Crocs are known for their comfort and durability. But sometimes, they can be stiff and uncomfortable when you wear them for the first time. This is because the material is new and needs to be broken in.
Many people give up after wearing Crocs for the first time and end up returning them. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you.
With our guide, you’ll be able to break in your Crocs and make them comfortable in no time. We’ll also discuss some benefits and drawbacks of breaking in Crocs. Finally, we’ll answer some frequently asked questions about breaking in Crocs.
Here are some methods on how to break in Crocs:
- Wear them around the house
- Wear Crocs with thick socks
- Soak them in warm water
- Use a hairdryer to soften Crocs quickly
- Stuff a large potato
- Stuff your new crocs with newspaper or cloth
- Utilize a shoe stretcher
Crocs vs Break-In Methods
The following table lists the methods that can be used to break in different types of Crocs –
| Type of Crocs | Wear Them Around | Wear Thick Socks | Soak in Warm Water | Use a Hairdryer | Use a Large Potato | Stuff Newspapers or Cloths | Use Shoe Stretcher |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clogs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sandals | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Flip-Flops | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Slides | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Sneakers | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Crocs Shoes & Boots | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Platform &Wedges | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| LiteRide | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tie & Dye | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fuzz Lined | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Animal Print | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| With Leather Upper (Vegan, Faux and Suede Leather) | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Wear Your New Crocs Around the House
The best way to break in your Crocs is to wear them around the house. Begin by wearing them for 15 minutes at a time. Gradually increase the amount of time (10 minutes) you wear them. Continue doing this for a few days until they feel comfortable.
Wearing your crocs around the house will help loosen the material and make it mold to the shape of your foot. If Crocs pinches your feet or rubs against your skin, place a cotton ball or tissue in between. This will prevent blisters, corns, or calluses from forming.
Wear Thick Socks With Crocs
Wearing Crocs with thick socks is another way to break them in. Put on a pair of thick socks and then your Crocs. Walk around for 10 minutes. Take them off and check how they feel. Repeat this process at least three times a day for effective results.
Wear three layers of regular socks if you don’t have thick socks.
Soak Crocs in Warm Water
Using warm water is a quicker way to break in your Crocs.
Fill up a pot (large enough to submerge Crocs) with water. Place the pot on the stove and wait for the water to boil. Turn off the heat and let the Crocs soak in the water for 5 minutes. Hot water will help soften the material and make it more flexible.
After 5 minutes, take the Crocs out of the water. Let them cool for 10 minutes. Now, put on the Crocs and walk around for 20 minutes. Doing this will help the material conform to the shape of your feet.
Before putting on hot Crocs, wear thick socks.
Use a Hairdryer
Applying heat to Crocs is also an effective way to break them in. Wear Crocs with a pair of thick socks. Now, take a 15-minute stroll while wearing Crocs.
Next, please turn on the hairdryer and set it on the highest heat setting. Hold it about six inches away. Now, direct the heat towards the toe box, strap, and other tight areas of the Croc. Keep heating for 15 seconds while wearing Crocs.
Once the material is warm, take a walk around. Keep walking until the Crocs have cooled down. Repeat this process twice for the best results.
You can also use a blow dryer instead of a hairdryer.
Use a Large Potato
Using a large potato may sound strange, but it’s actually an effective way to break in Crocs.
Pick a large potato and give it a thorough wash. The potato should be somewhat larger than the shoe opening. If it is too big, cut the potato such that it follows the shape of the toe box.
Now, insert the potato into the Crocs. Make sure the potato is pushed all the way in. Leave it for 18 hours. The potato will exert pressure on the Croslite material and eventually stretch it. After 18 hours, remove the potato. Wipe off any potato residue with a clean cloth before wearing Crocs.
Please make sure to keep potato-stuffed Crocs in an area with no pests, rodents, or insects. These creatures may try to eat the potato and damage your Crocs in the process.
Stuff Your New Crocs With Newspaper or Cloth
Stuffing Crocs with newspapers or cloth is similar to using a potato.
Get some old newspapers or cloth and wad them up into balls. Insert the balls of paper or cloth into the Crocs. Stuff them completely such that no more newspapers or cloth can fit in. Leave it for 24 hours.
After 24 hours, remove the newspapers or cloth. Wear the Crocs, and you’ll notice a difference.
Use a Shoe Stretcher
Shoe stretchers are tools that can help stretch footwear and make it more comfortable. They are placed in shoes and then rotated or turned to stretch the material. Follow our guide on shoe stretchers to learn how to use them.
Advantages of Breaking in Crocs
Breaking in Crocs beforehand has several advantages. It will:
- Prevent blisters, corns, or calluses from forming
- Make the material more flexible
- Help the material conform to the shape of your feet
- Make Crocs more comfortable to wear
- Make Crocs fit better
Disadvantage of Breaking in Crocs
If you don’t break in your Crocs, it will cause several problems. You may:
- Get blisters or calluses on your feet
- Experience discomfort when wearing Crocs
- Make the shoe lose its shape
- Make the shoe wear out faster
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do Crocs Hurt My Feet?
Crocs can hurt your feet for several reasons, including –
- They may be too small
- The material may be too stiff
- You have sensitive feet
- You are suffering from foot conditions like plantar fasciitis
Do Crocs Get Comfortable Over Time?
Crocs do get comfortable over time. The Croslite material will eventually mold to the shape of your feet and become more flexible. However, this process can take weeks or even months.
If you want to speed up the process, we recommend breaking in Crocs before wearing them.
Do Crocs Stretch in Length or in Width?
Crocs usually stretch in both length and width. The Croslite material is very flexible. However, they tend to stretch more in width than in length.
After wearing your Crocs for a while, you’ll notice that they begin to widen as they adjust to fit you.
If you have wide feet and want to make your shoes more comfortable, check out these 11 practical tips on how to stretch shoes for wide feet.
How Long Does it Take to Break in Crocs?
The time it takes to break in Crocs depends on how you’re breaking them in. If you are not using any methods and are just wearing them around, it can take weeks or even months.
However, if you use one of the methods mentioned in this article, it can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
Is it Better for Crocs to be Tight or Loose?
Crocs should neither be too tight nor too loose. They should fit snugly but not tightly. If they are too tight, they will hurt your feet. If they are too loose, they will be uncomfortable and may even fall off your feet while you wear them.
The best way to determine the right size is to try them in the store. If you’re buying online, read the Crocs size chart before making your purchase.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to breaking in Crocs, there are a few different methods that you can use. We have outlined the most practical methods in this article.
We hope this article was helpful and that you now know how to break-in Crocs. Remember to be patient when breaking them in. With time, your Crocs will become more comfortable and conform to your feet’ shape.
Do not forget to check out our blog post “How to Make Big Shes Fit.”
If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below. We would be happy to help!
