Buzz
Discover how to differentiate real Crocs from counterfeit ones
Crocs have become a beloved footwear staple for their comfort, but the market is flooded with counterfeit versions (also known as 'Croc-offs'), particularly from third-party sellers. If you purchased your Crocs from a retailer other than the official Crocs store, hoping for a deal or a hard-to-find style, there's a chance they're not genuine. Curious how to tell? Here are some key signs that your Crocs might not be authentic.
Simple Ways to Identify Fake Crocs
- Color: Compare your Crocs to the color options available on the official Crocs website. If it’s a shade not offered there, they could be fake.
- Heel Strap: Test the heel strap—if it's too stiff or immovable, it’s likely not authentic.
- Holes: Verify the number of holes—each shoe should have no more than 13 ventilation holes.
- Weight: Weigh the pair—authentic Crocs for adults typically weigh between 11 and 16 oz (311–453 g).
Steps to Check for Authenticity
Verify that your Crocs aren’t in a non-official color.
Match the color of your Crocs with the available choices on the Crocs website. Each collection of Crocs features its own selection of distinct colors, some with creative names like Moon Jelly and Dreamscape. Head over to the official Crocs website and find the style similar to yours. If the color of your Crocs isn't listed as an option, it might be a sign that they're counterfeit.
Check if the heel strap is too stiff.
Examine the heel strap of your Crocs to see if it’s inflexible. Authentic Crocs (particularly the Clog model) have a flexible heel strap that you can adjust. You can slide it to the front for a sandal-like fit or push it back for more heel support. If the strap doesn’t move or feels unusually rigid, your Crocs might not be real.
Inspect the Duke Crocodile logo for mistakes.
Examine the Duke Crocodile logo for any inconsistencies. The Duke logo usually appears on the buttons on both sides of the strap (on both shoes). The crocodile should have two eyes, two hands with three fingers each, and six bumps along its back. The fourth bump from the top should be larger than the rest. If these details don’t match, your Crocs could be counterfeit.
- Not all Crocs feature the Duke crocodile logo. Always compare your pair to the same style on the official Crocs website to verify its accuracy.
Examine the logo button for discrepancies.
Compare the logo button with the official Crocs images. Crocs that lack the Duke logo will have a logo button on the side of the strap. In the Literide line, the Crocs name is embossed within an oval, while the classic line features a simple circular button. A missing logo button or one with errors like typos or unclear printing indicates that the Crocs might be fake.
- Special collaboration Crocs often have unique logo buttons representing the partnered brand.
Look for any missing or incorrect information.
Check the outsole for product details. Authentic Crocs should display the brand name along with a trademark symbol (™), the official Crocs website address (www.crocs.com), the country of manufacture, size details (including a letter and number), and often the city of production (typically Boulder, Colorado).
- Not every Croc will have all of this information, but most do. Crocs with high soles may have the country of origin inside the shoe or on the back strap. Collaborations may include additional specific details.
- Missing or misspelled text on the outsole is a red flag that your Crocs are fake.
- The Crocs website lists China, Italy, Mexico, Vietnam, and Bosnia as common places of origin. Crocs have also been made in Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, and India.
Feel for heavy, poor-quality materials.
Weigh your Crocs to detect low-quality materials. Authentic Crocs are made from their patented Croslite material, which is designed to be light and flexible. Counterfeit versions, however, are often made with heavy, cheap materials like rubber, making them feel stiff and unwieldy. An adult pair typically weighs between 11 and 16 ounces (310–450 g). If your Crocs are heavier than this, they might be fakes.
- Kids' Crocs are lighter than adult pairs.
- Real Crocs should be easy to clean, whereas fake ones may hold on to stains or scuffs more stubbornly.
Check for missing or incorrect design elements.
Look for circulation nubs and 13 holes on each shoe. A signature design feature of Crocs is the circulation nubs found on the inner sole. Knockoffs may try to replicate these nubs, but they won’t feel the same. Additionally, authentic Crocs always have 13 ventilation holes per shoe.
- Another distinguishing feature is the one-piece mold design—genuine Crocs are molded as a single piece. If parts are glued together, you’re likely dealing with a counterfeit pair.
Test for a lack of traction.
Check if your Crocs have grip on slippery surfaces. Real Crocs feature slip-resistant grooves on the soles to provide traction on wet or slick surfaces. Walk carefully on a smooth, wet floor—if you find yourself slipping, your Crocs may be counterfeit.
Look for signs of a fake tag.
Use a barcode scanner to verify the UPC on the tag. Each Crocs model has a unique 12-digit Universal Product Code (UPC) located beneath the barcode. You can enter this code into a barcode lookup tool online to confirm that the product matches the tag it’s attached to.
- The tag should also display other details like the product’s origin, distributor, materials, and size. Missing or incomplete information may indicate that the shoes are fake.
Check for incorrect sizing.
Try your Crocs on to see if the fit is accurate. Even if the size printed on the sole is correct, fake Crocs often have sizing issues. If your shoes feel unusually tight or loose compared to other authentic Crocs you’ve worn, they’re likely counterfeit.
Notice if your Crocs feel uncomfortable when worn.
Consider whether your Crocs are too tight or painful to wear. Real Crocs are built for comfort and foot support. If your pair feels uncomfortable or even painful to wear, especially after extended use, it’s likely they are counterfeit, as they were made with inferior materials or construction compared to genuine Crocs. Check here for tips on wearing Crocs comfortably.
Check for improper or missing packaging.
Examine the packaging for proper branding and materials. Crocs purchased from authorized online stores typically come in a transparent polybag featuring the Crocs brand name—not in a traditional shoe box. The bag will also usually have a product sticker with a barcode on it for easy identification.
Be cautious if the price seems too good to be true.
Investigate sellers offering unusually low prices for Crocs. While Crocs may have sales or discounts, a price that seems too good to be true could indicate that the shoes are counterfeit. When buying from third-party sites like eBay, Etsy, TikTok Shop, or Amazon, make sure to read product and seller reviews before making a purchase.
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The safest way to guarantee you're buying authentic Crocs is by shopping directly at a Crocs store, the official Crocs website, or from an authorized retailer such as Foot Locker, DICK’s Sporting Goods, Tillys, or Famous Footwear.
