I first purchased Crocs beach shoes four years ago in Hawaii.  The two new pairs purchased via Amazon in December 2009 have the same features I love, and the price was about 20% lower than what I paid in 2006.  (I still wear the old ones, but the treads on the soles have worn down so they are no longer safe on smooth slipperery surfaces such as wet rocks or cement patios.) One of my new pairs (chocolate colored) had an obnoxious chemical odor when they arrived packed in a closed plastic bag.  I left them outdoors for a couple days in the sun and the odor dissipated.

These shoes are so comfortable I wear them almost everywhere.  I wear them without socks in the yard or at the beach, or with athletic socks around town.  They are particularly good for messy outdoor jobs where they may get wet or muddy. Just hose them off and let them dry in the sun. You can throw them in the washing machine with detergent once in awhile for more thorough cleaning.

One safety suggestion: the back strap should be worn behind your heel when driving a car so your foot won't slip out when moving between the gas and brake pedals.