Going to the market and planning to buy crocs? But are also concerned that “are crocs closed toe shoes?” Well, that depends on your definition of “closed-toe.”
Crocs are not closed-toe shoes, according to the definition. It has 13 holes in the upper and is not fully covered. If you try to run in them, they are not going to fit.
But before we dive into all that, let’s take a look at “open” vs “closed-toe” so you can make an informed decision about what type of footwear you need for your activity.
What is considered closed-toe shoes – Guidelines on Footwear
According to the definition of Law insider, closed-toe shoes are those in which your feet will be fully covered. The closed-toe shoes will cover the toe and heel. As crocs shoes have large holes in the upper. Therefore, these are not considered closed-toe shoes.
Law Insider
If you are going to use these shoes for work, they will not save you from spilled harmful chemicals. So, it is not closed-toe shoes according to the above definition. Work boots, athletic shoes, and sneakers are actually closed-toe shoes.
Mainly crocs are open-toe shoes but there are many crocs that have holes only on the side and are regarded as closed-toe shoes.
Law insider derived this definition of closed-toe shoes from the Guidance document of a Laboratory Safety Self-inspection formulated by the Office of Physical Plant Environmental Health and Safety from the Pennsylvania State University.
In this guidance document, the following points are highlighted that define closed-toe shoes.
Are only closed-toe shoes worn in the lab (no sandals or open-toe shoes)?
- Everyone working in a lab must wear closed-toe shoes.
- Wearing closed-toe shoes is the simplest way to minimize the damage that may be done if something falls on your feet.
- “Closed-toe shoes” really mean that the entire foot should be fully covered. This includes the top of the foot and the heel.
- Shoes with large perforations in the uppers (such as “croc” style shoes) are not permissible, as they will not prevent spilled chemicals from reaching your foot. Likewise, the back of the foot should be covered too.
- Open-toed shoes, such as sandals, must not be worn in the lab.
The above guidelines clearly say that crocs are not closed-toe shoes, and they are not allowed in laboratories for safety concerns.
The below image shows that crocs have 13 holes in them. All the crocs, even child-size, have a fixed number of holes. If this number is less or more, it means these are fake.
So, this is enough to prove that crocs are not closed-toe shoes. How shoes with 13 holes in them could be closed-toe? What do you think? Are crocs closed-toe shoes or not?
Suggested Readings
OK, now you will be thinking that these guidelines are specifically for laboratory workers but this definition of closed-toe shoes applies to everyone. According to the above rules, traditional crocs are not closed-toe shoes.
Why Crocs Are Not Closed-Toe Shoes?
Closed-toe crocs are also available in the market. But classical crocs are not closed-toe shoes; therefore, it is not recommended for various activities due to safety concerns. For instance;
- If you are planning to go hiking on difficult terrain or want to consider it for jogging, then we will not recommend it because it will compromise your safety.
- During gardening or working, you can also get an injury on your foot due to holes in them.
- Similarly, classic crocs are open-toe shoes, and they won’t be safe for people working in the medical sector, like nurses. Medical and healthcare workers should also wear closed-toe shoes according to the dress code, and crocs are not closed-toe shoes.
- However, many nurses wear crocs with socks. Yes, it makes them somehow safer than those without socks. You can also consider closed-toe crocs for work.
Suggested Readings
- The important thing to remember about Crocs is that they are considered open-toed. For workplace safety, closed-toe shoes should be considered. So if you’re in an industry that requires you to wear closed-toed shoes (e.g., construction), you cannot wear Crocs.
- Crocs are not closed-toe. If you’re worried about doing any kind of walking or running, these would not be the best option for you. It’s important to know the fit and safety features when choosing a pair of shoes for yourself or someone else.
Suggested Readings
- How Should Crocs Fit
- Are Crocs Good For Your Feet
- What are Crocs – An Ultimate Guide
- How to Wear Crocs?
Frequently Asked Questions FAQs
Is it an OSHA violation to wear Crocs?
According to the Association of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare,
“OSHA does not forbid employers from setting protocol for prescribed work attire. Nor does the agency say employees can’t wear casual footwear—including sandals, clogs and Crocs. What they say is that you – as the employer – must conduct a workplace hazard evaluation, and if casual footwear is not protective of employees’ feet, the employer must then have a clear policy that casual footwear is not allowed”
In general, the standards require that foot protection be used whenever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment which could cause foot injury.
What type of shoes are Crocs considered?
Crocs classic is considered open-toe shoes because they don’t conform to health and safety norms. These are not fully covered from the toe and heel. However, now closed-toe crocs are also available.
Are Crocs considered open heel shoes?
Crocs are considered open-heel and open-toe shoes. Open heel shoes may not be worn in the workplace unless it is a work environment where no other type of footwear is allowed.
Open-toe and open-heel shoes include sandals, flip-flops and thongs. Crocs are a type of open-heel shoe. Open-heel shoes have the heel part exposed. Closed-heel shoes have the heel part covered.
Are Crocs considered open back?
Crocs are considered open-back shoes because they have no back. Crocs don’t provide as much support as closed-back shoes provide. But these are not completely open-back shoes.
Crocs have a partially open heel, and closed-toe crocs also exist in the market. Therefore, crocs are not considered completely backless shoes because they have straps to provide support from the back (heel).
Is Crocs a shoe or sandal?
Crocs is a name given to shoes by a company due to the amphibious nature of crocodiles. It means it is best for water and out of water. Crocs have different types of shoes such as open-toe clog, closed-toe shoes and crocs sandals.
Sandals are different and can be made of leather or fabric. Crocs are more like sneakers, but the word “sandal” is a bit misleading for crocs clogs since they are not actually sandals.
Conclusion
The whole debate proves through evidence and research that crocs are not closed-toe shoes. Crocs have holes in the toe. Therefore, the toe is exposed. As such toe is not exposed, similar to sandals, but they are open-toe shoes similar to sandals.
So, if you want to buy crocs for running or as work shoes, then it is recommended not to buy them due to safety purposes. However, crocs are comfortable for all-day walking and standing or a normal daily routine.
What do you think? Are crocs closed-toe shoes or not? Share with us in the comments.
