If you own a pair of Crocs, you don't need to be told how comfy they are - you already know! But there's lots more you probably DON'T 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! And if you think we don't have more Crocs content, think again! Take our Crocs quiz, find your perfect Jibbitz, or have a laugh at some hilarious Croc-based jokes!

1. They've been on the scene since 2002

Crocs were invented by Americans Scott Seamans, Lyndon “Duke” Hanson, and George Boedecker, Jr. The company was founded in 2001 but the croc didn't hit the market until a year later. It debuted at a boat show in Fort Lauderdale, Florida - all 200 pairs sold out immediately!

2. They were inspired by Dutch clogs

Clogs are a traditional style of shoe with variants in several cultures, but the most famous is probably the wooden Dutch clog (klompen). Clogs are hard shoes made from wood, and they're a symbol of Dutch culture. Traditionally they were worn by farmers and gardeners, because they're hardy and good at protecting your feet. They're not very flexible, though - that's one reason Crocs are more widely worn!

3. They were intended for use on boats!

Crocs are worn by all sorts of people now, but the original idea was for them to be worn by sailors! They're lightweight, waterproof and offer a good grip on the ground, which is perfect for anyone in a boat in all kinds of weather.

4. Yep, they are named after the animal

The shoe line was originally called "the Beach", but they rebranded with a new name and a new logo, featuring a cartoon crocodile. This is because crocodiles are animals that are adapted to both land and water - just like Crocs!

5. They have a precise number of holes

Each Croc shoe has thirteen holes (26 holes per pair). This is so they're ventilated perfectly (and your feet won't get too hot and sweaty!), and so they can drain properly if you're wearing them in water.

6. Their foam is very special!

Crocs are made of a foam called Croslite, which is patented to the company (that means no one else can use it). Croslite is special because it moulds to the shape of your feet over time - it's like they were made just for you!

7. Crocs did well in 2020

2020 wasn't a great year for a lot of companies - less people were outside spending money, after all! Some brands did very well, though - hand sanitizer brands saw a massive uptick in sales, and so did Crocs! 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.

8. They're actually Canadian (sort of)!

Crocs are known as an American brand - their founders are all from Colorado, and they made their debut in Florida, after all! But the original idea for the Croc came from a Canadian company called Foam Creations. The inventors came across their shoe on a boating trip to the Caribbean, and then they made some improvements to the design and secured the rights to Croslite. So, Crocs have a Canadian root!

9. The company donates to healthcare workers

If there's one thing we all learned in 2020, it was that healthcare workers are very important! 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!

10. You can customise your Crocs!

Ever thought the holes in your Crocs looked a little empty? Never fear, you can customise them to your heart's content! The little plastic charms you can clip onto your Crocs are called Jibbitz. The Jibbitz company was originally a separate company, but Crocs bought it in 2006. It was Scheri Schmelzer and her husband, after Sheri decorated her kids' Crocs with charms and fake flowers. Jibbitz is now a huge part of the Crocs brand!

11. They're one of the most popular shoes in the world

Crocs have sold more than 850 MILLION pairs since the brand started. They're sold in 85 countries, and make 2.3 BILLION dollars in annual sales. That's a whole lot of shoes! In fact, Crocs is one of the biggest non-athletic shoe brands in the world. Looks like trainers are still the number one shoe worldwide!

12. Some people REALLY don't like them

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. You can get high-heeled Crocs

If you have a lot of money to spare, that is! 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! You probably couldn't wear either of those shoes on a boat, though!

14. They're not perfect

Despite being comfy, Crocs do have some problems. Employees aren't allowed to wear Crocs in quite a few workplaces, including some hospitals. This is because the holes in the shoes don't offer protection from spilled liquid or falling sharp items, but even hole-less Crocs can be dangerous - a couple of Swedish hospitals banned them because they caused a buildup of static electricity. They can also get sweaty, and they're not recommended for any strenuous activity or serious sport - and you probably shouldn't wear them to a business meeting!

15. Crocs care!

Crocs have contributed more than free shoes to healthcare workers - they also donate shoes to less economically developed countries like Kenya, Cost Rica and Fiji. They also try to help the environment. They've massively reduced their plastic waste in packaging, saving nearly 640,000 lbs so far!