Shopping from Crocs official website is the safest option. There are times when you want to purchase from retailers online or offline because it is more convenient. So, how to spot fake Crocs and make sure you aren’t cheated?
First and foremost, if a deal sounds too good to be true, be wary. An unreasonably low price is usually the easiest way to spot a fake Crocs. Touch, feel, & quality are also common giveaways. But there are plenty of good copies out there that are hard to distinguish from the original.
Keep on reading to see what details to look for in Crocs to ensure they are original.
How To Spot Fake Crocs – 15 Things To Watch Out For
Check for the following things while buying Crocs products. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
- The Duke Logo
Crocs features its iconic logo of a crocodile nicknamed ‘Duke’ in several places on each shoe. Most designs feature the logo on the tightening straps. The shoes should have a glossy, logo button with the following inscription:
Duke Logo
Source: Crocs Website
- A crocodile with two three-fingered hands.
- Six evenly spaced bumps on the back, the fourth one is bigger than the rest.
- Two eyes, two nostrils, jagged mouth, & jaw.
- Accessories & Labels
Original Crocs have a lot of labels on it with information such as: model name, size, material, etc. They also come with a hanger bearing the Duke logo. You can also look for the branding on the bag that the shoes come in. Crocs come in branded white-paper or transparent plastic bags.
Crocs International Size Hangers
Source: fixturescloseup.com
- Design
Fake Crocs manufacturers often produce shoes with design elements from Crocs but the entire design doesn’t match any model that exists. If the model you are looking at isn’t available anywhere else on the internet, it’s likely a fake.
- Number of Holes
Check Crocs official website for the number of holes on the upper in the pictures of the model of shoes you are thinking of purchasing. If the number and positioning matches, that’s a green signal. Any less or more, it’s a fake.
Crocs Classic Clogs Upper
Source: Crocs Website
- Insulation Nubs – A Special Feature of Crocs
Crocs have a unique insole featuring insulation nubs that are inspired by acupressure mats. These little bumps are there to improve your feet’s blood circulation. So, if a shoe has smooth insoles, you can rule it out as fake.
Crocs Circulation Nubs
Source: Crocs Website
- Croslite Material
Crocs are made of croslite material that has a tendency to shape itself around the wearer’s feet. An original pair of Crocs of your size should feel roomy and breathable. The material offers a lot of cushioning and is also slip-resistant.
Most fake crocs are made of rubber and you can tell them apart by the quality & feel. If a pair of shoes smell like they are made of rubber, you can be sure it’s fake.
- Inspect The Tags
Firstly, Crocs come with multiple tags attached. So, if the shoe has only one or two tags, it’s likely a fake. Take a look at all the information on the tag and match them with the actual product.
Crocs come with the model name written on the tag. Look up the model name on Crocs website and see if the images uploaded match the product. Check the size on the bottom of the shoe. If it doesn’t match what’s written on the tags, the product is a fake.
- Check Outsole’s Information
Crocs outsoles have a lot of details on them that you can look for to spot a fake one. You should find their trademark symbol as well as the made in information in the middle of the bottom. The outsole also holds sizing information for both men and women. With M, above the men’s size, & W above the women’s size.
On one side of the outsole, you’ll find the origin of the product, which is Boulder, Colorado. On the other, their official website is printed.
Bottom of a Crocs Clog
Source: Crocs Website
- Check The Origin Carefully
Crocs are manufactured in factories located in many different countries. Their primary location is Mexico. But they also have production in Romania, Herzegovina, Bosnia, Italy, Argentina, and China.
So, if you spot a pair of shoes that says it’s from any other country, it’s a fake.
- Tread Quality
Crocs are known for their superior traction. The material they are made out of are slip-resistant. But the outsole is marked with treads for maximum resistance. The pattern used on Crocs outsole looks like the alignment of the veins in leaves.
In case your pair doesn’t offer good traction or doesn’t have the same pattern as an original crocs, you can be pretty sure it’s fake.
- Unmatched Feel
When you put on the pair of slip-ons, do you feel as if the material is molding to your feet? You should get a plush, cushy feel when you put on Crocs.
The nubs on the insole may take some adjustment to get used to, but because of them, you should experience easier blood flow throughout the day. Crocs are also very roomy and breathable. A fake pair simply isn’t that good.
Crocs Bayaband Clog
Source: Crocs website
- Obvious Defects
Crocs are highly unlikely to have any obvious defects as they offer a 90-day return policy in case of any spotted faults. So, the company is strict on quality checks.
If one shoe is bigger than the other, wrong size stamped on the outsole, Loose straps, or any signs of disfiguring.
- Inspect The Color
You can check Crocs official website to see which colors are available for the model of shoes you chose. If the shade displayed on the website matches the one you have in hand, that’s a good sign.
A lot of the time fake Crocs are sold in a color that Crocs doesn’t produce. So, this is a quick way to rule out fake products.
- Missing Parts
Another common giveaway that you will spot in fake Crocs is that they don’t have all the parts as the original one. Most of the time it’s the heel straps that go missing.
- Flexibility
Fake Crocs won’t have the superior flexibility of a real one. Crocs is known for their flexible material that provides ultimate comfort. Bend the shoe in your hand. If it flexes easily that’s a good sign.
FAQS
What to do when you spot a pair of fake Crocs?
Copying can hurt a brand’s image as well as decrease its revenue. So, it’s a wise thing to inform Crocs about their product being copied and where it’s being sold as well as other information that will help track the seller. After that, it’s up to Crocs if they take action.
Are fake crocs worth it?
A counterfeit product is definitely not worth it considering its unethical side. But there are many good-quality Crocs knock-off brands that offer good value for money. Here’s our list of best Crocs knock-offs. Amoji, ChayChax, Clapzovr, SAGUARO, etc. are some of the best alternatives.
Are they up to par with genuine Crocs?
Knockoff brands are much more affordable. So, you can’t expect the same quality. But some of them are very comfortable and definitely worth the price. They take Crocs design and structure and use rubber rather than Croslite. However, some of the best qualities of Crocs still shine through, like breathability and comfort, even if not on the same level.
Do fake Crocs last long?
How long a pair of shoes last depends on the frequency of your usage and what you do while wearing it. Most people wear Crocs during casual outings and some even to work. If you use a good-quality knockoff like Amoji fairly regularly, you can expect it to last up to a year.
Where are fake Crocs manufactured?
Most counterfeit shoes are produced in China. While knockoff brands aren’t necessarily from China. Some are manufactured in the States. Vietnam, Mexico, Italy are also known for shoe manufacturing.
Is made in China Crocs original or fake?
Made in China Crocs aren’t necessarily fake as Crocs are manufactured in China as well. So, don’t dismiss a pair of Crocs just because it says China on the bottom. Having said that, most fake shoes are also from China.
What are fake Crocs called?
People refer to fake Crocs as ‘Croc-offs’. Counterfeit Crocs are trying to be as identical to Crocs as possible. So, they copy the logo and trademark as well. You won’t find another name to call those shoes.
But knock-offs are sold under their own brand names. Some of these brands are Amoji, ChayChax, Clapzovr, SAGUARO, etc.
How to tell If Crocs are fake?
Start by checking the Duke logo, matching the information on the tags with the actual shoe, matching the shade with the one on Crocs website, inspecting the bottom of the shoe for the right information. Read the above article for other great tips.
Are my Crocs real or fake?
You can identify fake Crocs by reading our guide thoroughly and following our advice. Checking the above mentioned 15 things can reveal whether your Crocs is real or fake.
How many holes are in an original Croc?
There are 13 holes in the Crocs Classic Clog. That doesn’t mean every model has the same number of holes. In fact, the number of holes vary quite a lot. Their are Crocs shoes without holes at all.
What do original Crocs look like?
Original Crocs come with a tightening strap featuring a Duke logo, with branding at the bottom, place of origin, website & sizing information. It has small nubs on the insole and holes on the upper with a roomy toe box.
How to tell fake vs. real Crocs?
Real Crocs feel luxurious and are made of quality Croslite material. You can usually tell the difference just from the feel. However, looking at the bottom is the best way to tell the difference. When the bottom has the trademark, made-in info, website, and size listed, it’s an original.
Where to purchase authentic Crocs?
The best place to purchase authentic Crocs is through their website. You can shop from Crocs Amazon Store. Use Crocs’ store locator technology to find authorized local retailer stores that sell Crocs in your area.
How to spot & identify the fake Salehe Bembury Crocs?
The heel strap contains the Crocs trademark and is adjoined to the side of the shoe with a button that doesn’t bear the usual Duke logo. You can check these details to identify a fake. Check the shades available of this model on the Crocs website. If the shoe’s color looks off, it’s likely to fail. Match the design carefully.
Salehe Bembury Crocs
Source: Crocs Website
How to spot fake Bad Bunny Crocs?
This glow in the dark pair is one of Crocs best selling collabs. So, there’s a lot of fake ones out there. The heel strap is branded and there are 13 holes, 9 visible in the upper. They are sold in white and appear as green in the dark.
Source: Billboard
How to spot fake Crocs LiteRide clog?
LiteRide Crocs are, if anything, even more comfortable. The shoes feel incredibly cushy and support your feet by molding to their shape. The upper features a lot of smaller holes.
LiteRide 360 is the most popular model in this series and its heel strap comes with Crocs trademark button where it attaches to the side of the shoe. The midsole has some nubs on the outside and there’s a clear color difference. The bottom layer of the sole has tiny holes on the side as well.
If these things are misplaced, you can be sure it’s a fake LiteRide 360. Look up other models as well on Crocs website, to be sure.
Crocs LiteRide 360
Source: Crocs website
Final Words
Crocs don’t come cheap and it is easy to imagine what a blow it is to buy a fake pair at the price of a real one. There are so many authorized retailers of Crocs that you can’t possibly know all of them. So, it’s better to remember the above differences if you are wondering how to spot fake Crocs.
Crocs are extremely comfortable and cheap, fake pairs come nowhere close to the cushiony feel offered by a real Crocs. That’s why Crocs have gathered this high following. Simply because they are as comfortable as it gets.
