Did Crocs Finally Improve Upon the Classic Shoe They Were Designed to Beat?

The clog brand returns to its roots with a novel take on a waterborne icon.

A close-up of a person's foot wearing a brown leather boat shoe with dark soles, partially submerged in shallow water with visible rocks and pebbles underneath. The person is wearing dark pants rolled up slightly above the ankle.

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Published August 21, 2025

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Long before they entered the world of fashion — and even before they were adopted by chefs, line cooks and other kitchen staff — Crocs clogs were designed for a somewhat surprising purpose.

Their creators thought that, due to their proprietary construction, lightness, quick drying and waterproofing, they were perfect for aquatic adventures.

The brand’s latest launch, the Crocs Classic Boat Shoes (or “Croat Shoes,” as I’ve been calling them), harkens back to those original intentions in a novel, unique way. And I can tell you from personal experience that they are far better than I ever expected.

A pair of feet wearing brown and tan water-resistant boat shoes standing in shallow water with visible rocks underneath. The shoes have laces and ventilation holes, and the person is wearing black pants rolled up at the cuffs. — Believe it or not, Crocs were originally designed for waterborne activities.

Saltwater Crocs

This new take on the brand’s Classic Clog combines the brand’s best array of features with the styling of another waterborne classic. While the outsole and upper are all Crocs, the collar and lacing are borrowed from boat shoes — like Sperry’s.

While your initial impression might be somewhere in the realm of incredulous aversion, as mine was, I have to say that the styling has quickly grown on me. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, these work.

Brown and tan slip-on clogs with ventilation holes and lace-up details, worn with black rolled-up pants, on a wooden deck floor. — The upper is made from a leather alternative, offering the same style as leather with better waterproofing.

But even if you dislike the styling, it’s tough to argue with other aspects, like their construction and comfort. What’s perhaps most interesting is that the collar and lacing look like leather, but it’s actually a vegan alternative.

Before you judge, hear me out: this is a good thing. Genuine leather doesn’t hold up well to excessive exposure to water, especially when you bring salt into the conversation. It can shrink, crack and become discolored, and it generally doesn’t hold up well over time.

Swapping in a vegan alternative makes these shoes far less susceptible to water damage. That also means they’ll last longer in wetter, more humid regions, as suits their intended use.

A pair of feet wearing two-tone slip-on shoes with brown leather laces and eyelets. The shoes have a gray base with multiple ventilation holes on the toe area. The person is standing on a bed of dark brown and green seaweed. The pants are rolled up slightly above the ankles. — Like other Classic Clogs, these have the same iconic perforated upper, making them compatible with charms.

Unclogged

While the collar and lacing are a pretty big departure for the clog brand, there’s a lot remaining for lovers of the originals. For instance, the upper and outsole are still made out of the brand’s proprietary Croslite material.

That means they’re exceptionally lightweight, supremely comfortable, durable and more. The upper also retains the brand’s signature perforations, offering some breathability (and better quick-drying) as well as compatibility with the brand’s signature Jibbitz charms.

A person is tying the laces of brown and gray slip-on shoes with ventilation holes, sitting on a surface covered with seaweed and rocks. The person is wearing dark rolled-up pants and a multicolored woven bracelet on their left wrist. — Yes, the laces are functional and are not just for looks.

There are also some differences. Unlike the Classic Clogs, these shoes lack the back strap. While they can still function as slip-ons, the mule back has a bit of a lip to it. Furthermore, they can be better secured by utilizing the laces (yes, they’re not just for show).

As unusual in their appearance and function as these alternative clogs might seem, the result is impressively competent and has turned me into a true believer.