Dozens of schools in at least 20 states have banned Crocs, claiming they are both a safety concern and distraction for students.
The foam slip-on clogs have become a fashion staple among Gen Z and Gen Alpha students but schools report more students are tripping and falling in them. There is even a growing TikTok trend where students parody themselves tripping in Crocs.
In Georgia, Lake City Elementary School updated its dress code to require closed-toe footwear, explicitly banning Crocs for safety reasons, MSN reports. Also in Georgia, Clayton County School District implemented a no-Croc rule. In neighboring Florida, the dress code for LaBelle Middle School calls for safe footwear to be worn at all times.
“No open-toe shoes, bedroom slippers, or shower shoes. All shoes must have a strap or back at the heel,” the dress code reads. “NO CROCS allowed.”
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At Bessemer City High School in Alabama, open-toe slide sandals and Crocs or other foam clogs have been against the dress code for years, according to CNN. This is the first school year, however, that the school is enforcing the policy. Students who wear Crocs to school receive an in-school suspension.
“It’s actually a safety hazard. They could twist their knees, twist their ankles. We want tennis shoes on at all times,” Principal Stoney Pritchett told Today. “It’s a hallway — kids are moving, things are happening.”
While there is no rigorous scientific research showing an uptick in injuries associated with Crocs, Jessica Ramírez, senior research analyst at market tracker Jane Hali & Associates, told Fortune she has seen an increase in Croc-related incidents compared to other shoes in the last few years.
“Especially middle-schoolers—they’re just running around being middle-schoolers,” she said. “You’re going to see one fall.”
Back in 2022, Dr. Megan Leahy, a podiatrist for the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute, told HuffPost that she has seen children and even adults trip and fall more in Crocs than in closed-toe shoes with better heel support.
Schools Report Crocs Distract from Learning
Some schools are also reporting that Crocs are a distraction for students. The company sells charms, called Jibbitz, that pop into the holes in the top of the shoe, allowing students to customize their footwear. Many students trade these charms with other students or play with them throughout the day.
“When there’s something that allows you to bring out your personality and what you stand for and what you like, that seems to really resonate with them, and they really do enjoy showing that off,” Ramírez said.
Crocs have consistently ranked among Gen Z’s top 10 favorite footwear brands, according to Piper Sandler’s biannual survey of U.S. teens. The company reached record revenues earlier this year with share prices increasing 55% in the previous 12 months. Some market analysts think the bans could hinder the company’s growth. Third-quarter sales this year, which includes back-to-school shopping, only grew by 0.4%, Vice reports.
However, spokespeople for Crocs say the bans have not impacted sales. Sales have more than tripled since 2019, increasing from $312.8 million in Q3 2019 to $1.06 billion in Q3 2024.
Doctors Warn Crocs Could Impact Foot Health
Experts have warned that long-term use of the shoe could impact foot health. Dr. Priya Parthasarathy, spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association and podiatrist in Silver Spring, Md., daily overuse is causing issues in teens and kids.
“I’ve seen more structural issues like heel pain, arch pain, sometimes more hammertoes, because you have to grip the shoe to keep them on and so the toes are overworking,” she told NPR.
Quality Podiatry Group president and podiatrist Sidney Weiser told Healthline that Crocs do not effectively support or control the heel, causing pain and tendinitis.
“Crocs do not have what is required to control the heel, support the arch, and maintain stability,” he said. “Children should wear a more protective shoe since they can easily injure themselves if they wear Crocs while running around.”
“OK to use for trips to the beach or the pool, but should not be used for long walks,” Illinois Bone and Joint Institute podiatrist Megan Leahy she told HuffPost. “I do notice that children (and even adults) tend to trip and fall more in these shoes.”
