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How to Fix Crocs Strap? Comprehensive Guide

How to Fix Crocs Strap

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Crocs clogs are beloved by many for their comfort and versatility. However, one common issue that Crocs wearers face is dealing with broken straps. The thin plastic straps connecting the top of Crocs to the base can become damaged over time from regular use. Fortunately, there are several methods to fix broken Crocs straps at home. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know!

What Causes Crocs Straps to Break?

Before learning how to fix them, it’s helpful to understand what causes Crocs straps to break in the first place.

1. Daily Wear and Tear

The light, flexible material that makes up Crocs straps is vulnerable to stress from daily use. Over time, the constant movement of relaxing and tightening the straps weakens the plastic. Areas that endure the most tension are typically the first places cracks will emerge.

Pulling the straps too tightly when putting your Crocs on or taking them off also adds additional strain. This can expand small cracks or cause new ones to form.

2. Quality Issues

In some cases, cracks and breaks in Crocs straps are the result of defects rather than gradual wear and tear. Factors like weak glue at the attachment points, thin or flimsy strap material, or issues from the original manufacturing process can all precipitate cracks and snaps.

If your Crocs straps broke very early on or with very little prior use, quality problems may be to blame.

3. Accidental Damage

It’s not uncommon for Crocs straps to fall victim to accidental damage. Stepping on the heel strap when taking your Crocs off, getting the straps caught on furniture or fences, pets biting and pulling at the straps, or other incidents can cause sudden breaks or tears.

Kids’ hyperactive play or more accident-prone adult wearers may be more susceptible to this type of damage.

Continue reading: Can Crocs go into the dishwasher

Assessing Damage on Broken Crocs Straps

When faced with a broken Crocs strap, the first step is to carefully inspect where and how the damage has occurred. This will allow you to determine the best strategy for repair.

1. Check All Sides and Edges

Examine the straps closely, looking along all sides and edges for any cracks, punctures, or tears. Peer inside the cracks as well to assess how deep and extensive they may be.

2. Look For Ripped Anchoring Points

See if damage is isolated to the thin straps themselves, or if cracks extend down into the solid top or base sections of the Crocs at the anchoring points. This may affect your repair options.

3. Determine If Total Replacement Is Needed

If the strap has snapped completely in half or has tears longer than a couple of inches, total replacement rather than repair may be necessary. Extreme damage often warrants swapping the broken strap out for a brand new one.

How to Repair a Broken Crocs Strap?

If your inspection reveals that your damaged Crocs strap can still be salvaged, several effective repair techniques are available:

1. Patching Small Holes and Tears

For minor damage like small punctures, thin cracks, pinholes, or short slit-like tears up to half an inch long, patching provides an easy remedy.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to patching holes or tears in Crocs straps:

  1. Thoroughly clean the damaged strap with rubbing alcohol and allow to fully dry.
  2. Cut a patch out of weatherproof athletic tape or moleskin slightly larger than the hole/tear area.
  3. If desired, trim patch into a fun shape with decorative scissors.
  4. Apply a layer of waterproof flexible adhesive like E-6000 or Stormsure.
  5. Press the patch firmly onto the damaged area and hold for 30 seconds.
  6. Allow the patch to cure for 24 hours before wearing your repaired Crocs.

2. Reattaching Detached Straps

If your Crocs strap has separated fully from the base of the shoe at the attachment point, prompt action is required to resecure it. For best results:

  1. Align the detached strap precisely back into its original position against the anchoring hole in the Crocs base.
  2. Mark holes on either side of existing one if they cannot be easily located.
  3. Apply waterproof adhesive along the full length of the underside of the strap.
  4. Insert a Phillips head screw on one side, screwing down tightly.
  5. Insert and tighten another screw on the opposite side.
  6. Hold the strap securely for 1 minute as the adhesive cures. Then test stability before wearing.

3. Sewing Extreme Tears

While less common than smaller cracks or complete breaks, it is possible for a Crocs strap to split wide open from extreme tension. For long tears exceeding an inch:

  1. Thoroughly clean inside the tear. Apply adhesive to the edges.
  2. Pinch edges together tightly and bind in place with locking pliers for 5 minutes.
  3. Use an upholstery needle and UV-resistant nylon thread. Push needle through both sides of tear at one end and knot securely.
  4. Stitch along the length of the tear using ladder stitch technique, spacing stitches 1⁄2 inch apart.
  5. Tie off thread when finished and add dabs of adhesive over each stitch. Allow 12 hours curing time before use.

Replacing Severely Damaged Crocs Straps

If your broken Crocs strap is beyond DIY repair due to extensive damage, purchasing a replacement strap is the next best option before having to replace the whole shoe. Here are some tips for replacing destroyed Crocs straps:

1. Buy The Correct Replacement Straps

Crocs offers replacement straps for most of their shoe models available for purchase directly through their website. Make sure to select the exact match for your specific Crocs style.

You can also find off-brand Crocs strap replacements on Amazon, eBay, and other major retailers which tend to be more budget-friendly.

2. Copy Photos to Find Identical Straps

If struggling to locate the right replacement, take photos of your existing straps from multiple angles. Use these pictures to find identical aftermarket straps even without knowing the official model name.

3. Trace Your Old Strap onto New Straps

For a perfect custom fit, lay your new replacement Crocs straps over the top of your damaged ones. Use a pen to carefully trace along the outline of your old straps onto the new ones. Cut out the new straps following your traced lines.

4. Reinforce Strap Anchors With Washers

When re-attaching replacement straps onto your Crocs, add slim metal washers around the attachment screws for enhanced durability. This distributes tension over more material, preventing future cracking.

How to Fix Crocs Strap

Credit: www.reddit.com

Helpful Products for Crocs Strap Repairs

Completing DIY repairs on broken Crocs straps requires some specialized products you may not already have on hand:

  • Waterproof flexible adhesive – Permanently bonds plastic components like E-6000 or Shoe Goo
  • Weatherproof athletic tape – Ideal self-adhesive patch material resistant to moisture and wear
  • Upholstery needles – Designed to pass through thick, tough synthetic materials without bending
  • Nylon thread – Withstands sun, salt, and chlorine without degrading over time
  • Replacement rivets or screws – Created specifically to handle tension and weight on Crocs straps
  • EVA foam – Can be fabricated into DIY Crocs strap replacements

Investing in these products will give you everything needed for successful broken Crocs strap repairs.

Preventing Future Damage to Crocs Straps

While knowing how to properly fix them is useful, preventing Crocs strap breaks in the first place is ideal. Here are some tips to help your Crocs straps stand the test of time:

1. Check Straps Frequently

Make quick inspections of your Crocs part of your regular routine. Look over the straps before each wear for any new cracks or flaws developing. Address them immediately before they can worsen.

2. Avoid Over-Tightening

Be mindful not to pull the Crocs straps too tightly when putting your shoes on or taking them off. This strains the fragile material, eventually causing it to tear under the tension.

3. Protect Straps When Not Worn

To limit unnecessary environmental wear and tear, store your Crocs indoors rather than leaving them outside on a patio or porch when not being worn. Keeping them in a closet or covered storage bin will help protect the straps.

4. Consider Swapping Decorations Periodically

If you adorn your Crocs straps with Jibbitz charms or badges, change them out to give areas hidden underneath time to recover resilience. Constant pressure from heavy decor in the same spots speeds up cracking over time.

5. Hand Wash Straps

Use a small amount of mild soap and water to gently clean your Crocs straps by hand. Avoid harsh scrub brushes. Rinse thoroughly then apply fabric conditioner to restore suppleness to the material.

When to Seek Professional Help?

Repairing simple cracks and holes on Crocs straps can certainly be managed at home. But more complicated projects with extensive damage may require turning to a shoe expert. Signs it’s time to seek professional assistance include:

  • Complete detached top or bottom sections
  • Cracks wider than 1⁄4 inch
  • Deep punctures or gashes wider than 1 inch
  • Damage extending down into the sole of the shoe
  • Poor at-home repair results

In these cases, take your damaged Crocs to a qualified cobbler or shoe repair shop. They have commercial grade tools and materials for flawless repairs beyond DIY capabilities.

Creative Ways to Replace Crocs Straps

If faced with no choice but to replace – rather than repair – hopelessly broken Crocs straps, why stick with boring plain replacements? Get creative by adding some personal flair with homemade options:

1. Braided Fabric Straps

Cut colorful fabric strips to size. Tightly braid 3-5 pieces together per strap for a playful boho vibe. Stitch ends and glue braids onto Crocs base.

2. Statement Ribbon Ties

Wide grosgrain ribbon makes for fun tied Crocs straps. Leave longer tails to tie in big bows for a trendy style statement. use fabric glue applied in a zig-zag pattern to securely adhere ties to shoes.

3. Interchangeable Straps

Get crafty by covering basic Velcro-closure replacement straps in an assortment of customized slipcovers. Swap out fabric covers daily to match outfits or mood.

FAQs: Repairing Broken Crocs Straps

What type of glue works best for repairing Crocs?

For broken Crocs, a flexible urethane-based waterproof adhesive like Gorilla Glue or Shoe Fix Glue provides the strongest, longest-lasting bond specifically designed for plastic polymers and foam materials.

Where can I buy replacement rivets for Crocs straps?

Replacement plastic rivets made exclusively for Crocs straps can be purchased directly from the Crocs website or from online retailers like Amazon and Walmart that carry Crocs accessories. Be sure to match the style and size of the original rivets in your shoes.

Can I temporarily fix a broken Crocs strap with tape?

Wrapping duct tape or clear packing tape around a cracked Crocs strap can serve as a temporary emergency fix until a more permanent DIY solution or professional repair is possible. But tape should not be used as an indefinite solution since adhesive will eventually fail.

How much does it cost to have Crocs straps professionally repaired?

Prices can range widely depending on extent of damage, but simple Crocs strap repairs generally start around $5-10 at most shoemaking and shoe repair shops. More complex fixes with fully detached straps or sections needing Bondo-fill treatment may run $15-25.

Can I DIY Crocs straps using household materials?

Yes! With some creativity, you can fabricate custom replacement Crocs straps from things like folded denim strips, canvas strapping, braided paracord, folded foam yoga blocks attached with industrial hook & loop fastener, or even the plastic from gallon milk jugs.

In Conclusion

It can be frustrating when a cherished pair of Crocs gets sidelined by a broken strap. But whether you choose to patch, glue, screw, stitch or fully replace your damaged straps, this guide has your back. Follow our techniques to salvage your favorite Crocs clogs from the brink – and take some preventative measures to help those straps go the distance. Just be sure to inspect monthly and act fast once cracks appear. Here’s to many more happy, comfy years with your restored Crocs!

Writer’s Thoughts and Opinions

As a longtime Crocs fan, I feel the strap system is one component where there is room for improvement in future designs. The thin plastic simply can’t endure the daily flexing and pulling stress that such a high-tension area undergoes. I would love to see Crocs experiment with more durable materials like braided nylon webbing or bungee cord components in the next generations. But for now, DIY repairs or replacements seem to be the most pragmatic option to extend a beloved pair’s lifespan when inevitable cracks take their toll. It’s simply part of being a Croc lover!

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