Ugly Shoes Inspire a Cult Following

You've seen Crocs everywhere. The ugly, awkward shoes in day glow colors have taken the country by storm, even if they aren't the most stylish of shoe. They have never been the subject of a mass marketing campaign, and celebrities aren't spotted wearing them around town. How did such an ugly shoe become such a staple?

Originally intended to be worn by boaters, Crocs are waterproof, anti-slip and mold and odor resistant. The same properties that benefited boaters also made them popular with gardeners and others who worked in wet or dirty environments. The foam foot bed provided support that most sandals lacked, so the shoes quickly became popular in the warm climate of the southern U.S., particularly with active people. Word of mouth spread the news of the comfortable ugly shoe, and sales began to skyrocket as they became more widely available. They are now sold online and in major department stores.

With widespread popularity, the inevitable knock-offs appeared in discount stores. Some shoes, like the ones at mass retailers Wal-Mart and Target are made of a hard plastic composite that does not give or mold to the foot. Airwalks, sold exclusively at Payless Shoe Source are made of a dense foam that is very similar to Crocs. With the knock-offs gaining in popularity, interest in the original brand has skyrocketed. Foam Creations Inc., the manufacturer of Crocs, have introduced new styles to set themselves apart from their competitors. New styles include a more streamlined version of the classic Croc, sandals, mary janes and leather and foam lace up oxfords.

Along with copycats, Crocs have also attracted media attention for alleged injuries suffered by children on escalators. According to reports, friction causes the shoes to melt and has caused serious injuries by trapping children on escalators. The classic flip flop has also been implicated along with the Crocs in the injury reports.

In spite if the supposed dangers of Crocs, health care professionals have been quick to embrace the quirky shoe. Many doctors and nurses wear the shoes and recommend them to patients. Foam Creations Inc. have even introduced a line of shoes targeted at diabetics and others with back,leg and foot problems. The Cloud diabetic shoe has a reinforced toe cap and a higher heel rim to help prevent bruises and scrapes that can cause problems for the diabetic.

Through a combination of good design, good timing and positive word of mouth and the free advertising that copycat products provide, Foam Creations Inc. have positioned the Croc brand to outlast the trend.