When the heavens open and your social feeds are suddenly filled with repeat posts about the same product, you’re usually safe to assume that there’s a promotion of some kind occurring.
The rose everyone is suddenly drinking with the cutesy name.
The serum that’s on every Mother’s Day gift list despite the fact that it’s barely available in stores.
The nail polish that has terrible reviews on Ulta, but the new summer shade is a must have.
So when every influencer I follow — some of them friends in real life — was suddenly wearing sandals from Crocs last month, I assumed that eventually I’d get a notification that Crocs wanted to send me a pair to try, and the mystery of this sudden explosion of interest would be solved — Ah, undisclosed promotional materials — but the notification never came. And so I dropped a message into the influencer group chat:
“Do you really like the Croc’s sandals? Or is this some kind of belated April Fool’s.”
Four of them sent me pictures of them wearing the sandals at that very moment. This was real. What a stunning and unexpected turn of events.
Given my mitochondrial hatred of Crocs, it took me a month to agree to try a pair. I mean, I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life — I once shot a man in Reno just to watch him die — but Crocs? Some things are a bridge too far.
Then, one day, I went to the pool with my daughter and realized that I didn’t want to lose another pair of leather slides to a summer of chlorine, aerosol sunscreen, and spilled juice boxes. Fine. I yield.
The first pair I bought were the oft discussed Miami sandals with the toe loop. I hated these in a way I find difficult to put into words. The amount of chafing that occurs when the toe loop of a plastic-like sandals rubs incessantly on the top of your toe on a hot, humid day . . . I practically needed a skin graft.
The toe loop sandals were sent back, and I reveled in my superiority. I could not be conned. Crocs were still a joke. But then a friend bought the double-strap pair that looked just like a pair of sandals that I had to give to the Gods after five summers of wear took them out of circulation. She hated the toe loops too, these were better, she swore it.
Okay, fine, I’ll give them one more try. For science…
The Miami Double Strap is comfortable enough. It’s an easy throw on. It’s perfect for the pool, for errands, for a quick bit of yard work. It’s sells out within minutes when they restock. I’m not sure it’s worth that kind of clamor, but it is a useful shoe. The kind of shoe you find yourself reaching for even though it’s not your favorite because it is the easiest one to just put on and go.
My one complaint is that it scuffs easily on asphalt, and since I am often chasing a toddler who is faster than me and climbs things powered by apple juice and rage, the front is already showing wear. I’m told I can put them in the dishwasher, but I’m afraid this is an urban shoe myth. (Please advise.)
Also, while the double-strap sandal is comfortable, I would not have tried to walk in D.C. for more than a regular commute in these sandals. They’re good for a mile, maybe two if you’re not rushing, but they don’t have the goods for longer distances. I walked 3.2 miles in them one day (Costco, dog walking, chasing the aforementioned toddler) and my back did not thank me for the lack of arch support and the slightly hard material they’re made out of.
Bottom Line: I’d say the Crocs Miami Double Straps are a 7/10 that gets worn like they’re 10/10 because they’re useful enough that they make it possible for you not to think too hard about your summer footwear. Think Cetaphil face wash or that boyfriend you dated for just a little too long post college…there may be better out there, but this one’s good enough, so why think too hard about it? I will keep them, and I will wear them, and when I will destroy them, I will not cry. For the mother of a toddler who can’t be as precious about clothes as she once was, maybe this is enough. Or more likely, I will look back on this summer as the period when motherhood took everything from me and forced me into Crocs.
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For similar situations, I’m a convert to the Birkenstock Arizona Evas. I have them in white, and they slide on and off no problem when I’ve already picked up the beach bag and the toddler and can’t bed down for shoes, rinse easily, and don’t destroy my feet when I end up walking farther than anticipated.
Came here to say the same thing. Birkenstock Arizona EVAs are made for these situations, and they are durable as heck and have actual arch support. I also have them in white and have had mine for 3+ years.
On this train – I wear my leather Birkenstock Arizonas as if they were EVA and they look new three years after multiple sand volleyball seasons, pool days, and even an accidental hike or two. Could not love them more, and they are white and STILL look that good.
I have a look alike pair from Amazon and agreed — I resisted them until someone told me they provide arch support and now I have an outside pair and an inside pair. Getting older is fun!
I have an outside pair and an inside pair of the Evas too!
Mine are 5 years old and just starting to show their age (one crack where the toe meets the strap).
I’ve put mine in the washing machine, but the dishwasher would be better!
Came here to say yeesss…same. And I’m not even a Birkenstock person. I have them in pink.
I wanted to love the EVA birks but every time I wore mine they made an awful fart like noise each time I stepped. I have friends that don’t have this issue so it has to be something to do with the shape of my foot.
I deeply appreciate this review.
after i picked my self up off he floor, i come to say i agree with other readers. Save your feet, wear something with arch support. The Birkenstock ones are easy to slip in and are playground and splashpad friendly.
The square toe flipflops are pretty great too. I previously only bought crocs for my kiddo and swore I’d never wear them, yet I found myself oddly drawn to these in the beige color. They have been far more useful than I ever thought possible, and they hose off easily.
My absolute best pair of travel sandals is a pair of crocs that were at one point called the Sexi Flip. Bad name, my favorite shoe for travel and just whenever my feet don’t feel great. I’ve been eyeing these because Poshmark has not yielded any replacements for the Sexi Flip.
Yes, oh my gosh the Sexi Flip T-strap in black were so chic! Mine finally ripped after YEARS of consistent wear. People were always shocked that they were Crocs. I wore them all around Europe, and I yearn for another pair every summer.
I wear the Crocs Classic sandal as my backpacking sandal / shower shoe. Occasionally they make trips to the pool in summer, but I still hesitate to think of them as “real shoes.” They’re incredibly comfy though!
“Or more likely, I will look back on this summer as the period when motherhood took everything from me and forced me into Crocs.”
I just need to give you credit where credit is due for this line. One of the most accurate things I have ever read.
I love my Freedom Moses fake Birks(from Tuckernuck) and I LOVE my $30 Archie’s rubber flip flops with arch support in taupe. Disappear on your feet. Very comfortable. Classic “thong” style like Havianas but actually stay on better and stay comfortable longer. I run around all day in them. Random Amazon purchase. Strongly recommend!
I can’t say enough good things about the Archie’s flip flops. They are great and just enough support to keep you on your feet a little longer. Have not tried walking a mile in them, but for quick errands, pool, beach, house, etc…they are perfect. They also make a slide, and I’m looking at those for my next pair.
+1 for both of these recs!!
Crocs slides (the ugly ones with arch support) are my ride or die house shoes. Never outside the house! But I get plantar fasciitis if I’m not careful (or go barefoot too often), and they’re the best I’ve found for stuff like standing and cooking.