Crocs vs Birkenstocks

Crocks or Birkenstock? It’s a debate that no one asked for, but it’s here. What kind of shoes do you turn to when you don’t really want to wear shoes?

Well, summer is just around the corner, and maybe it’s the right time to take those chunky boots and swap them for something lighter- something that will let your toes wiggle around and breathe.

On that note, Birkenstock and Crocs are probably the first shoes to come to mind. So today, we will check out these two brands that make awesome sandals. You probably have already heard about them. Both are known for casual minimalist shoes, such as when planning to go to the beach or somewhere with a “no shoes, no service” sign.

Crocs are your easy slip-on clogs, whereas Birkenstocks are simply the signature hippie footwear. Still, most people tend to like both models because they are so comfortable and suitable for various work fields.

But who can say which is better? Recently, as comfort and value for money have taken the cutting edge of fashion, Birks has lately experienced a surge in popularity. So in this post, we’ll tell you exactly why they are so comfortable, what makes them better and why you might want to consider any of them. All you need is to scroll down and find out.

Crocs is a brand name for foam clogs made in Colorado. They were initially designed to be boating shoes and were crafted out of a special closed-cell resin known as Croslite. The process used in making this Croslite material is a carefully protected corporate secret. This footwear was first sold at the Fort Lauderdale Boat show back in 2001.

Since then, Crocs have put more variety into the color and style of their shoes. The brand is also known for making Jibbitz decorative charms that can be applied in the ventilation holes found on Crocs’ instep. Crocs-toe variety is especially popular among health care professionals because they are incredibly comfortable.

Birkenstock

Birkenstock, meanwhile, is a brand name for sandals made in Germany. The footbed featured by these sandals is made of cork, and the rest part is made up of suede and jute. Birkenstocks are designed to conform to the wearer’s feet.

This footwear model first came into America in 1996 and became more mainstream as a shoe when Nordstrom started selling Birkenstocks. Later in 2018, Birkenstock was ranked as the “Most Animal-Friendly Shoe Company.”

The first thing to note about Birkenstock is that most of them are actually slip-ons, with a smaller number of them designed with a back strap. As such, we think they wouldn’t be the best choice for hiking. You don’t want to strain your ankle due to a lack of proper support.

Still, there are some sandals that might be perfectly usable for hiking. In fact, some Birkenstocks are water-friendly such that you can even swim with them. That will mean a lot to some of us who dread the thought of all those sea creatures and algae touching your skin.

One of the most impressive features that sets Birkenstocks apart from their competition is their footbed. Of course, these aren’t the best-looking sandals on the market, but they’re certainly among the most comfortable options. Perhaps that is the reason why most people keep buying them.

Crocs Vs. Birkenstock: What’s the Difference?

First, Crocks and Birkenstock are made of different materials. While Birkenstocks are leather, jute, and cork, no one (higher-up insiders) knows exactly what Crocs are made out of. The manufacturer doesn’t clearly say what goes on in the Croslite making process.

Birkenstock, on the other hand, has more of an open structure, just like any sandal does. Crocs simply clog with ventilation holes. The brand also offers some closed-toe models for people who love the comfort of Crocs, but they don’t seem to like the idea of dropping a hypo full of who knows what onto their bare feet.

Crocs Vs. Birkenstock: Similarity

One notable similarity between Crocs and Birkenstock is that they both slide on easily and gradually adapt to the unique contour of your feet. Both models are worn mostly for comfort, considering that they are all accommodative and secure in fit than flip-flops.

On the flip side, both shoes are likely to get real stinky quickly. However, they can be easily cleaned with baking soda. They are both very casual footwear with surprisingly good traction.

We also can’t overlook the fact that they are both suitable for people convalescing from surgery and foot injuries. And lastly, their names somewhat rhyme with each other.

What Makes Crocs Better?

Of course, these shoes are different. One would even say that nothing in this world looks like a Croc. You might have heard of counterfeit Crocs, also known as “Croc-offs.” Crocs are easy to clean and will keep your feet from getting dirty. The shoes themselves are waterproof and wipe clean quite easily. These shoes also don’t have the break-in period that Birks almost certainly calls for.

What Makes Birkenstock Better?

Birkenstock comes with a simple look, unlike Crocs, which are just homely. The designer can give them any color in the rainbow and decorate them with all the kawaii charms they wish.

Yet that doesn’t change what they are: Playmobil toes are considered to be shoes. Birkenstock sandals also come with unbeatable arch support, from which they have gained a massive reputation sliding from youth shoe to seniors and people well out of youth. Their universal application of Birks is the main reason why they are so different from other brands.

The company employs its own molded footbed for every sandal they make, which is extremely comfortable and orthopedic. Moreover, there are two main materials that the footbed is made from.

For water-friendly sandals, the footbed is made from EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate). This is an elastic material that offers excellent cushioning without adding weight. For the leather sandals, you will get a more natural cork footbed. Note that sandals with cork footbeds aren’t meant to be submerged into water.

But what special about the original Birkenstock footbed? Well, the first thing is that it offers both transverse and longitudinal arch support. Original Birkenstock footbeds are designed to ensure that your feet are comfortably cupped with each step, while the latter is meant to provide a reliable stance and keep your sandals properly aligned with your feet.

Why You Might Want To Choose Crocs

Now things are a bit interesting. Most kids seem to like Crocs, so if your kids like them, you might want to have them tested for fit and comfort.

Many people nowadays are on their feet most of the time. As such, they are more concerned about comfort than style. Medical professionals, for instance, may find them agreeable and suitable for their occupation. However, if you’re someone who easily gets distracted by shiny objects, then you may want to consider wearing Jibbitz.

The fact that they are easy to clean, Crocs are suitable for dirty jobs like tending dairy cows, gardening, or even taking the kids to Disney. It is excellent footwear for anyone who has completely given up on style and no longer cares about appearance.

Why You Might Want To Choose Birkenstock

As mentioned above, Birkenstocks are exceptionally comfortable and supportive; thus, many people with foot issues such as fallen arches or plantar fasciitis may benefit from them, so long they’re already broken in.

Birkenstock now makes slip-resistant clogs popular among people who work in the medical field and food service for those who don’t like wearing sandals.

Birkenstocks are relatively more streamlined compared to the typical Crocs. Those who need a little help in improving their posture will also benefit from wearing Birks.

Crocs: Pros

• Relatively cheaper
• Available in many variations/styles
• They slide on easily

• Not the best look
• It seems like not among the best for the seniors

Birkenstocks: Pros

• First, these are not Crocs
• Good quality material
• It offers a fashion renaissance
• Designed to mold to your feet for comfort

• Birks generally look like what you wear when you have surgery on your feet.
• Get stinky quite easily and smell terrible.

The Bottom Line

Gone are the days when people used to wear crazy colors and odd materials and weird fitting clothes in the name of comfort. Surprisingly, they had the idea and fashion decency to have beautiful shoes and not disfigured rubber clogs and cork sandals.

To sum up this comparison review, it’s safe to say that both the Crocs vs. Birkenstocks are a perfectly usable and excellent option under various aspects.

If you’re one of those who don’t like wearing sandals but rather interested in comfortable, supportive, and slip-resistant footwear, then you might be better off with Birks. They are typically more streamlined than the typical Crocs, and if you’re looking to improve your posture, you’re likely to benefit from wearing Birks.

However, if you spend most of your time on your feet, and are more concerned about comfort than style, then be sure to consider Crocks. They are easy to clean and are suitable for just about any dirty job. It’s an excellent choice if you’ve completely given up on style and no longer care about appearance.

Posted on Last updated: March 19, 2021