Crocs vs Birkenstocks

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

Okay so I will admit that I own multiple pairs of birkenstocks. I love them! I wear them everywhere and with everything. Even days at WDW are done in my birks!

But.... I am a little curious about crocs. Since so many people on these boards love them I wanted to know more about them and are they like birkenstocks at all?

If you like one or the other - which one do you like more and why?

 

[deide71]

Actually I like my Birki's better for the arch support, as long as they are well worn in that is.

 

[Bev J]

I am a long time Birk wearer and have 8 pair. I wear then year round. I ususally take 3 different pair/styles to WDW and change out morning/afternoon and each day.
Last trip I really just needed shoes with some cushioning and my Birks just don't have that at all.
I ended up wearing my sons Crocs and surprise they saved my feet! I am heading back to WDW in a few weeks and I will be taking 2 pair of Birks and also a pair of Crocs, I will be covered for any situation. The Crocs are comfortable!!

Bev

 

[alyssa810]

I just bought my first pair of crocs last week, and I am really liking them so far. I am a little nervous about wearing them all day at a park though, so I think I will bring my sneakers with me too just in case. My SILs swear by their Birks though, and my DH has really bad flat feet - as do his two sisters- but he gave a pair a try and absolutely hated them. These were work shoes though, not sandals, if that makes a difference. I tried his shoes on just for kicks as well, and I didn't find them too comfy either - of course they also weren't a proper fit but like I said, I am enjoying my new crocs!

 

[2Pirates_1Princess]

I am taking 2 pairs of Birks, 1 pair of crocs and a pair of Nike tennis shoes. I will have all my bases covered and can change shoes depending on how my feet feel. Let's face it ladies we can never have enough shoes.

I also plan to pack two pairs for each child. A pair of tennis shoes and a pair of crocs.

 

[BrerMama]

I bought a pair of Birkenstocks to wear on our 04 trip because I'm a long time Birk lover. Ended up hating them by the end of the trip. When it rained, as it did every afternoon, the leater on the Birks got wet and rubbed my foot raw. Towards the end of the trip, I was wearing moleskin on the top of my foot plus socks with the Birks to protect them (I had also brought running shoes, but those rubbed my heel raw, so the Birks with socks was the lesser of two evils, although very dorky).

Last year I discovered Crocs Athens, which is the flip flop style of Crocs. They have arch support and lots of cusion. I wore them all over Branson -- 2 theme parks, several malls, on my feet a lot more than normal -- and loved them. The only flip flop I'd ever wear to a theme park. I now have 4 pairs of Crocs and plan to take them all to WDW in a month. Even when they get wet, they don't rub, but dry quickly. I think they're a better choice for me than Birks.

 

[rabx5]

I don't have Birks, but I have Crocs. I am at WDW right now and they are not supporting my feet enough-I will stick to my sneakers. Now my hubby is wearing Crocs and he's loving them

 

[kelleigh1]

I've never tried Birkenstocks myself, but my sister has worn them. Last year, I finally convinced her to try a pair of Crocs. I quote:
"these are the most comfortable shoes I've worn in my entire 37 years."

You'll always find someone who prefers one over the other, so I think you just have to try them for yourself because you just never know what you'll prefer.

 

[leslieseagle]

I would definitely choose the Birks. We are a Birkenstock family here. We are leaving for Disney in about three weeks, and between us, we are taking six pairs. We love them. But, if you have any feet problems, I would suggest Finn Comfort. My husband is a UPS man, and he swears by these. They are a little costly, but if you spend long days on your feet, or have any foot, back, or knee problems, it will be money well spent, I promise.

 

[LoveDopey]

I prefer my Crocs to my Birks now but what about Dawgs? I just bought them for DD. Same concept as Crocs but fit a narrow foot better.

 

[Momelie]

I'm a long time Birki fan, but I wouldn't wear anything but Crocs to WDW. The Birks' soles get really hard after a long day of pounding pavement, Crocs don't. Birks get very uncomfortable after being wet, Crocs don't.

I recently tried some of the Crocsrx line and WOW!!! What a difference even from the regular Crocs!

 

[tink07]

I just bought 2 pair of waterproof Birkis for the trip. I will be
taking those, a pair of Crocs & my Adidas tennis shoes.

I'm sure I will wear my Birkis the majority of the time
They have great arch support & that is what I need.

 

[kelleigh1]

I'm a long time Birki fan, but I wouldn't wear anything but Crocs to WDW. The Birks' soles get really hard after a long day of pounding pavement, Crocs don't. Birks get very uncomfortable after being wet, Crocs don't.

I recently tried some of the Crocsrx line and WOW!!! What a difference even from the regular Crocs!

If you don't mind me asking, where did you get your Crocs Rx? From Crocs.com directly or did you find someone else who carries them? I haven't been able to find anyone else who carries them but I am interested in trying them myself. TIA

 

[ogreenlee]

I've worn Birks for almost 20 years, but I wouldn't wear them over Crocs at Disney. Crocs are cushioned and Birks are not. Crocs weigh nothing and Birks weigh more than I'd like. Crocs can get wet. Birks feel like yuck when they're wet. Crocs won't wear a blister on your foot. Birks can and have on me after a long day.

However, I was in Europe, and had bought Clarks walking shoes before leaving. I had blisters on the bottom of my feet from those dang things. I found a store in Italy, and bought two pairs of Birks... for cheap! They were a Godsend.

Still... I would wear Crocs to Disney. And you don't have to get them in bright, bold colors.

 

[nutsforgolf]

I just brought a pair of KEEN hiking sandals, some of them offer the same protection as Crocs (covered toe), but a much better sole, better traction. They come in leather and fabric straps, both are Waterproof and can even be worn in a pool. (not that I would, but you get the idea). They aren't cheap, probably what a Birk costs ( $90-$95).

 

[photobob]

Between me, my wife and daughter we wear crocs, birkenstocks, tevas and chocos and we love them. However, when we are at WDW it's usually sneakers and sneakers only for park touring. We may wear one of the others for a short late evening visit, but for serious daytime parking it's sneakers..

 

[cosmicdaisy]

I have to second the Keens as well, at least for my feet. I have Birks, Crocs and Keens. I am flat footed, and while I like the crocs for running around town and such, I've noticed after a day of shopping my feet are hurting/aching and I've assumed from the lack of support. Before we went to WDW last time, I scoured these boards for feet advice, how to avoid blisters, shoes, etc. I basically wrote down all the shoes people recommended in various posts and went and did my own research. Keens fit my feet so well and I will say that I wore these shoes (my DH and DD as well) for 7 straight days in Disney World and my feet never ached and with the help of bodyglide as well, no blisters!

My favorite things about Keens, besides the comfort they offer me, is that they are waterproof and are made to be in water and have traction in wet conditions. They are pricey, but I spend money on good footware, kwim?

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

Thanks for all the information! I think I will give the crocs a try. I can always use more shoes!

Ofcourse that will mean that I will have to get dd a pair too - she takes after me in that she loves her shoes!

FYI - I normally bring at least three pairs of shoes for myself and three for dd. WDW is seriously hard on the feet! Plus what is the point of having so many shoes if you don't wear them.

 

[captinhookedondisney]

Well when I went to Disney last I wore Teva's and my feet only hurt a very little. I So strongly suggest wearing Teva's sandals.( Also you can take your shoes off during Soarin' when you where any sandals that alone is worth it to wear sandals).

 

[mirthmaiden]

I've worn both, but neither at WDW before. While both are super comfortable, I would choose the crocs for a theme park. They have more support, are much lighter and can get wet with no ill effects.