The 13 Fastest Ways to Identify Counterfeit Crocs

Easily find out if your Crocs are real vs. fake

Co-authored by Bailey Bujnosek, BA Reviewed by Matt Underhill

Last Updated: September 17, 2025 Fact Checked

Crocs are a comfy footwear classic, but there’s been a rise in counterfeit Crocs (or Croc-offs) sold by third-party sellers. If you’ve ordered from a retailer other than Crocs to save money or snag a sold-out collaboration, there’s a chance your new Crocs are fake. Wondering how to tell? Read on for common signs a pair of Crocs isn’t the real deal.

Quick Ways to Spot Fake Crocs

Accessories: Shoe authenticator Matt Underhill says to check which accessories are supposed to come with your Crocs.
Color: Check if your Crocs are in a color not sold on the official site.
Heel Strap: Feel for an overly-rigid or fixed heel strap.
Holes: Check that your pair has no more than 13 holes on each shoe.
Weight: Weigh your Croc—an adult pair should weigh 11–16 oz (311–453 g).
Detailing: Underhill advises checking for differences in detail on elements like the treads or logo.

1

Check if your Crocs aren’t in an official color.

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Each line of Crocs comes with its own unique array of colors with fun names like Moon Jelly and Dreamscape. Go to the official Crocs website and find the product that matches the one you have. If your shoe’s color isn’t an option, that’s a good sign your Croc is counterfeit.

2

Test if the heel strap is rigid.

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Genuine Crocs (especially Crocs Clog shoes) have a moveable heel strap that you can move to the front of the shoes to make them into sandals, or push to the back of the shoes for extra heel support. If your Crocs’ strap can’t pivot or is unusually stiff, your shoes could be fake.^{[1]
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3

Look for errors in the Duke crocodile logo.

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Inspect the Duke crocodile logo for inaccuracies. The logo typically appears on the buttons on both sides of the strap (on both shoes). Duke the crocodile should have two eyes, two hands with three fingers each, and six bumps on the back. The fourth bump from the top is bigger than the other bumps. If these details aren’t right, you could have counterfeit Crocs.
- Not every Croc has the Duke crocodile logo. Always check your product against the same item on the official Crocs website to know what it’s supposed to look like.

4

Inspect the logo button for mistakes.

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Reference the logo button against official Crocs images. Shoes that don’t have the Duke crocodile logo will have logo buttons on the sides of the straps. In the Literide line, the Crocs name is embossed in an oval; in the classic line, there’s simply a circular button. A missing button or one with typos and blurry printing indicates a fake Croc.^{[2]
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- Collaborations have unique logo buttons that represent the collaborating brand.

5

Check for missing or inaccurate information.

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Look at the outsole to see if the product information is there. Genuine Crocs should have the Crocs brand name with a trademark symbol (™), the official Crocs website address (www.crocs.com), the country of origin, size information (including a letter and number), and the city of production (often Boulder, Colorado).^{[3]
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- Not all Crocs products have all this information, but the majority of Crocs do. High-soled Croc lines may display origin information inside the shoe or the back strap. Collaborations may have additional information specific to the partnership.
- Missing or misspelled information on the outsole is a sign your Crocs are counterfeit.
- The Crocs website lists China, Italy, Mexico, Vietnam, and Bosnia as countries of origin.^{[4]
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  Research source} Crocs have also been manufactured in Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, and India.^{[5]
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6

Feel for heavy, low-quality materials.

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Weigh the Crocs to check for low-quality materials. Genuine Crocs are made with patented Croslite materials to give them their lightweight feel and flexibility. Knockoffs are made with low-quality materials like rubber. They’ll feel heavy and inflexible.^{[6]
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Research source} An adult pair of Crocs typically weighs between 11–16 ounces (310–450 g) .^{[7]
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Research source} Heavier shoes could be fakes.
- Kids Crocs will be lighter.
- You should be able to easily clean your Crocs, but fake Crocs could hold onto stains and scuffs more than real ones.

7

Look for missing or inaccurate design features.

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Check for circulation nubs and 13 holes per shoe. One of Crocs’ patented design features is the circulation nubs on the inner sole. Fake Crocs may have these little bumps, but they won’t feel the same as those in real Crocs. Real Crocs also have 13 holes on each shoe.^{[8]
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- Another design feature unique to Crocs is that almost every model is molded in one piece. If parts are glued together, your Croc is almost certainly counterfeit.

8

Test for lack of traction.

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Authentic Crocs have slip-resistant grooves on the bottom of the shoe to give you traction on wet surfaces. Carefully walk in your Crocs on a slippery surface—if you feel like you’re about to slide and fall, those may be counterfeit Crocs.^{[9]
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9

See if you have a fake tag.

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Use a barcode lookup tool to check the tag’s UPC. Every Croc shoe model has a unique Universal Product Code (UPC), the 12-digit number under the barcode. You can look it up online using a barcode lookup tool to confirm the tag matches the product it’s attached to.
- Other details on the tag include information about the product’s origin, distributor, materials, and sizing. If these are missing, the shoes could be fake.

10

Evaluate your Crocs for improper sizing.

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Regardless of what’s printed on the sole of your Crocs, the actual size of fake shoes may be wrong. If they feel suspiciously tight or loose on your feet—especially compared to other Crocs you’ve worn—they’re probably counterfeit.

11

Check for an uncomfortable feeling during wear.

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Authentic Crocs are designed to be comfortable and support your feet. If your Crocs are uncomfortable and even painful while wearing, that’s a sign they’re knockoffs that weren’t designed with the same materials or construction as real Crocs.^{[10]
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12

Look for missing or inaccurate packaging.

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When you purchase Crocs from authorized online retailers, they almost always come in a transparent polybag with the Crocs brand name printed on it—not in a shoe box.^{[11]
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Research source} There is typically a product sticker with a barcode on this bag.^{[12]
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13

Beware of a suspiciously low price.

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While Crocs offers discounts and some re-sellers may sell at a discount, a very low price could be a sign that the Croc is a knockoff. Try to read reviews of the product and seller if ordering from a third-party website like eBay, Etsy, TikTok Shop, or Amazon.^{[13]
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Community Q&A

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Question

Do Crocs Literide 360 come with plastic or paper inserts in the packaging?

HelenaB

Community Answer

Crocs don't have plastic fillers inside when sold in stores. If yours do, they are most likely fake.

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Tips

The best way to ensure you’re ordering real Crocs is to purchase them at a Crocs store, on the official Crocs website, or at an authorized retailer like Foot Locker, DICK’s Sporting Goods, Tillys, or Famous Footwear.

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