PSA: Crocs aren't just ugly, they're dangerous
By Ryan Block 
posted Sep 10th 2007 1:12AM
posted Sep 10th 2007 1:12AM
Crocs, not unlike Uggs before them, are prime candidates for footware we'd just as well have everyone put back in the closet, especially now that the Japanese National Institute of Technology and Evaluation has apparently issued a public warning regarding the safety of wearing the offensively ugly plastic shoes on escalators. Supposedly some forty people in Japan have been injured wearing the shoes on escalators, including a five year old girl who is said to have lost lost three toenails and suffered a broken toe when her ugly ass shoes got caught in the escalator. Please, Crocs, think of the children -- and everyone else's greater sense of aesthetics.[Via FarEastGizmos]
:lal: @ Engadget's "fashion sense". :D
I'm a little confused. Do you think these shoes look nice?
It seems to me that the fashion gods are making a power play. Everyone wears clothes and shoes so why should they be worshiped second? Smite those crocers, smite them them good!
Yeah, this seems like a fitting punishment.
Your "fashion" choice offends my eyes, you have your feet disfigured, fair, no?
Too bad it had to happen to a kid thought, least we know the kid will raise a non-Croc wearing generation or, at least, will raise a step using population. Either way, is the world not a better place?
even though this article isnt technology related...
i love it.
vans save lives. dont wear crocs
HA ha! It is technology related. The escalator, remember! xD
As they say on the DC Metro... "Toes are neat, so lift your feet!"
(OK, so it's the WMATA saying it, not the riders--but still....)
Is this posted because it's New York Fashion Week?
Not really technology, but it's still intriguing.
I did hear one thing about these things. Apparently they first found favor in surgical hospitals due to their ability to be put through an autoclave. Personally I think they should have been kept there.
Really all they have to do is roll the toe up a bit and problem solved.
They're being banned at my hospitals because they could potentially drop needles through the holes on the top of the croc.
when i went to the hospital a few days ago for a mri i saw like 5 doctors with these ugly ass shoes on
the needle problem sounds easy to fix. Just glue some leather over the top. You could even only atach it at two opposite sides so it would still breathe. They'd get even uglier though.
or you could fill them with jibbitz!!!
http://www2.jibbitz.com/
These shoes were on the front page of the British Tabloid 'The Sun' last week under the headline "Crocs Can Kill" due to their ability to produce enough static electricity to seriously damage important hospital equipment. Apparently a country wide ban of the shoes in hospitals was underway.
But they're so damed comfy - i wish they looked better.
(The flip-flops are okay)
They wear them in surgery because they're easy to clean - I doubt they'd make it through an autoclave though. Blood comes off plastic/rubber with a quick rinse - not so with cloth shoes.
yah my mom has worked in hospitals for 30+ years, news flash needles are sharp and will go through a regular shoe if dropped as well.....people are dumb.
Actually, they make a completely closed toe version (no top holes or side vents). Personally, I love my Crocs - I have one pair and my wife and daughter have 3 each.
i was in the huge mcdonalds in downtown chicago today and they had signs all over saying that crocs werent allowed on the escalators
How ironic that McDonalds would ban them on escalators seeing as how it's founder was named Croc ;P
ack, im glad someone else shares in my disdain for this horrible piles of shit known as Crocs. "But they're so comfortable". So are marshmallows. Wear them.
But marshmallows wouldn't be safe on elevators.
hahahhaahaha i just dont see how its really possible to get hurt wearing these shoes on an escalator
Sneakers with laces! They'd never get stuck in an escalator!
I personally don't wear crocs, but if you can manage to get your crocs stuck in an escalator, you should be happy that is all that has happened.
The thing I hate most about crocs is that, before the summer, I NEVER say a pair in my life. Then suddenly, EVERYONE started wearing them. It's like a epidemic.
I really don't know why people buy those shoes/plastic sandals/POS'
Mostly because they're hypo-allergenic and anti-microbial, they won't stink up like other sandals, perfect for boating.
they are banned from hospitals in norway as they have really crappy ESD properties *zap*
ESD?
electro-static discharge
"Listen, not a year goes by, not a year, that I don't hear about some escalator accident involving some bastard kid which could have easily been avoided had some parent - I don't care which one - but some parent conditioned him to fear and respect that escalator!"
Can't ban kids from escalators, though, can we?
Only kids with crocs ; )
Ok, Brodie. (Mallrats ftw!)
Having an accident on an escalator does not make a child a bastard. You were a kid once, they can be clumsy, that is no reason to insult them.
Absolutely love the mallrats reference...bravo!! Crocs are ugly, you want comfy shoes buy a pair of reef sandals.
coffeepot64, settle down, it's a quote from the movie Mallrats (like a few people already recognized) Put the coffee down, take a deep breath ;^)
"Ha ha ha ha. You dumb bastard. It's not a schooner... it's a sailboat!"
"A schooner IS a sailboat, stupid head!"
I don't understant how they are more dangerous than regular flip-flops (they actually seem safer). Did someone looked at issues with flip-flops on escalators??
Anyway, I agree they are ugly... but I believe part of the atraction (besides comfort and antibacterial) is how inaesthetic they are...
Thats sad about the little kid. Crocs weren't originally made for everyday wear. They were originally for water sports like canoing and kayaking.
I think the escalators have better footwear fashions sense than these people... The escalators just have a very aggressive way of sharing their opinions.
I, for one, welcome our new escalator overlords.
That kid is on the escalator again!
Seriously though, I've seen entirely too many people wearing these things. They all swear they are the most comfortable shoe they have ever owned...I used to say that about shoes too...until a week later they're not so great anymore. What's more is that I've noticed many parents buy these for their kids and get the 800 sizes too large, which I'm fairly certain isn't good for you.
jajaja LMAO!!
those people with crocs deserve to get caught on escalators.
haha.... jk.
or am i?
they are dangerous because the
plastic they are made with. I also think
they are ugly but i still have one pair
but i just use it in my house. so comfortable.
=8-)
"An escalator can never break. It can only become stairs. You would never see an "Escalator Temporarily Out Of Order" sign, just "Escalator Temporarily Stairs. Sorry for the convenience."
gotta love 'em.
Everyone knows the only real shoes are moccasins. Those 'injians were really on to something
You guys will hate me for this, but there is something far worse than Crocs or Uggs. You know what it is? CRUGGS!
The unholy alliance of Crocs and Uggs have revealed themeselves...and the fashion world just got more crappy.
http://www.boingboing.net/2007/08/25/cruggs.html
Seriously, they are horrendous!
Good William Sledd don't like those anyway. These once upon a time Garden shoes should be Banned everywhere But the Garden...
true, true
I love mine, but they're so damn ugly I wouldn't use them for anything that needs long pants... malls are ok, tho'
i love escalators for this reason alone.
I work at a Children's Hospital, and we've had two kids whose feet have been critically injured as a result of wearing these shoes. They got caught in the escalators and I'm sure you can imagine as to what happened their feet.
Oh my goodness... i wish this is announced in my country's news...Singapore.
everybody is crazy about crocs...
if only ugly things could get banned.... *dreamz*
This is great, a bunch of nerds talking about fashion. Take your black Transformers T-shirt off and then talk to someone about what to wear and not to wear. Dorks.
A nerd complaining about nerds complaining about fashion. The irony is so thick, it's getting hard for me to breathe.
Incidently, t-shirts with logos of retro kids shows from the 80s like Transformers are actually relatively cool at the moment in London. French Connection recently released a line of t-shirts for the Transformers.
I wore a Thundercats t-shirt at a trendy bar on the weekend =]
One of my friends bought a pair of Crocs when we were in the US in the summer, he doesn't dare wear them outside the house over here.
The only solution seems to be steel-toed Crocs, ideal for that "really chilled out job-site foreman that dresses like Jimmy Buffet."
This hsit is wack! Ever since I first came across ths ugly thing in a magazine I could tell they were devil's. Now who's the lunatic?
The "hole" argument isn't the problem. If you look on Crocs.com, you'll see several "professional" styles.
They have their place, but I agree on the street isn't it. (Unless you're in scrubs)
I agree that these shoes are fugly, but isn't the real problem here the design of the escalators (see how I pulled this back to gadget talk)?
yeah, i'll stop wearing my crocs when everybody else stops wearing flip-flops (in the winter no less). cover up those nasty toes people, we don't need to see 'em.
of course, engadget talking about fashion sense is like cosmo doing an article on linux
i heard Steve Jobs has a pair of crocs too
I revolted against crocs until I wore them. Very comfy. The regular ones get to hot for my feet (and I agree they are ugly).
I really only like the sandals (the new ones).. Check them out.
http://islandsurf.cachefly.net/crete_multi_LG.jpg
-B
They're coming out with regular shoes with the Crocs soles. I can't wait!
I think some people are just so stupid that they don't know how to ride an escalator. Those people deserve to loose some toenails or toes even!
My son's crocs were chewed up on an escalator at Chicago O'Hare airport. He cut 2 toes and the shoe was ripped in half. Needless to say, he's frightened by escalators now.
please explain how your son's crocs where caught in the escalator. I really don't get it. Was he not picking up his feet?
His right foot was apparently too close to the edge of the escalator and he started screaming halfway down as the monster began to eat his toes. It was a very traumatic experience for him.
I think the idea is that, because they have so much more malleable and sticky soles than normal shoes, the shoes catch on the nonmoving part at the gap, then deform and start to get pulled in.
James,
Sorry to hear that. I'm sure was a traumatic experience for you also. Do you think they should be forbidden if they are really prone to problems with escalators? All the kids in my neighborhood are using them, and I wonder if i should go around telling all the parents.... Kids seem to love those... Are you still going to allow your kids to use them?
In my opinion, the following shoes need to be destroyed forever:
Sandals
Flip-Flops
Uggs
Crocs
Anything that shows a man's toes in public.
Heelies
...And all knock-offs of the above.
Here in my little college town, I appear to be the ONLY person who wears shoes that cover my feet. Everyone else is wearing sandals or flip-flops. Luckily, it seems like Crocs have died out around here except with the dumpy spinsters and lesbians who are shunning Birkenstocks for some reason.
Guys-- I don't want to see your feet! Nobody does.
Girls-- Flip-flops make you look like an white-trash wannabe. You might as well wear a burlap sack, too.
Kids-- If you zip by me in the mall in your heelies One More Time, I *will* trip your punk ass.
What I don't get about Croc's is this: It's a friggin' blog of molded mushy plastic, made in China. It can't cost more than a dollar to make a pair of the damn things, yet they retail in the states for $40. Forty bucks! WTF? They should sell for no more than $9.96 at Wal-Mart.
what the hell uggs are hot!!! crocs are fricken ugly and putting mickey mouse pins wont help they gave me blistersss hideous crocs suck
I hate to say, but I must say... "I hate this shoes. It's ugly and should only be used to go to the bathroom"
Dude! that's rude! How can we Croc stockholders deal with this kind of negative publicity?? ;-)
Let's face it world - Everything is "dangerous" to stupid people. Doubt you me? Head over to YouTube.
Man, this makes me think back to mallrats.
"Listen, not a year goes by, not a year, that I don't hear about some escalator accident involving some bastard kid which could have easily been avoided had some parent - I don't care which one - but some parent conditioned him to fear and respect that escalator."
For how comfortable they are they sure are ugly beasts. Don't any at the moment but can't say i haven't thought about buying some.
Tney're damn comfortable and great as boat/cottage shoes, I love mine but I avoid wearing them in the city where I may encounter other people.
Those aren't ugly shoes.
As an Aussie, I can't help but be minorly offended by the people who think uggs are uggly. Yes, some are, and some stupid fashion-tarts make them oh-so-easy to dislike but what is more awesome than having that fuzziness envelope your cold toes on those frigid winter days?
Real Australian made Ugg boots are brilliant. Cheap foreign knock-offs are the cause of this hate.
Following an incident I sent to Croccs (below, along with their response). No action has been taken!:
- Without Prejudice -
INCIDENT INVOLVING CROCS SHOES - 2ND SEPTEMBER 2006
You should be aware of an incident that happened on Saturday 2nd of September at Gatwick Airport, England.
Our 4 year old son was wearing Crocs supervised (standing to my right and holding my hand) on an escalator within the airport.
Before the top of the escalator his right foot caught on the side of the escalator. Thankfully I was able to pull his foot free in an instant.
As a consequence he suffered a severe cut through his big toe (which bled profusely) and crushing injury. He was treated at the scene by on site para-medic and taken by ambulance to East Surrey hospital.
He fortunately has not lost his toes and is recovering well. Not surprisingly he has been terribly troubled and traumatised by the incident as have the rest of our family.
This was a very unfortunate incident which I have no doubt whatsoever is part attributable to the Crocs shoes. Thankfully my quick reaction reduced the severity of the injury.
In the interim we feel it appropriate that you issue a warning to wearers of the shoes with regard to the high risk to minors of such an incident.
Please urgently confirm receipt of this mail and that you will take immediate action.
Thank you.
_________________________
We are sorry to hear about your escalator incident. We take customer feedback very seriously. We will forward your response to our engineering department for review so that they can try and determine the cause of your accident. Any additional information related to the incident will be helpful- ie- the type of escalator, where your son was standing, what he was doing while riding the escalator, etc.
Unfortunately, escalator accidents can be caused by numerous factors including inadequate maintenance and improper use. In addition, as you know, accidents can be caused by hands, feet and shoes being caught in an escalator. In fact, most safety recommendations related to escalators advise that children’s shoes can be pulled into an escalator if their feet are near the sides of the moving walkway. Currently, Crocs, Inc. subscribes to general escalator safety guidelines which recommend the following:
Be aware that loose shoe laces, drawstrings, scarves, and mittens can get trapped in escalators.
Always hold children's hands on escalators and do not permit children to sit or play on the steps.
Do not bring children onto escalators in strollers, walkers, or carts.
Always face forward and hold the handrail.
Avoid the edges of steps where entrapment can occur.
Learn where the emergency shutoff buttons are in case you need to stop the escalator.
In addition, as a soft soled shoe, Crocs is taking additional action by advising its consumers to exercise caution on escalators and other moving walkways via a hangtag that will be attached to each shoe. We believe that this “Crocs Cares” effort will assist in educating consumers and helping to prevent escalator injuries. These hangtags are due out by the end of the year.
I hope that this information helps. Please forward on any additional information you may have related to your son’s incident. In the meant time, we will be happy to replace the torn shoe with a new pair. Please give us your son’s size and color preference and we will get these shipped as soon as possible. Feel free to contact us with additional questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Here's a link:
http://philmusic.com/main/content/view/150/1/
With some photo's too. Looks like they really are a bit unsafe. Especially for kids.
..wow, what a bullshit "article". I think this is all false hype by short sellers trying to get the stock to go down.
Enjoy being haters. I'm laughing all the way to the bank, and in very comfy shoes, and crocs has tons of hot new styles.
Enjoy!
How much did the short-sellers pay you or your publication to post bullshite false statements about crocs?
What a phucking moron. You squander your rep for a few dollars?
Idiot.
The escalator stories are totally false. Crocs are so popular that there are bound to be accidents IN GENERAL, but there is ABSOLUTELY no statistical evidence or data showing a relationship between crocs and escalator injuries.
Escalators are dangerous - PERIOD.
Flip flops are just as likely (if not more) to be a problem on an escalator.
There are 10,000 or so escalator accidents per year in the US - of which something like 4 have involved shoes LIKE or made by crocs. This DOES NOT justify a ban, or concern, or the absolutely undue focus on Crocs - per se.
There are 75+ styles of croc - either being sold or to be sold in the next year.
Go ahead, hate the shoes, but this BS about accidents is fully unfounded, wrong, misleading, and constitutes libel against crocs.
Crocs are, hands down, simply the most comfortable shoes. If you don't like 'em, don't wear 'em. I don't particularly like seeing slacker teens in baggy pants, but that doesn't mean we should BAN baggy pants.
Sheesh, the things you idiots waste your time on....get a life.