Crocs Buyers Guide

Crocs history & background

If the coronavirus pandemic has shown us anything, it's that at the end of the day, comfort is king. Back in 2020, Crocs were seen as a bit of joke. World renowned for placing function over fashion, the Colorado-based footwear company was worn mostly by dads mowing the lawn, teenagers quickly taking out the trash, and little kids who probably don't know any better. With that said, fast forward two years and Crocs has become one of the most popular brands ever, taking in revenues of $2.3 billion which is 67% over what they brought in back in 2020. Now, after months and months of being locked into our homes, sneakerheads have begun working Crocs in their daily rotation. Famous for its lightweight feel and crazy comfort, the story of the brand begins all the way back in 2002.

The brainchild of Scott Seamans, Lyndon "Duke" Hanson, and George Boedecker, the first Crocs model was unveiled at the 2002 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in Florida where only 200 pairs were made. Originally designed to be boating shoes, the thing that made Crocs special was the unique material that's used across each and every silhouette. Dubbed Croslite, this foam comes with shockproof features and is also waterproof and easy to clean. This made Crocs ideal for kitchen workers and those in medical facilities, as Croslite made it virtually impossible for bacteria to grow. It also had an aptitude for preventing odors and unnecessary moisture.

In 2006, Crocs completed an initial public offering and began trading on the NASDAQ under the symbol CROX. In the same year, President Bush was spotted rocking the classic Crocs and socks combo in the White House, and this led everyone to realize that they were literally made for everyone. While the Broomfield brand continued to garner needless hate over the next decade, when COVID-19 struck, Crocs eventually made it to everyone's feet, offering comfort during an extremely troublesome time in our lives.

Whether you're a hardcore Crocs collector or you're searching for your very first pair, you're in luck, as the Sole Retriever Crocs Buyers Guide is here to answer all of your questions about them. What are some of the best Crocs models? How do they fit? What do they cost? You'll find out everything you need to know, and more, right here.

Popular Crocs models

Unknown to many, Crocs actually make more than just the classic Clog. From sandals and slippers to sneakers and boots, the Colorado footwear label has it all covered. With that said, the Crocs Clog is definitely the most popular of them all. Over the past few months we've seen some pretty major collaborations hit the model. The Staple x Crocs Classic Clog "Pigeon Sidewalk," Palace x Crocs Classic Clog "Jungle Camo," and Steve Harrington x Crocs Clog are among some of the best partnerships that the silhouette has ever seen. On top of that, you can't talk about collabs without mentioning the iconic Salehe Bembury x Crocs Pollex Clog that comes in colorways like "Crocodile," "Kuwata," "Menemsha," "Stratus," "Tide," and of course "Urchin." Falling in line with the New York City-based fashion designer's legendary fingerprint-inspired aesthetic, this was the model that made absolutely every sneakerhead fall in love with Crocs.

In terms of other Clogs models, PLEASURES recently released an All-Terrain Clog, while everyone's favorite convenient store, 7-Eleven, launched a full collection that included the all-new Mega Crush Clog. Demna Gvasalia's Balenciaga also infamously dropped a Crocs collab that featured the Crocs Platform, which took the model to gothic new heights, and the Crocs Madame, which added a heel to the classic pair. In October 2022, the Echo Clog was revealed in "Desert Grass" and "Stucco" color options. Keeping up to date with all of these can be overwhelming for sure, so make sure you follow Sole Retriever over on Twitter and download our official Mobile App if you haven't already.

How do Crocs fit?

Coming in women's, men's, unisex, and kids', Crocs generally fit true to size. Made to be worn quite loose, if you want a snugger fit we suggest that you go a full size down, considering that they don't come in half sizes. With that said, Classic Clogs come with a strap that helps secure your foot in place, so we would recommend just going TTS. Please refer to the size chart below to get a better idea of what Crocs size will fit best.

Like all brands, there are some exceptions to the rule though. For instance, the Crocs x Salehe Pollex clog fit bigger, so we recommend going a full size down in those.

How much are Crocs?

This really depends on which Crocs model you're looking for. Crocs Slides cost about $30 while Sandals can set you back $40. In general, basic Clogs start at $50 but can be more expensive depending on the style or collaboration. For example, the Mastermind x Crocs Classic Clog retails for $65, while the Karol G x Crocs Mega Crush Clog cost $110. More exclusive partnerships, such as the aforementioned Balenciaga one, sell for around $900. For your best chance to cop Crocs at retail, follow us over on Twitter and download our Mobile App today.

What are Crocs made of?

Crocs are generally made of Croslite. A closed-cell resin material that's neither rubber or plastic, it's constructed from polymers made out of Crude oil. According to the Broomfield footwear company, Croslite is non-toxic and environment-friendly. With that said, over the past few years the brand has also been experimenting with a vast range of different fabrics across its entire range of silhouettes.

What are Jibbitz?

Jibbitz were introduced back in 2006 and are a fun way to customize and personalize your Crocs. Easy to clip on-and-off, there are thousands of designs to choose from. Most collaborations come with their own special ones that you can't buy anywhere else. Pairs like the Drew House x Crocs Classic Clog, SZA x Crocs Classic Clog, and Wu-Tang x Crocs Classic Clog all feature limited edition Jibbitz that you can only get if you're lucky enough to secure a W.

What's the hot take?

Hype surrounding Crocs has officially reached an all-time high and it's not stopping anytime soon. Introduced back in 2002, 2022 marks the Colorado-based footwear company's 20th anniversary, and it has quickly become one of the most successful fashion brands of all time. Available in a vast selection of colorways and styles, for your best chance to cop make sure you keep it locked to our Twitter and download the Sole Retriever mobile app. We’ll be sure to keep you updated with the latest news, release info, and raffles for Crocs and more in the sneaker and streetwear world!

Adam Cheung

Adam Cheung is a writer and editor who specialises in sneakers and streetwear. Over the past few years, he's curated features and guides for everyone from Burberry to Nike. Often travelling between the UK and Hong Kong, don't be too surprised if you find Adam anywhere else around the world taking street photography or feasting on the local delicacies.