When it comes to choosing between Birkenstocks and Crocs, it becomes pertinent that both footwear is reviewed. Knowing their similarities, differences, pros, and cons becomes very relevant.
These features help distinguish and choose the best footwear to serve the purpose when chunky boots and shoes are not needed.
While Birkenstocks have uppers made of leather (most times) and sole made of cork existing mostly in slip-on forms or with a back strap,
Crocs have its whole body made of a certain material not presumably rubber or leather, but a waterproof material, having covered uppers with perforations in the form of ventilation holes, a back strap and in slip-on form.
What are Birkenstocks?
Birkenstocks are a unique brand of footwear that came into existence in Germany in the year 1774. They are so unique and durable and as such, have won the hearts of so many.
Birkenstocks are from leather, suede, and jute. The insole consists of corks designed to give space for relaxation and spreading out of the toes.
The Birkenstocks are designed to get the exact shape and size of the wearer’s feet. A fitting Birkenstock has to be customized to get the shape of your feet. Though sometimes, one can be lucky to buy a pair that fits as though customized.
This unique style of Birkenstocks gives two different people of the same foot size different feels and levels of comfortability in the same pair of Birkenstock slip-on due to differences in the shape of feet and depth of arches.
Birkenstocks come as sandals or slip-ons. The early Birkenstocks assume the color of natural leather that is brown and most times, black. But with lots of advances in the fashion world, footwear comes in different designs and colors.
What are Crocs?
Joined with the fact that the shoes assumed the shape of crocodiles, the name Crocs came as 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.
Though the footwear was first sold at the Fort Lauderdale Boat show back in 2001, it has graduated from being worn by health professionals in the hospital and engineers in the site, to being fashionable.
Now, almost everyone has a pair of Crocs. It has also been reproduced in lots of enticing colors and designs. Most Crocs today can be felt as made from rubber.
Advantages of Birkenstocks over Crocs
- More breathable than Crocs
- Long-lasting and durable
- Not as ugly shaped as Crocs
- Simple and more formal than Crocs
- Highly comfortable footbed made of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA)
- Arch support is more intense than in Crocs
- Long-lasting and durable
Advantages of Crocs over Birkenstocks
- Crocs are lighter in weight than Birkenstocks
- Crocs appear in a variety of designs than Birkenstocks
- Crocs are waterproof and wipe away dirt easily.
- Long-lasting and durable.
- Cheaper than Birkenstocks
Birkenstocks VS Crocs: Which is better?
After seeing the unique features of both footwear from the claims above, personal taste and comfort, events, and universality will determine which is better.
Many consider Birkenstocks sandals of the Birkenstock Arizonas more versatile. In that, it matches almost all outfits. It is also good for foot healing and slip-resistant but more difficult to care for.
So, if you consider your comfort than style in your work time whether when doing professional jobs like doctors in the hospitals or while doing other dirty works, you may consider the comfortable and easy to clean Crocs
Birkenstocks VS Crocs – Differences
Lots of differences are seen between Crocs and Birkenstocks. These differences establish the basis for comparison.
While Birkenstocks are best enjoyed when customized for individuals’ feet. The Birkenstocks sandals: Birkenstocks Arizonas being an example of a sandal that can be customized.
On the other hand, Crocs are enjoyed by anyone it fits, whether customized or not.
Birkenstocks are made of mostly leather. They come in fewer designs and colors, usually black and brown. Crocs are made of sometimes rubber and sometimes leather with different designs, styles, and colors.
Birkenstocks have their insoles fashioned to support the arches of the foot so that the muscles of the feet need not do any work of elevating the heels.
It brings a kind of relief to the feet muscles and is helpful in times when the feet are in pain. But aren’t good for longer terms because the muscles will eventually become weakened.
Crocs, on the other hand, allow the muscles of the feet to do their work perfectly.
Birkenstocks are breathable in whatever form they come, either in sandals or slip-on forms, while Crocs are not so breathable because they enclose the upper feet.
Though, some designs have perforations in the form of ventilation holes in them to enhance breathability, while others don’t.
Similarities between Birkenstocks and Crocs
- They are for outdoor and casual events
- Both footwear styles are summer footwear
- They are considerable comfortable, at least when compared to flip-flops
- They get sticky easily and need proper care
- Both of the two brands of footwear has recommendations for people with foot injuries like plantar fasciitis.
Interesting Data to Support the Birkenstocks vs Crocs Debate
The data shown in the graphs above tells us that for every pair of Crocs bought, Birkenstock loses out on potential customers and vice-versa.
This tells us how competitive these two brands are with each other in the niche that they are occupying.
Interestingly though, is that over the period of Oct’ 2021 to Oct’ 2022, Birkenstock has been steadily trending on Google searches while Crocs has seen a slight decline in popularity.
Bottom line.
Variety is life. Therefore, it will be best if you get a pair of Crocs and Birkenstocks to wear interchangeably based on the cause.
But in situations where resources are not available for both to be purchased, I believe this article has helped give you a hint on which to purchase first.
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