Love them or hate them, Crocs are a cultural phenomenon.
From their introduction on the shoe scene in 2002, to their rising popularity over 20 years later — Crocs have seen some ups and downs. Boaters, gardeners, nurses, theme park goers, and more tout their merit. But they weren’t always so ubiquitous.
According to the company, Crocs were created as a comfortble boat shoe made from their propietary closed-cell resin, Croslite. The material gives the shoes the “soft, comfortable, lightweight, non-marking and odor-resistant qualities that Crocs wearers know and love.”
But, while many have loved these shoes for a long time, they were never really “fashionable,” and they honestly inpired a lot of hate throughout the years. Now that the tides are turning, lets take a look at some things you might not have known about these controversial shoes.
1. They’re Named for Their Versatility
Sure, these shoes may have technically been created as boat shoes — but the company designed them to be versatile!
The brand takes its name from the “multi-environment, amphibious nature of crocodiles,” and they wanted to provide their customers with footwear that fits a variety of lifestyles.
2. They Are Actually Good for Your Feet
According to Today, podiatrist Dr. Miguel Cunha says that the wide toe box in these shoes accomodate your forefoot well.
“You don’t want crowding of the toes, as that can exacerbate pre-existing conditions such as bunions, hammer toes and neuromas.” They also hug your arches comfortably, have antimicrobial properties, and are quite breatheable.
But, like any pair of shoes, they aren’t perfect for every occasion — no matter how versatile the company designed them to be. Because the strap around your foot can’t be adjusted, they aren’t always secure. “As a result, people may trip or grip onto the shoe more with their toes, which can cause tendonitis or foot fatigue.”
3. They Are … Cool?
Love them or hate them, the company has undeniably seen a boom of success lately, particularly after the pandemic. In 2022, the company reported a record-high revenue of $3.6 billion, growing 54% over 2021.
According to Today, the brand has gained quite a bit of popularity in the last few years, collaborating with some high-profile celebrities like Justin Bieber, SZA, Bad Bunny, and more on limited-edition styles.
One reason that they have garnered this success is because they “don’t shy away from their uniqueness, and that allows their consumers to do the same.”
4. Not Just Cool, High Fashion
Crocs did gain a bit of popularty in their early days within a certain market — they debuted in 2002 at a Boat Show in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and all 200 pairs sold out! But, the fashion industry has thrown a bit of shade at the versatile shoe for a long time. Things are changing, though!
According to Forbes, Crocs has “joined Saint Laurent, Prada, Bottega Veneta, Loewe and Mui Mui as one of the top ten most coveted luxury products in Lyst Index’s most recent quarterly report.”
And it’s not just on the runway. Over 1.8 million posts on Instagram have people showing off their pairs in DIY Chanel and Dior Jibbitz.
So, where do you stand on these popular shoes? Let us know in the comments below! And as always, stay tuned to AllEars for all the latest news.
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Do you own a pair of crocs? Let us know in the comments below!
Love my crocs!!
You not rockin unless you crocin
I’m using this line next time someone makes fun of my pink Crocs with little Mickey poms on them!