Need a Very cushiony Crocs alternative

scjo68

DIS Veteran
Joined
Oct 17, 2002
Messages
1,539
OK shoe experts, I really need to branch out from the Crocs I wear constantly, and get something else that is really cushiony but presentable enough to wear at work (preschool teacher).

I honestly haven't found anything that keeps my feet pain free for the hours I spend on my feet except for Crocs. With the warm weather, I've gotten away with the Patricia Croc slide style, but now that colder weather has hit, I need non-sandle shoes. Clogs are OK, but I think my boss would frown on actual Croc clogs, since she doesn't let the kids wear them to preschool. Today I wore my Clarks, which are OK for about an hour, but after that, my feet hurt.

We can wear athletic shoes to work, but I have never found any that I can wear for very long without pain. And I go to specialty running shoe stores/ the New Balance Store etc., where they measure/ analyze/ study my feet, get me to pay a small fortune for the "right" pair, and still my feet end up hurting.

I see Merrells and Keens recommended for park touring. Which are the most cushioned styles of these brands? I need a place to start when I go try them on in the stores.

For those of you who like Crocs do you find Merrells, Keens, or any other shoe as comfortable? I will truly pay any amount if I can get a very cushioned shoe that I can wear all day.
 
Oh Bummer, I feel you pain. Crocs are truely the only shoe I am pain free in. Have you checked out all the different styles they have come out with? Will they allow any of these? What about more of the shoeish styles?????

I hope you can find something - its so important for you to be comfie all day.:goodvibes
 
Thanks- I actually have many of the styles, last winter I mostly lived in the Troikas, which I think I may be able to get away with if I have to. I have gotten several Croc styles that are OK for a little while, but just don't work for a long period of time- the Melinidi, the SantaCruz, don't stay on my feet well if I'm moving around quickly.

No local places carry any significant variety of Crocs for me to try on, and if I don't try them on, I really can only go with the tried and true flip flops or clogs.

I'm just hoping I can find something other than Crocs that will do, if only because Crocs seem to be getting harder to find. I'm petrified that they may stop makimnng them someday, and I have no idea what I will wear on my feet if that were to happen.
 
Thanks- I actually have many of the styles, last winter I mostly lived in the Troikas, which I think I may be able to get away with if I have to. I have gotten several Croc styles that are OK for a little while, but just don't work for a long period of time- the Melinidi, the SantaCruz, don't stay on my feet well if I'm moving around quickly.

No local places carry any significant variety of Crocs for me to try on, and if I don't try them on, I really can only go with the tried and true flip flops or clogs.

I'm just hoping I can find something other than Crocs that will do, if only because Crocs seem to be getting harder to find. I'm petrified that they may stop makimnng them someday, and I have no idea what I will wear on my feet if that were to happen.

Nothing is better than Crocs :thumbsup2 Goodluck
 
Take a look at some of the fall styles on the crocs website. There are some styles that have the same kinds of soles but look like regular shoes.
 
Take a look at some of the fall styles on the crocs website. There are some styles that have the same kinds of soles but look like regular shoes.

That is a really good idea, and I have looked, but for some reason, Crocs that are built to look like regular shoes just don't stay on my feet well. I seem to have a problem with the sizing- One size is too short, and the nexts size up just flops off my foot. Perhaps these new styles would work better for me, but I'd like to try them on first.

Does anyone know of any chains that carry a variety of Croc styles? Everyone here is pretty much putting their current stock on clearance (I've bought up lots of them myself) and not getting any more.

This is why I feel like I need to investigate other brands. I know folks here like Merrells alot, but I know they are not all the same in cushioning.
 
I'm right there with you. I get worried they'll go away! I bought 5 pairs of my favorite Athens when they went buy 1/get 1 free this summer - and had picked up a spare on vacation. This way I have them for the next few years.

The TOPS of my feet swell which gives me issues with so many styles of shoes. If you find something, give a shout out here!

I did go and buy a pair of sneakers (men's) that had some give up top. Men's regular is a woman's wide - so i went men's wide I think...forget. They are my fall back, but the tops of my feet still get uncomfortable sometimes.
 
I am a prek teacher and have to say these are the BEST shoes I have found
http://www.softspots.com/
They sell then at DSW--they are a bit pricy, like $70 a pair, but they last me a while, at least the entire year--I am on my second year in them now. The inside of the shoe is like that memory foam stuff--they are so comfortable and I don't have any pain in them.
 
ooh thanks! will check them out

I don't mind paying for good shoes if they fit well and are comfortable
 
Thanks, Amy, I will look at DSW, we have one here.

I agree, Solar, I will gladly pay as much as I need to for a shoe that I can wear everywhere and will not cause me pain. When I think of the money I have wasted on shoes that promised comfort that did not deliver :headache:, no amount is too high for shoes that really will work. :)
 
I have tried those sofftspots - and it really didnt help with my heel pain! :(

I also wear crocs 99% of the time - except when I have to "wog" (walk for the marathon training) I wear new balance with inserts - called super feet (ie www.superfeet.com)

I use the orange - I have tried different insoles, some are better than others - the other option is to go to a podiatrist...
 
I wear merrell sandals 100% of the time during summer weather which here in FL is 360 days ;) These yr I am going to investigate some of the merrell closed toe/clog/shoes since my feet /toes are screaming in pain after just a couple of hours plugged in sneaks. I've been scouring the merrell site and looking at reviews. They are pretty pricey but i've found that shoebuy . com usually has decent prices and most times some type of sale w/ approx 20% off. I've bought 2 prs from that site this yr and so far so good.
 
Okay I am trying again. This is the second time this week the DIS has booted me off, after signing in, and then not posting for a period of time. I recommend MBT shoes. I was seeing a podiatrist for Plantar Fasciitis last year (extreme heel pain brought on by an injury) when I discovered these shoes. I have worked in the field of Early Childhood Education for more than 22 years. So I do feel your pain...literally! Here is the link to their official web site click on the info sections to learn about them:
http://us.mbt.com/ These shoes are pricey but to me, to be pain free after a year of almost constant foot pain, is priceless. If cost is a concern I have had good luck with clearanced MBT's at this location: http://www.walkerswarehouse.com/ On this site see the link at the top of the page regarding "toning sneakers" segment on the Today show. You can click on it to see the segment. MBT's rated highest on their test group. Important note is that you should order the shoes 1/2 size bigger than you would normally wear. I am size 6 and I just order 6 1/2 for my MBT's. I have had 3 pain free trips to WDW since buying these shoes. I wear these all the time. If you have a mall near your home find out if they have a store called The Walking Company (I think that is the name of it) and go down there and try some on. That way you could be sure of the size. It takes a couple of days to get used to them, but they are so amazing I cannot imagine wearing anything else now. I am sure your director/supervisor would approve of these. They have many styles. They are not necessarily fashionable, but the support they give your feet is amazing. It is kind of like walking with marshmallows, or clouds, under your foot and you also get a nice tone to your leg and glute muscles too! A nice little bonus. Good luck. I hope this helps you in some way.
 
There might be underlying problems, would make no shoe comfy. You've admitted to spending big bucks, get an appt with the podiatrist.

That said, how about silver fox in the crocs rx line. I can get you deals on them if you like them, just PM or e-mail me when you know your size

the new MBT shoes are not new at all. We have been using rocker bottom shoes for years and years. MUST break them in first as they cause the use of muscles that some of us have not used in years.

On a final note. OP, why won't they let you wear crocs at work? If their reasoning is fallible, I'd be more than happy to take a look at the "written" material from an employee handbook and see if we can find a loop
 
I too could only wear crocs without pain. But I have found the Danskins shoes at Walmart- about 20 bucks, and they are comfy and my feet dont hurt after 8 hours on hospital floors. If I pull a double with them the balls of my feet do hurt a little.
 
Pre-Crocs I wore Birkenstocks and found them to be good. They were far more expensive than Crocs though.

I am mad at Crocs for discontinuing Scutes.
 
The entire Crocs RX line are a god-send. Love them when were out and about camping and such.
Also, I do believe as well that you may have an underlying medical conditon. Go see a podiatrist, chiropodist, etc. It can only help you!!!

I also love my Sauconys for work!!!
 
Easy Spirit's Travel Time line. I can easily and comfortably switch between these and Crocs.
 
I have trouble with comfy shoes too. I do like my Merrell and Chaco sandals in the summer as well as Crocs. In the winter I love my Dansco though but they don't work if you have a high arch.
 












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