Crocs is an American footwear brand founded in 2002. It is known for lightweight foam shoes with ventilation holes, which the company calls clogs even though they contain no wood. The main material is Croslite, a closed-cell foam resin that adjusts to the shape of the wearer's foot. The shoe was first designed for outdoor activities and boating, then shifted into everyday footwear. By 2017, Crocs had reportedly sold 300 million pairs. The design was once widely mocked, but it was slowly accepted and even reached the fashion stage. For secondhand buyers, the lightweight, quick-drying foam makes Crocs relatively easy to clean and reuse.
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Crocs was founded in 2002 by Scott Seamans, Lyndon Hanson, and George Boedecker Jr. The three took a design by Andrew Reddyhoff of Foam Creations in Quebec City, drawn by its comfort and practicality. In the same year, the first model, called the Beach, was introduced at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in Florida. All 200 pairs that were made sold out.
In June 2004, Crocs bought Foam Creations along with its factory to secure exclusive rights to Croslite. A year later, its first national ad campaign, "Ugly Can Be Beautiful", was launched together with a redesigned logo. In October 2006 Crocs bought Jibbitz, the maker of small charms that can be attached to the shoe's ventilation holes. The line also expanded, for example with the Ace golf shoe in 2008, after Crocs acquired Bite Footwear.
Crocs' reputation has not always been smooth. In the late 2000s its look was widely criticized as ugly. Perception began to shift in the mid-2010s. Christopher Kane put Crocs on his models at London Fashion Week 2016, and Balenciaga released a 10 cm Crocs platform shoe in 2017. Sales rose sharply from 2020 to 2022, along with the trend toward casual clothing.
There is one more thing relevant to secondhand buyers: imitations. Since 2006 Crocs has taken legal action against makers of "croc-offs", and fake goods were seized in the Philippines and Denmark in 2007. Because the shape is easy to copy, checking the details is still necessary.
- Beach: Crocs' first model, introduced in 2002 at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, and its first 200 pairs sold out.
- Classic: the basic line with the signature silhouette, available in more than 30 colors.
- Fuzz Collection: a version with a soft fuzzy lining for winter.
- Fuse: released in 2009 along with two other models, formulated to conduct static electricity according to the EN ISO 20347:2004 standard for the medical sector.
- Ace: a Crocs-style golf shoe introduced in 2008.
What we check before listing
What we usually look at first is the material: genuine Croslite foam feels light, flexible, and evenly smooth, with no rough surface or sharp plastic smell. We check the logo and the markings on the side of the shoe and on the insole to see whether they are sharp and neat, because "croc-off" imitations are indeed common. The ventilation holes should be symmetrical, and the heel strap and its pivot pins should still be tight and not loose. The sole is checked for excessive wear, cracks, or thinning foam edges. The insole often keeps the footprint of the previous wearer, so we check its cleanliness and smell, and buyers should pay close attention to the size. All of this is our checking routine, not a guarantee of authenticity.
Caring for it
Wash with mild soap, water, and a soft brush, then dry in a shaded place. Because it is made of foam, avoid excessive heat such as a car dashboard or a hot clothesline, since the shape can change. Do not use harsh solvents that can damage the surface or color. Remove the Jibbitz before washing so the gaps around the holes get cleaned too.
FAQ
What are Crocs made of?
Most Crocs use Croslite, a closed-cell foam resin that third parties describe as injection-molded EVA foam. This material adjusts to the shape of the wearer's foot.
How can you tell genuine Crocs from imitations?
We look at the quality of the foam, the sharpness of the logo and markings, the neatness of the ventilation holes, and the firmness of the heel strap. Imitations have been common for a long time, so we suggest comparing several details at once. This is a checking guide, not a guarantee.
Are secondhand Crocs safe and hygienic to wear?
The material is easy to wash and dries quickly, so it can be cleaned well before being reused. We still suggest washing them once more after they arrive.
Can the size of secondhand Crocs change because of the previous wearer's feet?
The foam adjusts to the foot, so the insole can keep signs of use. On secondhand items, this usually shows as a footprint impression and wear on the sole. It is best to look carefully at the condition photos and the size before buying.
References
Facts summarised and rewritten from the sources above (CC BY-SA licence).