How Many Holes Do Crocs Have?

To understand the 13 holes of Crocs, you have to go back to where and how Crocs came to exist in the first place.

1. Origins of Crocs in 2002

Crocs were born out of a desire to create the ultimate boating shoe. In 2002, three friends – Scott Seamans, Lyndon “Duke” Hanson, and George Boedecker Jr. – founded Crocs as a company focused on innovative footwear.

The goal was to develop a shoe that was perfect for boating and water sports. The ideal product would be comfortable, lightweight, waterproof, and fast-drying.

In 2002, they debuted their first model, the “Beach” shoe. This original Crocs design already had holes across the top of the clog to allow for drainage and airflow. The holes were key to creating a shoe that could transition seamlessly from water to land environments.

Made from a proprietary closed-cell resin called Croslite, the first Crocs delivered on being waterproof, buoyant, and non-marking. The functional focus was on versatility for activities like sailing, fishing, and gardening. Little did the founders know then that Crocs would soon catch on as a popular casual shoe too.

2. Evolution of the Classic Clog Design

In 2003, Crocs introduced the model that would soon make them globally famous – the Classic Clog. This iconic design debuted the signature elements that remain synonymous with Crocs today: the 13 holes punctured across the top and the single-piece Croslite resin construction.

The 13 holes weren’t merely a fashion statement. They served important functional purposes, similar to the first Beach model. The clog style maximized airflow circulation to keep feet comfortable and prevent odor. The holes also allowed water to drain out easily if the shoes got wet.

Overall, the lightweight 13-hole design reduced pressure and rubbing on feet, making the Classic Clog ideal for extended wear. As nurses, chefs, gardeners, and other workers started wearing them, Crocs were cemented as the ultimate comfort shoe.

3. Rise in Popularity of Crocs

Although initially popular in boating circles, Crocs soon gained mainstream appeal in the mid-2000s. Their quirky clog design stood out from traditional shoes and caught on as a fashion trend.

Bright neon colors were introduced, furthering the shoes’ popularity. Sales began to skyrocket as Crocs developed an almost cult-like following. Their antimicrobial properties and slip-resistant soles made them a footwear favorite for medical professionals and restaurant workers.

Soon Crocs weren’t just seen on sailors and gardeners – celebrities like Michelle Obama, George Clooney, and Adam Sandler were spotted wearing them. The holey clogs had officially gone mainstream.

At the peak of their popularity in 2007, Crocs sold over 50 million pairs worldwide. The brand was valued at over $1 billion and became synonymous with the peculiar 13-hole shoe style.

4. Introduction of Jibbitz Charms in 2006

Capitalizing on the 13 holes across Classic Clogs, Crocs introduced Jibbitz charm accessories in 2006. These decorative charms snap into the Crocs holes to allow for customization and personalization.

Jibbitz enabled wearers to transform the look of their Crocs with flowers, cartoon characters, sports team logos, flags, letters, and other small trinkets. They essentially turned the 13 Crocs holes into a blank canvas for creativity and self-expression.

Founded by two stay-at-home moms in Colorado, the Jibbitz brand was acquired by Crocs in 2006 and became a lucrative secondary product line. To date, over 200 million Jibbitz have been sold worldwide.

The introduction of Jibbitz solidified the 13 Crocs holes as central to the brand’s success. No longer just functional cutouts, the holes also doubled as fashion features.

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So how exactly do the 13 holes benefit Crocs wearers? What design problems were they solving? Let’s break down the functionality behind each hole.

1. Ventilation and Breathability

One of the main reasons for the holes in Crocs is ventilation. The Croslite foam material can cause feet to sweat and overheat if worn for too long. The 13 openings allow air to circulate around your feet as you walk.

This airflow cools and dries sweaty feet to prevent odors. It creates a more breathable and comfortable environment for your feet, especially in hot weather. Keeping feet dry and aired out was a priority for an amphibious shoe meant to transition between water and land.

2. Drainage and Drying

As a waterproof boating and beach shoe, the Crocs needed a drainage system. The 13 holes serve that exact purpose – allowing water to quickly drain out if the shoes get wet or submerged.

Rather than having to manually dump out water logged Crocs, the holes provide immediate drainage so the shoes can dry faster. The open sides also assist with ventilation to quicken drying time after water activities.

Tested and proven drainage was essential for the original Crocs sailing purpose. And it still comes in handy for poolside or lake adventures today.

3. Lightweight Design

The material reduction from carving 13 holes out of each Crocs clog results in a lighter shoe overall. Fewer solid areas means less total resin is needed to construct the Croslite uppers.

This weight reduction increases comfort and flexibility when wearing Crocs. You experience less foot fatigue since the shoe puts less strain and pressure on your feet over time.

The lightweight and airy design makes Crocs feel barely there when walking or standing for extended periods.

4. Improved Circulation

In addition to airflow, the 13 holes improve blood circulation in your feet. Combined with the massage-like nubs along the footbed, the holes help increase blood flow as you walk.

This improved circulation aids in comfort, especially if you’ll be on your feet all day long. As blood flows easier, your feet will feel less swollen or sore compared to a fully enclosed shoe.

5. Traction and Grip

The holes allow the Crocs sole to flex and grip terrain better. As the clog bends and moves, the holes help improve slip resistance on wet or uneven ground.

This was an important benefit for sailing and boating, where good traction prevents slipping on a wet deck. The holes enable Croslite to flex naturally for stable footing where you need it most.

6. Easy to Clean and Dry

The open Crocs design makes them a breeze to clean after heavy use. You can quickly rinse out dirt, food spills, and other debris that will inevitably get caught in the holes and footbed.

Water drains freely out the holes after cleaning. And improved airflow means your Crocs will be dry and ready to wear again shortly after washing.

Keeping Crocs fresh and odor-free is easy thanks to the holey design that doesn’t trap in moisture or dirt.

7. Style and Customization

The 13 holes have undoubtedly become a signature stylistic element of Crocs’ iconic clog silhouette. They’re just as integral to the brand’s visual identity as the single-piece resin construction.

In the early days, the holes were purely functional. But now they also provide customizable flair via Jibbitz decorations. Wearers can express their style, personality, and interests by outfitting their Crocs with unique charms.

The holes enable creativity and give Crocs an advantage over other shoes when it comes to standing out.

8. Reduces Amount of Material

An underrated sustainability benefit of the 13 holes is reducing overall material use. Less resin is needed per pair thanks to the material saved from the cutouts.

This reduces manufacturing waste and saves costs that are passed onto consumers through more affordable pricing. There are also fewer off-gassing issues associated with Croslite versus rubber.

So simple design choices like holes can create more eco and budget friendly production.

The 13 holes per shoe is a distinct signature of the Classic Crocs clog style worn by millions globally. But you may be wondering – are there other Crocs styles that break this rule?

• The standard Classic Clog has 13 holes across each upper shoe. This remains consistent across men’s, women’s, and children’s sizing.
• Flip flop styles, however, have a reduced hole count of 6 per upper, or 3 along the toe ridge. The openness of the thong sandal means less need for ventilation.
• Crocs’ work-focused specialty shoes, like the Literide Pacer and Bistro Pro, are often closed-toe without any holes. These provide cover for medical or food service environments.
• Other exceptions are found in the CrocsRx line for nurses and doctors. These clogs have enclosed uppers without holes for safety and hygiene.
• Newer iterations like the Crocs Literide have smaller, more numerous holes along the sides. These maintain breathability while improving structural integrity.

So while variances exist across niche products, the 13 holes remain an integral part of Crocs’ DNA. If a Crocs clog doesn’t have exactly 13 holes, it’s likely not a classic model.

Holes are a telltale way to recognize genuine Crocs from knockoffs. Fakes often have more or less than 13 holes, made from generic EVA foam rather than Croslite resin. So if holes don’t add up, authenticity likely doesn’t either.

It’s clear the 13 Crocs holes serve many functional purposes. But why specifically 13? Is there a meaning behind this mystical number?

Unfortunately there doesn’t appear to be any grand significance to the number itself. Thirteen was simply the quantity of holes settled on in the original Classic Clog design back in 2003.

There’s no evidence of symbolic meaning behind 13 specifically. Rather, it struck the ideal balance between air circulation, drainage, weight reduction, and structural integrity.

However, the number 13 does hold a deeper significance in establishing Crocs’ brand identity. The consistent 13 holes per clog is unique to Crocs. No other brand of resin clogs shares this telltale feature.

The holes have become the distinguishing factor of Crocs’ iconically ugly shoes. They signify far more than just ventilation or drainage. To fans, the holes represent Crocs’ storied history of innovative comfort footwear.

So while 13 started arbitrarily, it evolved into something integral to the Crocs brand. The holes are an easy way to spot counterfeits and show off your Crocs pride.

The open holes that make Crocs so great also require some care and maintenance. Here are useful tips for keeping your holey Crocs in top shape:

1. Regular cleaning:

• Wash Crocs often with mild soap and water to prevent dirt buildup. Avoid harsh cleaners that can degrade Croslite.
• Use Crocs brand cleaning wipes to refresh in between washes, especially in holes and tread.
• Spray Crocs with disinfectant after exposure to public places like airports or amusement parks.

2. Odor prevention:

• Sprinkle antimicrobial baking soda into holes and footbed to absorb odors. Let sit before wiping out.
• Remove footbeds and wash separately with soap and water to clean hidden bacteria.
• Place holey Crocs into a sealed bag in the freezer overnight to kill odor causing germs.

3. Modifications:

• Block holes with removable plugs when working with dirt or liquids that could leak through.
• Swap out Jibbitz often to match your outfit or mood. Avoid leaving one in long term.
• Stick adhesive tape over holes to customize your Crocs with patterns or designs.

4. Damage control:

• Inspect your Crocs regularly for holes that have gotten stretched out or damaged.
• Use a toothpick and super glue to repair smaller cracking or gaps between holes.
• For larger rips, patches and at-home Crocs repair kits can mend holes good as new.

With proper care, your well-loved holey Crocs can keep going strong for years. Take advantage of their design by actively washing, drying, and customizing your Croc creations.

In the 20 years since Crocs debuted, they’ve continued to push innovation while holding onto core DNA like the iconic 13 holes. Some brand milestones give hints about holes in future Crocs products.

• New materials: Croslite foam evolves with versions like Croslite XT adding reinforced tear resistance. But improved durability hasn’t led to reducing hole counts.
• Unconventional collaborations: Partnering with celebrities like Post Malone and Justin Bieber brings 13-hole Crocs to new demographics.
• Trendy new silhouettes: From wedges, to slides, to fur-lined boots, Crocs explores beyond basic clogs but often keeps holes present.
• Playful Jibbitz: Customization remains central to the Crocs brand. More holes could allow for larger Jibbitz or multiple charms per opening.

While only time will tell what’s next for this funky footwear brand, it seems likely Crocs will stick to their holey heritage.

The signature 13 holes have become too synonymous with the Crocs legacy to ever fully abandon. As long as Crocs keeps making resin clogs, expect to see holes holding strong for generations to come.

In the end, the 13 holes defining every pair of Classic Crocs clogs serve both aesthetic and functional purposes. The holes provide ventilation, drainage, weight reduction, and customization that benefit wearers greatly.

But they also give Crocs an iconic identifier that’s persisted unchanged for decades. The holes offer a peek into the brand’s origins as an amphibious boating shoe and represent innovation against conformity.

For Crocs lovers, the holes are a badge of pride and source of self-expression. For critics, they perfectly embody the polarizing clog’s ugly-chic style.

Yet for all, the 13 holes are an integral design aspect responsible for the meteoric rise of Crocs from humble boating company to global footwear phenomenon. They demonstrate how sometimes the smallest details can shape an entire brand story.

So next time you spot those familiar perforations, remember there’s more beneath the surface of Crocs holes than just empty space. In those 13 carefully placed openings lies an intricate history of comfort, function, and nonconformity that made Crocs the shoes we love to hate.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Crocs holes:

Why are there exactly 13 holes in Crocs?

The number 13 was chosen for the original Classic Clog design in the early 2000s. Specific reasons aren’t clear, but 13 delivered an optimal balance of air circulation, drainage, weight reduction, and design aesthetic.

Do any Crocs have more or less than 13 holes?

Most classic Crocs clogs have 13 holes per shoe. But some styles like flip flops or work-focused clogs have fewer or zero holes due to their more open or enclosed design needs.

What are the holes in Crocs called?

Crocs has referred to the 13 holes as “portholes” in official brand communications, evoking the nautical origins. But most fans simply call them holes or perforations.

Can you add extra holes to your Crocs?

It is possible to customize your Crocs by carefully drilling, punching or melting new holes, but this could damage their structure. Most advise keeping to the original 13 holes per clog.

How can you tell fake Crocs by the holes?

Authentic Crocs Classic clogs should always have 13 holes per shoe. Fakes tend to have more, less or uneven numbers of holes. The shape and spacing of holes is another indicator of knockoffs.

In my opinion, the 13 holes are an ingenious and integral design feature of Crocs clogs. Not only do they serve practical purposes like ventilation and drainage, they’ve become symbolically tied to Crocs’ identity and origin story.

It’s amazing that such a simple design choice – the number and placement of holes – could come to represent an entire global brand. The consistency of 13 holes per Classic Clog makes them a satisfying signature that immediately identifies a pair of shoes as Crocs.

While the comfort and convenience of Crocs are what initially drew me in, the holes are what kept me loyal to the brand. I love that they enable customization and self-expression with Jibbitz charms. The holes offer that subtle hit of fun and whimsy that offset Crocs’ clunky clog silhouette.

I think Crocs was smart to embrace the 13 holes as an iconic brand element early on. They leaned into the unique design rather than hiding it, which emotionally endeared Crocs to so many wearers.

As Crocs continues to evolve and release new styles, I hope they never stray too far from their holey heritage. To me, the original 13-hole clog will always represent the pinnacle of Crocs comfort and personality. I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

So in summary, Crocs holes are far more than just practical cutouts to me. They represent ingenuity, comfort and staying true to your roots – values that have helped Crocs stand the test of time in an ever-changing industry. I don’t see my loyalty to this holey icon wavering anytime soon.