Crocs or Runners in Theatre? Pick Your Side
Crocs or runners? It is one of those staff room debates that never fully settles, and I am told every theatre has a side.
What the rule actually says
One Western Australian health service publishes a Perioperative Attire Procedure (version 1.00, effective 27 October 2022). It says footwear in the operating suite must be fully enclosed with a non-slip base. It must also be made of a design and material that can be cleaned or disinfected.
The procedure does not name a style. It describes what the shoe has to do. Your own employer's policy is the one that applies to you.
Team crocs
Say your piece. Is it the grip? The weight? The wipe-down at the end of the list? The way they feel on your feet at the end of a long day?
Team runners
Same question, other side. What do runners give you that crocs do not? Tell me what I am missing.
Four easy ways to answer
This or that: crocs or runners.
Finish the sentence: the best thing about my theatre shoes is...
Rank it: grip, weight, comfort, wipe-down. Which comes first for you?
Caption this: describe your theatre shoes in three words.
A few ground rules
Keep it to footwear and keep it friendly. No hospital names and no surgeon names, please. Comments are open on LinkedIn and Facebook, and I will read every one.
If you like this kind of thing, you may also enjoy our earlier posts on theatre music, team playlist or team quiet, team cold or team warm and the theatre sound that follows you home.
If you are curious what a theatre team looks like in different places, you can browse our theatre nursing jobs page.
Crocs or runners: which side are you on?
Planning your next perioperative career step
Our Theatre Nurse Career Playbook 2026 sets out pay, conditions and career structure across Australia and New Zealand.
If you would like a confidential conversation about your next career move, contact Paul on 0435 583 849 or email paul@carejobz.com
