Crocs are known for being colorful, fun shoes popular with kids, and indeed, the Crocs company didn’t initially have professional applications in mind. “When it was first launched, I don’t think anybody was thinking they were work shoes,” says Eddie Scott, general manager of the professional footwear division. “But people found if they were on their feet all day, Crocs felt good–their backs and feet didn’t hurt.”
Comfortable shoes are essential for restaurant and kitchen staff, but most foodservice operations have a closed-toe footwear requirement, “so we had to find a different way to ventilate,” Scott says. The result was shoes that “have the Crocs technology in the footbed, but a leather upper.”
One of Crocs’ professional models, designed specifically for foodservice, is Bistro, which has been endorsed by one of the most respected people in the culinary world, Chef Mario Batali, who prefers Crocs in his now signature bright orange. Bistro features thicker material to help protect the top of the foot, plus a supportive arch and footbed circulation nubs for all-day comfort.
Scott asserts that Crocs’ proprietary Croslite™ resin is what makes the shoes so comfortable. “Typically, you would have more pressure in the balls of the feet or heel; this material is good at spreading the load so you don’t have any hot spots. And it’s very shock-absorbent, so your joints don’t experience as much stress.” —JM
Crocs are known for being colorful, fun shoes popular with kids, and indeed, the Crocs company didn’t initially have professional applications in mind. “When it was first launched, I don’t think anybody was thinking they were work shoes,” says Eddie Scott, general manager of the professional footwear division. “But people found if they were on their feet all day, Crocs felt good–their backs and feet didn’t hurt.”
