The amphibian footwear created by Crocs has always been controversial in the fashion world, but now the medical field is weighing in on the shoes as well. Although many styles by Crocs are approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association and the U.S. Ergonomics Council, hospitals in the UK and Sweden have banned the shoes. Some British hospitals feel they pose health and safety risks (especially the styles featuring decorative holes on them), plus they don't meet the dress code (too colorful I presume). The Swedes found the shoes created static electricity that interfered with medical equipment causing malfunction.
On the heels of the controversy, came this new style of Crocs - The Mammoth ($39.99) and was curious what you all would think of it. It is essentially a fleece lined clog with holes in it. The design really confuses me, but I have never been a Crocs lover (unlike my daughters who LOVE them).
So as always, I am curious - are these cool?
Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti
Kit Heath
Alberta Ferretti
wow...they actually got uglier.
1LOL Amanda!
2They're called "cruggs!"
Part Croc. Part Ugg.
3I didn't like Crocs either...until I fell in love with the Mary Janes. I love mine in simple black. They go well with shorts and capris. These though...I just don't know. I like the idea, but don't get the holes.
4ha ha that look like they will keep you warm and cool all at the same time!
5Please, No!
6Awful!
7they make no sense!!
8I do not understand the appeal of crocs. Unless you are a toddler.
9Those are definitely ugly, but the Croc mary janes and prima styles are actually quite fashionable. I ever wear the primas to and from (and sometimes at) work. They are good for my feet, and I'm not in pain by the end of the day like I am when I wear heels.
10ugly. like some one threw up on shoes or something.
11Hideous.
12These shoes are sooo Hollywood...everyone wears them at the Grove and Bevery Center! BLAH!
13My hospital hasn't banned them, but they do frown upon them. It's a safety hazard with all those holes! would you want poop, blood or any of the other nasty body fluids I come in contact daily on your feet? Not me! I'll stick to my pumas and new balance!
14FROM ABC.NEWS.COM
Those big, bold gardening clogs that come in bright colors and mold to the shape of your feet seem to be everywhere these days.
The company that makes one kind of rubber clogs, Crocs, sold 6 million of them last year.
In some online chat rooms and blogs, however, parents are sharing stories about kids having accidents while wearing the shoes.
Some people have reported that kids wearing Crocs have had their feet sucked into the side of escalators.
Some businesses have even posted warning signs near their escalators saying if you're wearing Crocs, be careful.
Chloe Johnson, 10, from Kansas City, is one of those kids who had a frightening experience while wearing the shoes.
She loved her Crocs. "I wore them almost everywhere," she said.
Last year on an escalator at the Atlanta Hartsfield Airport, she had a huge scare.
"Chloe said, 'My toe, my toe,'" said her mother, Kay Hopkins. "And we took the Croc off and seeing the blood and seeing her toe -- it was frightening."
The escalator was crowded, and the toe of Chloe's left shoe was sucked between the escalator stair and the side wall.
"To have this happen with your child standing right next to you ends up being pretty shocking," said Chloe's father, Neil Johnson.
Chloe's foot recovered, but last month, two children wearing Crocs in Arkansas had more serious injuries.
"Imagine that you are taking a child shopping and out of the blue their foot is mangled, trapped," said James Yuen, a plastic surgeon at Arkansas Children's Hospital. "Can you imagine a child stuck for almost an hour? It is a very traumatic event."
It's not just Crocs that pose a danger -- any soft, pliable shoe, even flip-flops, can be dangerous on an escalator.
Escalator Safety Tips
The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates about 10,000 people go to the emergency room every year after accidents on escalators. Of those, 20 percent involved having hands, feet or shoes trapped.
The industry has worked for years to make escalators safer, but not every state has adopted the latest codes.
Arkansas, for example, is still using regulations that date back to the early 1990s.
The makers of Crocs are designing a new tag that includes escalator safety tips.
In a statement, the company told ABC News: "Crocs shoes are completely safe. & Escalators and moving sidewalks, particularly those that have not received proper care and maintenance, can be dangerous and pose risks to their riders."
But Chloe's parents are convinced that the Crocs were an important factor in her accident.
"They did have the escalator inspected, and everything was running, functioning well," said Chloe's mother.
About 245 million people ride escalators every day, and only a small number of incidents have been reported, so it's not an epidemic.
But to be safe, experts say parents should make sure children ride in the center of the escalator step.
Parents of small children should carry them, and kids should not run their foot along the wall -- that creates friction and heat, which could explain why the Crocs seem to melt around the edge of the step.
And remember that escalators are now outfitted with emergency stop buttons.
If you run into trouble, you can shut it down pretty quickly.
15I think they're ugly! I wouldn't be able to wear them to work since I work in a lab and they count as "sandals/open toed shoes". I think the only place you'd ever want to wear them is on the beach or on a boat.
16Crocs are so ugly. I don't see why so many people wear them. Not cool at all, this trend needs to die so I don't have to look at them anymore.
17Hideous. I hate them as much as the roller-sneakers. Grrr.
18I'll throw acid on you if I see you wearing these. Uggs and Crocs make people's feet smell.
19I agree with Amanda-La. They were ugly and now they just got uglier! lol!
20Beyond tacky.
21Crocs are absolutely horrible. They always have been. Uggs are absolutely horrible. They always have been. Now, we combine the two? Wow. I applaud the marketing teams! I would be laughing all the way to the bank if I sold these!
22Those are soo ugly but maybe comfy..i dunno
23These things are so UGLY!!!!!!!!!
24Caterpillar girl - thanks for all that amazing info!
25The design is confusing because it doesn't make sense anymore. The whole reason crocks are so well liked with kids is that they slip them on and go and when they get dirty you just hose em down and start all over again the next day. To put fleece in them defeats the purpose.
26I don't like crocs, but if you do like crocs (which I swear everyone seems to own a pair but me!) then I'm sure you'd love these. I think they actually look better than regular crocs.
27Please, please, please don't wear those fugly shoes.
28Not my fave.
29They look like slippers with the fleece.
30A combo of the two fugliest shoes ever made. Bravo! (Not)
31I don't like any of the crocs! I'm glad junior high was a long time ago for me. I probably would have bought them b/c "everyone else is doing it."
32Crocs are the best footwear ever invented----for my four year old. Hideous for me! I wouldn't be caught dead in them.
33hahaha... NOT CUTE! My 2 year old owns a pair of Mary Jane Crocs. They are cute when they're tiny. They're not for me though. Barf!
34Just because something is comfortable doesn't mean it should be worn out of the house! These are the ugliest effing shoes out there!
35i never understood the fascination with these shoes and now theyre even uglier
36I like a fuzzy shoe, but those are really ugly!
37They look like slippers. Guess I'm the only one here that would wear them! But only around the house.
This is from the croc website:
• this strapless slip-on takes a cozy twist on crocs' original designs keeping feet warm and toasty
• super soft synthetic fur lining is both removable and washable for easy care
• false holes on sides nod to crocs' original designs, while keeping feet dry for winter wear
• coordinating sock liner matches shoe while protecting foot from upper holes
• a higher heel gives increased protection from winter weather
• loose fit allows feet to bend and expand naturally, reducing fatigue
• made with croslite™ material
So it seems like the holes are just there so they look like the original crocs.
38This summer I wore the Crocs Scutes and I love them. You can check them out here: http://shop.crocs.com/pc-32-4-scutes.aspx?reqid=32&reqProdTypeId=41p&sub...
i hate those things, how can THAT even be considered as an actual foot-wear?
39oh god. why are these different than flip flops? flip flops should be banned everywhere! i used to think of these as kinda ugly, but i bought a pair and love them! they are so comfortable to wear at home as slippers! they are just so soft on the bottom of my feet - i think these ones with fuzzy stuff in them would be even better!
i like a lot of the newer styles of crocs. the ones i have are the mary jane style without
holes. they are great for slipping on to throw out the trash and do some laundry. great for when i am mopping the floors as they are pretty grippy and don't get my feet wet.
40as soon as it is warm out you see thousands of Vancouverites wearing all the crocs styles. i love that: people wearing comfy footwear that breathes well rather than flip flops which are so uncomfortable and dangerous for the sake of fashion. laid-back westcoasters...thats what my brother calls us all.
41I hate the way crocs too, but I wear them at work. I am embarassed and ashamed, but they are so comfortable and my feet don't hurt at the end of my 10 hour shifts (I stand all day), so even with my shame, I won't give them up.
42I also used to think the holes were ridiculous, but when I walk down the hall it is like someone turned on an air conditioner for my toes! So wonderful (and UGLY!)
Haha, they are everyone's two worst nightmare shoes combined.
43I personally have nothing against them, but still don't think I'd wear them outside.
My goodness, those are nasty. Crocs are taking over the world!
44they got even worse.. I don't understand why they have holes in them? to air out your feet so they don't smell? I see so many people wearing them, it's sick.
45Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.