Bottom Line
The Crocs Classic Clog has been a staple of our camp shoe guide for years. The simplicity of this camp shoe – paired with its versatility and light weight – make it a top choice for backcountry and front country campsites. However, we found issues with the fit and support, which hindered us in some outdoor activities. We couldn’t even depend on them to keep up as we fast-walked through a busy, post-holiday airport.
Still, the downsides to this shoe are limited if you are seeking a shoe to chill at camp –– so long as you can get past its iconic style. It can be worn alone or with thick, winter socks. It provides support while standing that can feel wonderful after a long day of hiking. We didn’t find these to be super breathable, but they did dry faster than some of the water shoes included in our camp shoe roundup. Overall, we’ve found the Classic Clog a great value for activities like gardening, lounging around camp, and working as a chef.
How We Tested
We wore this shoe through the Dallas Fort Worth airport on a busy day, crossed an ankle-deep stream, and timed how quickly our feet and clogs dried.
Quick Specs
Crocs Classic Clogs
Best Budget Buy
CleverHiker Rating: 4.2/5.0
Price: $50
Weight (Pair): 11.2 oz.
Pros
- Easy to slip on
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Pivoting heel strap
Cons
- Fit issues
- Classically ugly
COMFORT
With a face like that, Crocs must offer great comfort… right? We found some issues with the fit that disappointed us. Overall, though, these shoes were easy to throw on and required no break-in time.
There are two ways you can wear the croc: with the heel strap around the heel (“sport mode”) or over the top of the foot. With the heel strap deployed, our big toes smashed into the front of the shoe. Looking down, we saw our foot had been pushed up from the heel by a couple of centimeters.
We moved the heel strap to the top of the foot. Our foot sunk back to the natural heel of the shoe. We were then able to appreciate the wide toe box and roomy feel. However, with any intentional walking – like when we sped through an airport to catch a flight – the shoes didn’t stay on our feet well. We managed to keep the shoe on, but our foot moved all around within the shoe. We believe this is why the insole is textured –– a feature that irritated our feet after being torn up by a long day of hiking in our boots.
VERSATILITY
On paper, the Classic Croc excels in versatility, but its fit knocks down its versatility rating. We wouldn’t feel comfortable traveling too far away from camp in these or depend on them to hike out of the backcountry if something happened to our hiking boots.
That being said, this shoe is light at 0.7 pounds for the pair. It’s easy to see why backpackers have chosen Crocs for their backcountry camp shoes.
This camp shoe also has great cushion and acts as an excellent barrier to the rough outdoor world. The traction was greater than we expected but nowhere near as great as some of our other favorite camp shoes. Again, if we’re judging this shoe solely for lounging at camp, the traction is perfectly adequate.
We tested these in water and found that we like the holes around the side of the foot. They allowed water to escape the shoe. It took just under 10 minutes for our feet to feel dry after getting wet but a bit longer for that squeaky noise to disappear.
SUPPORT
The Croc is known for its support. Second to comfort and ease, it’s the reason why this shoe took off in popularity. We found it to provide good support when standing still – not the best when walking around.
After walking around on some not-so-supportive shoes for a six-mile hike, we slipped into the classic Crocs. During the hike, it felt like our knees were swollen and sore, but we felt that pain alleviate after wearing the Crocs in camp. The insole felt like it was meeting our arches, and the foam let us sink into the shoe. The shoe also passed the bend, twist, and squeeze tests we put it through – holding up to us putting pressure all around the shoe.
But we would be remiss without explaining how this shoe acts on the move. Because of the Croc’s tight fit, we mostly walked around without the heel strap, sometimes contorting our feet to keep the shoe on.
DURABILITY
The shoe is made from Croslite compound, which is a type of EVA material. EVA blends the qualities of plastic and rubber. Crocs has trademarked their own EVA type, but we can generally expect this shoe to act like the Merrell Hydro Moc or other rubber-like camp shoes in our annual round up.
We wanted to find the limits of this material, so we stretched and scratched into it. What we found is that the material is fairly elastic but won’t lose its shape. User reviews on the Crocs website claim that this shoe is either durable or very durable. Only 4% of the nearly 30,000 reviews expressed displeasure with the shoe’s durability.
Should You Buy the Crocs Classic Clog?
The Croc is a simple, lightweight shoe that can walk through water and across rough terrain. It makes for a good camp shoe, assuming that you don’t have to walk anywhere far or fast while wearing them. They are the most affordable option on our list of favorite camp shoes. However, those looking to stack some miles on their camp shoes should look elsewhere. The fit of the Crocs is one of the biggest reasons we say this. With the heel strap around the heel, the foot is squished to the top of the shoe. Without the heel strap, the shoe is so loosey, goosey that it fell off our gear analyst’s feet. Still, it’s a popular option with backpackers looking for something lightweight, packable, and comfortable in camp.
What Other Camp Shoes Should You Consider?
Browse the other options below or get the full run down in our Best Camp Shoe gear guide.
Merrell Hydro Moc Review: The Hydro Moc is a great comparison to the Croc. Though it has a similar appearance and function, we found that it fit better, felt more supportive, and generally was more comfortable.
KEEN Hyperport H2 Sandal Review: This water shoe rated as one of the highest on our favorite camp shoes list this year. It has ample support and cushion, great traction, and feels durable.
HOKA ORA Recovery 3 Slide Review: The ORA is first and foremost a recovery shoe. Beyond the excellent support this shoe offers, we love that the simple, slide design looks good in and out of camp.
