Love them or loath them – and there are plenty of people on both sides of that particular divide – Crocs have undeniably been one of the footwear success stories of the last couple of decades.
Since they first appeared in the early 2000s, Crocs have gone on to become a popular footwear choice for home wearing, leisure, gardening and more. They are also ubiquitous in professions such as nursing and hospitality due to their comfort, convenience and non-slip properties.
As with any shoes, it’s important to know how to find the right size, so for anyone thinking about buying a pair of Crocs, here we answer the question, do Crocs run big or small?
What are Crocs?
Everybody can recognize a pair of classic Crocs, those unmistakable iconic rubber clogs, but there’s more to the company’s range than that.
Crocs launched its first run of shoes in 2001, producing only 200 pairs that quickly sold out.
Those original shoes were designed as boating shoes, but the following year, Crocs launched their famous rubber clogs, a design that has since sold hundreds of millions of pairs.
However, the company was also quick to realize that the original model wasn’t suitable for everyone, and since then, they have diversified their range.
Nowadays, as well as the original unisex rubber clogs, Crocs also produces many other products, including sandals, flip-flops, slides, loafers, sneakers and even boots.
They have footwear lines aimed specifically at men, women and children, including a range aimed at preschoolers and one designed for grade school students.
Furthermore, they also produce several models for professionals. The Neria Pro II is the latest iteration of the company’s shoe created specifically for nurses, while the On-The Clock model is a more all-round professional shoe.
Neria Pro II shoes are also suitable for people working in hospitality, and the Bistro Clog is another version designed specifically for people working in kitchens and restaurants.
Bistros look similar to classic Crocs but lack the holes of the original to protect feet from splashes and spills.
Do Crocs Run Big or Small?
If you’ve decided that a pair of Crocs is the footwear solution you’re looking for, your next step is finding a pair that fits, and to do this, you’ll need to know whether Crocs run big or small.
Although all shoe manufacturers use the same system of sizes, this system has never been fully standardized, so shoes from different companies can still vary in size.
However, when it comes to Crocs, they generally tend to run true to size. This means if you choose the size of shoe you normally take, your Crocs are likely to fit well.
That said, there are a couple of other points to bear in mind, so let’s think about those now.
Sizing for different models
Many of the shoes in Crocs’ range are classed as either “relaxed” or “roomy”.
The company’s original rubber clogs are a good example of roomy-fit shoes and were designed as convenient casual shoes that are easy to slip on and off
They include a strap at the back that can be placed over the heel to hold the shoes in place, but you can also just slip your feet in without using the strap. They also offer plenty of space on either side of your feet.
This means with shoes like this, you don’t need to worry too much about sizing since these shoes are not supposed to fit snugly like sneakers or classic office shoes. As long as you choose the same size as you normally wear, you shouldn’t have any problems.
Relaxed-fit shoes include the Crocband Clog as well as Neria Pro II shoes, and these models are designed to offer a snugger fit. However, since they run true to size, you should still be safe buying shoes that are the same size as the shoes you normally wear.
The only difference here is that if you have particularly wide feet, you might consider buying one size above your regular shoe size to ensure your feet have enough space on the sides.
Finally, Crocs also now produces more regular style shoes like sneakers, loafers and even boots. When choosing Crocs shoes like these, you can treat them just like any other regular pair of shoes, and since they run true to size, you should just buy the size you normally wear.
Again, as with relaxed-fit shoes, if you have wide feet, you should also consider buying a size above what you usually wear to give your feet a little extra width.
Do Crocs come in half sizes?
The simple answer to this question is no, they don’t.
This means if your regular shoe size is a half-size, you’ll need to decide which way to go – should you take half a size above what you normally wear or half a size below?
The answer depends on what you need the shoes for and the kind of fit you want.
If you are buying roomy-fit Crocs, it really doesn’t matter – with that style, choosing shoes that are half a size too big or small isn’t going to make a whole lot of difference. In that case, you can just decide whether you prefer slightly bigger shoes or slightly smaller ones.
If you are buying shoes that fit more snuggly, like relaxed-fit Crocs or something like a pair of Crocs sneakers, you’ll need to think about how you’re going to wear them.
For example, if you’re going to wear them with socks, buying half a size bigger than normal is probably a smart idea. However, if you’re planning to wear them without socks, going down half a size probably won’t hurt.
If you are buying them as professional shoes – perhaps for nursing or restaurant work – you might feel that a pair of shoes that fit more tightly and that don’t allow your feet to move about might help prevent you from slipping over.
On the other hand, if you are on your feet most of the time during long shifts, it may be better to avoid shoes that squeeze your feet too much since otherwise, you will end up with sore feet by the time each shift ends.
In sum, since Crocs run true to size, the best advice is to be guided by your previous experience with other shoes and choose according to your personal situation and requirements.
FAQ
(1) Do Crocs stretch?
In general, Crocs shoes don’t stretch like conventional shoes as you wear them in.
If you buy roomy or even relaxed Crocs, they won’t fit snugly like a pair of sneakers or classic office shoes, so they won’t have a chance to stretch.
Furthermore, since most Crocs shoes are made of rubber, they won’t stretch like shoes made of leather or other conventional materials.
This means you should find a pair that fits immediately rather than choosing a pair that’s too small and expect to be able to wear them in.
(2) What size should you choose for children?
It’s important to choose shoes that are the right size for children’s feet since if they are too tight, it can damage their feet as they grow.
However, this is not such a big worry with most Crocs models since they are not tight-fitting like traditional shoes.
This means probably the best advice when in doubt is to buy a pair that is slightly too big rather than ones that fit perfectly or that are slightly too small.
This is because children’s feet are always growing, so if you want them to last, choosing shoes with a little extra room will allow your children’s feet to grow into them.
(3) Which models are best for hospitality workers?
Crocs Bistro shoes are designed for hospitality workers, for example, those working in kitchens or restaurants. They are similar to classic Crocs clogs but don’t have holes in the front part of the shoe, which helps protect your feet from splashes and spills.
Other models to consider are the On-The-Clock shoes and, for women, the Neria Pro II shoes.
(4) Which models are best for nurses?
Crocs’ dedicated nursing shoe is the Neria Pro II. They look like a classic shoe and cover the whole foot but are made of rubber like other Crocs shoes. They also offer good slip resistance. On-The-Clock would be another good choice for nurses.
Final words
When it comes to Crocs, the best advice is not to overthink things. Crocs run true to size, so if you buy shoes that are the same size as your regular shoes, they should fit.
In addition, since this style of shoe is more forgiving, having shoes that are slightly too big or slightly too small is not as serious as if you were choosing a pair of regular sneakers or office shoes.
However, if you have particularly wide feet, you might prefer to choose a size above your regular size – although, with “roomy” fitting Crocs, this won’t be necessary.