u079721
Contributing Partner
Around there there seems to be a backlash of sorts against Crocs - those usually bright colored foam rubber shoes that you see people wearing anywhere from the beach to the office. I had seen them, but never seriously considered them before a visit to Florida last November for a delivery (the "delivery from hell" for those who remember the story) of a boat from Fort Lauderdale to St. Thomas. The skipper was wearing Crocs and couldn't say enough good things about them, especially for sailing. So I picked up a pair for the trip.
And I'm glad I did, because they were just perfect for warm weather boating. You could be rousted from your bunk in the middle of the night for a sail change and slip them on in a second. The traction was good, and they were waterproof too, which made them perfect for being on deck when you knew you were going to get wet. It sure beat having a pair of lether boat shoes getting wet all the time. Not sure how they do it, but in spite of being non-breathable rubber the shoes are comfortable to wear and keep your feet from sweating.
But they are ugly. So ugly that my wife is embarassed to be seen with me if I wear mine around town. One of the radio shows here devoted a whole show to making fun of them and having people phone in to say how ugly they were. No one was calling in to say they were uncomfortable, just that they were ugly. On HBO Bill Maher had as one of his "New Rules" a picture of Crocs with the caption "No Plastic Shoes!"
Living in Minnesota now I won't have that many opportunities to wear them, but I will continue to wear them with pride! (Hey, have YOUR shoes been on an off-shore sailing trip?)
And I'm glad I did, because they were just perfect for warm weather boating. You could be rousted from your bunk in the middle of the night for a sail change and slip them on in a second. The traction was good, and they were waterproof too, which made them perfect for being on deck when you knew you were going to get wet. It sure beat having a pair of lether boat shoes getting wet all the time. Not sure how they do it, but in spite of being non-breathable rubber the shoes are comfortable to wear and keep your feet from sweating.
But they are ugly. So ugly that my wife is embarassed to be seen with me if I wear mine around town. One of the radio shows here devoted a whole show to making fun of them and having people phone in to say how ugly they were. No one was calling in to say they were uncomfortable, just that they were ugly. On HBO Bill Maher had as one of his "New Rules" a picture of Crocs with the caption "No Plastic Shoes!"
Living in Minnesota now I won't have that many opportunities to wear them, but I will continue to wear them with pride! (Hey, have YOUR shoes been on an off-shore sailing trip?)