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Do Crocs Stretch With Time?
Well known for comfort and durability, Crocs is undoubtedly one of the leading footwear brands of our time.
But do Crocs stretch over time when the materials they use seem so pliable? Is there any solution if you get the wrong size or is returning them the only way?
Check this page out for all the answers you need!
Contents
Do Crocs Stretch In Length After Wearing?
Crocs stretch after you have worn them for some time, even though they are originally true to size. Therefore, if you plan to wear your Crocs long term, be prepared that the perfect fit for your feet might become a little loose later.
If you feel like your Crocs are half a size smaller than the perfect size for comfort, there is no need to rush for a refund or reshape.
Using Crocs regularly can stretch them naturally, which means your favorite footwear won’t be at any significant risk.
How much do Crocs stretch?
Crocs are prone to deforming and stretching under intense heat due to the materials used in their production: foam, rubber, and polymer.
Aside from the heat, the pressure present during the impact also has a significant effect on how much Crocs will stretch.
Therefore, it is impossible to determine an accurate number here without knowing the two mentioned conditions. However, you can expect a discrepancy of 0.5 – 1.5 inches before and after your Crocs fully stretch.
How long does it take for Crocs to stretch?
If we are talking about stretching naturally, Crocs won’t lose their fit after only a few weeks because they are quite durable. That short period is only enough for Crocs to mold to your feet and give you the necessary comfort.
However, if the Crocs you have bought are smaller than they should be and you have no time to wait for them to stretch, there are several methods to stretch them more quickly. The duration can range from a couple of minutes to a whole day.
Why Do Crocs Stretch?
We know Crocs can be stretched now, but how does that happen?
The pride of all Crocs is born from Croslite – a high-quality, enhanced form of EVA. Hence, it has better elasticity and expands slowly when worn instead of losing its shape too quickly.
When subjected to intense heat, the polymer chains packed together to create the materials will break. The disrupted structure puts more distance between the molecules and thus stretches the overall structure.
How To Avoid Crocs Stretching?
Knowing the reason Crocs stretch and become bigger means you will have a rough idea of what to do if you have no use for bigger footwear!
No direct heat
Heat is the main reason your Crocs stretch more than they should.
It’s quite obvious that you shouldn’t point a hair dryer at them or immerse them in hot water, but did you know that direct sunlight has the same effect?
Or when you leave your Crocs in the car without realizing how the space is so much warmer than normal temperatures.
Under these two seemingly harmless conditions, the Croslite material may soften and warp to the point you can’t do anything to retrieve its original shape and size.
No dishwasher
Crocs are low-maintenance and have good stain resistance, so you should spend some time taking care of them instead of throwing them into the dishwasher and hoping for the machine to do the job.
Not only do dishwashers tumble everything in them with high intensity, but they also create a harmful environment with high temperatures that will ruin the shape of your Crocs beyond repair.
Shrink regularly
Even though many people say regularly stretching and shrinking Crocs is alright, let’s be wiser and know that nothing returns to its exact original state once it has lost shape.
All the shrinking and unshrinking methods you know about should only be used once or twice, when you have unboxed your Crocs and need them to mold to your feet for better comfort.
Get Crocs that don’t stretch
Last but not least, finding Crocs that simply don’t stretch over time is the easiest way to avoid the problem.
There are only three Crocs designs that offer the feature at the moment: Specialist II, Bistro, and Bistro Pro.
According to customers, these models are slightly bigger than standard sizes. You might want to get half a size smaller, though don’t forget that they won’t stretch, so they won’t loosen for you.
Among the non-stretchable Crocs, the Specialist II has airports on the sides, while the Bistro & Bistro Pro features an enclosed toe. They are all great for professionals at work, but at the same time not open to modifications.
You risk permanently warping them if you attempt to change their construction.
How To Stretch Crocs?
When you get your favorite Crocs but they seem a little tight around your feet, stretching them is a smart solution that can save you so much time rather than sending an exchange request and waiting another couple of days for a response.
Here are some simple methods you can try!
Use hot water
To stretch Crocs with hot water, you will need to get enough water to fully submerge your shoes and bring them to boiling temperature.
Dip the Crocs in hot water for a minute, then take them out. If you put your feet in it right away, you might get a burn. Therefore, you should either wait until the steam escapes and take some heat with it or put on your thickest socks first.
While your Crocs are still hot, walk around the house with them until they cool down. They will feel a bit tight at first because they are too wet, yet they will become more flexible soon as they embrace your feet.
Use hair dryer
If you are not a fan of excessive wetness, you might want to stretch your Crocs with a hair dryer instead of hot water. The major difference between these two methods is the amount of water involved in your process.
- First of all, soak a towel and wring as much water out of it as you can. Wrap this wet towel around your Crocs, so they will only be mildly dampened.
- Choose a medium mode for the hair dryer and point the nozzle at your Crocs. The towel will help distribute the heat, yet you should still keep a distance between the nozzle and the shoes.
- Like with the hot water method, you should take a walk with your socks and Crocs on, so they can fit your feet properly.
Use socks
We would say this is the easiest solution with no additional tools needed. However, it won’t be quick, so you will only notice the results after at least a week.
The only thing you need to do is put on 3 or 4 layers of your usual socks – they have to be your size and not remarkably bigger – and walk around in your Crocs.
It will feel uncomfortable at first, but the tightness will eventually go away.
However, if you feel too much pain, you should remove one layer and add more when you are used to the feeling, instead of forcing your feet to suffer.
Last Words
If your Crocs feel a little small out of the box, don’t freak out!
Crocs will stretch naturally over time if you keep using them regularly and become 0.5 – 1.5 inches bigger, which should be sufficient for your comfort.
You might also want to try a few heat methods to expand Crocs at home. However, when the size is already perfect for you, it’s best to avoid intense heat sources!