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Reviews > Footwear > Camp Shoes > Crocs Mary Janes > Owner Review by Mary Ann Hayman

Mary Jane Crocs
Owner Review
May 2,2008

Crocs

Name: Mary Ann Hayman
Age: 60
Gender: Female
Height: 5 ft 6 in (167 cm)
Weight: 127 lb (58 kg)
Shoe size: 9 US
Email: mother_haymanAThotmailDOTcom
City State Country: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada


Backpacking Background:

My hiking experiences over the last ten years have progressed from day hikes in the Algoma area to six day trips in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Lake Superior Provincial Park in Ontario. Spring, summer, fall and winter trips have produced all types of weather conditions from heat and rain to cold and snow as well as having to deal with wildlife from blackflies and ticks to foxes and bears. During the last year, my "backpacking" has expanded from hiking boots and a backpack to snowshoes and a sled and bicycle shoes and panniers. Onward and forward!


Product Information:

Manufacturer: CROCS, Inc.
Year of Manufacture: 2007
Manufacturer's Homepage: http://www.crocs.com/
MSRP: $29.99 US
Size: 9 US
Listed Weight: N/A
Actual Weight: 3.88 oz (110 g) each; 7.76 oz (220 g) per pair (size 9)
Model:
Beach

The Mary Jane Crocs are comfortable, slip-on sandals made of "Croslite PCCR (Proprietary Closed Cell Resin) material". This material is lightweight, waterproof, buoyant, anti-microbial, and odor resistant. They are described as "sporty and chic". This particular version of Crocs has two straps-an over the foot strap and a heel strap. They are well ventilated in the toe box. These holes also accommodate Jibbitz brand charms. Mary Janes have slip-resistant, soft, cushiony and non- marking soles. They come in sixteen different colors and in women's sizes 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.

Field Information & Weather Conditions:

I have used the Crocs on a bicycle trip as well as two backpacking trips:

The bicycle trip was a three day September trip from St. Ignace , Michigan to Charlevoix, Michigan and back. We started very close to the big bridge crossing the Straits of Mackinaw, biked through some rolling farmland to the shores of Lake Michigan where we lunched along the beach. Then we followed the beautiful road called the Tunnel of Trees to the resort community of Harbour Springs. From there, it was mainly an excellent bike path system through Petoskey and on to Charlevoix. The temperature was very warm especially the second day when it was in the 90's F ( 32 C) . Along the lake this was tempered by the breeze from the water but inland and on the paved roads the heat forced us to stop early . The last day brought very strong winds but luckily they were at our back. 

The Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend backpacking trip from October 5-8 took place in Pictured  Rocks National Lakeshore Park in Alger County, Munising, Michigan.  Pictured Rocks is a scenic area of hiking trails along the high cliff shores of Lake Superior and inland there are beautiful waterfalls and sea caves left behind by the receding water levels of the lake. The bushwhacking terrain is quite hilly and we did a fair bit of climbing to see all the sights. The weather this weekend was unseasonably warm. It was on average in the high 80's F ( 26 C). In fact, on the last day, the ladies were hiking in their sport bras and shorts and we were able to take a shower under the cold waters of the amphitheatre waterfall.

The November 2-5 backpacking outing occurred at the Taylor Creek and Carp River Watersheds in the Mackinac Wilderness Tract near Onaway, Michigan. I called this trip the dam trip as we crossed streams and rivers at least eight times by going over beaver dams. We also bushwhacked through some thick brush, followed two tracks and gas lines and old corduroy  roads. This was a very rainy trip with a heavy downpour with lightning and thunder on the Saturday. The nights were cooler and we finished the trip quite damp or wet. We used our rain gear a lot!

Product Review:
Vapour BArrier
I have been aware for several years of people buying these colorful Crocs for comfort reasons although I always thought they seemed wide. But on a spring backpacking trip to Western Upper Michigan,  I observed that my leader had a pair of Crocs that he was using for water crossings. Over the last number of years, I have used a high cut pair of neoprene booties ( 12 oz (340 g) per pair). They stayed wet for too long and so I purchased a pair of Keens ( 23 oz (650 g) per pair) which dried faster and had great grip. They were heavy and hurt my big toe which turns in quite a bit due to a bunion on my foot.  When I felt how light the Crocs were and that they could be good for water crossings,  I purchased a pair on August 28, 2007.

I first tried on some Cayman Crocs before I noticed the Mary Jane Crocs with the extra strap over the forefoot. I tried on sizes 8, 9, and 10. In the size 8, my big toe was pushed right up to the front so that size was not an option for me. In the size 10, there was too much room in the toe box and the back strap did not grab any part of my heel. It just fell down. In the size 9, the toe felt the most comfortable and the back strap did touch my heel although neither strap felt as secure on my foot as I would have liked. My Teva sandals are a size 9 and my Keen's are a size 9.5 so it seems to be that the Mary Jane Crocs run similar in sizing to some of the other leading sandal companies.

When I was not on the bicycle , I was glad to pull off my bicycle shoes and cool my feet in the Mary Janes. In the morning, I would wear them with a waterproof vapor barrier sock over my bike sock so that the dew would not get my bike socks wet. At lunch and at the end of the day, I just wore them with bare feet and it was very comfortable and refreshing for my feet. Sand or soft soil did seem to find its way into the holes.

Bringing the Crocs on the backpack trip helped my backpack to be lighter and that is always appreciated, especially by my hip bones, which feel the weight a lot. I didn't put on my hiking boots (Zamberlan -leather 3 lbs 8 oz ( 1.6 kg)) until the last minute. I do have a narrow foot and suffered many ankle sprains as a teen and was worried about this as the Crocs are wider than my foot. To help with security I have made a Velcro strap system that goes over the Croc and under my foot. I also have a string attached from that strap that ties around the back of my ankle so that during water crossings if there is mud or deep water the Croc will not be suctioned off my foot. This strap system has worked very well for me and I also use it to help tie the Crocs to the side of my pack where they are secured at least twice and there is no fear of them coming off while bushwhacking.

When showering under the waterfall, the Crocs gripped the rock under my feet firmly and I did not slip. With the strap system attached, I felt quite secure crossing the eight beaver dams. I did not have anything poke through the holes and I did not slip at any time. They cleaned very quickly from any dirt by a dip in the water. They dried again very quickly and felt comfortable the next time I needed them. 
At night in camp, they provided comfort and coolness and they slipped on quickly for my many nightly trips Velcro Strap Systemoutdoors to relieve myself. They are a nice forest green color and I like that for the woods although a brighter color would certainly not be misplaced easily.


Summary:

   Positives:   lightweight
                     good grip
                     dry fast
                     easy to secure to backpack
                     easy to clean
                     comfortable
                     visible colors
                   
   Negatives: extra width can affect security
                     cold rain and dew made my feet cold
                     sand and soft soil came in the vent holes and needed to be emptied

I have found my Mary Jane Crocs to be a new, useful addition on my trips. The saving in weight that I have to carry is the main attractive feature. A tighter strap system design would definitely better its appeal for my uses. It would be great if this company could design a sturdy, comfortable, airy Croc that could be clipped into a bicycle cleat. They will definitely be part of my bike trip and backpack trip equipment from now on. They will always help me to go onward and forward!
                           



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