Crocs are popular with people of all ages and are known for their comfort and unconventional style.

If you own a pair of Crocs, you don't need to be told how comfy they are - you already know!

Read on to learn about where Crocs came from, what makes them so comfy, which profession adores them, and why they're called Crocs!

1.
Scott Seamans first noticed the potential of this shoe – designed by Andrew Reddyhoff from Foam Creations, Inc. – and introduced them to his friends Lyndon "Duke" Hanson and George Boedecker.
The three men co-founded Crocs together from a warehouse in Miami.
The company was founded in 2001 but the croc didn't hit the market until a year later.

2.
Crocs were first released in Florida in 2002.
They were marketed as boat shoes and unveiled at the 43rd annual Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, which attracts thousands of visitors.

3.
Why are Crocs called Crocs? Yes, crocodiles.
These shoes were named after crocodiles since they adapt easily to different environments.
Crocodiles can survive on land and water, which is exactly what Crocs were designed to do.
Some people think the top of Crocs looks like the snout of a crocodile!

4.
Each pair of Crocs has 26 holes (13 in each shoe), which allow them to stay cool and dry.
Water can drain out of the holes, and air can get in and out. The holes also make these shoes more lightweight by using less material overall.

5.
Crocs are made of a foam called Croslite, which is patented to the company.
This material is primarily made of polyethylene vinyl acetate.
Croslite is waterproof, breathable, and it moulds to the shape of your feet over time - it's like they were made just for you!

6.
In 2004, Crocs bought the rights to the material Croslite. It paved the way for the Crocs brand to become exclusively known for this type of material. This unique resin is one of the main reasons Crocs are so comfortable.
In 2018, the brand further innovated by introducing LiteRide, a material that is 25% lighter and 40% softer than Croslite, while still providing shock absorption and support.

7.
Only 200 pairs of Crocs were available at first release, and they sold out straight away.
Since then, more than 850 million pairs have been sold worldwide.

8.
Crocs are sold in more than 85 countries across almost every region of the globe.

9.
Crocs' first ad campaign leaned into the "ugly" shoe aesthetic.
The company launched its first campaign, dubbed "Ugly Can Be Beautiful," in 2005. It was a success and the brand's popularity continued to grow.

10.
In 2006, Crocs paid $10 million to buy Jibbitz, the company that created the fun charms attached to the holes of these shoes.
Jibbitz was founded by Sheri Schmelzer and her husband Rich in 2005, driven by Sheri's desire to decorate her kids' Crocs with faux flowers and charms.

11.
Jibbitz charms are available in multiple popular designs, including characters from Pokémon, Hello Kitty, Super Mario, and Disney. They allow Croc wearers to show off their hobbies and personalities.
The acquisition allowed Crocs to transform the 13 holes into profitable charm holders, and even today, Jibbitz charms remain an integral part of the Crocs empire.

12.
Crocs are comfy, colourful and customisable, but there was also a lot of backlash against them!
In 2007 Crocs were ranked the sixth worst thing to happen to men by a popular magazine, and in 2010 Time magazine called them one of the 50th worst inventions. It was actually pretty popular to hate on Crocs all the way until the mid 2010s, when they started to become fashionable.
Now they're kind of a must-have for any influencer!

13.
Crocs were first marketed to adults but later became available for children. Their practical styles and range of bright colors made them a perfect shoe for younger people.

14.
Crocs are available in various styles to suit many fashion tastes. In addition to the classic version, other designs include heels, wedges, mules, and winter-lined boots.

15.
These fashion favorites are some of Amazon's best-selling items of all time. The classic Crocs alone have more than half a million customer reviews.

16.
People love Crocs so much that they celebrate them on National Croc Day, which is marked annually on October 23. This day is also used to celebrate crocodiles!

17.
Crocs teamed up with high fashion brand Balenciaga in 2021 to make a Croc with a stiletto heel.
That wasn't the first time they collabed, though - in 2018, they released a £600 chunky platform Croc, which sold out before it even released!
Crocs X Balenciaga boots will set you back $950, while some mules cost $1000+!

18.
Crocs became even more popular in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the world. Due to lockdowns, people spent more time at home and wanted to buy comfortable and sustainable footwear.
They made about 1.4 billion dollars, which was a 12.6% increase from the year before! It was a year everyone wanted to be comfy, so it makes total sense.

19.
One of Crocs' most unusual designs was the Kentucky Fried Chicken style. Created for those who wanted to "wear a bucket of chicken," these Crocs had a fried chicken print and two KFC chicken charms.

20.
Crocs has teamed up with numerous celebrities in recent years, including Justin Bieber, Post Malone, Diplo, Karol G, SZA, Bad Bunny and Luke Combs.
Celebrities have been spotted wearing these casual favorites. A-list Croc lovers like Madonna prove that it's not just everyday people who love these shoes!

21.
From 2020 onwards Crocs set up a campiagn called "Free Pair for Healthcare," which gives healthcare workers a pair of Crocs for free. They're very popular shoes for healthcare professionals because they're so comfy and water-resistant, so it was a nice gesture!
Since March 2020, Crocs has donated more than 1 million pairs of shoes to healthcare workers globally.

22.
Crocs is one of the top 10 non-athletic footwear brands in the world.
In September 2021, Crocs Inc. announced its projected revenue increase to surpass $5 billion by 2026, solidifying its position as one of the top 10 non-athletic footwear brands globally. The company has also expanded its reach through strategic acquisitions, including the footwear brand Hey Dude, valued at $2.5 billion.

Sources
Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show / Crocs - Careers / Crocs - Site Selector / Racked / Sydney Morning Herald / Days of the Year / Pop Sugar / Forbes / Yahoo / Balenciaga / Crocs - KFC / Who What Wear / Parents.com / Medium / Crocs - Jibbitz / CNN / Crocs - About