Crocs are out?

[magicofdisney]

This from Fox News

Whether you marveled at their functionality or winced at their quirky design, the future of the little foam wonder shoes called Crocs hangs in the balance.
Once the darling of a booming economy, the manufacturer sold a remarkable 100 million pairs of the cheap, comfortable clog in just seven years. But that was then.
The company lost a whopping $185.1 million in 2008 and was forced to cut 2,000 jobs, the Washington Post reports.
A victim of the recession, the company has spent much of 2009 scrambling to find a way to pay down its millions of dollars of debt. After expanding as fast as they could to meet consumer demand, executives are also now scratching their heads over what to do with a surplus of shoes.
Perhaps the biggest "problem" with Crocs? Their high quality. Designed to be practically indestructible, consumers apparently find little need to ever buy a second pair.
But while one expert told the Post that the company is “dead and they don’t know it,” CEO John Duerden isn’t quite ready to throw in the towel.
"The bottom line is, people talk about Crocs," he said. "They either love them or hate them, but it's in the vernacular."
As were Hammer pants.

I've yet to buy an indestructible pair of Crocs. I can see why sales are down in this economy, but my kids go through them relatively quickly. I suppose if they only wore them at theme parks, I could see not needing as many pairs.

[Jasper]

"Practically indestructible???" I strongly disagree with that particular statement. While I do love my Crocs because of their comfort I also wear the treads off the bottom about once a year and have to get new ones. Additionally, the strap that is suppose to go around the heel always gets caught on something and torn off.

Love my Crocs but they are most definitely destructible!

[Georgesgirl1]

I think some people see them as indestructible, but they aren't.

As a teacher, I have bandaged many a skinned knee because kids were wearing Crocs with all the tread worn off and slid and hurt themselves. My MIL actually slid in a puddle of water and really hurt herself b/c she had no tread on her Crocs.

I have two pairs, but I wear them so infrequently that they have plenty of wear left in them!

[MNNHFLTX]

My husband inherited a pair of Crocs from his dad and has taken to wearing them all the time. I do understand the sentimental reasons behind this, but would dearly love to have him wear them less. They have never been my cup of tea.

[PirateLover]

I also think they over expanded. They unveiled a whole new line of "Fashionable" footwear. I was very interested in these- until I saw their price tag. Some of them were over $100!!! I was on the site recently and saw that many of these shoes were on clearance and the most expensive one I saw was $70. I finally bought a pair of flip flops on sale for $30. It was well worth the investment, but it was hard to take that leap when I can just stock up on $1 pairs from Old Navy or Target...

[Ian]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but ....

[Tink2002]

I'm really not into my clog crocs any more - passing trend. boo.

BUT... I have two pairs of croc sandals that i LOVE and get complements on often... my black pair are just about ready to be retired as far as the treads go, but I love them for work outside with the kids at daycare - they can get covered in dirt and just need a quick rinse in the sink and they're perfect again.

[thrillme]

I swore I'd never wear crocs...now it's all the family wears...

Indestructible...nope...they wear out just like anything else. They're just more expensive than some of the no-name brands you can buy at Walmart etc. HOWEVER...I tried several "cheap" brands before finally breaking down and getting the "crocs". The cheaper brands always ended up leaving blisters on my toe knuckle. Maybe my toe knuckle is bigger than other toe knuckles out there...but for those type of slip on's...they are the most comfy...but their too expensive to buy more than just a pair till the others wear out.

[crazeedizneefinatic]

I would agree they do wear out, my son has had several pair because the treads wear out. I do wonder how true the statement is that they are going under....Crocs are showing up in discount stores everywhere where I live....just picked up pair of mary jane style crocs for $9.99 instead of the usual $29.99 which I would not pay anyway. I don't understand the draw either. I don't dislike them for the look but rather the practicality of them. My first pair of Crocs (my maryjanes) were worn to a picnic and the first stone I steped on I knew they were not for me, lol.

[MickeyMousse]

"Practically indestructible???" I strongly disagree with that particular statement. While I do love my Crocs because of their comfort I also wear the treads off the bottom about once a year and have to get new ones. Additionally, the strap that is suppose to go around the heel always gets caught on something and torn off.

Love my Crocs but they are most definitely destructible!

I've had the same pair that I purchased in WDW in 11/07 and really need to replace them. The treads are worn (= easy slipping!) and the strap finally came away from the shoe, although my Gorilla Glue seems to be working just fine! But I agree, they ARE NOT indestructible, by far.

[PAYROLL PRINCESS]

I bought my nephew a pair and this is his 3rd summer wearing them. I'm gonna have to check the tread on them.
I have 2 pair of the sandals and find them so comfortable.

[DisneyDog]

Well, kids do grow out of them. My DSis on his second pair. By the time he grew out of his first pair they were looking pretty ragged. We are set for now, but maybe I better buy him the next size before we can't get them anymore.

[princessjojo]

I'll be the first to say they aren't the most fashionable things to wear. But my older DS likes to wear them to the pool in the summer because he can't wear flip-flops or sandals because of foot surgeries. We also found them to be cheaper to purchase than to put sneakers in the dryer when they get wet in the florida rain. Other than that they only wear them for shower shoes and when they take motorcycle boots and riding gear off.

[DisneyWizard]

if only they went out of business - people wouldn't wear them anymore!

the hammer pants reference was amazing...

[Marceline]

I have a pair....tread is still intact....cause I am terrified to wear them in public for fear of the shame and ridicule.


They are great kitchen shoes for extended periods on mah feet cooking a big dinner however.

[crazypoohbear]

I have one pair of sandals that I can't wear if it's been raining out (like every day here in M A)
the tread is worn down and it is very slippery walking on my walk way
I would like to buy another pair but I can find that style anymore

[Flower]

Ben - 3 pairs
Brandon - 2 pairs
Me - 3 pairs of Athens, 1 pair Cyprus & 1 pair of sasari

Our family loves them - I have done numerous Disney trips in just my Athens, no running shoes needed. I don't have any clog-style crocs - I really hope the company survives though.

I bought the Sasari (Wedge high heel) for an outdoor wedding I was in last fall - the reception got rained out, the other people in the wedding party that were wearing dressy high-heels ended up ruining their shoes - I hosed mine down the next day and was good-to-go! I found the Cypress (high-heels) this spring and bought a pair - I love them!

[baldburke]

I usually buy a pair every summer too, but switch to their flip-flop version to avoid the hoof look.

I doubt Crocs will ever go away. They'd probably get bought up for cheap instead of just disappearing. If not, they'll still probably live on in knock offs for years to come.

[SurferStitch]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but ....

I instantly pictured Heinz Doofenshmirtz saying that when I read it.... (Yes, I watch waaaaaay too much Phineas and Ferb)

I wholeheartedly agree.

[magicofdisney]

I instantly pictured Heinz Doofenshmirtz saying that when I read it.... (Yes, I watch waaaaaay too much Phineas and Ferb)

I wholeheartedly agree.

And I instantly started singing, "Doofenshmirtz Evil, Incorporated..."