Crocs are one of the most recognizable and popular brands of clog shoes on the market. The brand has a cult following, and it’s easy to see why. They’re super affordable, super comfortable, and super cute!
I’ve got some great news if you’ve been looking for a good deal on some new Crocs! The brand has just launched a new line of shoes almost identical to their original Crocs, but they’re referred to as “new Crocs!”
So what are the differences, you ask?
Not much! They’re both the same classic Crocs with a slightly different look. They both have the signature rubber toe cap and criss-cross rubber sole, so if you like the look and feel of the original Crocs, you’ll love the new ones too!
However, the biggest difference is that newer Crocs have a rubber outsole, but it does not have a rubber heel. It also has a more flexible heel made from EVA.
As you can see, even though these are both the same brand and made by the same company, they are still very different shoes.
The first new Crocs were introduced in 2014, but they released a new version in 2017. The original Crocs have a lot of similarities with the new Crocs, but there are certainly some differences that are hard to ignore.
Reasons why new Crocs were manufactured
The brand new Crocs were manufactured to combat the growing trend of retro-shopping. It all started when a woman bought a pair of vintage Crocs and loved them so much that she decided to buy more online.
This led to a retro-shoe boom, and now, many shoppers are looking to buy a new pair of vintage Crocs.
The new Crocs were made to look exactly like the original Crocs to address this growing trend. The only difference is that the new Crocs are made with more durable materials and have a slightly different colorway.
Like most shoe companies, Crocs started making their shoes from second-hand materials. In the case of new Crocs, they started with factory seconds.
Factory seconds are shoes that didn’t pass the fit or quality control standards that needed to be sold as new. They’re still in almost brand-new condition, but they didn’t meet the standards.
This means they have very little wear and tear, and they stand out as being very high quality. They’re great for reselling on eBay or consigning at a retail store.
For instance, I sold a pair of old Crocs on eBay for $50. They were factory seconds, but they were in almost perfect condition
What are other differences between both?
Before writing this article, I took my time to go through some of the reviews many people have put out that draw a distinctive line between old and new Crocs styles, even down to the tiniest differences.
It occurred to me that most perspectives were around the difference in shape, which is pretty clear, given that newer Crocs are narrower for sure and do stretch a bit.
However, after a closer observation of my old and new Crocs, much difference was observed in other areas.
For example, the bottoms of both are different. Plus, the heels too.
Newer Crocs seem to have thicker heels than older ones, indicating superior comfortability and more even weight distribution.
But there is more to these angles of observation. We shall then look at how older and newer Crocs styles are dissimilar, especially in the material they are made of, the color and average aesthetic appeal, durability, sizing, and perhaps price. (There isn’t much to say about the difference in price because it is subject to size and style is considered)
Old vs New crocs – What are they made of?
The new crocs are made with thermoplastic polyurethane and natural rubber. The TPU sole provides extra durability and traction, so you can feel confident wearing them anywhere.
The natural rubber in the outsole provides flexibility and a smoother feel to stand up to all types of weather.
A good pair of Crocs is meant to be worn, so make sure you invest in a pair that will last you a long time. The new Crocs are no exception, backed by a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.
If anything breaks while you have the warranty remaining, you can send them back, and they’ll replace it free of charge. This is the same warranty with all Crocs, so you can rest easy knowing you’re getting a quality product.
Old vs New Crocs sizing – How do they fit?
The new Crocs are slightly different than the originals in that they have a slightly different fit. The originals have a more slip-on style, while the new ones have a zipper and button closure.
The toe box is also slightly different, with the new ones having a slightly higher arch.
If you have a narrow foot or a small to medium foot, you’ll consider that when picking out the right size. The fit is pretty similar to the originals, as they all have a standard-width footbed and a slightly roomy toe box.
The only difference is in the heel fit, where the new Crocs have a narrower fit than the originals. You can still rock the new Crocs if you have a wide foot, but they may not have the same amount of room in the heel area as the originals.
Old vs New Crocs colors – Which is better?
The new Crocs come in six different colors, with the option to order you. The colors are as follows: black, white, tan, red, coral, and navy.
For those interested in keeping their Crocs looking new, you can clean them with a damp cloth and a mild generic-brand cleaner.
For more on how to take care of your Crocs, check out our blog post HERE.
Why should you buy Old Crocs shoes?
If you’re in the market for inexpensive, comfortable, and durable clogs, you should consider buying a pair of old Crocs.
They’re great for people who spend a lot of time on their feet or travel a lot and don’t want to worry about hauling around a huge backpack filled with shoes.
Crocs are also great for people with food sensitivities because they are flexible and comfortable. The straps are super stretchy and can easily be adjusted to fit a wide range of feet.
The soles are very flexible, so they can comfortably support people with arches that aren’t very good.
Why should you buy the new Crocs shoes?
If you love the new Crocs shoes, but you don’t love the old ones, don’t worry! The new Crocs shoes are the same as the old ones, and only they’re new.
They’ve kept all of the same great qualities as the original, and they’ve also gotten even better with age.
The new Crocs shoes are just as comfortable as the old ones, and they’re even more durable. The uppers are designed to be more resistant to stains and dirt, so they tend to look cleaner longer.
They’re also very lightweight, so you never feel like your feet are weighed down by the shoes.
Can you exchange an Old Crocs for a new one?
No, you cannot exchange an old croc for a new one. The shoes are no longer made, so there’s no way for a shoe repair shop to fix them.
However, if you buy a new pair of Crocs, you can take them back to the store and exchange them for an old pair if you don’t like them.
To fully understand whether or not you can exchange old Crocs shoes for new ones, you will need to go through the company’s exchange and return policy.
Meanwhile, the conversation about what you can do with old Crocs aside from exchanging them is not far-fetched. I have once engaged in recycling my lightly work out Old Crocs through a system called Soles4Soles.
You have to take your old Crocs to a drop-off location and have them recycled for great good. But if you are talking about five pairs and more, you’d want to donate them.
Examples of Old Crocs shoes I have
Here are a few examples of old Crocs shoes I have. These pairs have been worn many times, and they’re in nearly perfect condition.
This my Crocs Unisex Coast Clog is made of Croslite upper. It was the first original Crocs I got; quite good looking with a minimalism approach and served me for most years.
The Crocs Coast Clog has an easy slip-on style with a Croslite footbed that supplies all the cushion and comfort needed for long walks or standing. I got it for about 35 bucks then, but it currently costs twice the price now on Amazon. You can check it out here.
I’d say the Coast Clog is not as good as my other old croc style in my wardrobe – this Unisex-Adult Bistro Clog. (It took me a while to find it on Amazon, by the way).
After acquiring the coast clog and using it for a few years, I decided to shop this Bistro clog because I needed a slip-resistant Work Shoe. It delivered just like any old croc style would, especially in exceptional durability.
What is common among these two shoes, and even all old Crocs in general is that they do not measure up in design and aesthetic variety compared to newer Crocs. In other words, I did not see these two footwear of mine stylish enough for some of my crazy outfit ideas.
It is a worthy sacrifice when I consider how durable and reliable they are, as I still have them sitting in my wardrobe at this very moment in perfect condition.
Example of New Crocs shoes I have
Here are a few examples of new Crocs shoes I have. These are also all nearly brand-new, with very little wear.
The truth is that, even though I have followed the trend of the release of newer Crocs styles, I haven’t bought enough to know how they measure up (from a personal perspective) to best suit my footwear needs.
But I bought one of the new Crocs designs for my kid sister, the Women’s Meleen Twist Sandal, which I used to identify some of the striving differences shared in this post. It is one of the newer designs that presents a newer look and offerings.
It features the next-generation Crocs LiteRide technology that offers the new sink-in softness, making it ideal for kids to play in.
You may want to check it out here.
Conclusion
If you’re in the market for a new pair of cheap, comfortable, and durable clogs, you should consider buying a pair of old Crocs.
They’re great for people who spend a lot of time on their feet or travel a lot and don’t want to worry about hauling around a huge backpack filled with shoes.
The new Crocs shoes are also a great choice if you love the old ones but don’t love the new design.
The new Crocs shoes are just as comfortable as the old ones, and they’re even more durable. They’re super lightweight, so you never feel like your feet are weighed down by the shoes.
So over to you, what do you think about using between Old versus newer Crocs designs? If you aren’t a veteran fan of footwear, it may not be simple to decide on a spot.
But, thanks to the notable differences that exist between both of them which we have been able to decipher in the above article.
Related:
- Lined Crocs vs Classic
- Baya Crocs vs Classic Crocs
- Crocs Kadee II vs SwiftWater
- Crocs Bistro vs Bistro Pro Literide
- Crocs Bistro vs On the Clock
- Crocs Sport Clog vs Classic
- Crocband Flip vs Crocs Reviva
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