Once-trendy Crocs could be on their last legs

[Javaman]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31936605/ns/business-washington_post/

The colorful foam clogs appeared in 2002, just as the country was recovering from a recession. Brash and bright, they were a cheap investment (about $30) that felt good and promised to last forever. Former president George W. Bush wore them. Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler wore them. Your grandma wore them. They roared along with the economy, mocked by the fashion world but selling 100 million pairs in seven years.

Then the boom times went bust, and Crocs went to the back of the closet.

(thank god)

[stubtoe]

1. Hmmm. I just finally bought my first pair.

As always, late to the party. Sigh.

[tridim]

2. I still wear mine every day, because they're comfortable..

Although I don't wear them outside the house.

[blueamy66]

5. Me too!

My fiance's brother thought he would be funny and send us each a pair for Christmas last year...as I constantly made fun of his butt-ugly Packers Crocs the last time we visited. I got DBack Crocs and Mark got Cubs Crocs. They are soooo ugly, but great for yardwork!

[sarge43]

15. I wear mine around the yard because, yes, they are comfortable. n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Most comfy pair of shoes I have ever worn in my life

I need to buy some more, especially if they are not going to be available.

[madokie]

42. Same here

And they don't cost an arm and a leg either

[proud2BlibKansan]

86. Just heard there is a Croc outlet store at Lake of the Ozarks

I will be visiting it next week :)

[dysfunctional press]

4. i've never found any that were my size.

i wear either 16 or 17, depending on the brand.

[Blue_Tires]

9. i wear a size 15, and found some crocs that work well

perfect for the beach or the pool -- i've never understood the vitriol over them...

[GoneOffShore]

6. "Toxic waste dumps for your feet"

[seemunkee]

7. Someone just ran the Badwater ultramarathon wearing a pair

I wonder what their feet look like after 135 miles

[HopeHoops]

8. They may be comfortable - but they are FUCKING UGLY AS SIN!

You can smell the ugly before someone wearing them enters the room!

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. I don't care

If you have never had foot problems you have no idea how important comfortable shoes are, especially if you are on your feet a lot.

[noamnety]

34. Wouldn't you rather be in pain but meet strangers' beauty standards?

;)

The shoes considered most beautiful for women are the ones that are the worst for them. The ugliest ones are the best for them.

I would like to wring the necks of the What Not To Wear hosts for promoting that elitest sexist marketing shit, and I'm sorry progressives fall for it, like they are personally offended if someone doesn't conform.

[proud2BlibKansan]

35. I refuse to watch that show

Sounds like sexist crap to me.

[Hugabear]

117. I watched that show once. What a disgusting premise for a show

Ambush an unsuspecting woman in front of her friends or co-workers, tell her that her clothes are ugly, force her to throw away her entire wardrobe, fly her to New York, give her $5000 to shop at fancy elitist clothing stores. Not only that, but tell her that her hairstyle is ugly and needs to be redone, and that her face isn't pretty enough.

[Taverner]

88. When I first saw them I thought they were gardening shoes

First the flip flop - then the Teva - then the croc - not sure what's next

[Arkansas Granny]

13. I feel the same way. They are about the ugliest shoes I've ever seen.

To each his/her own, but I will never know if they are comfortable or not because I'll never own a pair.

[Vickers]

18. Lots of comfy shoes are like that...Birks, Docs, Crocs, Mephisto, etc.

I don't look at my feet too often, and fuck the folks who don't like what I'm wearing.

:thumbsup:

[moggie]

21. Docs are ugly?

Whoa, nobody told me that!

[Vickers]

24. They're so ugly I've bought 7 pairs of 'em.

:P

[ContinentalOp]

54. Docs are comfortable!?

[Vickers]

115. You have to break them in...for about 8 months.

:spank:

[rainbow4321]

87. They are still popular with nurses

And others in the medical field...those of us who are on our feet 8 to 12 hrs a day. Wearing scrubs is like going to work in our pajamas and the crocs are the house slippers. I don't miss having achy heels and arches at all, screw how the crocs look!

[RebelOne]

10. My daughter is a middle school teacher and wears Crocs

every day since she is on her feet a lot. Sometimes she will get snide remarks from her students, like "Nice shoes, Ms. Jones."

[LWolf]

53. My middle school girls have given up on my fashion sense.

They love me anyway, lol.

Although one group did head off to high school a year ago and leave me with a parting gift: a pair of hot pink canvas tennis shoes; I wear those a lot. ;)

[NOW tense]

11. That is odd.... this hasn't made the news

here in Boulder.

[hlthe2b]

14. Never could get over the thought of wearing plastic on my feet...

Though I appreciate the focus on comfort, my Merrell mocs fit the bill nicely, I think

[Hawkeye-X]

52. They aren't plastic

And they are the BEST shoes you'd wear at this time of the year.

[hlthe2b]

85. What are they made out of?

I've seen them, held them and they seem like some type of thermoplastic...:shrug:


I'm all for comfortable shoes and always loved that their headquarters was in Niwot, CO (!)

I would wear them (if I owned them for kicking around in the garden or maybe at the lake,but really like clog type shoes more--different strokes for different folks and all that...

They'll leave behind a lot of loyal customers though I'm sure.

[Javaman]

93. Here you go...

Just What Is a Croc Made Of, Anyway? (And How Safe Is It?)

In the absence of direct response, I resorted to research. Their site says: “Think Crocs are made of rubber? Your friend is adamant they're plastic? You're both wrong. Crocs are made of PCCR, a closed-cell material that virtually eliminates odour. No one will clear a room with smelly feet if they are wearing a pair of Crocs. The material also discourages sweating, making Crocs even more comfortable.” A quick Google reveals nothing, as PCCR is some sort of “proprietary” blend Crocs makes, likely a petroleum-derived foam. (Read Treehugger’s take, or Debra Lynn Dadd’s.

Treehugger

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/08/crocs_birkys_fo.php

>snip<
Wearers just rave about the comfort. One retail shop staffer told me she was on her feet all day, but kept her Crocs on when arriving home ‘cos they were just so damn comfy. But are they green? Well, the material is called Croslite PCCR (proprietary closed cell resin), which tells us nothing at all really. Other than it is a petroleum based foam. But two aspects do give them at least a verdant tinge.

Debra Lynn Dadd's

>snip<

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I went to the crocs website at www.crocs.com and found that there was no information on the material the shoes are made from, except to say that it is a "closed-cell resin." I called their Customer Service and was told the material was "propriatary."

I'm going to assume it is some kind of plastic made from crude oil, since if it was something else, they would probably say so.

Sorry I can't tell you what type of plastic this is, but in general, plastic is nonrenewable, not biodegradable, and often toxic.

The fact that the skin on your daughter's feet is peeling would indicate to me not to wear them.

Debra :-)


-so, in sumation, no one really knows and crocs ain't coughing up the info. Since it is a closed cell resin, I would also assume it's an oil based product.

[hlthe2b]

97. After reading that.. I'm still not sure...

But, it sounds like Crocs will be around long after all of us...

[Javaman]

107. I'm with you...

I agree, they will out last us all.

[Stinky The Clown]

16. I better buy every pair I can find. I love 'em. I own a rainbow of them.

I wear them mixed and matched. They're exceedingly comfortable. They're newly cheap (ten bux at Costco or BJ's). They're perfect clown shoes.

[rainbow4321]

89. I had a rainbow pair, too!!

It was my way of dealing with only being allowed to wear blue scrubs everyday!
But I couldn't find another pair when those got worn down so I had to switch to a solid color. I'm buying more this weekend, gonna look for more rainbow ones.

[Horse with no Name]

17. Thank GOD! n/t

[SidDithers]

19. My kids love 'em...

They live in them during the summer.

Sid

[MichellesBFF]

32. Ugly Shoes

Crocs saved my back when I was working at a bicycle factory.

But you want to see some ugly shoes? Try these...
http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/

I find them intriguing, but super ugly! I would love to try running in them, but I get shin splints from a leg length
discrepancy, so I don't think they'd do me any good.

[LeftHander]

20. I could never bring myself to buy such hideous foot wear....

:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

[grasswire]

50. .....but could you wear these?

[senseandsensibility]

59. What are those?

I could wear them.

[grasswire]

63. crocs

you ought to see their web site

[senseandsensibility]

66. I went to it after I saw your post downthread

I don't know anything about crocs, except for the the very basic kind. What an eye opener. I loved the wedges. Can you tell me what the upper material is? Does it stretch at all? Thanks!:)

[grasswire]

69. it's some kind of technology they call foam

These are my everyday shoes this year



I don't know what all the materials are that they use -- some are even part fabric now. But I think they put a lot of research money into comfort and durability. I couldn't be happier or more comfy. My shoes feel better than even walking barefoot. And I have some foot problem.

[bobbolink]

98. Where would you find some like that?

My feet are very wide, so if they have no "give", they probably won't work. :(

[ejpoeta]

22. I bought a pair each for both my daughters for $1. Ashley the 4 year old wears hers all the time.

Emy wore hers until the strap broke. she could still wear them, but I guess she's moved on. My sister has ones with lining in them. I just am not interested, personally. I have a hard enough time with shoes as it is. I have never been much for fads anyway. Prefer to just find shoes that I can comfortably wear that will last as long as possible.

[Blue Diadem]

23. I don't have the Croc brand but I like mine. Sometimes my foot and leg swell so much that

the larger ones are the only shoes I can get on.

They're great for working in the garden and I have a fuzzy lined pair that feels wonderful when it's wintertime.

[Stargazer09]

25. I bought them for my kids

Just for the backyard and going swimming. I really don't like them, but the kids need something on their feet, and Crocs are easy to clean and maintain. I won't let them wear them when we're actually going somewhere, and the kids will be forbidden to wear them to school.

I have a nice pair of Keens that I wear when my feet are going to get wet, but I'm not paying $80 for my kids to have shoes like that. My feet have stopped growing, thank you very much, and I will get many years' of use out of that one pair of sandals.

[noamnety]

103. Why won't you allow your kids to wear them to school? (nt)

[Stargazer09]

109. I don't like them

Just my opinion, but I think they look trashy. Besides that, I don't really want the kids running in them during P.E.

To me, they are good for wearing to the swimming pool and for playing in the backyard. I don't want the kids using them for every day wear. I just don't like them that much, but I recognize that they have their uses.

[noamnety]

110. Wouldn't the kids keep sneakers at school for PE?

Or you'll have them wear sneakers every day?

I'm surprised that parents restrict their kids' fashions ... excluding trends that oversexualize kids, I understand that. This is news to me.

My sister and I took a liking to the local thrift shot at a young age, and I spent half of junior high in a used gas station pump attendant shirt with "Jim" embroidered over the pocket (not my name). I also had a post office shirt I used to wear. The only thing I remember my mom complaining about was a checked shirt and overalls that I loved, she said it made me look like a hick. hehehe

[Stargazer09]

113. My Croc-owners are still young

It's easier for them to just wear the same shoes all day long at school. They don't have a huge amount of time to change shoes between schoolwork and P.E. In their school, they usually just put down whatever they are working on, get in line, and go to the gym. Changing shoes would just slow down the entire class. And yes, I do have them wear sneakers every day. I believe that elementary school children should be dressed to play comfortably every day. If one of my daughters chooses to wear a dress to school, I also have her wear the kick pants that cheerleaders wear under their skirts, so that my daughter's modesty will be preserved on the playground.

If I had my way, the kids would wear uniforms to school. That was the only thing I liked about the schools at our last assignment; all of the public schools required school uniforms all the way through high school. But that was there, not here. My oldest children pick out their own clothes now (three are in college, one in high school), and none of them like Crocs or anything similar. The younger ones are in elementary school or preschool, and I make sure that they are dressed appropriately. Like I said, I have them wear sneakers to school every day. My oldest daughter is going into fifth grade this year, so I might have to relax the rules a little bit for her (she's my first girl, so I'm still learning the ropes). Fortunately for me, she prefers to wear shorts and pants rather than dresses, so sneakers will probably still work for her most of the time.

I did have to put my foot down when she said that she wanted to start wearing shirts that show her midriff. She's not even 10 years old, and her classmates are already starting to show off their bodies! :mad:

[noamnety]

114. sneakers every day makes sense.

I appreciate that sentiment about wearing something they can play in every day. My kid liked occasional dresses, and did the bike shorts underneath - and wore socks and hiking boots with them much of the time.

The one fashion preference she embraced that I am most proud of was no advertising junk. She wouldn't be caught dead wearing disney movie ads, or anything with a nike swoosh, or polo or tommy hilfiger logos. She's still like that.

[Bluenorthwest]

26. Time to buy a case of them

They are the most comfortable shoe I have ever worn. I have physical problems, and the Crocs are empowering to my abilities. Last year I took spendy walking shoes on vacation and left them in the suite, for the Crocks were the only shoe for me.
I only wear clothing to please others when I am paid to do so. At other times, I wear what I like, and that is that. I do not care what anyone else thinks about anything I wear.
I love Crocs. I am wearing them right now.

[surrealAmerican]

27. The victim of cheaper knock-offs, I guess.

If you're still charging $30, and customers can get pretty much the same thing for $10, it's hard to sell much.

[Clear Blue Sky]

28. Too many varieties and styles. They should have stuck with their basic model.

[noamnety]

30. I'm glad they have their Rx line

for people with serious foot problems, those are better than the normal crocs. If they are going out of business, I will buy a second pair of those, just in case some tragedy befalls the ones I have.

[Clear Blue Sky]

33. Yes they are popular for folks with foot ailments.

[Jennicut]

36. Yup. I have two pairs. My husband thinks they are the ugliest thing ever.

But I have problems with my feet (from diabetes) and they are so comfy.

[proud patriot]

100. hated them until I went to Disney world resort for 10 days

Bought a minnie mouse pink pair ...

love them

[SoCalDem]

29. All fads eventually gow away.. remember go-go boots?

moon boots?
micro-mini skirts?
peasant blouses?
fringed leather vests?
water buffalo sandals?
Davy Crockey hats?
Nehru jackets?
Ben Casey shirts?

[cherokeeprogressive]

45. Pet Rocks? n/t

[mlevans]

56. You wouldn't happen to know any place where I could find a

men's Nehru jacket, would you? And/or men's bellbottoms?

[SoCalDem]

62. Maybe ebay? That would be my first choice of places to try

you might find a pattern, and could find someone to sew them for you

[mlevans]

77. Thanks. I only wish that taking the home economics course

had been an option for male students when I was in high school. Then I might have learned to sew. Or not, now that I think of it; my wife did have the home ec course, and she can't really sew either.

[SoCalDem]

111. I took home ec..yeeeech.. I hemmed my cooking apron on the wrong side

the teacher said if I ripped it out and did it correctly she'd change my grade.. I kept the D :rofl:

[ContinentalOp]

57. Those things all looked cool though! -nt-

[LanternWaste]

90. or blue jeans...

or blue jeans...

[marmar]

"Colorful...brash and bright"

How about butt-ass ugly?

[grasswire]

40. are these cute?

[grasswire]

43. what about these?

[grasswire]

48. and these?

[OhioChick]

102. No shit. n/t

[Orsino]

31. Submit your suggestions as to what other fads/trends you'd like to see GWB kill. n/t

[krispos42]

37. There's still a market for them, but now...

...it time to say that the market is mature. No more high profit margins, fat salaries, or plump bonus checks. Settle down, streamline things a bit, and become a solid mildly profitiable company.

[grasswire]

38. those who say crocs are ugly haven't seen most of them.

....and I dare critics to visit their web site and see the sandals, the slides, the leopard print heels, and more.

My latest crocs get compliments from people who don't know they are crocs and would never wear crocs knowingly. And they save me from foot pain.

Take the challenge: go to the web site and look at the page of women's shoes.

http://www.crocs.com/womens-footwear/women-footwear,default,sc.html?sz=63

[RayOfHope]

61. I saw someone wearing the Patricia yesterday, and they were so cute

I had to come home and look em up on the website so I could get some!

[buzzard]

39. I love my Crocs, I have arthritis in my ankle and normally only wear running shoes with orthotics

I have found that I can wear Crocs in the shower when the pain is really bad as well as in the pool. I didn't know Crocs had a medical line I just saw it mentioned here and it seems they have one that will accept inserts I will definitely try that out, I don't care how ugly they are as long as I can walk more easily.

[madokie]

41. I'm wearing a pair right now

that I bought for 15 bucks about 4 or 5 years ago. About to wear through but otherwise just as confortable now as they were then. I say screw what someone else has to say about what I put on my feet.

Been looking for a replacement for these almost worn out ones.

[MadBadger]

44. I wore my ugly Orange Crocs all summer long for the past 3 summers.

Loved em'

[timeforpeace]

46. They really help my hip and lower back pain when I walk. Great water shoes also.

[Davis_X_Machina]

47. Go to a medical uniform...

...and equipment house, like allheart.com and check out clogs there. Crocs weren't the first, by any means, of this sort of shoe -- they've been must-haves for OR staff since forever. Klogs are good, and (at least recently) American-made.

[greenbriar]

49. love mine and even bought croc "dress shoes" that I wear to school

and flip flops too


the most comfortable shoes ever

[Hawkeye-X]

51. I'm wearing 'em right now. I love 'em and will continue to buy them

as they are a local company...

[Liberal_in_LA]

55. good

[slampoet]

58. I have seen dollar store knockoffs for 4 years on these. Once it hits the Dollar store GET OUT ...

...the trend is officially over.


REEEEEAAALLLY Reporters need to just visit their local flea market to find out what is out of style. I haven't found a more dependable barometer.

[grasswire]

67. the knockoffs are stiff and clunky

Real crocs are not stiff. They are flexible and mold to your feet.

[slampoet]

76. Of course they are, That isn't the point.

No matter how shoddy, if you have knockoffs of your product, it is time to move on because i can tell you that the wholesalers and consumers definitely are moving on to other things.


Take a look at post #22.

[southernleftylady]

60. Love my crocs.. :) nt

[Political Heretic]

64. If they are as comfortable as everyone says, I'll buy some and I couldn't care less about

the fashionistas.

[grasswire]

65. check out the web site

The variety is really quite amazing.

http://www.crocs.com

[happychemtrails2u]

68. Hi! I never bought a pair before because they didn't seem comfy enough

Somehow rubber (even with holes) didn't seem like it would take sweaty feet very well, but reading all these testimonials has made me strangely crave a pair. They sell them at Whole Foods, for some reason, but I balk at paying $30 for rubber! I guess it'll be "doesn't it feel good to pay less" for me! Great thread, by the way!

[grasswire]

70. go to the web site

You will be amazed. They aren't just ugly old clogs anymore

http://www.crocs.com

[happychemtrails2u]

72. Well, I am of the mind that clogs are not ugly (I own several pairs)

and some people seem to think that clunky shoes are automatically ugly. My main beef about Crocs were that they had all those holes, plus were totally rubber, which seemed uncomfortable. I also thought they cost too much for the materials involved. And of course, the trendiness didn't help me, either. I am not one to jump on fashion bandwagons. I saw those other models on the site and I think that they would lose the comfort factor if they are in more narrow styles. I think a big draw was the wideness; I can dig that concept since my feet tend to be on the wide side.

[JitterbugPerfume]

71. ugly shoes

My feet looked like two big bottles of pepto-bismal, and they were extemely uncomfortable

good riddance

[noamnety]

104. out of curiosity

did you have the crocs brand? Or a knockoff?

[cherish44]

73. Never owned Crocs

Just not a fashion trend I could get into. My mom and dad love them but they're old and like the idea of something comfortable yet trendy. I hate having my feet covered, I'm strictly a sandals or flip flop person in the summer. I'd go barefoot if I could :)

[grasswire]

75. you obviously haven't gone to the web site

The sandals and slides and flats and heels are very attractive.

And as I wrote in another post, my crocs truly feel better than barefoot.

[Ilsa]

74. I saw a bunch at a Hallmark Card shop. Started at $30. No way would

I pay that for plastic shoes to wear in the garden.

[Arkana]

78. THANK GOD.

Those shoes are the most tacky, awful things to poison American culture since the invention of the fucking UGG boot.

[Dappleganger]

79. Hated them until I broke a toe a few summers ago

Needed something to wear on vacation and none of the normal shoes would fit and protect the toe, so dh brought me a pair of crocs.
They are as ugly as hell but they did the job, even in the garden.

They get worn once a week while doing a few hours of yard work, or when it's pouring down rain and that's it.
BTW, I do think they are not safe for kids to run in--youngest son slipped and broke his arm while wearing a pair of crocs and if he'd had tennis shoes on he probably wouldn't have slipped at all.

[MineralMan]

80. I wear them on the boat. Waterproof, so launching the boat

doesn't mess them up. They work very well for that. I don't wear them any other time.

[Odin2005]

81. Don;t like them, I have sensory issues and so I don't like the feel of rubber foam on my feet.

Ew, ew, ew...

[Hekate]

82. Comfy and cheap, thank you very much. Love them for yard work and around the house...

The ones for the yard are on the back porch; very easy to hose off when I'm done. The ones in the house have replaced my house slippers, which provide these old feet with no cushioning or support like the Crocs do. Sometimes I forget I'm wearing them and take off for the store. ;-)

Hekate

[PassingTimeHere]

83. I can't imagine not having my crocs to water my garden.

When I"m finished, I just rinse off my feet and my shoes at the same time!

[tammywammy]

84. I have a few pairs of Crocs, not the clog kind

They're cute and super comfortable.

[Greybnk48]

91. I have several pair and I love them.

They're the only shoe that I can walk all day in due to an old injury.

[Stockholm]

92. I´ll stick with my Birkenstocks n/t

[old mark]

94. My wife has 2 pair andloves them...they are evidently very comfortable

light and cool.

I think we will keep them.

mark

[librechik]

95. If only they had taken my advice and made them out of recycled materials

(surprised they are not? so was I!)

they would be just sailing right about now.

Love mine--I spend a lot of time walking in wet areas and back to dry--they are perfect!

[LWolf]

96. Hopefully I'll be able to find some on sale.

A big "Clearance" sale would be great. ;)

[pipi_k]

99. People are saying they're ugly, but

part of the attraction...for me, anyway...is that they're so ugly.

I love ugly shoes.

So I have like four or five pair of Crocs and I love them...wear them all the time. Except last year I had a severe bout of plantar fasciitis caused by the lack of arch support in the regular Crocs. I bought some arch supports and put them in my Crocs and they're wearable once again.


PS...actually, "ugly" is in the eye of the beholder, even with shoes. Some of my younger female friends wear those pumps with the skinny heels and the pointy ass toes that look like they could stab (and kill) an elephant. UG-LEEEEEEE

plus it makes my feet cry whenever I look at them. How do women stand the pain from having their feet squished into such unnatural shapes?

:cry:

[SmileyRose]

105. Honestly?

** it makes my feet cry whenever I look at them. How do women stand the pain from having their feet squished into such unnatural shapes? **

If that is what it takes to get a job, get a raise, satisfy the fashion police, snag a man blah blah - screw it. My brain shuts down when my feet hurt. I'd rather be smart and fugly if I have to.

[Vickers]

116. "I love ugly shoes."

I love you.

:hug:

[mamaleah]

101. We call them house shoes. I never wear mine out!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

106. I always thought they were hideous, but I needed something to wear

while working in a muddy garden so broke down and bought a pair. Rather to my surprise they turned out to be the most comfortable shoes I have ever had. I guess I'd better buy a few more pairs before they go out of business.

I hesitate to wear them in public, though.

[rhiannon55]

108. I honestly don't understand why people think crocs are ugly

I think they're cute. And I LOVE mine. They're comfy and CUTE.

[bumblebee1]

112. Wasin our local mall last weekend.

I walked by the Crocs cart at the center of the mall. I couldn't believe it when I saw that Crocs also has a line of flip flops. I also saw their high heel shoes. They more resemble platform shoes to me.

[tammywammy]

118. You should check out their website

They do have some really cute shoes, and super comfy. I own a couple pairs of Crocs (and if they're going to go out of business, I'll definitely order some more in the next few weeks) and none of them are the original clog ones.


www.crocs.com