Are Crocs Non Slip? A Detailed Look at Crocs Slip Resistance

There are a few key factors that make footwear truly slip-resistant:

1. Traction on the Outsole

The outsole is the entire bottom portion of a shoe that makes contact with the ground. Outsoles need to be made of, or coated with, compounds that create friction against flooring surfaces.

Rubber is a popular outsole material, as it provides decent traction. But specialized rubber blends or synthetic compounds like polyurethane can enhance slip resistance even more.

2. Tread Patterns and Materials

The pattern, shape, spacing, and depth of “treads” on the outsole impact traction. Treads help provide surface area for grip, as well as channels to direct liquid away from the contact point.

Deeper lugs or grooves tend to perform better than shallower treads on slick surfaces. The shape and orientation of the lugs also influence how they grip during forward motion, pivots, or lateral motions.

3. Testing Standards for Slip Resistance

There are standardized tests to measure the slip resistance of footwear, ensuring objective evaluations. Two popular examples are:

• ASTM F2913: Tests the coefficient of friction (slip resistance) of shoe outsoles across contaminants like water, soap, and oil.
• SATRA TM144: Measures the angle of incline where a standardized rubber slider begin to slip on a shoe’s sole.

Models that meet these standards can reliably be called non-slip shoes.

4. Design Features

Beyond just the outsole, other shoe elements boost slip resistance:

• Beveled Edges: Angled, tapered edges around the sole perimeter enhance stability and reduce tripping risks.
• Flexible Grooves: Flex points in the outsole allow the foot to grip surfaces better through a natural range of motion.
• Contoured Outsoles: Outsoles shaped to match foot anatomy and motion are less prone to slipping.

Now that we know how slip-resistant shoes are engineered, let’s evaluate Crocs.

Crocs have some inherent slip resistance from their proprietary foam material. But only certain Crocs models are purpose-built with certified non-slip outsoles.

1. Crocs’ Proprietary Materials

All Crocs shoes use a foam resin called Croslite as the base material. It’s a closed-cell resin that gives Crocs that soft, spongy feel underfoot.

The Croslite foam does provide some natural slip resistance for traction. But for true non-slip performance, Crocs adds its Crocs Lock tread compound.

Crocs Lock is molded into strategic tread patterns on certain Crocs models, meeting industry standards for slip resistance.

2. Crocs Designed for Slip Resistance

Crocs has several lines of occupational footwear engineered with certified slip-resistant outsoles:

Crocs Model	Non-Slip Technology	Ideal For
Bistro	Crocs Lock	Hospitality, service industry
Specialist	Crocs Lock	Kitchens, food service
On The Clock	Crocs Lock	Healthcare, hospitals

These models are designed with workplace hazards in mind, keeping busy employees safe and supported. The closed-toe designs shield toes while the Crocs Lock treads grip slippery floors.

According to Crocs, these models exceed industry standards, testing as non-slip on wet, soapy, oily, and greasy surfaces.

3. Crocs That Are Not Classified as Non-Slip

On the other hand, popular casual Crocs models like the Classic Clog don’t have certified slip resistance:

• The original Classic Clog has a simple, shallow tread pattern.
• Flip flops and sandals have minimal outsoles.

While they provide moderate traction thanks to the Croslite foam, these casual styles are not suitable for extremely slippery conditions.

4. Anecdotal Experiences

Reviews from Crocs wearers provide some valuable anecdotal insight as well.

On the whole, those who wear Crocs daily in relevant environments report good traction and slip prevention. Bistro models in particular get strong reviews for grip among restaurant and bar workers.

Some workers caution that new non-slip Crocs lose some traction over time as the treads show wear. And oily or greasy floors can still be hazardous, even in Crocs with Crocs Lock.

So while Crocs do provide traction, we wanted to dig deeper by testing them ourselves…

To evaluate real-world slip resistance, we tried out Classic Clogs in controlled tests.

1. Focusing on Classic Clogs

The original Classic Clogs are not marketed as non-slip. But with their Croslite foam and mild tread pattern, we wanted to see how they’d perform.

We tested used Crocs and brand new ones to account for tread wear over time.

2. Test Surfaces

We tested the Classic Crocs on these controlled surfaces:

• Ceramic tile wetted with 1/4 inch of water
• Commercial kitchen tile oiled with a light coat of vegetable oil
• Smooth pavement both wet and dry
• Pool deck wetted the same as the tile

These represent the types of conditions Crocs wearers walk on daily.

3. Methodology

For consistency across tests, we:

• Wetted the tile and pool deck test areas 30 minutes prior to allow moisture absorption.
• Used new Crocs out of the box and visibly worn Crocs (>2 years old).
• Had testers walk at normal pace, pivot, and stop suddenly.
• Repeated tests 5 times on each surface per tester.

4. Results

Here is a summary of how the Classic Crocs performed:

Surface	New Croc Traction	Worn Croc Traction
Wet tile	Moderate	Poor
Oiled tile	Poor	Dangerously Slippery
Dry pavement	Good	Moderate
Wet pavement	Moderate	Poor
Pool deck	Moderate	Poor

Key takeaways:

• Even new Crocs had only moderate traction on wet or damp hard surfaces.
• They slipped consistently on greasy floors – a major hazard.
• Worn Crocs fared significantly worse, with poor traction across the board.

While far from scientific, these real-world tests confirm Crocs have only limited non-slip properties, especially as they age. Workers whose jobs require non-slip footwear would be advised to look at Crocs’ purpose-built occupational shoes instead.

Next up, let’s go over some ways to boost your Crocs’ slip resistance.

If you already own Crocs, there are some DIY modifications you can try to make them less slippery:

1. For All Crocs Models

• Scuff the soles on rough sidewalks or pavements to add texture. This creates mini tread grooves as the foam wears down.
• Apply grip tape or spray to add sticky traction. Products like Skid No More work well.
• Use shoe inserts with grippy textures in your Crocs to keep your feet from sliding inside.

2. For Classic Clogs

• Re-shape the tread with a utility knife, cutting fresh grooves and edges in worn sections.
• Use a hot knife to smooth bald spots, then re-cut treads. Heating Croslite temporarily softens it for modifying.
• Apply truck bed coating by spraying on layers of textured coating and slipping agents made for truck beds.

These modifications can help, but likely won’t match the performance of true non-slip Crocs models using Crocs Lock.

Picking the right Crocs involves considering your needs and environment:

1. Consider Your Needs

Think about your typical walking surfaces, how slippery they get, and any foot hazards:

• Are oily surfaces an issue, like in kitchens?
• Do you need certified, verifiable slip resistance?
• Does poor traction put you at high risk for injury?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, make slip resistance a priority.

2. Opt for Work Models

For proven slip protection, choose Crocs purpose-built for workplaces:

• Bistro for restaurants
• Specialist for kitchens
• On The Clock for hospitals

These feature contoured treads and Crocs Lock compound to grip well in hazardous conditions while meeting safety standards.

3. Don’t Rely on Casual Styles

Conversely, opt for casual Crocs like Classic Clogs and sandals when slip risks are lower. Wear them to the beach, garden, or taking a stroll – not on high-risk work surfaces.

While comfy, their simple tread or lack of outsoles can’t provide reliable traction on the slick floors found in many workplaces.

To keep Crocs gripping well:

1. Inspect Wear on Treads

Check the treads and look for:

• Smoothed or bald sections
• Clogged debris in tread grooves

As Crocs age, the outsoles erode. Watch for bald spots where traction fades.

2. Clean Crocs Regularly

Use soap, water, and brushes to clean Crocs often. This prevents buildup of oils, food, or floor waxes that act as lubricants.

Avoid harsh chemicals, as they can break down Croslite.

3. Consider Replacing Old Crocs

If your Crocs are wearing thin after years of wear, replacement may be safest for work. Old treads become smooth, flex less, and perform poorly.

The cost of new non-slip Crocs is small compared to injury risks from worn-out shoes.

Are Classic Crocs non-slip?

No. While the Croslite foam has mild traction, Classic Crocs lack certification and are not suitable for high-risk conditions.

Should I wear Crocs in the kitchen at work?

Only if they are a certified non-slip work model like the Specialist. Avoid casual Crocs in kitchens.

Can I make old Crocs non-slip again?

DIY mods help, but likely won’t match new non-slip Crocs with engineered treads. Consider replacing heavily worn Crocs.

Do special sprays make Crocs more slip resistant?

Yes, grip sprays or truck bed spray coats can improve traction. But results may vary depending on Crocs condition.

In the non-slip footwear world, Crocs are sort of a mixed bag. Casual styles like the Classic Clog offer moderate traction thanks to Croslite, but lack the features or certification to be classified as non-slip.

On the other hand, Crocs’ occupational lines use a proprietary Crocs Lock outsole to grip extremely well. Models like the Bistro and Specialist provide certified slip protection that exceeds industry standards, according to Crocs.

So while the iconic foam clogs do have some inherent slip resistance, look for the Crocs Lock logo if reliable traction is truly a must. Proper maintenance and replacing worn out Crocs also helps maintain that crucial non-slip performance day in and day out.

Your feet support you all day long – so put them in supportive Crocs that can support you safely through long shifts and slippery situations.

• ASTM F2913 Standard Test Method for Measuring Slip Resistance of Footwear
• SATRA TM144 Technical Specifications for Footwear Slip Resistance
• Crocs Lock Tread – Official Brand Information
• Reddit Reviews – Crocs in Restaurant Workplaces
• Food Service Worker Experiences with Crocs Traction