I wore Crocs all summer — I was shocked to find out they made my feet grow (2024)

Sounds like she had some big shoes to fill.

An Irish woman named Leah, 23, has claimed that wearing her Crocs for months at a time made her feet grow one shoe size, The Mirror reported.

The popular shoe company — known for lightweight and comfortable products — sells various styles and colors of clogs and sandals that go for around $49.

Leah, who goes by Leahsickofthis on TikTok, posted a video about her experience with the shoes that has snagged over 286,000 views since being posted five days ago.

“So everyone’s been talking about how they’ve been wearing Crocs so much that their feet have started expanding and their feet are a lot bigger… Let me tell you guys I wore Crocs all summer in 2019,” she said.

“I was originally size five, I wore Crocs all summer in 2019 for three months straight when I was in America. I came home and none of my shoes fit me, I went from a size five to a size six. So just putting that out there. I don’t wear Crocs that often anymore, in fact barely ever, and I’ve stayed a size six. So use that information for whatever purpose you want,” she added.

Some of Leah’s followers shared similar experiences of their own.

“I went from a size 7 to size 8 over lockdown —didn’t wear any shoes in the house and when i went out i only wore crocs for legit 6 months,” one wrote, ensuring other viewers that Leah’s story wasn’t a total croc-k.

“OMGGGG I WAS SAYING THIS. all my other shoes hurt me and feel too tight 😂,” another wrote.

“I had to go up a size as well, worn Crocs for like a year now daily, not out just inside but yeah, big old feet 🥺,” said a third.

While Leah’s post said her feet grew, she told The Post: “I love Crocs and don’t believe it’s the actual shoe that causes your feet to grow hahahaha.”

Several podiatrists have warned against wearing Crocs all the time.

“Unfortunately Crocs are not suitable for all-day use,”Dr. Megan Leahy, a Chicago-based podiatrist with the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute, told the HuffPost.

‘These shoes do not adequately secure the heel. When the heel is unstable, toes tend to grip which can lead to tendinitis, worsening of toe deformities, nail problems, corns and calluses. The same thing can happen with flip flops or any backless shoes as the heel is not secured.”

Dr. Alex Kor, the president of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, said that crocs lack a shank — a specific type of support structure.

“I see patients who come into my office complaining of arch or heel pain and they are wearing Crocs,” he said, according to Foot Files.

“Patients are more likely to have foot pain if their shoes bend in the shank.”

Kor said, “Under no circ*mstances can I suggest wearingCrocs8 to 10 hours per day.” Although, patients with a high arch and edema, swelling caused by trapped fluid, in the feet and ankles, can safely wear Crocs more frequently.

While it’s not certain if Crocs alone can make people’s feet get bigger, feet tend to grow in size as people age, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

“With every step youtake, yourbody absorbs two to three times itsweight due to gravity’s unrelenting pull. That takes a toll on your feet — so much so that it actually changes their shape,” the site explains.

“The ligaments and tendons that support the arch in your foot become worn from use,” said podiatrist Nicole Nicolosi.

“As that happens, the arch slowly collapses — and that flattening results in your foot getting a bit longer or wider.”

Crocs surged in popularity over the COVID lockdown as people opted for more comfortable shoe options. And being barefoot more during the lockdown also led to foot problems, according to Marcela Correa, a licensed professional Medical Pedicurist.

“People were barefoot for so long. So their feet changed, but the shoes didn’t change,” she told The Post.