PSA: Crocs shrink (and how to unshrink them)

[Geodoc]

I'll be doing the CF in the summer, and unfortunately, due to the size of my feet (I could give Sasquatch a run for his money) I have to strap my Croc sandals to the outside of my pack. Crocs apparently shrink when exposed to direct sun (and heat). Fortunately, they can also be unshrunk (is that a word?) back to the original size with heat. Here's a good link that explains how to do it: How to Un-Shrink Croc Shoes That Have Shrunk.

I think it would probably work to just put the hot Crocs on while they're still hot from the sun (but have socks or something else covering your feet to prevent burning) upon arrival at the albergue. I'll see how this works in three months.

If anyone has prior experience with this (unshrinking, that is, not getting feet burned by hot Crocs), please comment.

 

[Vacajoe]

My daughter has worn crocs for 15 years in the hot, hot sun of Sacramento, California. She often left them outside in the sun, but shrinkage was NEVER an issue. My size 14 Crocs often hung on the outside of my pack this past spring while walking the CF and I also never experienced that issue. Not sure it’s a problem you need to worry about.

 

[easygoing]

Yes, I have experience with shrinking and stretching Crocs. My husband left his in the sun on the porch and they shrank. For myself I ordered a new pair and they were too loose.
Well, place your Crocs in the dryer for 5 minutes with a couple of towels on medium to high. Don't be surprised when they look even smaller. Put them on over thick socks and wear them until cool.
If your Crocs are too big the dryer will shrink them. If the first time you try this you stretch them too much, just repeat the process. I wish I would have known this before I gave all my brand new loose Crocs to my daughter. I love Crocs but the sizes vary according to style.

 

[Felice]

Is there any way to stretch crocs a little? My Mary Jane crocs are just a bit tight and I'd love to stretch the back strap a bit.

 

[Geodoc]

Try using the method I posted the link to. That might work.

 

[RumAndChupacabras]

Only recently am I giving serious thought to purchasing Crocs. This is the first I'm reading about shrinking. Thanks for this thread and replies!

 

[Former member 49149]

I'll be doing the CF in the summer, and unfortunately, due to the size of my feet (I could give Sasquatch a run for his money) I have to strap my Croc sandals to the outside of my pack. Crocs apparently shrink when exposed to direct sun (and heat). Fortunately, they can also be unshrunk (is that a word?) back to the original size with heat. Here's a good link that explains how to do it: How to Un-Shrink Croc Shoes That Have Shrunk.

I think it would probably work to just put the hot Crocs on while they're still hot from the sun (but have socks or something else covering your feet to prevent burning) upon arrival at the albergue. I'll see how this works in three months.

If anyone has prior experience with this (unshrinking, that is, not getting feet burned by hot Crocs), please comment.

Ha! You learn something new every day. Shrinking crocs... yesterday I found the one shop in Dublin (that I could find in the city centre) that stocks Crocs. Plenty advertise, but then the assistants look at you blankly, no, we don’t stock them... there used to be a shop... I know there used to be a shop. I never did go in to it. However, back to the shop where I bought not one but two pairs of crocs yesterday. Why? A few reasons. My second toe on left foot has decided to part company from its 71 year old space and move east. So I want to try to tame it with the between toe strap on both styles. The flat pair will be for the pool, on or off camino. The mesh pair will be for when the day’s walking is done. Either will be fine for using in the shower. I don’t plan on leaving them outside my pack while walking, and they are both soft and squishable. They weigh very little. I have a very broad foot and both sandal styles are fine for me. They are usable for many occasions, on or off camino. I did manage to wear my keen sandals everywhere this last year, so walking on that kind of footbed isn’t a problem. So I will walk in my trusty meindl shoes and recover in my airy crocs. Let’s see how it works...

 

[Geodoc]

Hello! Geodoc, thanks for the link! I was looking for some shrink methods and u gave a such good info. How do you thing is some of them works on kids Crocs? We have Crocband Clog (first one here ) Thank you once more!

Try the dryer method mentioned by easygoing earlier in the thread.