When looking for the best kids’ shoes or the best toddler shoes, you’re essentially looking for a unicorn—something both you and your children find appealing, something you can keep clean, something that’s available at one of the best kids’ online clothing stores and something they won’t grow out of in 30 days or less. (Don’t remind me about the $70 high tops I bought my son that—because he couldn’t tie them—he wore twice before they went in the donate bin.) It’s no wonder then, that once the dust has settled, two shoe brands emerge that can speak to the above: Crocs and Natives. Though neither shoe provides the support or warmth you need for cold weather or serious physical activity, both are true waterproof workhorses for the everyday active kid. I had my children (ages 7 and 9) test them out. Here are our findings.
Crocs vs. Natives: My Children Put the Beloved Kids’ Shoes to the Test
…And now I prefer one over the other
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What Sets Crocs and Natives Apart?
Crocs have been around longer (since 2002) and were initially embraced as a utilitarian shoe for nurses, restaurant staff and other folks who have to be on their feet all day. (It’s all about that squishy support: more on that later.) It’s only been in the past decade or so that they’ve been embraced by kids as a mainstay of childhood dressing. Native, meanwhile, was founded in 2009, with the goal of making a casual fashion shoe lighter and more weather-proof. Though both brands have multiple kids and toddler offerings, I considered their most popular styles: the Crocs Classic Clog and the Native Jefferson.
How I Tested the Shoes
Over the years, my kids have owned multiple pairs of Natives and Crocs, so I had more than half a decade of experience to draw on. Currently, both children own Jeffersons and I also borrowed a friend’s son’s Crocs for a weekend so my daughter could try them out.
I tested each pair for the following criteria: comfort, versatility (could they be worn to multiple events and activities?), cleanability, style and ease-of-use—by which I mean how painless it was for my kids to get them on and off. I also considered how the shoes held up over time and if they could become hand-me-downs down the road.
Native Jefferson
What I Like
- aesthetics
- can be worn for multiple activities and events
- easy to clean and hold up to heavy use
What I Don't Like
- require a break-in period
- slippery when sweaty
PureWow
- Comfort: 18/20
- Versality: 18/20
- Durability: 18/20
- Style: 20/20
- Cleanability: 19/20
- Total: 93/10
The number-one thing I love about Natives is their versatility; they really can be an everyday shoe during spring and summer, and my kids wear them from gym class to a restaurant dinner to the beach without a second thought. (I docked them two points on versatility because they’re not warm enough when temps dip below 60 degrees.) I’m also a huge fan of the look and fit of the Jefferson, which has the structure and protection of a sneaker, but in a light, waterproof format. They’re dressier than a Croc, which makes them more suitable to all kinds of occasions. And they really do hold up over time—you can clean them easily (I use a Magic Eraser), and I’ve passed them down from child to child, with the caveat that the sole gets pretty worn after about two summers. There are only two things I don’t like. First, my kids sometimes get blisters on their heels for the first few days of wear, before breaking them in. Secondly, if your children have sweaty feet, the Jeffersons can get a bit slippery and stinky inside. As for the price point, it ranges from $35 to $50 (depending on color), meaning they’re not the cheapest option out there, though I think worth the price.
Crocs Classic Kids Clog
What I Like
- comfortable
- good for wide feet
- hold up to heavy use
What I Don't Like
- aesthetics
- not good for sports or gym class
PureWow
- Comfort: 20/20
- Versality: 16/20
- Durability: 19/20
- Style: 17/20
- Cleanability: 19/20
- Total: 91/100
Let’s get this out of the way first. I hate the way these things look, but kids love them, especially the Jibbitz which you can buy and stick in the holes for instant customization. They are also extremely comfortable, with no break-in period and more walking-on-a-cloud support than Natives offer. After her testing period, my daughter proclaimed these “basically slippers.” My main complaint was versatility. Because they’re so clunky, I don’t think you can wear them as many places. And because they’re clogs with a back-strap, they're not as suitable to running-around activities. (My daughter tried to jump rope in them, and one fell off.) That said, they clean up easily and do hold up over time, with the possibility of being passed down from kid to kid. Additionally, some parents I spoke with appreciated the extra-wide toe area for kids with wider feet. Prices range from $24 to $40, depending on color.
Crocs Vs. Natives Sizing
Both brands offer shoes for baby-hood to tween-dome, and both have split their sizes into “child” and “junior” categories. Crocs start smaller than Natives—at a size C1 for kids under 1 year—while Natives begin at C4. Child sizing for both goes up to C13 (C13.5 for Natives), at which point kids transition to J sizing. (Native offers half-sizing, while Crocs does not.) In regards to fit—as I said, Crocs are generally wider, and I’ve found Natives to fit true to size while Crocs run just a hair large.
Do Crocs Charms Fit Natives Shoes?
First of all, it’s Jibbitz™ to you. And secondly: sorta. Jibbitz are intended to be a Crocs product, and the holes on Natives are notably smaller and not made for bedazzling. That said, if you really jam one in, it’ll probably work.
How Long do Crocs and Natives Last?
As with most clothing and footwear for the under-10 set, it depends on how your child uses them, and how hard they are on their shoes. I’ve found both Crocs and Natives to offer about two summers of constant use, after which they’re pretty scuzzy and discolored. Because they have a thicker bottom, you might get a bit more time out of Crocs, but at the two-year mark, it’s doubtful you’d want them much longer.
The Bottom Line: Crocs vs. Natives
Ultimately, both shoes are waterproof, comfortable and great for both toddlers and bigger kids as an alternative to sneakers. I prefer Natives, mostly because I’m a snob, and I think they look less dorky, but also because I think they’re better for all the sporty activities my kids enjoy. With either shoe, you’ll get a reliable, wearable option that your kid can play in and you can keep looking (relatively) clean. And as a mom, is there really anything more you can ask for?