Crocs Bistro Clog: An affordable alternative
Crocs has designed a shoe with healthcare providers in mind, but can a plastic shoes keep you comfortable all day?
Crocs are probably the most polarizing shoe/clog brand in the world. People either loathe them and love them and it’s hard to change either groups mind once they are made up. Crocs were originally marketed as a foam boating shoe but have now expanded to healthcare, cooking professionals, and beyond. Read below to see what we think about these strange looking shoes.
First Impressions
Like I said, Crocs are very polarizing and the Bistro model is no different. As far as my first impressions with the Bistro, I actually think they look pretty decent. No, they aren’t as clean and professional looking as my Dansko Professionals. But the shape is nice and the lack of Croc “holes” on the upper makes them harder to identify as a Croc.
Construction
Crocs are made from a closed cell resin called “Croslite” which is made from polymer and polymer is made from “Crude oil”. The result is a foam/plastic like material. On the Bistro, the heel is equipped with a heel strap that hugs the heel while walking. The rest of the shoes, apart from the heel strap, is constructed from one singular piece of “Croslite”. The sole has a slip resistant tread that Crocs calls Crocs Lock™ which really helps to grip the hard tile floor at work.
Comfort
Crocs are known for their comfort and the Bistro’s are no different. As soon as you slip them on, you can feel the nice foam feeling of the clog and it just feels right. I’ve worn the Bistro’s for 12 hour shifts and it felt like I was wearing a slipper for the whole shift. There isn’t a ton of arch support, so if you have specific needs in regards to support, I would recommend you look elsewhere.
Durability
After wearing these extensively, I can’t see how these would ever break down in a major way. The foam/plastic surface is the easiest clog/shoe to clean as you can easily spray and wipe the clogs down without missing a single spot. Since they have no fabric in their construction, they don’t absorb any sweat or fluids and thus don’t retain any smells at all. I haven’t noticed any issues with the strap breaking down at all, but this is really the only piece that I could ever see possibly breaking down. Long story short, these clogs will last a long time and always clean up nice.
Sizing
Crocs doesn’t utilize half sizes so you will need to order a full size. If you are between sizes, Crocs recommends that you size down (i.e. if you wear a 10.5, order a 10, etc.). I wear a 10.5 and ordered down to a 10 and they fit perfectly. My foot slips in easily and the shoe doesn’t squeeze or grab in any way at all. As always, I recommend ordering from a website where you can easily exchange just in case you don’t like the size you get.
Conclusion
Crocs have come a long way and I was pleasantly surprised by the Bistros. No, they don’t look as good or professional as the Dankso equivalent Bistro. But they are also MUCH cheaper and realistic for most budgets. If you want a comfortable and affordable clog without breaking the bank, I highly suggest the Crocs Bistro. Have any thoughts or experiences with the Bistro? Let us know in the comments below!
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