Glad this topic came up because I've been thinking about trying something different for cooking. For my plantar fasciitis and lower back pain I must wear shoes with supportive arches. I have high arches and need width across the toes, which limit the brands I can buy. I really like the cushioning on Alegrias and the looks of Naots, but best of all are Birkenstocks. I can't find athletic shoes anymore that will lace comfortably across my arch and for some reason they make my ankles swell.
My kitchen has slate floor tiles on concrete slab, so when I have long cooking days, I have lots of pain. I don't know what kind of arch support the Crocs have, but I may give them a try. The gel mats are not an option for me due to my daughter's wheelchair. Ultimately if the Crocs don't work, I may have to use a gel mat just for cooking, then put it away .