Native and Crocs share a lot of similarities as you would know, but the Native are preferable because they are cuter, more comfortable, softer, hug the feet better, and has a lot of style.

Native shoes are a fairly recent invention. Until very recently all comfy shoes had the same simple design: a single layer of fabric on top of a single layer of rubber, with a single layer of cushioning between them.

Reasons why Native are better than Crocs

Table of Contents

Native vs Crocs

Native shoes are light and more comfortable
Different colors of Native shoes are available.
The price is affordable.

Croslite shoes are made from a special kind of rubber. You might think that Croslite and Native are the same. They aren’t.

EVAs on Native are flexible materials made from a natural substance, while Croslite is a synthetic material made from resin.

EVA is a trademark name for ethylene-vinyl acetate. It’s a kind of plastic, made elastic by the addition of small amounts of additives. Native is soft, comfortable, and durable.

This cushioning system was first developed for use in the soles of shoes designed to protect workers from injury on the job. Workplace safety is an admirable goal, but one that shouldn’t be taken too far.

When you put on EVA shoes, you give up things that are important to running: cushioning, shock absorption, flexibility, durability, weight, and cost.

These shoes are some of the best options I have ever found for my feet. They are light-weight, have great traction, are adjustable, mold to fit my feet after time, are reasonably priced, durable, and come in a wide range of styles.

The main reason I chose them over the almighty Crocs is that they provide the best shock absorption of any shoe I have tried.

No other shoes I have tried over the years reduced the impact on my feet as much as these do. This is especially important because people suffer from plantar fasciitis.

The first thing anyone with plantar fasciitis learns is that one of the most important things you can do to reduce pain is to reduce how hard your foot hits the ground.

Native are also far more comfortable than other Crocs shoes I have worn. The padding is thicker and more substantial than the Croslite in Crocs shoes. The gel lining absorbs shock better than foam which makes them feel less stiff when walking.

You should shop some Native shoes on Amazon
You should shop some Crocs shoes on Amazon

Differences between Native and Crocs

Native	Crocs
Tough rubber	Croslite
Closed-toe box	Roomy toe box
Fashionable	Casual design
Waterproof	Retains little moisture
Cover shoe	Closed- shoe

Croslite is softer in feel

There are a few differences between Croslite shoes and Native. I noticed the Native hardens when cooled. Crocs is a kind of foamy rubber, so it hardens when cooled too. But there is a big “but”.

Native gets harder when they get wet too. Native is made of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). But Crocs shoes don’t because they retain some water and dries on their own terms.

If you drop a Native on the floor, it bounces more like rubber, with a little more density. A Croslite shoe also bounces, but not as much. They are lighter.

When compressed, Native is bouncy but Croslite is bouncy because it gets softer when compressed, and then springs back to its original shape.
The fact that Crocs use Croslite instead of plastic doesn’t hurt them; it helps them: the fact that they’re cheaper than EVAs makes them no less attractive to customers.
EVA plastic is usually more expensive than Croslite.

Most of us buy things because of what they do, not how they’re made. We like vinyl cushioning because they’re light and can be shaped to fit our feet well; we like Croslite shoes because they don’t get smelly and don’t wear out as quickly as rubber or vinyl-made shoes do.

Crocs toe box is roomier than Native

You might want a roomy toe box if you have a wide foot, or if you plan to wear thick socks with your shoes.

You can try visiting a shoe store and trying on different pairs of shoes. Walking in the shoes is the best way to tell which size is right for your feet.

But…

In general, there are two types of shoes:

Shoes with closed-toe box
Shoes with a roomy toe box

Native, for example, have a narrow front that ends at or just past the toes. This design keeps your foot from slipping out easily.

But it also means the air doesn’t get in as well, which can make your feet a little uncomfortable. These shoes are better if you have narrow feet or if you plan to use the shoes only occasionally.

On the other hand, Crocs have plenty of breathing space for toes, so they are more comfortable if your feet tend to get sweaty or if they swell up when you walk in them.

You might want Native in the cold weather when you probably will wear thicker socks. They fit seamlessly. By contrast, Native is better as dress shoes.

Native shoes are more fashionable

Though the main difference between Native and Crocs is that one of them can be worn with a business suit, there are some other distinctions as well.

Native shoes have a more pronounced heel, which is sometimes stiletto-shaped. They might have a strap across the instep, usually made of leather or a synthetic imitation of leather.
They will also have a more pointed toe than Crocs. In addition to the basic black color, fashionable shoes come in many different colors and fabrics.
The most basic of Native design is patent leather, although they may also be available in vinyl, cloth, suede, and other materials.

In contrast to Crocs shoes, they tend to have a rounded heel. They do have a strap across the instep; they feature a pull-on tab.

However, the toe is shorter and more rounded as well. They are available in fewer colors and fabrics than fashionable shoes; most will be black or brown or white, with fewer choices of texture or patterning available for those two colors than for the fancier shoes like Native.

Native shoes perform better in water

Native shoes are made from vinyl. They are designed to keep your feet dry, but they also make it harder for you to walk.

But if you want to go somewhere where there is no danger of getting wet, you would wear some Native shoes.

And that is not exactly the problem with Crocs, it’s just that Native will protect you better.

Native shoes usually have a thick rubber sole and a fabric upper and laces to hold them on your feet. The sole absorbs a small amount of water from the ground, and the fabric upper keeps it from reaching your socks or feet.

The tougher the sole, the more water it can absorb before it reaches your sock or foot, and the longer you can walk without getting wet feet.

If you stay off mud or shallow puddles, you can walk for quite a while without getting wet feet.

Some Native shoes have lacing

The main difference between them is that sometimes, Natives need to be tied. If you don’t know how to tie your shoes, you can get the ones that aren’t lace-up. More points for versatility.

Crocs are easier to take off than Native though and easier to put on too. If you need to go outside in the rain, or if you want to go running, or if you want to be able to jump out of the car and start walking without looking stupid, Native shoes are better.

Also, Native look better with certain kinds of casual clothes (athletic clothes excepted). Many people prefer Native to Crocs not because they are “traditionalists.”

Native is a more “practical” shoe to Crocs.
Native keeps your foot from moving around as much as Crocs.
Native can be adjusted for comfort or style and can be changed without buying a new pair of shoes.
Crocs are more comfortable for people with particular foot problems.
Crocs are easier to remove quickly, which is convenient at times.

Similarities between Native and Crocs

Breathable design
Slip-ons

Breathable design

Both shoes are made using a special material that allows your feet to breathe freely. This material is “mesh”. The mesh of the shoe is designed in such a way that it provides you with ample space for your toes to move around.

The large area of the mesh is what makes these shoes breathable. The mesh of these shoes is made in such a way that it allows air to pass through them quite easily.

So, when you sweat, the moisture of your feet evaporates through this space and you feel fresh all day long.

The features of both Native and Crocs make them ideal for exercise and sports-related activities. If your favorite sport involves running or jogging, then it is important that you wear comfortable shoes when doing so.

These shoes are just right when it comes to providing comfort during sports activity because they allow air circulation through the mesh that covers the top portion of their soles.

An ideal pair of breathable shoes should have the following characteristics:

They should be made from a lightweight material.
They should be durable.
They should have a good grip on the sole.
They should be waterproof.
They should have sufficient cushioning.
They should have enough space for your toes to move without having too much space, as this might cause discomfort and accidents when wearing them.
They should be slip-resistant.
They should have enough room for ventilation to keep your feet from getting sweaty. The size of the shoe must fit you perfectly, as they may cause blisters if they are too small or too big.
The shoes must be stylish and comfortable as well as functional.
The shoes must be affordable as well as durable and comfortable.

They are both slip-ons

There are many different features you should consider when buying Native and Crocs shoes. These can include:

Comfort: These shoes need to be comfortable to wear and walk in. They do not cause blisters or make your feet ache.
Style: you can choose from a variety of styles and will still feel like loafers, moccasins, and sneakers.
Durability: you want your slip-on shoes to last a long time and not break down quickly.
Warmth: Both shoes are warmer than others so decide if you want something that is thinner or thicker so it keeps your feet warm in winter.

Final words

Native vs Crocs

Some dress codes insist that all footwear must be either casual or fashionable; others allow some mixing and matching of styles.

In some work environments, there may not be any restrictions on footwear. Get yourself something that seamlessly blends comfort and fashion.

EVA is only one of the benefits of these shoes. The soles are covered with bumps that sink into grass or dirt, giving me better traction.

The whole shoe is also lighter weight than most other comfy shoes that I have tried, making it easier to carry around for hours at a time.

They come in all different sizes for different foot types, including wide feet like mine, which allows me to get a better fit.

If you are looking for new shoes for your next outdoor hike or walk, you should consider the comfort of these shoes. You will love them as much as I do!

Native vs Crocs: Who is the Winner?