The ‘Opinion' article written in this week's Observer, (26.07.09) - page 11, on "Crocs" by Barbara Ellen is both vainglorious and ignorant, albeit she had a pair of her own _ ‘Goth-Crocs', which actually did make me chuckle.

However, as a State Registered Chiropodist, I must leap in defence of Crocs, the only shoe in the world, actually made for feet. All other shoes are made for fashion. To quote the manager of a well-known shoe brand, "It's man's passion for fashion that rules the day" _ but then, who sets the fashion, and it is certainly not with feet in mind, but with the way a shoe looks. As they say, "Don't judge a book/shoe by its cover".

Even the imitation Croc-look-alikes have been made for fashion, devoid of every iota of the Croc foot and body benefits. Fashion shoes vary in quality as to their kindness to feet, but none actually reaches the towering heights of Crocs. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the Croc colours brighten and lighten the world and are full of comfort and fun in the beleaguered planet of today. They have various styles of Crocs to suit all tastes. Some patients prefer to wear Crocs than their uncomfortable bespoke shoes _ now there is a normally ‘ugly' shoe, if there was one! Others might find their bespoke shoes help?

Crocs should be worn one, preferably two sizes bigger than a foot normally wears. The little, raised, resin specks on the upper sole prevent foot slippage, and one does not have to grasp with one's toes to keep the Crocs on as one does when wearing flip-flops or other backless shoes/slippers _ which action enhances the probability of hammer toes and the like, along with the normal wear and tear of the foot tendons.

The resin provides a wonderful foot support from the way it has been moulded, and the shock absorption is next-to-none, so much so that it makes the wearing of other shoes a journey of mortified discomfort by comparison. As the size of the Croc is bigger than normal, it provides a really deep toe-box and space between the inside of the Croc and the circumference of the foot so that the foot and toes can spread out normally, and deformed bunions, jack-knifing Big Toes which can force the piggy-backing of lesser toes, Diabetic and Arthritic feet are accommodated with great joy and relief.

Crocs puts the ‘W' back into walking, and walking long-long distances, especially when it comes to ingrown toenails, Norton's Neuroma (a capsule that grows around the nerve, usually between the second and third toes, and in ordinary shoes feel like one is walking on hot-knives after an hour or so on Shank's pony) which appears to totally disappear in the comfort of Crocs. It cushions all bones in the leg, and therefore in the skeleton, and cares for one's joints. The occurrence of corns and callus is less likely, and where they exist, the multiple layer production of hard skin is greatly reduced. Many a foot problem is comfortably resolved in a pair of humble Crocs.

There are Crocs made with silver which repels micro-organisms and helps prevent athletes foot, and the other fungal infections by killing off spores; it is also beneficial to psoriasis sufferers, and other skin conditions. Anti-static Crocs have been invented for those in the workplace. There are special diabetic and arthritic Crocs. Their Georgie Boots are King and Queen of Wellingtons, and put pleasure into every mile trod, without having to suffer any consequences to joints afterwards ....

The Achilles' heel of Crocs is that the outer sole wears out between a week and six months, depending on the amount of walking performed by the wearer, and thus can become particularly lethal in wet conditions. Also as they wear thinner over time they become more pervious to thorns and other sharp objects, therefore it is vitally important to change these Foot Guardian Angels on a regular basis. Just keep a frequent, close check on the tread.

People who choose fashion over foot-comfort, condemn their feet to unnecessary, untold cruelty, and should have petitions drawn up against them in the same vein as the clubbing seal pups, fox-hunting, whale massacre, battery chickens, factory farming, the slave trade, un-empathetic, soaring hospital parking fees and clamping, MPs, etc. Those who incarcerate their feet in obnoxious excuses of fashion shoes, often tight fitting or without support, above comfort and foot welfare deserve to suffer the consequences of their actions, and should shoulder responsibility.

LONG LIVE CROCS! We cannot afford to lose them!!

Susan Dawson, UK

He tenido la "experiencia Crocs"

April Gordon