Crocs vs Skechers – Which one wins the comfortable work footwear battle?

When your job is in a relaxed environment or doesn’t require formal office attire, you have more options to choose from when it comes to footwear. You can go as trendy or as informal as you like, but it’s still important for your work shoes to have features that will enable you to perform well on the job.

Crocs and Skechers are two brands manufacturing casual footwear products that are versatile enough to be used in some work settings.

Both brands also have dedicated lines for professional use, enhanced for better comfort, protection, and overall function on the job.

This article looks into the details that make these brands stand out, and what their downsides are, based on our personal experience of using and testing more than 20 pairs of crocs clogs and skechers shoes.

Crocs

Crocs products have distinctive shapes which are also offered in various colors.

Crocs clogs are the go-to choice of people who want effortless comfort and convenient use, with the slip-on design allowing quick on and off.

They’re available in various colors and offer personalization options (through the brand’s own Jibbitz charms) for a more fun way of enjoying the footwear.

It’s worth noting that the brand also has a more serious-looking line of clogs that are enhanced for professional use, with some using a reinforced (but still proprietary) material for even better foot comfort and performance on the job.

Key Advantages of Crocs

Lightweight and flexible

Crocs is best known for its lightweight clogs, offering effortless comfort.

They make the feet feel like they have nothing on them while offering ample support.

The proprietary material typically has curved insole sections for good support and proper foot alignment.

It’s also flexible for free, comfortable walking.

Comfortably bouncy material

Crocs clogs have a comfortably bouncy feel, thanks to its proprietary material called Croslite.

Their material resembles a cross between rubber and foam but is a closed-cell resin. It works to absorb shock and delivers a welcome bounce, giving the much-needed energy return that propels each step for superior comfort and agility.

Grippy outsoles

The same Croslite material that brings comfortable bounce has a firm grip on the ground for better stability while walking.

The collection of clogs for professional use has Croslite soles, further reinforced by the brand’s exclusive Crocs Lock tread to increase the footwear’s slip resistance significantly.

The grippy soles make the professional clogs more suitable for jobs in slippery conditions, such as industrial kitchens and healthcare facilities.

Water-resistant material

The Croslite material that makes up most of the brand’s clog structures doesn’t absorb liquids.

This means liquids from accidental spills or splashes won’t instantly penetrate the clogs, and the feet can stay comfortably dry.

However, to maximize the material’s water resistance and when working in wet environments, it’s best to go for designs without ventilation holes to ensure that liquids can’t flow into the clogs.

Ventilated construction

Crocs clogs prevent sweating and overheating by allowing plenty of air through the opening at the back.

The designs with ventilation ports on the sides and top of the upper are even more breathable, encouraging more air to flow in and circulate to maintain a fresh, cool feeling for the feet to enjoy.

Convenient to put on

Crocs clogs are designed to slip on and off quickly.

They’re very convenient to use since there are no laces to fiddle with every time they’re worn, although some designs come with a classic back strap that secures the heel in place.

Spacious interiors

Crocs is known for clogs that have spacious interiors, allowing the feet to flex naturally and the toes to wiggle comfortably to combat foot fatigue.

The extra space also makes it easier for the feet to slip into and out of the clogs without scraping the skin against their inner section.

Durable

The resin material used for the body of many Crocs products is durable.

It doesn’t allow many liquids to penetrate, offering a higher resistance to dirt and stains encountered in the work area. Most Crocs clogs have thick structures and last much longer than other sandals or slippers.

Easy to clean

The fully molded, water-resistant Croslite material is very easy to clean.

It can be washed with soap and water at the end of a busy shift, so dirt and sweat that build up during the day can be removed for proper hygiene.

Key Disadvantages of Crocs

May look too bulky or informal for some settings

Only some people are fans of the distinctive look of classic Crocs clogs.

They can look strange and too bulky and are inappropriate for use in formal settings.

Crocs clogs may also look out of place with certain outfits.

Perforated styles let water in

Even with the water-resistant material, Crocs clogs with holes on the upper will still let liquids in.

This can be a problem in wet work areas, where the feet are at a higher risk of becoming uncomfortably soaked.

Not a lot of fully enclosed lace-up styles

Crocs may not be the best brand for enclosed shoe styles.

The brand has a few sneaker styles available but is much fewer than those offered by Skechers and other brands.

Non-perforated designs can cause sweating

The Croslite material used in Crocs clogs is not breathable.

The negative effects of this non-breathability can be felt in non-perforated designs, which can cause the clogs’ interiors to heat up and the feet to sweat a lot.

Can feel unstable

Crocs clogs can feel unstable when used for quick walking because they’re not firmly secured around the feet.

The issue can worsen with ill-fitting clogs, resulting in the feet slipping out or rubbing painfully on the material with every step.

Uses of Crocs

Crocs clogs are favored by those who work on their feet and need convenient-to-use footwear that won’t interfere with comfortable movements. Some of the jobs that prefer these clogs are:

• Nurses
• Chefs/cooks
• Servers/food service staff
• Housekeeping personnel

Skechers

Skechers produces a wide variety of footwear styles for leisure and professional purposes.

While most people closely associate the brand with its sneakers for sports and casual use, Skechers also has a line of work shoes and boots for use in various job environments.

The brand’s wide range includes Foamies that closely resemble Crocs clogs.

Its varied footwear styles showcase different materials and enhancements catering to equally varying needs, emphasizing superior comfort and performance to get the job done.

Key Advantages of Skechers

Versatile designs

Skechers shoes are offered in many styles that can be maximized in different environments.

While most of the designs tend to be on the sporty side, many of them are versatile enough for use in professional settings and in more casual surroundings.

The variations in style are influenced by the different materials used as well as the purposes for which the footwear design are built.

Comfortable construction

Skechers shoes are preferred not only because they’re stylish and versatile but also because most of them are supremely comfortable.

Many styles use flexible uppers and soles to increase walking comfort with each step.

Certain designs also have built-in comfort enhancements, such as exclusive air-cooled memory foam insoles and shock-absorbent midsoles.

Safety features in specific designs

Skechers has a special line of work shoes and boots designed to keep up with the requirements of various work scenarios.

These boots and shoes are better equipped to deal with different hazards on the worksite as they’re built with safety enhancements, such as safety toe caps, electrical hazard protection, and puncture resistance.

Strong traction

Many Skechers shoes have slip-resistant soles that deliver better stability in variable surface conditions.

The grippy outsoles make walking on wet, greasy, or uneven ground easier while maintaining a balanced stance. The enhanced traction level improves resistance against slipping for a safe way of navigating tricky work surfaces.

Better foot protection/coverage

Aside from Foamies that look like Crocs clogs, Skechers shoes, and boots have enclosed structures that are offered in different styles and for various purposes.

They offer better foot coverage and protection against wetness, dirt, and safety hazards lurking around challenging work areas.

Lace-up styles offer better foot security

The lace-up designs of most Skechers shoes ensure the foot is always secured inside the footwear.

This prevents painful chafing and the risk that the feet will accidentally slip out of the shoes with vigorous movements.

Breathable designs

Plenty of Skechers shoes with sporty designs use mesh uppers for lightweight flexibility and breathability.

The mesh easily lets the air pass through, so it can circulate freely inside the shoes and help moisture evaporate quickly. In addition, the breathable structure keeps the interior feeling fresh and cool for long hours.

Reliable shock absorption

Many Skechers work shoes are designed to soak up the impact of walking to protect the feet against severe pain.

Specific styles may have shock-absorbing midsoles and memory foam insoles that cushion the feet, so they’re saved from directly feeling the impact of repeatedly stepping on hard ground.

These shock-absorbent shoes and boots offer enhanced comfort for those who spend most of the day working on their feet.

Relaxed fit options

Skechers offers shoes and boots in relaxed fit designs for improved foot comfort.

The roomy styles allow the feet to flex and move naturally, preventing painful chafing, blisters, and the restricted feeling of wearing too-narrow footwear options.

Key Disadvantages of Skechers

Breathable mesh can absorb liquids

Skechers shoes with sporty profiles typically have mesh uppers that can quickly absorb liquids.

These styles won’t keep the feet dry in wet work environments. Styles use water-resistant leather for the uppers, but there are a few options (compared to breathable mesh styles).

Typically, more expensive than Crocs

Skechers are generally more expensive than Crocs.

This isn’t surprising given that Skechers shoes use more materials and components to build the enclosed shoes, which also come with more enhancements for comfort and safety.

More difficult to clean than Crocs clogs

Skechers shoes for work are mostly made with porous materials that absorb liquids.

They’re not meant for long-term exposure to wetness, so they’re not designed for a quick wash like Crocs clogs are.

The mesh material often used in Skechers work shoes can also easily accumulate dirt, which may be hard to remove without much time and effort.

Uses of Skechers

Skechers shoes are made with a wide variety of materials and enhanced features that make them suitable for equally variable professions, such as:

• Retail sales staff
• Kitchen workers
• Security guards
• Warehouse workers

Personal Testing Experience

Here are our thoughts about our experiences while trying high-quality products from Crocs and Skechers. The Crocs Bistro Pro LiteRide Clog is built with a superbly soft LiteRide foam that significantly elevates foot comfort. It has a remarkably lightweight design that feels almost like nothing, making it much easier to keep walking and standing comfortably for a long time without anything weighing the feet down. The sole features the Crocs Lock tread design for maximum traction, preventing slipping on slippery and wet floors. The upper has an enclosed profile, with thicker material for better protection against wetness and impact – but without perforations, this structure tends to make the feet sweat before long.

On the other hand, the Skechers Women’s Synergy – Sandlot Alloy Toe Work Shoe protects the toes against dangerous impact and compression using alloy toe caps which are not as heavy as steel toes. The Skechers memory foam insole creates a soft cradle that relieves pressure, while the lightweight FlexSole midsole absorbs the impact of walking to keep the feet comfortable for a lot longer. In addition, the slip-resistant outsole delivers powerful traction for a stable way of walking over tricky surfaces. However, this outsole is difficult to clean, and the shoe’s structure needs to be waterproof.

Conclusion

Crocs and Skechers are highly-regarded brands to consider when looking for comfortable work footwear. Their styles are focused on keeping the feet comfortable in various scenarios without compromising functionality on and off the work area. Crocs clogs offer the ultimate convenience, with slip-on designs that are flexible and lightweight for continuous comfort while doing light activities. Meanwhile, Skechers shoes showcase materials and enhancements that deliver superior comfort and high-performance use. Some styles are built with features for improved foot safety and support, making them ideal for more challenging work conditions.