So i need a pair of shoes for wearing in the garage when tinkering with bikes and the car
Don't need anything fancy, no need for steelies etc… but they need to be able to be slipped on and off quite easily whilst standing up for when i have to step into the house/conservatory to use the loo, check the p.c, going back and forth etc… but they still need to stay secure when on my feet
No suggestions of Croc style shoes please, i know no one will see me wearing them but ill know and i just cant live with the internal shame of being a closet Croc wearer
Crocs are perfect for what you need. Unless you are normally at Naomi Campbell levels of fashion wear, just get over yourself.
Hoka Ora Primos or Salomon RX nomads work well and have a modicum more self respect than crocs.
But, the correct answer is old ex German army para boots, with loose laces and just embrace the early 90's greebo vibe as they can be cheerfully jumped into and out off without any drama
These are the best option I’ve found so far
but really the correct answer is Crocs, left idling in 2wd so you can jump straight into them. Maybe switching to 4wd if you need to do heavy work like taking the bins out
I vary between Lidl (Parkside) garden clogs, worn out (Salomon) hiking shoes with the laces removed and good old Crocs. Also added Aigle Lessfor Plus clogs this winter. I have too many shoes 😫
Crocs are perfect for what you need. Unless you are normally at Naomi Campbell levels of fashion wear, just get over yourself.
Sorry i just cant do it, i think they are disgusting and I've promised myself id never wear them, plus the ones I've seen have holes in them, i want something fully enclosed, imagine dropping a 6-8mm nut and falls into one of the Crocs holes and goes between my toes, the agony and trauma just isn't worth it!
Hoka Ora Primos or Salomon RX nomads
Ive looked at these and they are way over budget and will get scuffed and damaged quite quickly from sitting on the floor and crawling under the car etc….
If dignity is no issue (unfounded Cros dismissal aside) then I've seen TV ads with Myleen Klass and Jamie Redknapp of Skechers slip ins that try to make OAP friendly shoes seem cool...
https://www.skechers.co.uk/skechers-slip-ins-go-walk-flex---no-hands/216491_NVY.html
Or, just some basic Primark jobs with elastic laces will do the same for a third of the price...
https://www.primark.com/en-gb/p/slip-on-low-top-trainers-navy-991162750528
I use a pair of Teva ReEmber Terrains for this exact purpose. I put them on and off at least 8 times a day
I either use crocs (great for bike washing as they can towel dry) or any old shoes with the laces removed but this is the perfect application for crocs.
As for 8mm nuts falling through the holes, it beats fridge suck!
Does an old pair of trainers with either loosely tied-up laces or a pair of elastic laces not do the job?
Crocs are awesome but Stitches & Steel Amphibians are better.
Sorry i just cant do it, i think they are disgusting and I've promised myself id never wear them, plus the ones I've seen have holes in them, i want something fully enclosed, imagine dropping a 6-8mm nut and falls into one of the Crocs holes and goes between my toes, the agony and trauma just isn't worth it!
Shoes that catch every small nut or washer I drop? I'll take two pairs!
Crocs are hideous but so practical except access to my shed means crossing potentially wet grass that probably needs cutting so I mostly go for similar to Onzadog any old shoes too worn for any other purpose
I'm fussy about wearing work boots when I do stuff in the garage which might result in me dropping something on my toes.
But as I was "only" bike tinkering yesterday I just had on old trainers. The sole, sadly, was not strong enough to resist the nail from a dropped cable clip. A very bloody sock and half a tube of savlon later and I'm still limping a bit.
It's always the times you least expect it...
I can’t imagine buying shoes to wear in the garage. I , like a lot of those above, just use the most knackered pair of trainers in my shoe cache. At the moment this is a pair of ancient Salomon with speed laces at loosest point permanently.
From the JLewis Reviews
A customer said
Hoka slides or Crocs.
Neither look good, both fit the brief. I was like you about Crocs, but I relented. By God they're ugly But no worse than those Sketchers slip-on above), but they are so comfy and so practical.
Go fleece lined for added warmth in the winter.
Embrace the ugly.
I have some garden shoes from god knows where. They are basically Crocs without the holes. I understand you thinking Crocs are an afront to nature - so do I, but crucially only if worn in public - who cares what you wear at home?
Does an old pair of trainers with either loosely tied-up laces or a pair of elastic laces not do the job?
That's what I do. Trainers get relegated to garage duties after a while, with laces very loosely tied. Bonus if they're waterproof for when washing bikes.
Not that there's anything wrong with Crocs, but that'd be more expensive.
I wear crocs all the time before and after riding, but they're not the best thing for being in the garage messing with bikes as they've got holes in them and messing with bikes and cars often involves water/oil/dirt.
We both wear Birkenstock Boston leather clogs in the workshop. offer a lot more protection if you drop a tool on your foot, deal with water/oil/sawdust. decent grip. Comfortable to wear all day and easy to slip on and off.
For the usual reasons the 'professional' high grip version are cheaper and often available discounted.
https://www.russums-shop.co.uk/i/q/CS603/birkenstock-boston-super-grip-clog-black?
thermoball traction are what you need . last ages and very comfy
https://www.thenorthface.com/en-gb/p/shoes-747784/men-s-thermoball-v-traction-mules-NF0A3UZN?color=G78&size=12&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=TNF-UK-PMax-Shopping-NCA&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22968934959&gbraid=0AAAAADnEwu9ZI005yH2omhth1xzgj3DW7&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7Ijc5sGilAMVj5NQBh2uTynnEAQYASABEgJ-UfD_BwE
Slip on Vans. Easy on off, flat sole, no laces. Merrell Jungle Moc if you want arch support. Cheap Chelsea boots if you want durability. No Crocs. No laces. Vans win. Your garage, your rules.
Slip on Vans. Easy on off, flat sole, no laces. Merrell Jungle Moc if you want arch support. Cheap Chelsea boots if you want durability. No Crocs. No laces. Vans win. Your garage, your rules.
This. I have a pair of battered black ones that are just the job.
21 February 2026