Why are my older Crocs softer than my newer ones?
Asked by
evegrimm (
3714
)
September 2nd, 2009
They’ve both been worn about equally (about 1 year of continous wear) and are the same style (the original Beach).
(I stopped wearing my old ones because I have a weird gait that causes a hole in the sole of my left shoe to form.)
However, I recently put my old ones back on to do dishes, and noticed that they were much softer and a lot more comfortable than my newer ones, which occasionally chafe and have caused my feet to itch on more than one occasion.
Does anyone know if this has anything to do with colors (the old ones were black, new ones lime green) or with manufacturing location (Different colours are made in different places) or for some other reason that I’m unaware of?
Also, does anyone have ideas for fixing the hole in my Crocs and/or re-treading them?
Thanks so much!
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7 Answers
I have noticed the same degradation with Clark’s sandals. I love my older ones and just returned the same model due to harder soles and difficult adjustment w. the straps.
The outsourcing explains it all, I think.
My sister buys several pairs of the same shoes when she finally finds something that fits and is comfortable for more than 5 minutes.
I’m no help with repairing your Crocs. Sorry.
@gailcalled, that’s an interesting theory (that my original crocs were USA-made, or something, and the newer ones aren’t). I wouldn’t be surprised.
I’ve wondered if it has to do with inferior materials—i.e., Crocs were originally made with X and now are made with a compound similar to X but with a greater profit margin.
That’s okay about not knowing how to repair Crocs. I can’t find anything online about it, so that must mean it’s impossible or I’m the only one with the problem/wants to fix it.
@evegrimm: Crocs are inexpensive; maybe that’s why there’s no way to repair them. (What about the Dr.Scholl’s foam inserts? You could glue them to soles of Croc’s.)
@gailcalled, that sounds like it could work…superglue?? Hot glue?
I just paid a guy $50 to use gorilla glue on a broken glass table. It has already split apart at the crack. Don’t ask me.
Velcro. Put the soft side on the shoe and the rough side on the insole. It will keep the insole attached to your shoe.
I suspect the formula for the materials has changed over time. Take your old pair to a repair shop and see if they can be fixed, or take the newer ones and see if there is some type of softening treatment that can be used on them.
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