Crocs are everyday footwear that has taken over the globe in the last decade. Their greatest asset is their comfort and versatility since crocs can be used by so many people and in many different places, unlike most other shoes which have limited utility across the board.
Crocs also have the added advantage of being quite durable. They are made of proprietary resin that is a derivative of crude oil. There is the misconception that the resin contains rubber or plastic residues. Neither plastic nor rubber is used to make crocs. The crude oil resin makes a foam that solidifies and is shaped into the crocs we so dearly love.
Even with constant use, crocs should last quite a long time although they are not indestructible. The lifespan of your crocs will still depend, however, on how you use them, how regularly you use them, and the general terrain on which you use them. Since crocs have no rigorous maintenance needed, maintenance is not a crucial factor in determining their longevity.
So How long do Crocs Last?
Without any physical damage to your crocs, they could last as long as five years. This is a longer lifespan than most shoes. Even when other types of shoes go this long, they usually show clear signs of wear and tear which is not necessarily the case with crocs. Crocs used regularly can last this long in wearable conditions.
One of the main reasons crocs can last this long can be attributed to the resin that is used to make them. The crude oil resin is a purely organic material that is impervious to most if not all of the forces that usually destroy the other materials used to make shoes. The croslite foam that makes crocs is significantly less vulnerable to destruction making for a more durable shoe.
Water Damage
Canvas, rubber, textile, leather, and plastic shoes are all vulnerable to water damage be it in the short term or the long term. Crocs on the other hand do not absorb any moisture and are completely nonporous.
Water is a constant variable in just about every arena of living and contact with water causes irreversible damage to anything from wood to metal, electronics, clothes, and even rock. Croslite foam is one of the very few materials that can be used to make everyday objects, that is not susceptible to water damage.
This also means crocs are easy to care for and maintain since they do not need any special kind of drying. Whether they are simply wiped down or dipped in water for cleaning, the shoe lets water drain off of its surface leaving the shoe clean and dry and unaffected structurally by water.
Regular or Constant Use
Arguably, constant use of anything should contribute significantly to wear and tear. With crocs, it is not that simple. Croslite foam, which is currently exclusively used to make crocs is highly impact-absorbent meaning it absorbs kinetic energy very well. This creates a cushioning feature which in turn makes the shoe very comfortable for the wearer.
The energy impacting the shoe is absorbed and dissipates preventing the ground from impacting back on your foot. This same mechanism protects the shoe from being constantly assailed by forces coming from your foot and from the ground as you walk.
The croslite foam technology redirects energy all across the soft malleable absorbent body of the shoe weakening its impact on the shoe. This means it would be difficult for any specific impact to cause a bump, a tear, or poke the shoe enough to deform it.
You may have noticed that even when stepping on a bumpy surface, your crocs simply bend and almost immediately smoothen back into shape instead of cracking or tearing. Regular use may not be a significant contributor to the destruction of the shoe unless other factors contribute directly to the eventual wear of the shoe.
Heat Damage
Heat can damage just about anything and although crocs are tough, they do not stand a chance against heat. Croslite foam is particularly vulnerable and in a fire, it will burn down to nothing. Heat damage on crocs mostly occurs when they are left to dry for too long in direct sunlight or left for long inside a car.
During the hotter months, the heat levels are so high that just about all forms of footwear become unbearable. Crocs offer an alternative to going barefoot and are commonly used in place of any other kind of shoe in the summer.
They will however be affected by direct sunlight and begin to shrink when left outside for long. Continued exposure eventually distorts the sturdiness of the shoe causing it to compress. Once it cools down the fit will feel smaller or shrunken. Even though they can be unshrunk, crocs that regularly get heated enough to shrink only to unshrink later will not last long.
The structural integrity of the shoes will slowly become vulnerable to pressure and you will begin to feel the ground beneath you as you walk which is a sign the crocs are wearing out. Try as much as possible to keep your crocs out of the sun. A few hours of exposure as you relax on the beach are not harmful but leaving them out in the sun for days at a time will definitely ruin your favorite pair.
Avoid leaving them in the trunk of your car as well and take them inside with you. A hot car burns like a furnace amplifying the sun’s heat and can destroy anything left in it even for short periods of time.
Crocs barely need any drying so there is no need to leave them out in the sun after washing for anything more than a few minutes to an hour.
Crocs are one of the best innovations of the last decade and the widespread favor they have enjoyed speaks volumes. Their durability only adds to their appeal and without question, crocs are a phenomenon that is here to stay.