How to Spot Fake Crocs
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How to Spot Fake Crocs 2024

Imitation is often called the highest form of flattery. However, when it comes to finding genuine Crocs, imitations can be a pain. Fortunately, searching for authentic Crocs doesn’t have to be an ordeal. It’s easy to tell real from fake once you know what to look for. We’ll show you how to identify legitimate Crocs among the abundance of knock-offs, and how these fakes can’t pass the quality test the way real Crocs do.

How to Spot Fakes When Buying Crocs

How to Spot Fakes When Buying Crocs

Crocs have been around since 2002– plenty of time for lots of fakes to make their way to the marketplace. Originally designed as boating shoes, there are now dozens of styles available today. There are pros and cons to this style expansion. As a consumer, it gives us more options, but it also creates more opportunities for fraud.

Whether we like to admit it or not, at some point we’ve all been duped by a knock-off. Maybe it was an impulse buy at the mall or a web purchase made after one too many glasses of wine. Once we examined our product, we realized it was not the best quality or not what we intended to purchase.

So how can this be avoided when looking for Crocs? Well, there are certain things to look for to make sure the clogs you’re purchasing are genuine. These factors cover the cost, logo appearance, materials used, ergonomic design, color, and packaging.

Cost Of Fake Crocs

Have you wondered, “Why are Crocs so much cheaper at x?” Maybe you spotted some at a craft store for just a couple of bucks or have been advertised a $15 pair online. These options are probably fake cheap Crocs.

Cost is a good indicator of what is genuine. Unless a sale is going on, standard Crocs clogs are priced at around $50. If the price advertised is significantly less, the product is more than likely not real Crocs.

Second-hand Crocs may be available through different marketplaces. Second-hand means you may be able to score some real Crocs for cheaper prices, but you should still check for authenticity to ensure what’s advertised is the real deal. 

Fake Logo

The Crocs logo is a crocodile named Duke. He has two hands with three fingers, two eyes, and six bumps along his back. Why is it important to familiarize yourself with this crocodile? Because according to a Crocs official Facebook page, the logo is a pivotal thing to look for when buying authentic Crocs.

Some fake Crocs even go as far as to imitate this logo. Look for the details in the crocodile listed above. Is the crocodile in profile with only one eye showing? Does the crocodile have hands? These are important to look for when identifying a fake logo.

The logo usually appears on the side of the shoe, exceptions being some of the brand’s collaborations. Check for Duke to make sure you don’t get duped!

Check the Bottom

Checking the bottom of a clog is another way to tell if the shoe is authentic. Since Crocs are slip-resistant, there should be lots of texture on the bottom of the shoe. These will be more distinct if the shoe is from one of the brand’s work collections that use Croc Lock™. So check for treads. If the bottoms appear smooth or flat, it’s probably not a real Croc.

There’s more to look for on the bottom of the shoe too. On the outside of the clog bottom, it should say, Broomfield, Colorado, which is the location of the company’s headquarters. On the inside part of the shoe, it should say www.crocs.com.

In the center of the bottom of the shoe, you should see where the shoe was made, a simple Crocs logo with just the name, and the size of the shoe. If any of these things look off or are missing, the shoe might not be a real Croc.

Non Genuine Material

Real Crocs are made out of high-quality materials regardless of style. The Crocs brand offers clogs in leather, suede, wool, canvas, and the signature Croslite™. If your clog is made of genuine leather, suede, or wool, chances are it’s a real Croc. Competitors don’t usually go out of their way to make knock-offs out of high-quality materials.

Standard Crocs are made from Croslite™. This is a foam resin material produced specially for Crocs. It’s patented and designed for support and comfort. Lightweight and slip-resistant, a heavy clog is a reliable indicator that what you have is not a real Croc.

Circulation Nubs

Authentic Crocs are ergonomic, with lines specially designed for the hospitality and healthcare industries. Circulation nubs located inside the clog serve to stimulate your feet, and you should be able to feel them on the bottom of your foot when wearing the shoe.

Fake Crocs may attempt to recreate these nubs, but they won’t be ergonomic. If you suspect a Croc you’re looking at is fake, try it on. The way it feels to wear the shoe should tell you much about its authenticity. If it leaves your feet feeling uncomfortable, it may just be fake.

Genuine Color

These days Crocs come in a large variety of colors. If you’re searching for a genuine pair, check the official Crocs website and compare the two. Make sure the color you found is a real Croc by ensuring it is listed on the website.

Genuine Packing

The Crocs brand strives to use little packaging for sustainability reasons. Most Crocs are sold without a box. Look for Crocs sold on a small hanger with the standard brand logo.

What Are Fake Crocs Called?

What Are Fake Crocs Called

The question sounds like the setup for a joke: what are fake Crocs called? There isn’t a universal name for fake Crocs. Imitations are produced by many copy-cat brands– not just one.

Despite their versatility, Crocs are usually described simply as clogs in their marketing. Fake Crocs can’t rely on the brand-name familiarity that Crocs has. Fakes are marketed as garden clogs, slip-on sandals, and house slippers.

What to Do if You Purchased Fake Crocs?

What to Do if You Purchased Fake Crocs

If you’ve already bought a pair of clogs that may not be authentic, you can report it to Crocs. Sending a picture, or comparing yours to other pictures on the website, can help identify counterfeit products. Customer Service can be contacted by phone, email, and live chat.

The Crocs company is actively trying to prevent counterfeit products and is taking legal action to protect its patents.

Where to Buy Real Crocs

Where to Buy Real Crocs

Now that we’ve covered how to spot fake Crocs, let’s talk about the best places to purchase the real deal. The best place to do this is through the official site: https://www.crocs.com/.

Other retailers carry genuine Crocs, but Crocs Inc. is ending its relationship with some of those stores. According to Footwear News, Crocs shortened its list of wholesale retailers in April 2021.

Crocs Inc. has stated that they plan on focusing on e-commerce, which did grow exponentially during 2020. They still plan on doing business with some retailers.

For a list of stores carrying Crocs near you, check the official Crocs website.

When purchasing Crocs from sites like Amazon, look for the store page of the brand to find authentic products and not lookalikes. On most reputable websites, there should be an option to search exclusively by brand. When using these sites, select the Crocs brand to filter out lookalikes.

Why Are There So Many Fake Crocs on the Market?

Why Are There So Many Fake Crocs on the Market

The demand for Crocs has grown steadily since their start in 2002. Over the past twenty years on the market, they have been revered for their comfort and reviled for their style. Believe it or not, they made it into Time magazine as one of the 50 Worst Inventions in 2010. Despite this, their longevity has endured, and their popularity has grown.

One of the first demographics that embraced the brand was people who stand for most of their workday. Crocs have collections designed with these workers in mind. They offer clogs designed for nurses, chefs, and restaurant and hospitality staff.

Even for people working at home or the office, these have been a popular pick for work shoes. During the pandemic, their popularity has grown with the help of celebrity endorsements. Many of these celebrities were chosen to market to a younger demographic, making the brand more visible to Gen Z and Millenials.

Collaborations with celebrities like Bad Bunny, Justin Bieber, Diplo, and Post Malone have garnered more sales for the company. The comfort clog has gotten a stylish update, including a glow-in-the-dark rendition.

Because of this popularity, many manufacturers have attempted to copy the style of the clog. There are plenty of fake crocs website out there. Crocs Inc. is suing more than twenty companies for alleged trademark infringement. In a different legal action, Crocs requested the U.S. International Trade Commission to ban the import of shoes that copy their trademark.

In short, fakes exist because of high demand. Many imitation companies are trying to get a foot in the door for a share.

Why Buy Genuine Crocs?

Why Buy Genuine Crocs

With so many cheaper knock-off options, why should you pay more for the real thing? Ultimately, the decision is up to you, but there are a few reasons a genuine Croc is best.

Cost

Standard clogs cost right around $50. This is a comparable cost when examined against other brands of shoes. It might be more expensive than the knock-offs, but plastic is cheap, and Crocs use specialized foam.

Even the celebrity designs aren’t highly-priced compared to other brands’ collaborations. Prices for certain styles, including Justin Bieber’s design, are as low as $60. Since they’re limited edition, they are harder to find. However, specialty Crocs are much more affordable than other shoe company collaborations.  

Design

The Croslite™ utilized for Crocs allows the clogs to be comfy and light. Each shoe weighs around five ounces. This material is also odor resistant and easy to clean. Even better- they’re recyclable.

Crocs are designed with ergonomics in mind. They are certified as such by the United States Ergonomics and have shown to relieve muscle fatigue more than simply being barefoot. Shock-absorbing soles help to relieve pressure on the lower portion of the body.

Celebrity Endorsements

A celebrity endorsement shouldn’t be the only reason you buy a real pair of Crocs, but it doesn’t hurt. In addition to the collaborations mentioned above, many other public figures have been rocking Crocs.

Whether you’re a fan of Whoopi Goldberg or former President George W. Bush, plenty of public figures endorse Crocs simply by wearing them. Other entertainers like Jack Nicholson, John Cena, Jennifer Garner, and Sacha Baron have all been spotted wearing Crocs.

Customization

Crocs have expanded their selection to include more than just clogs. The brand now offers sandals, slides, flip-flops, work shoes, boots, flats, wedges, and even platforms. Thanks to a collaboration with Balenciaga, there have even been Croc high heels.

Crocs are available in a plethora of colors and designs. You can even pick your Crocs based on your zodiac sign. There are ways to make Crocs even more customized. Crocs Inc. offers a line of shoe charms that fit in the holes on top of Crocs as well. These are called Jibbitz™.

Jibbitz come in a variety of collections, including Lisa Frank, Marvel, and The Mandalorian. Want Baby Yoda on your Crocs? Done. Stethoscope charms are available if you’re in the healthcare industry. You can even show off your service with Armed Forces charms.

More basic charms are available, like letters and flowers. You can even put your name or initials in charms to claim your favorite pair of Crocs.

In addition to offering charms that fit in their classic clogs, Crocs Inc. also offers Jibbitz™ for shoelaces and sandals. 

Sustainability

Crocs Inc. is a brand that is building itself to be sustainable. They plan on bringing their already low carbon footprint down to net-zero by 2030. Compared to other shoe styles on the market, the carbon footprint for classic Crocs was already lower than most other brands available.

The company is looking to four key plans of action to attain this goal.

Sustainable Ingredients

Earlier in this article, we mentioned that one way to spot a fake Croc is the materials used. Leather is a high-end product, but not a cruelty-free one. While looking for leather will be a trustworthy way to confirm older styles’ authenticity, Crocs is now eliminating leather from their product line. Their goal was to be 100% vegan by the end of 2021.

Crostlite™ is going green. The trademarked material will soon be made with bio-based ingredients made from waste and by-products from other industries. Crocs Inc. intends for these to have a smaller carbon footprint, but retain the feel of the same comfy clogs that are on the market today.

Resource Use

Currently, 45% of Croslite™ scrap created during production is already recycled. Crocs Inc. plans to continue to reduce waste even more. The company is also planning to switch to renewable energy on facilities they own and lease.

Packaging

Crocs Inc. has already taken initiative when it comes to reducing its packaging. 85% of their shoes were sold without shoe boxes in 2020. In addition to this, the company is exploring sustainable options for what little packaging it does have.

Recycling

Crocs last a long time, but what if you outgrow them or simply want a different pair? Crocs Inc. has donated 90,000 pairs of unsold Crocs to those in need and encourages consumers to do the same. If you’re ready to get rid of your old Crocs, there are options: donate, recycle, or resell.

Crocs Inc. has partnered with ThredUP, an online marketplace for high-quality second-hand items from top brands. Together they have launched a program where consumers can send in unwanted women’s and kids’ clothing, shoes, and accessories to ThredUP. Participants earn Crocs shopping credit for qualifying items. Other items can be recycled or returned depending on your preference.

If you need any further proof Crocs are worth the money, find someone who owns a pair. Most people who own Crocs are obsessed. Even if you tease them about the somewhat clunky style, they will still sing Crocs’ praises! They might even let you try on a clog and feel the comfort for yourself.

How to Spot Fake Crocs, Closing Thoughts

How to Spot Fake Crocs, Closing Thoughts

Now that you know what to look for, spotting a fake Croc should be easy. The first and easiest indicator to tell if Crocs are real is the cost, and it’s the first thing we should look for when getting a new pair. The extra cost for many is worth it for the benefits of the product. Buying an authentic Croc means investing in a brand that values sustainability and has big plans for the future– not just for the company, but for the health of our planet as a whole. That’s something we can get behind!

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