Crocs Repair Guide (Step-By-Step)

Crocs are probably the toughest clogs ever made. Moreover, they are quite comfortable as well.

But the biggest complaint about this versatile footwear is that it is prone to wear and tear in some particular areas.

Mostly, the straps of these shoes tear with time. Or sometimes, the rivets are broken. But can you repair an old pair of Crocs with these issues? 

On that note, check out the following instructions on how to mend broken straps and Crocs. 

Hopefully, you can fix these issues to mend an old Crocs pair into a new one. So, let’s get started!

How to Repair Crocs: Step-By-Step Guide

As stated above, Crocs are quite durable clogs. But due to the material, they fail in some specific locations. 

In most cases, the bottoms of the shoes are damaged due to overuse. Resultantly, the area where the straps are connected to the shoes is affected.

Sometimes, the plastic rivets which hold the strap in place are broken. And sometimes, there are cracks or tears in the main body of the shoes.

Based on the issues above, you can follow the steps below to restore your beloved Crocs.

1. Repairing Broken Crocs Straps and Rivets 

To repair a snapped Crocs shoe strap, you need the following things-

• Pliers
• Scissors
• Marker
• Needle and Thread
• EVA glue
• Replacement rivets/ Chicago bolts/ Bicycle chain ring bolts

Now follow the steps below-

• If the strap is broken, you can use the EVA glue to put back the broken pieces together. Or use thread and needle to sew the tear with a heavy-duty thread.
• If the strap is entirely damaged, you need to cut it off using a scissor.
• Now, use the pliers to get rid of any old hardware from the strap if you want to reuse it.
• If you are using a new strap, line it up against the Croc just as the old one.
• At this point, you can use a marker to mark the exact position of the old strap so that the new one could follow the same.
• Now, place the new strap against the shoes pushing the rivets in place. 
• But what if the rivet holes are torn? Well, you could make new holes using a knife, scissors, or any sharp object. You must make the holes near the old ones.
• Finally, push the rivets into the new holes to keep the straps in place. You can also use Chicago bolts if the rivets are entirely damaged.

You can check out the video as a reference to the process.

However, there’s another way of fixing the Croc straps and rivets. This works great if you lost the rivets and don’t have any replacements. 

And you need the following materials in this regard-

• Glue spreader
• Hot glue gun
• Anything sharp to make a cut
• A marker

And the steps you should follow are as follows-

• Make sure the glue spreader fits through both holes in the strap. It should also fit into the Croc.

• If the spreader doesn’t fit right, sand it down a bit.
• Now, mark the place with the marker where you will be cutting the spreader. Just pass the glue spreader through the holes and the straps of the Crocs and mark a bit ahead where it meets the inside edge of the Crocs.

• Cut the marked area with a knife or a handsaw (you can use any sharp cutting tool). Then cut off the spreading part as well.

• Here comes the most crucial part which is making the inside circle. You need to follow the diameter of the strap hole to make the circle. 
• Squeeze the glue gun out until you can create a circle in the same diameter as the original one or the same as the circular part of the strap.

• Finally, add some glue to the circle you have just created. Then take the hot glue gun again to melt the spreader you previously cut.

• After that, put the spreader through the holes and glue it to the hot glue circle. 

2. Repairing Torn Croc

Aside from the rivets and straps, your Crocs could also wear and tear in other parts. If a pair of Crocs crack or tear, it’s a bit challenging to be repaired.

You need to use EVA glue only as it will melt the two edges of the  Croslite material to bring them back together. Or you can sew the torn areas with heavy-duty thread.

Here’s how to repair a pair of torn Crocs with EvA glue-

• First, clean your Crocs thoroughly and let them dry.
• You can use a paper towel to wipe the tear so that no water exists there.
• Apply some EVA glue on the torn areas. You can spread the glue with a cotton bud. Simply, remove the cotton from one end and use the plastic stick to distribute the glue evenly to the tear.
• Now press the tear closed. You can use either tape or a clip to keep the tear closed until the glue is dried.
• Once the glue is dried, remove the clip/tape. By this time, the Croslite will be reaffixed permanently. 

Here’s a video that shows how to fix broken crocs in detail.

Other Common Crocs Problems and Their Quick Fixes

Apart from the straps and rivets issues, Crocs can be subjected to some other problems as well. So, let’s learn how to repair Crocs from Kate in those cases.

Holes Appear at the Bottom

Suppose, you suddenly noticed that your Crocs have holes at the bottom. Hey, don’t fret! It only means you have worn your favorite shoes to the fullest.

If it is only a small hole, applying EVA glue will resolve the issue. How to apply it? We have already discussed it above.

Cracks in the Croc

Sometimes, cracks will develop in the shoe sole or on the upper part of your Crocs.

Now, what to do? Again, the EVA glue is your savior. Apply some glue on the cracked parts and let them dry.

However, if the cracks are too big, it’s probably time for a replacement of your Crocs.

Lining Comes Loose 

Another common Crocs problem is that the lining becomes loose and comes out often.

You first need to remove the lining. Then take the help of a strong adhesive to put the sole back in place. 

And as usual, it’s better to use EVA glue instead of regular super glue. It melts the Croslite of your Crocs to fix any crack or tear.

Why Should You Repair Your Crocs? 

If the Crocs are damaged, you can always go for a new pair. But that won’t be a wise decision without trying to fix the shoes at least once. But why? 

Well, there are some good reasons you should repair your old Crocs and here they are- 

• Fixing the old pair lets you save your hard-earned money. You just need some basic tools to mend the broken pair and you have almost all of them at home. So, why waste money in purchasing a new pair when you can add life to your old one?
• Who doesn’t love DIYing? You are no exception, right? When you will mend your broken Crocs all by yourself, you will be utterly thrilled. Plus, it’s always fun to fix your footwear the way you want.
• Extending the lifespan of your old Crocs is environmentally friendly. Thrown-out shoes pile up in landfills. So, you can reduce land contamination by not throwing shoes as soon as they develop small cracks or tears. 
• Repairing an old pair of Crocs is not only budget-saving but also a space-saving idea. You can save the extra space in your closet that was supposed to be occupied with the new pair.

FAQs

How long do Crocs last?

Crocs are durable clogs with rugged architecture. Naturally, they tend to last several years, of course with proper maintenance and care. Otherwise, the straps are most likely to come undone with time.

Can Crocs be repaired?

Of course, yes. In most cases, you can fix Crocs at home with some basic tools and equipment. 

Given the Crocs repair guide above, you can repair the broken straps and small cracks with EVA glue. You can also sew the tears together with a heavy-handed thread.

Will Crocs replace broken straps?

Unfortunately, Crocs don’t replace broken straps anymore. It used to send replacements for broken straps free of cost.

But now you need to buy them separately. But they offer a 90-day refund or exchange policy though.

Can you repair Crocs with glue?

Yes, you can. Just make sure to apply the glue when the Crocs are clean. And you should let the glue dry to repair the rip and tear on the shoes.

Which glue is best for Crocs?

As Crocs are made with Croslite which is a proprietary closed-cell resin, you should use strong EVA glue to repair a pair of Crocs.

This glue melts the Croslite a little. As a result, when you apply it on a rip, it melts both edges together to fix the rip or tear. 

Final Words

Although the popular belief is that Crocs are super hard to repair, it’s quite the opposite actually. With a little know-how, you can easily fix your broken Crocs at home.

Hopefully, the Crocs repair guide: how to mend broken straps and Crocs above helps you learn all the nitty gritty details in this regard.

So, don’t throw a pair of worn-out Crocs without trying to repair it. Instead, follow the quick fixes above to extend the lifespan of the shoes.  

With a little bit of care, they can last for years.

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