Crocs vs. Lacoste: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Crocs is a brand built on casual, unapologetic comfort and affordability, best known for its iconic clogs made of lightweight Croslite foam. In contrast, Lacoste represents French heritage and sporty elegance, offering premium footwear made from materials like leather and canvas at a higher price point.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right footwear brand for your style and needs.

Crocs: The Comfort-Focused & Playful Innovator

Crocs is famous for its distinct, lightweight, and incredibly comfortable shoes, appealing to a wide audience that values practicality and a bit of fun. Since its launch in 2002, the brand has become a global phenomenon, expanding beyond its classic clog to offer sandals, slides, and sneakers that prioritize all-day comfort for work, leisure, and outdoor activities.

• Product mix: The core product is the Classic Clog, but the lineup also includes a wide variety of sandals, slides, sneakers, and boots. Frequent collaborations with designers, celebrities, and pop culture icons keep a steady stream of fresh styles.
• Price point: Highly accessible, with most popular styles ranging from $30 to $70. The brand often runs sales and promotions, making it a budget-friendly choice.
• Quality & Materials: Made from the brand's proprietary Croslite closed-cell resin material. This foam is lightweight, water-resistant, durable, easy to clean, and provides signature cushioning and slip-resistance.
• Sizing/Fit: Most Crocs styles are known for a roomy, generous fit, particularly in the toe box. The sizing is generally consistent and true to size, with some models featuring adjustable straps for a more secure feel.
• Sustainability: Crocs pursues sustainability through initiatives like a recycling program that gives old shoes a new life and a commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its manufacturing processes.

Crocs offers unmatched casual comfort and durability at an affordable price, making it ideal for anyone who prioritizes function and playful self-expression.

Shop Crocs: crocs.com

Lacoste: The Icon of Sporty Elegance

Established in 1933, Lacoste is a heritage French fashion brand recognized globally for its crocodile logo and classic polo shirts. The brand’s identity is rooted in a sophisticated, sporty, and refined aesthetic. Its footwear collection mirrors this ethos, offering well-crafted sneakers and casual shoes that blend premium materials with timeless, minimalist design for a polished but relaxed look.

• Product mix: While known for apparel, Lacoste's footwear collection is extensive, featuring classic court sneakers, casual loafers, slides, and boots that reflect a clean, sporty-chic style.
• Price point: Positioned in the mid-to-high end, with most sneakers and shoes costing between $100 and $250. The price reflects the premium materials and brand heritage.
• Quality & Materials: Lacoste shoes are crafted with high-quality materials including genuine leather, premium canvas, and durable rubber. The construction focuses on solid craftsmanship with cushioned insoles and sturdy outsoles for lasting wear.
• Sizing/Fit: Follows standard US and European sizing, offering a more traditional and structured fit compared to Crocs. Some models may run slightly narrow, so checking a size guide is a good practice.
• Sustainability: The brand emphasizes sustainability through responsible material sourcing, using organic cotton and recycled fabrics, and maintaining transparency within its supply chain to promote ethical labor practices.

Lacoste footwear provides a refined, stylish choice for those seeking high-quality craftsmanship and a classic, versatile look that can easily transition from casual to smart-casual.

Shop Lacoste: lacoste.com

Crocs vs. Lacoste Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a significant price difference between the two brands. Crocs is firmly positioned as an affordable option, with the majority of their footwear ranging from $30 to $70. They also host frequent sales and promotions, making them highly accessible for budget-conscious shoppers.

Lacoste operates in the premium casual space, with sneakers and shoes typically priced between $100 and $250. This higher price point reflects the brand's heritage positioning, focus on refined design, and use of more traditional materials like leather. Sales are less frequent, though discounts can occasionally be found during seasonal events.

Quality & Materials

Crocs footwear is made almost exclusively from Croslite, a proprietary foam resin. While not a luxury material, it's highly functional - lightweight, buoyant, odor-resistant, supportive, and extremely easy to clean. This focus on function makes them durable for everyday wear, gardening, or environments where shoes might get dirty or wet.

Lacoste prioritizes traditional craftsmanship and premium materials. Their shoes often feature genuine leather uppers, soft canvas, and sturdy rubber soles. The construction is more aligned with classic footwear, emphasizing a clean finish, durable stitching, and materials that offer a more formal and refined appearance suitable for a wider range of social settings.

Style & Aesthetic

The style difference is stark and is the primary factor for most shoppers. Crocs' aesthetic is casual, playful, and utilitarian. Known for its clog silhouette, bold colors, and an array of Jibbitz charms for personalization, the brand champions a fun, comfort-first look that doesn't take itself too seriously.

Lacoste embodies a classic, preppy, and sporty-chic style. Its designs are clean, minimalist, and understated. The look is polished and versatile, designed to complement a smart-casual wardrobe with pieces like chinos, polo shirts, and nice jeans. Lacoste shoes are made to elevate a casual outfit rather than just serving a functional purpose.

Fit & Sizing

Crocs are renowned for their roomy and comfortable fit. Many of their classic styles offer a spacious toe box, which is ideal for wider feet or for those who prioritize comfort above all. Sizing is generally consistent and forgiving across their product line.

Lacoste footwear provides a more traditional, structured fit that aligns with standard shoe sizing. Depending on the model and material (leather vs. canvas), some styles may fit more narrowly. It's often recommended to consult size guides or try them on, as the fit is less accommodating than the roomy design of a Crocs clog.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both brands are actively pursuing sustainability. Crocs focuses heavily on material innovation and end-of-life solutions, such as their program to recycle used and returned shoes into new products. Their primary goal is reducing the environmental footprint of their unique Croslite material.

Lacoste’s approach is tied to its luxury positioning, emphasizing responsible and ethical sourcing of materials like organic cotton and natural rubber. The brand is focused on transparency in its supply chain, eco-design principles, and reducing its overall carbon footprint, which appeals to consumers conscious of ethical manufacturing.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to what you value most in your footwear: pure on-your-feet comfort and function or timeless style and premium construction.

Choose Crocs if:

• Your number one priority is cushiony, all-day comfort.
• You want affordable footwear that is durable and incredibly easy to maintain.
• You need practical, water-resistant shoes for casual wear, yard work, or specific jobs that require a lot of standing.
• You enjoy a playful aesthetic and want to express yourself with bold colors and customizations.

Choose Lacoste if:

• You prefer a classic, sophisticated, and sporty look that doesn't go out of style.
• You are looking for versatile sneakers that can be dressed up for smart-casual events.
• You value premium materials like high-quality leather and canvas.
• You appreciate heritage brands and want a more polished finish in your footwear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Crocs or Lacoste more expensive?

Lacoste is significantly more expensive. Lacoste sneakers generally cost between $100 and $250, while most Crocs styles fall within the $30-$70 range, making Crocs the more budget-friendly option.

Which brand is more comfortable?

For sheer cushioning and a roomy fit, Crocs is more comfortable. The Croslite foam is specifically engineered for shock absorption and a soft feel. While Lacoste sneakers are comfortable for typical daily wear with features like cushioned insoles, they are not designed for the same level of therapeutic, all-day cushioning as a pair of Crocs.

What are Crocs made of?

Crocs are made from a proprietary closed-cell foam resin material called Croslite. It's not plastic or rubber, and this unique material is what makes the shoes so lightweight, soft, odor-resistant, and comfortable.

Do Lacoste shoes run true to size?

Yes, Lacoste footwear generally runs true to size according to standard US and European measurements. However, some specific styles, particularly those made of leather, may have a narrower fit. It's always best to check the product's size chart or reviews if you are between sizes.

Which brand is better for walking all day?

For jobs that require standing or walking on hard surfaces for hours, such as healthcare or food service, Crocs are often the preferred choice due to their superior cushioning and roomy fit. For city walking or travel, Lacoste sneakers can also be a great comfortable option that offers more style versatility.

Are Crocs waterproof?

Yes, the Croslite material is water-resistant and buoyant, making Crocs an excellent choice for the pool, beach, boating, or gardening. They are also very easy to wipe clean and dry quickly.

Can I wear Crocs for work?

It depends on the workplace. Many healthcare professionals, chefs, and retail workers wear Crocs because they are comfortable, slip-resistant, and easy to sanitize. However, their highly casual appearance makes them unsuitable for business or corporate settings.

Does Lacoste ever have sales?

Yes, Lacoste does have sales, particularly during major promotional events like Black Friday and end-of-season clearances. However, these sales events are generally less frequent than those offered by a brand like Crocs.