Crocs, the new hype: why the ‘ugly’ footwear is more popular than ever

Believe it or not, Crocs, the iconic clog shoe that was once bashed and deemed unfashionable, is now on everyone’s wish list. It is clear things have changed. Crocs have become one the most popular, useful, and even stylish shoe options right now. From it’s practicality and comfort, to its range of styles and celebrity endorsements, Crocs are now a shoe favorite, for all types of people. If you’re wondering why Crocs shoes are so popular, and whether they’re worth the money, here’s what you need to know.

Crocs shoes and the new hype

Crocs have always been a shoe people either love or hate. But one thing is for sure, they are comfortable. Crocs were created as a boat shoe in 2002, and they gained popularity because of their comfort. While the shoe was not known for it’s appealing look, it became to see them on the feet of essential workers such as restaurant or hospital workers. Its comfort was the selling point of Crocs, because it was one thing that was undeniable.

Crocs co-founder Lyndon “Duke” Hansen admitted the shoes were “ugly.” But he still wanted to sell them because it was “comfortable, slip-resistant, could float, and didn’t stink like most boating shoes do.” The classic Crocs clog retail for $49.99. This shoe went on to become a staple in many households, but for its practicality, not its aesthetic.

Crocs found popularity early on with essential workers such as restaurant and hospital workers.

Comfort has long been Crocs’ highest selling point. But now, with the rise of unlikely trends amongst Gen Z, Crocs have into one of the most stylish shoes on the market. As we’ve adapted to staying at home because of the pandemic, a lot of teens and young adults took to buying Crocs and other comfortable items. But because of viral videos featuring more people with Crocs, the shoes popularity skyrocketed. On top of that, Crocs has managed to reach a wider audience with several high-profile celebrity endorsements. These collaborations with Bad Bunny and Post Malone. Both of these Crocs collaborations sold out in minutes.

Even though Crocs are no longer considered “ugly,” many young customers still love their comfort and practicality. One teen said, “I wear my Crocs literally every day to school and whenever I go out, unless I’m going somewhere to dress up, then I change to sneakers.”

Another thing that appeals to a lot of new customers are the wide range of charms you can use to customize your Crocs. The charms, called Jibbitz, are usually sold at $4.99 each, and with new designs coming out all the time. Even high profile names, like Justin Bieber, are selling their own charms, which only makes Crocs even more popular.

“They’re actually really practical and convenient, especially for athletes,” said another customer. “And the Jibbitz make it fun to personalize them to your taste.”

Crocs is comfort and creativity crossover clog that Gen Z can’t get enough of.

How to clean your Crocs shoes

Crocs is a practical shoe, even when it comes to cleaning them. The easy clean up process is another factor that draws people to these shoes. When cleaning Crocs made of their signature Croslite foam material, hand wash them with cold water. Mix in some dish detergent to get any remaining dirt or debris off the shoe. You can also wash your Crocs using your washing machine’s gentle cycle. Other’s recommend removing stubborn stains with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

If you pick Crocs made from other materials like suede or wool, cleaning instructions will vary.

Real Crocs vs. fake Crocs

Like most popular items, fake versions of Crocs are out there. To avoid the fake Crocs, there are a few things to be aware of. The first major difference is price point. Usually, the authentic shoe is more expensive than the cheaper knock off. If the price seems too good to be true, you can bet they’re fake. The label tags are also a great way to spot a fake. On original Crocs, the tags include information like model, fit, color, size, products code, barcode and country of manufacture.

Keep an eye out for logo differences, as the fake shoes could have misspellings or some other minor detail that’s off. Real crocs have a shiny logo-button on the surface, where a fake often has a sticker placed over a button.  One final major key to look out for is smell.  Crocs made from Croslite material, which is a patented foam-resin mixture. This material has no pores, is light, feels smooth and, most important, is odorless. If your shoe smells like chemicals, rubber, plastic or anything else out of the ordinary, it is not real.

The best way to avoid fake Crocs is to buy them in-store or from the brand’s official website.