If you’ve ever owned a pair of Crocs, you know it’s the perfect combination of style and comfort. But what actually makes up these versatile shoes? What sort of material goes into their construction so that they are both lightweight and durable?
In this blog post, we will be taking an in-depth look at the materials used to make Crocs and exploring how they produce such high-quality footwear that is comfortable enough to wear in any situation.
What Is A Crocs Made of
Crocs are uniquely crafted footwear made of a lightweight, comfortable material called Croslite. This proprietary closed-cell resin comprises polymers derived from crude oil, providing a non-toxic, odor-resistant, and bacteria-resistant option for outdoor use.
Unlike rubber and plastic, this material offers unparalleled comfort with its softness. The material is highly versatile and easily cleaned with soap and water; it also has low maintenance requirements. These features make Crocs the perfect choice for comfortable yet durable footwear.
Crocs don’t provide much information about its manufacturing process. But videos and patent documents from the company suggest they utilize a popular method known as injection molding.
This process involves using an injection molding machine to melt solid plastic and then pouring it into a mold, which cools to take on its new shape. Injection molding is responsible for creating many everyday items, such as silverware and Lego pieces.
For Crocs, gas is injected into their unique Croslite polymer while in its molten state, creating a breathable and lightweight shoe with an enhanced fit that helps protect feet from water and provides comfortable cushioning as you walk.
What is Croslite
Croslite is a material used in the manufacturing of shoes and other items. It is composed primarily of polyethylene vinyl acetate (PEVA), also known as EVA, which belongs to a class of compounds called polymers.
Polymers are created when many small molecules called monomers are combined and linked together in long chains. The polymers used to make Croslite are derived from crude oil.
What are the Advantages of Croslite
Now that we have understood the Croslite material, let’s look at its advantages.
- Croslite material is extremely lightweight, making the crocs incredibly comfortable to wear.
- This special material is waterproof, providing protection against rain or water splashes.
- Crosalite material is shock resistant as well.
- Its antibacterial and odor-resistant properties keep your feet fresh and clean all day.
- The UV-resistance property of Croslite material provides added durability, so your crocs will last longer.
What Are the Disadvantages of Croslite
Despite having many advantages, Croslite material does have some disadvantages as well.
- Croslite is a resin material that traps heat and moisture, making crocs less breathable compared to other shoe materials.
- Its softness is also its downfall, as it can be easily cut through shoe soles if stepped on something sharp and hazardous, such as glass or metal. This can lead to possible injuries on the foot or lower leg area.
- Sometimes you might notice a bad smell coming out of your Crocs. This foul smell can arise from not wearing socks, as socks are used to absorb sweat.
- Croslite material can be recycled. Therefore it is harmful to the environment.
Can You Recycle Crocs?
Crocs shoes cannot be recycled due to the materials they are made from.
The Croslite material used in Crocs gives them an elastomeric quality, making them easy to wash, as well as being non-absorbent and resistant to water damage. This makes it difficult to recycle Crocs since the materials do not break down easily.
Additionally, because of their elastomeric quality, they usually remain in good condition after repeated use, meaning they take a long time to degrade. This makes them harmful to the environment.
Brief History of Crocs
Crocs, a company selling foam clog shoes, was founded by Scott Seamans, Lyndon “Duke” Hanson, and George Boedecker Jr. in 2001.
The idea for their company originated from Foam Creations, Inc. of Quebec City, where crocs acquired the design for the original foam boat shoe.
That same year at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in Florida, Crocs debuted their Beach model to an eager crowd of buyers; all 200 pairs sold that day.
To secure exclusive rights to their innovative Croslite material, Crocs purchased Foam Creations in June 2004.
Crocs shoes soon became a trend, and in 2005, they sold around 6 million pairs of shoes and achieved $108.8 million in sales. These breathable work shoes were given a patent with this name on February 7th, 2006.
In 2007, the company Crocs registered the name Crocs and the Crocs logo as trademarks worldwide in over 40 different jurisdictions.
This enabled the company to develop and expand its product line into what it is today.
Crocs has experienced ongoing success and has sold over 300 million pairs of shoes worldwide.
In 2020, they moved their headquarters from Niwot, Colorado, to Broomfield and continued to provide comfort and style with their unique designs.
Future of Crocs Brand
Crocs Inc. recently reported that a pair of classic clogs contributes 2.56 kg of CO2 to the atmosphere. To combat this, the company has made a commitment to reduce this number by half by 2030 through the use of renewable plastics like Ecolibrium.
Ecolibrium is crafted from plant-based raw materials like crude tall oil (CTO). CTO is a byproduct of the wood pulping process used to produce paper and derives its name from Swedish words for pine tree.
Dow Chemical Company spearheaded the development of this new bio-based material, designed specifically to replace fossil-fuel-based plastics with those made from renewable sources.
Additionally, this shoe brand is evaluating alternative plant-based materials to bolster its sustainability goals.
Conclusion
Initially designed as boating shoes, Crocs shoes are a popular footwear choice for all types of activities. These plastic shoes are made up of a foam resin material called Croslite. The Croslite material makes them lightweight and waterproof, offering maximum comfort and protection. However, this special material has some drawbacks as it traps heat and moisture and cannot be recycled easily.
Wearing crocs shoes can harm the environment if not disposed of properly. Therefore, it is important to use crocs responsibly and dispose of them correctly when they are no longer useful.
