What did traveling moms do before Crocs rubber shoes blasted on the scene a few years ago? Really, I can’t think of another brand of slip-on/slip-off shoes from my toddlerhood through my college years that were ever as a) fun or b) practical for travel as Crocs (maybe those Jellies take a distant second). In fact, there’s not one child I know who hasn’t owned a pair of Crocs or a pair of Crocs knock-offs.

Girls Gretel in Sky Blue & Oatmeal

Since 2005, my family of four has amassed at least a dozen pairs — in both the traditional Cayman sandal as well as the “fuzzy Crocs” (so named by my kids) for cooler-weather wear. We haven’t ventured into the heels, Mary Janes, boots, corduroy, lace-up or suede — we’ve stood by the original “clog” style.

Now, I know there are naysayers; I’ve heard the classic Crocs called  “ugly” and “clown-like” and “a fashion don’t.” Indeed, I honestly haven’t worn my pair of purple Cayman originals much further than the front yard and the garage lately (at their height of popularity a few summers ago, I think more than half of the women in the local grocery store had them on their feet).

But my kids continue to adore the brightly colored shoes and associated Jibbitz — wearing them to school, to the pool, on playdates, and on our vacations all year round. They’ve had Crocs on their feet in National Parks, campgrounds and ski lodges, and on beaches and hiking trails. I’ve encouraged them to wear Crocs on our travel days, since they are easy to take on and off at airport security checkpoints and during road-trip stops.

Yes, their feet can sweat in the rubber (aka Croslite resin material) shoes when they’re worn without socks, and the lighter colors especially tend to show dirt and wear quickly — but the shoes are easily washed by hand with cool water and dish soap. (I’ve been known to throw them in the washing mahcine, though the Crocs FAQ doesn’t recommend it.)

Kids' Blitzen Polar in Chocolate & Oatmeal

This season, the kids are sporting the darling Gretel ($49.99) and the cozy Blitzen Polar ($29.99). Like the other Crocs they’ve owned, there’s no “breaking in” period; right out of the box they are comfortable and fit “just right.” The Gretel — with it’s sweet ribbon and faux-fur lining — runs a little small, so you need to order a size up. And the Dutch-clog look with its upturned toe also seems to best fit narrow feet; frankly, I’m not sure my wide one would do well with this style, but for my daughter’s slim foot they are perfect.

When my son slipped on his Blitzen Clogs he said, “Ahhhhh! They’re so soft!” Indeed, the fleece lining (different from the Gretel style) is super smooth and warm. He’ll bring these in his backpack to school all winter long — sporting boots to the bus stop, and then changing into the clogs to wear indoors (except on P.E. days when he needs to bring sneakers). Both children will wear their fuzzy Crocs as we start our road trip from snowy Colorado this winter — and I’ll pack their summer versions for our arrival in the sunny, warm California desert!