Crocs sizing issues - driving me mad!

FabApocalypse

I got converted to wearing Crocs a year or so ago and since then have built up a small collection, one or two pairs of the traditional clog, a pair of wellies and so forth. Lately there have been a number of mid-season sales at the various online sellers of Crocs and I have indulged in a pair of closed pumps, some sandals, and a slingback.

Finding comfortable shoes is a bit of an issue for me so when I find some, another pair is sometimes wanted. And this is where the problem starts...

My shoe size varies between a UK6.5 and a UK7, which in Crocs should be M7 / W9. But that W9 is never the same twice - even in the same style of shoe. A variation between styles of shoe is understandable, but surely not the same style? Yes, the shoes are manufactured in different countries, but even shoes made in the same country now vary.

I've even had one pair (sandals) where not only were the second pair smaller than the first, but the shoes themselves didn't match: one was at least two sizes smaller than the other, though they were marked up the same.

It's no use trying on a pair in a shop before ordering online, either, as the pair you receive by mail will probably be different to those you try on in the shop; plus, my nearest stockist is miles away. The Crocs website list of stockists is at least two years out of date for my area.

Of my last purchases of Crocs, 50% have been returned already (at my cost - so far, over £18) because they did not fit, though the correct size was ordered and that size was marked on the sole; they were all too small, some very much so. As they were ordered on the strength of the fit and comfort of the same shoes already owned - and some purchased only days before - this is very irritating. In the last month I've had to return three pairs and have another pair here waiting (this time) for a returns label.

I have twice emailed Crocs European HQ about this poor quality control but have yet to receive a reply. It isn't the fault of the sellers, who inform me it is a long standing issue. It's dreadful and is really putting me off buying Crocs, which is sad, as when they fit properly they are so comfortable and have been a real help to me.

I have photos but the site won't let me post links.

My most comfortable Crocs were made in Italy and Bosnia; I have several pairs made in China and while some are fine, ALL the rejected ones have been Chinese made. The pairs from China tend to be harder and less "squishy" too.

Crocs say in their packaging that "slight" differences in sizing are not considered a fault of the shoe, but I would strongly disagree if one is unable to buy two pairs of the same style, from the same country, marked the same size and for them to actually BE the same size.

And.... breathe!

Dunroamin

FabApocalypse wrote: »

My most comfortable Crocs were made in Italy and Bosnia; I have several pairs made in China and while some are fine, ALL the rejected ones have been Chinese made. The pairs from China tend to be harder and less "squishy" too.

I've just found exactly this with some I've bought; I think they're fakes.

FabApocalypse

With the exception of one pair bought on eBay, all my Crocs have been from official Crocs stockists so I don't think they're fakes.

Maybe Crocs are being let down by their Chinese factories; if you saw the photo of the "odd pair" of sandals I had, you would laugh. Can't see how anybody would let them through any sort of quality control process.

donnac2558

I might be able to answer this one.;)

First pair I bought from a small shop in a shopping centre they sold nothing but Crocs. I am a size 3/36 and asked advise about which size I needed. I was told to go up a size and not the size 3 which were actually children's.

Anyway the guy explained to me Crocs have factories in different countries and they make according to that country's sizing system. So though it may say a UK/US/Euro size on the bottom of the shoe they will have Chinese etc sizing standards. The ones made in China will always be slightly narrower and smaller than those made in say the US which seems to have the widest fitting. The ones made in Europe fit in between.

As for the softness thing, different colours can be the factor the rubber/plastic. I have two US made pairs one is gold and very soft the others a burgundy which is harder and stiffer.

FabApocalypse

donnac2558 wrote: »

I might be able to answer this one.;)

The ones made in China will always be slightly narrower and smaller than those made in say the US which seems to have the widest fitting. The ones made in Europe fit in between.

Sorry, that's not so; of the three styles of which I've recently had to return one pair each, ALL were made in China. The first pairs of each I own fit perfectly. I also own two pairs of another style where a pair made in China and one in Bosnia are a perfect match for size (though not texture). This is what makes it all so frustrating, there's just no consistency; you can't even ask the supplier nicely to send you a pair made wherever as there's still no guarantee.

Also: should they not make the shoes for the market they're to be sold in, rather than expect the market to fit the shoes? Or at least have a worldwide level playing field so that the customer can find their right size once and for all and then buy it, every time? Seems to make more business sense...

It would seem simple to say "Just go up a size", but if you do, you still don't know if you will get a small UK8, or a large UK8, or whatever, leaving the same doubt as to what to order. As I've said before I can understand variations in the mould between styles of shoes, but not within the same style.

Also, Crocs have a larger step in sizes between UK7 and UK8 than they do between their other (adult) sizes. UK7 is given as the equivalent of Euro size 39-40 but UK8 is not Euro 40-41 as you might expect following the usual pattern but jumps to Euro 41-42. Often, just too big.

Reading up on this issue online you can find hundreds of customer reviews with the same issue going back in time. At first I was confused by people saying they'd ordered up a size as suggested but the shoes were still far too small, thinking that UK customers had ordered the two-sizes-smaller US size by mistake, but recent experiences have shown that the size discrepancies are actually manufactured in.

Just wish Crocs would take ownership of the problem and attempt to standardise things; other "global" companies manage it. So far, though, no response to my emailing their customer services department. Not even an acknowledgement.

Yorkie1

I couldn't get crocs to fit, so have a few pairs of holey soles instead.

Hugh_B

Please be very careful about buying Crocs off the inter web. I did and they arrived and did not fit as they were too small- I had even got the next half size up just in case.

Anyway, I decided to return them and had to pay the cost of posting them to the Netherlands at my own expense, despite them essentially being faulty and the fact that I bought them off the UK site.

Of course, getting a refund on the postage cost is impossible as they do not have any customer services that engage with you. This is a shame at the Dutch are very friendly people).

worried48

I know I am dragging up an old thread - searched google for the subject and this came up - but this issue drives me constantly up the wall too. I have a pair of Beach made in Romania that werre HUGE - at least a size too big even for my extremely wide feet. I have a pair of Caymans made in Italy that were almost perfect, I have had Bayas allegedly the same size varying by something like two sizes, and today I have had two pairs arrive of beach (supposedly discontinued) both made in China and both a tight fit (this is supposed to be the widest crocs and your feet are not supposed to touch the sides). Why on earth can't Crocs just sort this out? They have been in business for long enough now!