs model) - From St Jean across the Pyrennes in wet windy weather is as dangerous as the Camino can get and I had no issues whatsoever.

 

[Deleted member 56069]

To clarify, croc's would never be my first choice to walk long distances. On my 2015 Camino, my hiking boots were literally killing me. I had blisters on my blisters.
So one day out of desperation I put my croc's on with double socks and found they were not putting pressure on the worst ravaged areas of my feet. I could walk...a miracle on the Camino!
So with the choice of cabbing a section, or taking a few days off walking. I found that walking in my croc's actually worked pretty good.
Once I was in a larger center, I got some trail shoes and have never looked back, no more 'boots of badness' for this pilgrim.

 

[lovingkindness]

...In Latvia there are only 2 types of snakes - viper with the characteristic ornament on the back ("odze") and the black with yellow "ears" grass snake ("zalktis"). And there is "glodene" - a leg less lizard, is it called "slow worm" in English? Not slow at all....

Hija, SeaHorse

...a yellow-eared snake, how interesting. I'm not sure which one I saw. The grass was long and it moved pretty quick.

I saw snakes in Lithuania, too: live, dead and otherwise. In pre-Christian times snakes were reverenced there, as were the sun and moon. I sometimes saw crucifixes decorated with a sun-halo of snakes and a half moon situated on the vertical beam. No crocodiles, though....

 

[Nomad Granny]

Crocs are awesome. I pull the insoles out of my shoes and put them into my crocs.

Insoles w/crocs? Count me curious. We walked the full Camino this past spring and my feet STILL hurt from plantar faciaitis. Good insoles are a MUST should I do this ever again. What style of croc did you use? I assume the insoles staid in place w/no problem?

 

[linkster]

Insoles w/crocs? Count me curious. We walked the full Camino this past spring and my feet STILL hurt from plantar faciaitis. Good insoles are a MUST should I do this ever again. What style of croc did you use? I assume the insoles staid in place w/no problem?

I think they are the classic style Crocs, and yes the insoles stay in with no problem. Plantar faciaitis: stretch, every try the yoga balls for the bottom of you feet?

 

[HediS]

Considering buying and wearing (at least some of the way) Crocs (Duet Sport Clogs). Croc lovers, how is the slip factor? I am going in September 2018, so finishing end of October. Should I do something to add traction to the crocs?

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Should I do something to add traction to the crocs?

I don't know if you should but you could add drops of Shoe-goo to the bottoms to act as lugs.

 

[SeaHorse]

New crocs are ok, old and worn get slippery.

 

[jungleboy]

Has anyone walked the Camino Primitivo in crocs and lived to tell the tale?

To make a long story short: my wife developed plantar fasciitis in both feet on the first day of the Camino Francés last May and walked in pain from SJPdP to León. She tried everything - various insoles, stretching, ice, taping, massages, deep-tissue remedial massages - and nothing worked. Then she bought swiftwater crocs in León and walked from there to Santiago de Compostela (including up to O Cebreiro) pain-free. Ever since then she has pretty much only worn crocs, including every day for three months in Africa. All other shoes cause her pain, even shoes that did not previously cause her pain. She has ordered the Strassburg socks which are supposed to fix plantar fasciitis while you sleep, but we'll have to see if they work for her or not.

So, she would love to walk the Primitivo in crocs if possible, but I'm a little worried that the more mountainous nature of the Primitivo compared with the Francés could complicate things. If anyone has done it or is a croc aficionado, which type of croc would be best for the Primitivo?

 

[Tia Valeria]

If the Crocs are the only shoes your wife can wear then which ever ones fit her comfortably would be the ones to use. It is a trail, not 'mountaineering'.
We use Crocs clogs as our second shoes and have said that if we encountered such bad mud/water that it would get in over our boot tops then we would take of our socks and roll up our trousers and walk through in crocs - with the strap round our heels. If she does walk in Crocs then IMO she needs to carry a second pair to ensure that she has something to wear if they get muddy or they have an accident. (At home the strap fixing broke on one of Terry's, although it was a well worn pair)

 

[Anamiri]

Last year my cousin got blistered from his shoes, so he walked from Leon to Ponferada in his flip flops. No trouble at all. We had trouble keeping up him.