Crocs are water shoes: in other words they are waterproof. You're feet get wet but the crocs are impervious to water

 So, I started out in the 1980s with Tevas to cross streams but as my feet got older and I nicked my toes on rocks and glass under rivers (or fish hooks) I began to look for another outcome to protect my feet. What I chose was Crocs because they protect my feet a little more than Teva sandals did in the 1980s. Glass and fish hooks and other things could still be a problem with Crocs but not in the way where more of your foot is vulnerable.

So, as I aged I went from Tevas for walking in the rain through rivers and oceans to Crocs. I usually put the strap forward as most men do (unless) I'm climbing straight up a hill and need to not slip out of the Crocs because of the steepness.

But, remember you are not as sure footed as you would be with tennis shoes or other athletic shoes or some water shoes. So, often if I feel safe enough in a difficult situation I will go barefoot to deal with this kind of situation and then carry my Crocs by the straps and then put them on as soon as I feel more surefooted depending upon the situation.

For example, I was walking at about 500 feet high on the Sandstone Butte next to Shamans Cave near Sedona Arizona with my wife and daughter a couple of years ago before my oldest daughter got married and I felt vulnerable across one stretch of the sandstone trail with about 500 feet of exposure. My solution was to take off my Crocs and put my back to the butte and walk sideways so I could feel the sandstone with my feet walking sideways and this way I could still make it to Shamans Cave in the Butte.

However, this situation my wife decided not to cross this part and all the rattlesnakes rattling 5 or 10 rattlesnakes as we hiked from my 4 wheel drive truck onto the trail along the side of the 500 to 700 foot high butte made of sandstone were not something my wife wanted to endure. But, if you leave rattlesnakes alone even if they are rattling and give them enough space usually they will leave you alone too.

Once I got by the dangerous part I just put my crocs back on and hiked and traversed over to Shaman's Cave with my daughter.