Crocs are the kind of shoes that either you love or loathe. You might like their signature look, with breathable holes and rubber material. But if your kid is clamoring to put his crocs on, you might wonder how safe they really are. Should your kid wear crocs, or would a sneaker be better suited for your child’s feet?
As you might have guessed, Crocs aren’t exactly the finest footwear for your kids to wear for any length of time. “Crocs are not the best choice in terms of shoes for children,” says Dr. Velimir Petkov, DPM, a board-certified podiatrist. “The heel portion is unstable, which forces pressure towards your child’s toes. That, in turn, can cause arch and heel pain.” It might also give your child a blister or an ingrown toenail as a result of the friction.
That said, Crocs can be a good option for kids, especially when you consider other shoes that your child could be wearing. “Crocs are light and offer more protection than flip flops,” says Dr. Petkov. And having your child’s foot covered could keep it safe in case of a fall or something dropping on your tot’s tootsies.
Plus, Crocs offer something that many other shoes don’t — shock absorption. “Crocs do have decent shock absorption,” says Dr. Paul Ross, DPM, a board-certified podiatrist. “Certainly utilizing them to commute to and from activities would be appropriate.” Just don’t plan on having your kid run around in them for hours. “They do not provide enough support or stability for the daily activities that most children are involved with,” adds Dr. Petkov.
So if your kiddo loves his Crocs, it’s totally fine for him to wear them. Just be sure to limit the amount of time he has them on his feet so that he doesn’t run the risk of hurting himself. Otherwise, he can proudly wear his Crocs for the cool fashion statement that they make.