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That’s a Croc: Shoe popular and comfortable
The Enid News and Eagle, Oct 2, 2005
They’re everywhere – on the hospital floors, behind the store counters, up and down the street. Many people have at least one pair, if not two or three. They come in a multitude of colors and the styles are expanding.
Wondering what they are?
They’re Crocs.
These durable shoes are the most comfortable clogs around. Anyone who stands for long periods of time on concrete floors claims Crocs are miracle shoes, relieving stress on joints and aiding in recovery from back or knee surgery.
Just ask Emerson Junior High School teacher and wedding photographer Bonnie Vculek.
“They’ve helped me with the pain in my knees and lower back,” she said. After three knee surgeries and a car accident, Vculek said her two pairs of Crocs are the most comfortable shoes she owns because they have formed to her feet – unlike the costly orthopedic shoes she previously purchased.
Hairstylist Brenda Phares doesn’t leave home without her Crocs.
“I wear them all the time, everywhere,” she said. Phares’ daughter bought her a pair of Crocs after Phares had knee surgery in June.
Phares, who is on her feet all day at her salon Cuts-N-More, recently tried to wear her tennis shoes for a day, but “my feet hurt so bad, I went back to my Crocs.”
Like Vculek, Phares is planning on purchasing another pair in the near future.
Created in the fall of 2002, these foam flip-flops were originally intended as boating shoes because their slip-resistant, non-marking soles. The Beach, the most popular style with holes across the top and sides, debuted in November 2002 at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show. From there, the Crocs’ popularity mushroomed.
In fact, these clogs made from ethyl vinyl acetate (which make it lightweight, anti-microbial and odor resistant) have been copied by other companies – Payless offers Airwalk Compel and Birkenstock offers Birki Fun Clog.
Currently carrying Crocs in Enid are Brown’s Shoe Fit Co., 2312 W. Garriott; Coach House, Oakwood Mall, 4125 W. Garriott; and Abbey’s (formerly Lynn’s) Hallmark, 202 Sunset Plaza. The average price for a pair of Crocs are $29.99 (tax not included).
Crocs appeared on Enid shelves this past spring – and promptly floated out the door.
“I’ve never seen a shoe sell like this before,” said Brown’s sales representative Presley Reed.
Among the styles up for sale in the area are:
- Beach. The original Crocs clog with ventilation ports along the top and sides and a heel strap. Available in 15 colors plus black and pearl white.
- Kids Cayman. The Crocs version for children. Available in nine colors plus black and pearl white.
- Nile. Open-toed sandal with heel strap. Available in 11 colors plus black and pearl white.
- Highland. Closed clog (no ventilation ports) with heel strap. Typically used by medical personnel. Sold only in pearl white locally.
Crocs Footwear is planning on issuing a new style closed clog called Aspen early next year.
Crocs are comfortable, but local businesses attribute the popularity of this fashionable footwear to one thing – they’re fun.
People from every age group, every profession have walked in and bought a pair of Crocs in one color (usually a neutral like black, navy blue and pearl white), then return later for another color (like a bright shade of fuschia or lime).
“They buy another to add another color to their collection,” said Abbey’s Hallmark manager Gayla Hopkins. “They say ‘I’ve got to have them.’”
With fall quickly approaching, some may wonder if Crocs will still be useful with all those holes letting in the crisp air.
The answer is yes. People can wear socks with their Crocs. In fact, Crocs Footwear has developed Croc Socks to match the clogs. Retail price per pair of Croc Socks is $8.
By Ruth Ann Replogle