Crocs Backlash – Banned From Hospitals, Accidents On Escalators

by Karl on May 10, 2007

Crocs are of course the ubiquitous rubber clog that seem to be in every mall in the country and do seem to be on everyone’s feet in starbucks. As with many super popular trends there are often detractors, often counter culture-ists who like to ridicule the fashion/trend victims who are following the trend. Ihatecrocs.com falls into the counter culture category and is also a lot of fun with videos of Crocs getting cut up and burnt, I of course found out about them because they have a t-shirt. I really like this fake ad as well:

crocs ad

But Crocs are getting some really bad publicity, ranging from a story on boingboing about a Swedish hospital banning Crocs, to a blog that is dedicated to documenting Crocs accidents with some horrific pictures. As it turns out Crocs rubbery texture makes them more susceptible to getting caught in escalators. This may be just a small niche right now, but if this turns out to be another blogstorm like the burning laptop, and the pictures are more dramatic, then Crocs will need to address this issue. Ihatecrocs.com is already the number 4 result on google for a search on the term “crocs”.

accidents

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All This ChittahChattah » Trend Ecosystem
April 5, 2008 at 10:56 pm

{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }

Tom May 10, 2007 at 3:13 pm

They are just plain ugly!! Just blech!

Karl May 10, 2007 at 11:06 pm

Yeah, i’m not keen either, wouldn’t wear them.

Mack Collier May 11, 2007 at 9:19 am

ahmyeyes.com LMAO! Best URL ever….

Judy May 11, 2007 at 3:51 pm

Best garden shoe ever. And, they really are comfortable.
I thought they were ridiculous at first, too.
Why you aren’t badmouthing the bad-for-your feet high heels with pointy toes? Get real for crying-out-loud.
Have you tried them? So wear them around your garden…no one asks you to go to dinner in them.

Karl May 11, 2007 at 3:54 pm

I’m not badmouthing crocs, i’m just pointing out some serious brand backlash. I don’t care what people wear on their feet :-) Go crazy!

Brenda May 14, 2007 at 12:08 pm

I have two pairs and find them to be very comfortable, and I like ugly.They are not as pricey as Keen or Birkenstock, which I think are ugly as well.

Zahra May 15, 2007 at 1:05 am

I think they’re ugly and they’ve taken over the world :(

ukcowgirl May 30, 2007 at 1:43 am

Crocs are great for people who are on their feet all day, day after day, year after year. What I don’t get, is why is there so much fuss about them? Surely sharia law would be a better thing to be discussing!

jack July 19, 2007 at 6:58 am

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crocsrock4ev July 19, 2007 at 1:57 pm

i have every single color and kind they rock and they r not ugly they r combrotable and cute but expensive but i am rich so hoo cares

Princess August 27, 2007 at 11:34 pm

I am a nurse and I spend 12-16hrs a day several days a weeks on my feet. A $15-$30/pair of crocs is wwwwaaaaaaaayyyyyyy more comfortable than the $150 dansko nursing shoes my co-workers wear. They have become a trend among nurses, and they look cute w/ scrubs, especially the different colors. I hope that my hospital does not ban them….nurses need there feet!!!!

JoJo September 4, 2007 at 7:26 am

Eat em up kiddies. My shares are soaring!

Don September 4, 2007 at 9:24 am

Many Croc wearers have suffered injuries from falling down.
It seems the Crocs “bite” rather than “slide” on hard surfaces causing a loss of balance.

Phill September 4, 2007 at 11:58 am

I was with a family with a 6 year old whose Croc was eaten by the top of an escalator. It ripped the whole front of the shoe off. I was able to grab the kid before her foot got jammed as well. The material is too soft and grippy on escalators. The shoe simply is too insubstantial for the saftey mechanisms to reliably register it as jamming the machinery.

Ken Martin September 17, 2007 at 2:15 pm

Parents have a responsibility to teach their children how to act and behave. Crocs may be fine for play in and around the yard. But why would you let your children get on a piece of machinery with nothing protecting their feet except flimsy rubber material?

Amy September 17, 2007 at 11:59 pm

I am a nurse and I have worn Crocs exclusively for just about 5 years. There are NO better shoes for people who have to stand (and run) for 12 hour shifts!! I have had arch support / foot problems since I was a child, and with Crocs, I have no foot pain at all! Try them, you will LOVE them!

Rick_VT September 18, 2007 at 11:56 am

I’ve ridden up and down between floors on escalators safely for over 50 years – the past two wearing Crocs (theys are so comfy!), and for years before with flip-flops on – never even a close call. But, I was taught from the beginning by my PARENTS how to safely get on, how to ride and how to get off those dangerous moving stairs – taught they could hurt you if not used correctly – taught to watch out for loose laces, to not fool around, to not stick your feet into the corners, etc. I have never had any problem at all. – Strangely enough, there are recent statistics showing more kids are getting hit by cars when crossing the street – this was believed to be because PARENTS aren’t teaching their precious protected offspring how to look both ways, to anticipate dangers around them. Hmmmm…something symptomatic happening here?

Joanne October 7, 2007 at 4:45 am

I have 4 pairs, clogs, and Mary Janes and the flip flops. I am on my feet all day every day as a hairdresser. I love them. somtimes my feet hurt, but if I was in a different shoe, I would not last as long as I do during the day on my feet. Crocs are cool, especially the little kids crocs. I have never seen a kid trip or fall because of Crocs. If a kid tripped or got stuck in an escalator, the mommy and daddy apparently let the kid get on without supervision, nor never taught the kid how to approach an escalator….I love my crocs…yes they are kinda ugly, but I like ugly shoes

Morgan Webb November 30, 2007 at 6:21 am

Hello…Man i just love your blog, keep the cool posts about Backlash – Banned From Hospitals, Accidents On Escalators at ExperienceCurve comin..holy Friday .

spiningin December 29, 2007 at 5:33 am

I finally succumbed to buying a pair because I work on my feet all day.
I loved them but noticed that they can stop you dead in your tracks if you are walking on any kind of smooth floor or happen to be a fast walker, like myself.
My mom tried my pair on and liked them, so i got her a pair for Christmas. She was turning to go to the other side of her kitchen, and the shoes stopped her dead in her tracks. She fell into the door frame, cut her forehead, and broke her nose! Some Christmas gift I got her!

Feet Hurtin January 10, 2008 at 10:23 am

For 4 years I have worn Crocs and have been able to stand 12-16 hrs without terrible leg and foot pain. Now I am in a hospital that has banned crocs and my feet are killing me.

Feet Hurtin January 10, 2008 at 10:23 am

For 4 years I have worn Crocs and have been able to stand 12-16 hrs without terrible leg and foot pain. Now I am in a hospital that has banned crocs and my feet are killing me.

carolyn March 22, 2008 at 3:21 pm

I am a waitress, i have bad feet, my feet would hurt so bad with the very expensive shoes I would buy. I now wear crocs and am pain free

Eric June 7, 2008 at 6:51 am

Crocs on grown men and decidedly GAY. They are cute on kids and women (sometimes). Uber stupid looking on grown men.

E. Michael Martin June 16, 2008 at 11:25 am

Eric, I doubt that crocs are gay.

I know many gay men that wouldn’t even touch them.

Find a better (more accurate) adjective and stop belittling entire groups of people.

Sean June 26, 2008 at 4:02 pm

my son took a serious fall wearing crocs. we had to take him for xrays and right now one of his eyes is swollen shut. When I was telling the doctor in the ER ward about the incident, he said that he had treated four or five kids in the past two weeks with similiar incidents. Crocs are fine in the backyard, lounging, etc…but really dangerous when kids start running in them.

NJPDMAN July 18, 2008 at 10:24 am

I am a cop and on my feet all day so when I get home…CROCS are my choice! Fantastic little piece of rubber heaven for your feet. Awesome stock too….

Holy Man August 6, 2008 at 8:50 am

Crocs look like something my fat retarded cousin would wear to a family reunion while line-dancing to “Achey Breaky Heart” in his Goldberg t-shirt… Positively nauseating.

random August 6, 2008 at 12:27 pm

crocs are great for work cause they are confy and your feet dont sweat, but thats the only time i wear them. there is a time and a place to wear them. all these ranting and raving about how crocs are stupid is just cause everyone else is jelous that some people dont give a shit what they wear on their feet. get over the croc fad america people are going to do as they please.

Terasa Russell September 5, 2008 at 10:44 am

My 11 year old daughter had a new pair of crocs the beginning of the summer holidays. She went out to play with her friends on monday morning. I have never herd her scream so loud in all her life she had tripped over taking out the side of her very pretty face and chin, not to mention the hole in her shoulder ,knee and leg. Which today is friday and we are still tending to her wounds. she had to start a new term at school looking like she has been in the boxing ring! Please dont let your child run in these things you would have thought at 11 she would not have tripped like this? So they must be very dangerous for the very young?

Marty Henry November 10, 2008 at 12:43 am

After purchasing several pair of Crocs I have discovered that I get horrific foot rashes from them, and would like to know whether anyone else has been getting the same reaction.

My Crocs are kept clean and I have always worn the Crocs exclusively with socks, yet each time I wear them, my feet break out in clusters of extremely itchy sub-derma blisters which erupt within 2-3 days. These blisters tend to cluster at points where the shoe rubber is in direct contact with each stockinged foot. I also get nearly the same allergic reaction, only somewhat more extreme, precisely where the metal Crocs logo button rests against my instep.

If I don’t wear the Crocs, I don’t get the reaction; in fact, I have no foot problems whatsoever. If I wear the Crocs for so much as a couple hours, the blister rash comes back, always in identical form.

Anyone else out there having a similar reaction?

judi from buffalo grove March 17, 2009 at 8:12 pm

I love Crocs..I own 5 pairs…but its happen twice in 2 yrs ..Once in a store I was in a hurry..and my croc stuck to the floor as I was walking…I fell on my face hitting my chin, nose, and knee. Last week walking in a brisk pace in a movie hse lobby My croc stuck as I walked and I went flying onto the carpet..killed my knee.and jammed my hand as I crashed to the ground..first I went for my nose..At least it wasnt gushing It takes you by surprise…be very careful inside places..dont walk too fast!!!!!!!!!!

JIm Westover April 17, 2009 at 6:43 pm

I know 2 people who have this problem with this identical rash.
I urge anyone with this problem to call Crocs.
my wife spoke of this issue of her and now we found that one of my friends I have not seen in 13 years mentioned the same thing?
they told my wife the RX or Diabetic version would most likey stop this problem?

if you need more info from me please email me
at jimwestpverphotography@gmail.com

Tom Harkish May 3, 2009 at 5:56 am

First of all, as the parent of four boys ages 1 to 4, Crocs are a lifesaver – there is nothing easier for getting shoes on feet, even our one year old puts on his own Crocs. That said, I am writing this today because my oldest almost lost his foot today. I was riding down the escalator at the local dept store, holding my son’s hand, when we let out a scream; looking down I was just in time to see his shoe get ripped off his foot, get sucked into the step of the escalator, and get spit out a few seconds later, all tore to pieces. Lucky for us they were ‘fake’ Crocs – cheap material that ripped apart without dragging him in with the shoe. I had never heard of this Croc danger – but now we know. And in the future, our boys will be riding the elevator or standing in the middle of the step on the escalator. One note – while waiting to talk with the manager – who kindly furnished us with a new set of Crocs – I chatted with the customer service lady from the store. Apparently, Croc-eating is a common occurrence with their escalators, so this is pretty serious stuff.

Serpico June 3, 2009 at 1:07 am

You know.. there is an accident in my country (Indonesia), Jakarta.

there was a little girl (3-4 years old) who got her shoes (yes.. that ultimate fancy Crocs) stacked as she was walking down the escalator. She was being accompanied by her mother and a helper.. but it seemed they weren’t awared about the little girl..

the damn shoes stacked in the end of the escalator.. and she was crying so hard…..
The Mall is also super duper dumbass (Name’s Pacific Palace in Sudirman, Jakarta), they take TOO damn long to call the authorities who should be responsible for that.

the mother kept crying and praying.. while the helper was passed out already not being able to watch that scene.
and.. after some minuteS. using some crowbar and axe to break the escalator,, they finally saved the girl.. But,, her foot is needing very serious treatment.. poor little girl……. I don’t see crocs as a anything safe.

norm124 December 2, 2009 at 8:31 am

crocs take over the world

Melody December 4, 2009 at 9:00 am

Keep Crocs, Ban Escalators! (or stop making them in kid size). I’ve had foot pain for years and years, even changed careers so I didn’t have to be on my feet as much, and now that I’ve discovered Crocs, my feet are happy, so I’m happy! Luckily I live in a beach town…

David December 23, 2009 at 11:31 am

I have been wearing Crocs for 6-7 years all day every day. About 6 months ago started getting a rash on both feet and someone told me that Crocs can dry out the skin on your feet (which I had as well) and to wear socks. Prior to that I was barefoot in my Crocs. So for the past 6 moths I have been wearing them with socks and the condition has not improved. I went to the MD and he said it was contact dermatitis from the Crocs and I should stop wearing them. He gave me some cortizone which cleared up the rash and sadly I can no longer wear my Crocs. Btw I did wash my Crocs with water and mild soap just like the care instructions. I am sad because I loved wearing the Crocs but the rash issue on my feet has stopped me from wearing these shoes. I called Croc company and they said they have never heard of this problem but a little googling and I found alot of complaints about the rash issue. Oh well… adios Crocs :(

Isabella February 9, 2010 at 3:52 pm

they don’t even work. i used to have a pair and my feet smelled weird. crocs is the worst shoe company that ive tried and heard of.

PH March 3, 2010 at 9:13 am

CROCS: I can’t say enough good about them! Kids love them too. Escalators ..always be careful in anything but army boots. I used to limp, now I can’t even remember which foot hurt. Love um, love um, love um ..old kine, early ones. Hey! I can’t get them as loose (oh sooooo nice!) as the early-on ones; sizes are tighter and even the 12-13 is tight (now) on my size 12s. Very disappointing ..I want more!!!! but can’t find original-sized ones. A little slop made them so comfortable ..new ones are crampy (esp on width!). Anyone know where I can get some OLD STOCK ?? -desperately-seeking-roomy-crocs-in-NoCal

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