Crocs are a very popular shoe these days. This is for multiple reasons. It definitely has a modern look to it – like clogs but a contemporary version of it. They’re always available in lots of bright colors. And of course, it’s made of a special material. It has a unique feel to it and is tremendously comfortable. This begs the question: what are Crocs made of?
To put it simply, Crocs are made of croslite, which is in turn made of crude oil polymers. This is a unique material. There are a number of implications. Crocs aren’t made of rubber or plastics but actually of a polymer from crude oil. This is fairly unique amongst shoes and has a couple big implications. They’re definitely safe to wear and the advantages are part of the reason why Crocs have so many fans. Some people might think Crocs look kind of funny, but have a big realization when they put on a pair. They’re so comfortable and are anti-slip, anti-odor and anti bacterial. With this winning combination, it’s no big surprise that Crocs sells millions of pairs a year.
Soft material
When you step in a pair of Crocs for the first time, you’ll realize how soft it is. Crocslite truly is an amazing material that offers a tremendous amount of cushioning. It’s unlike any pair of shoe. You’ll feel like you’re walking on clouds. This is why they’re so popular not only for wearing around the house but in some professions such as some medical fields. In some workplaces, you’re standing on your feet the whole day. You can do these fairly easily with crocs.
Anti-slip
The material is high friction and will help prevent you from slipping. It’s not 100% but can do a lot. For many, this is not a huge bonus but it’s certainly nice to have. For certain professions (such as the medical professions) this is a very important feature. Some work environments actually require anti-slip shoes. In many cases, Crocs will have enough friction ratio to meet the grade.
Anti-odor
The Crocslite material is anti odor and will resist smells. Combined with the holes at the top of the shoe (which provide ventilation), this makes it the ideal shoe material and design. This is fantastic for people that sweat a lot. You never have to worry again during hot and humid days.
Anti-bacterial
It’s good to know that Crocslite inhibits the growth of bacteria. The accumulation of moisture can serve as a breeding ground for unwanted microscopic organisms. These can cause infections if you’re not careful. When you wear Crocs, you have peace of mind that your feet will be clean of bacteria.
Easy to Clean
Crocs are loved by many because they’re such low maintenance. With a normal shoe, sometimes they’ll get damaged or shrink. Crocs are extremely easy to clean – all you need is soap and clean water. This is a huge blessing when it comes for hospital staff, who get their shoes dirty frequently. Stains are easily removed.
Light weight
Crocs are light weight because of the material the use. This is important for some people with conditions such as plantar fasciitis. Their sensitive feet might feel pain but lightweight shoes really help with the condition.
Additionally, if you’re walking a long distance, the fact that Crocs are very lightweight will make them excellent for the journey. Some shoes like work boots are actually quite heavy and will slow you down and even possibly make you tired. Crocs are light as a feather and won’t be an issue. So if you’re going to walk around the block for an hour, consider using your Crocs.
Higher Cost
Some people experience “sticker shock” when they go to the store and see the price of Crocs. While as outsiders we don’t know the cost structure of the Croc company, they could contribute to the high price of the shoes. Crocs is essentially a specialty manufacturer. A normal shoe company like Adidas or Nike can rely on a gigantic global supply chain. Because they can buy in massive quantities, prices are cheaper. There are plenty of suppliers which can provide materials to them.
Crocs uses a unique material and doesn’t manufacture as much. This means higher prices at the factory and thus at the store you shop at.
Don’t Absorb Sweat
Crocs aren’t like normal shoe fabrics and won’t absorb sweat. This is great for a summer day, as regular shoes can get quite stinky and gross if you’re wearing them the hole day. With Crocs, this is no problem.
Vulnerable to High Temp
The material of Crocs actually can be a weakness. It can get damaged by high temperature or extended sunlight. It’ll cause the pair of shoes to deform. So be careful. If you can, store your Crocs in a cool and dry place. In most cases, you won’t have to worry about this. But if you’re living in Arizona or Saudi Arabia (or similar locale) where the temperatures go up in the summer heat, be careful with your Crocs. If they get deformed, it’s likely you won’t be able to wear them anymore.
Countries Manufactured In
Crocs used to just be made in Canada. But now they’re currently made in six countries: Mexico, China, Brazil, Vietnam, Italy and Bosnia. Yes, Crocs truly are a global product.
Lack of Recycling/Environmentally Bio-Degradable.
A lot has been written about how the fashion industry is bad for the planet. Think of “fast-fashion” like Zara and H&M, which make clothes that get thrown away after only a few uses.
There are a couple points with Crocs. Crocs aren’t eco-friendly because they’re not possible to recycle. They don’t break down in a landfill either. Those are two black marks for the brand.
On the other hand, Crocs are very durable. There are some users reporting about their pair lasting over a decade. As they say, the 3 Rs are “reduce”, “reuse”, and “recycle”. Although you won’t be able to recycle your Crocs, you’re reusing your pair of shoes for a long period of time. Some shoes last less than a year. If your Crocs last a decade, you’re keeping a lot of garbage out of the landfill.
Crocs are great shoes. They’re made of croslite, a polymer. There are many advantages (and disadvantages) to this material).
