There are few shoes over which consumers, particularly parents, are more divided than Crocs and similar styles.

They’re super easy for even the smallest kids to put on without help, and the little charms that can be inserted into the holes make them infinitely customizable. Many wearers, from toddlers to teens and adults, also find them super comfortable.

Others find them sweaty and unappealing.

However, some podiatrists are sounding the alarm that Croc hate may not just be a matter of taste.

Podiatrist Says She’s Seeing Foot Damage In Young Patients

One podiatrist, Priya Parthasarathy, a spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association, told NPR that she’s seeing many issues arise in teens who wear Crocs regularly. She says:

“I’ve seen more structural issues like heel pain, arch pain, sometimes more hammertoes, because you have to grip the shoe to keep them on and so the toes are overworking.”

She notes that these issues are worsened by the fact that many kids flip the strap over and wear the shoes as slides, with no heel strap to help add stability. Even with the strap, though, she says they don’t provide enough arch support, and since they don’t wick moisture, blisters are also a problem.

A Foot & Ankle Surgeon Sees Additional Concerns

Amiethab Aiyer, a foot and ankle surgeon at Johns Hopkins University, is seeing other long-term effects that may be more serious.

He says that because they’re loose — and this applies to any shoe with the same sort of fit, not just Crocs, wearers take a step that’s more like a shuffle to keep them in place. This, in turn, causes a shift in gait and weight distribution, which can result in long-term alterations to bones. Aiyer says:

“As silly as it might sound, you know, the foot bone connected to the ankle bone, if you will, from the nursery rhyme — all these things are interlinked.”

He says the damage can even extend to the rest of the body.

You Don’t Have To Surrender The Convenience Of Crocs!

These doctors aren’t entirely anti-Croc, though.

Parthasarathy says there are times when they’re a good choice, like for getting a three-year-old out of the house quickly. She also says they’re okay for the pool or beach. And Aiyer says that his kids wear them, too.

However, concerns can arise when they are worn all day, every day, as a person’s regular shoe.

When Should Your Kids Swap Out Crocs For Sturdier Shoes?

Professor of orthopedics and pediatrics at N.Y. College of Podiatric Medicine, Russell G. Volpe, DPM, told WebMD that he likes Crocs in the summer, because they’re convenient. They’re good for activities like boating in warm weather.

When kids head back to school, though, he says they’re not such a hot idea. He explains:

“I start to have concerns when a child is doing any sort of moderate physical activity…Crocs provide little support and they can easily slip off during recess, gym, or any other activity beyond walking.”

He also says that the length of the school day is too long for wearing unsupportive shoes and that they’re a bad idea for cold or wet weather when “if your child is wearing Crocs he might as well be shoeless.”

One More Consideration: Existing Health Conditions Or Ability Issues

There’s one more factor you should consider for your child’s Croc-wearing.

You may want to stick to more supportive shoes if they have any existing physical issues. Podiatrist Dr. Emily Splichal told Romper that they’re not a great choice for a child who “as a flat foot, needs extra arch support, or shuffles her feet when she walks.”

She also opposes using them on babies and toddlers who are still learning to walk since they can affect how the child learns to move her body. She says the best shoe for active children is “a supportive running sneaker that laces up to their ankle.”

Check with your pediatrician if you aren’t certain about your child’s specific needs.