Few shoes have caused such a stir as Crocs footwear—once mocked as a passing craze of Clark-kneed nurses and enthusiastic gardeners, the bright foam clog has cemented its place in the culture—and found an audience on their feet around the world. Since launching in 2002, the touted boating shoe has evolved into a true worldwide phenomenon—sporting collaborations from celebrities, appearances on Fashion Week runways and a staunch following at every life stage—whether you said something to acknowledge it or not. But what’s the history behind the shoes?

The Simple Story of Crocs Footwear’s Rise

Devices were not always this made-of-plastic shape. The first Everglade sole was infused from a proprietary foam resin called Croslite—a closed-cell solution that is light (but strong), resists offensive odors and adapts slightly to the contours of the foot over time. And that last ability—a trait too many shoes do not offer—matters more than what many people outside the footwear industry would expect.

Most shoes do not change their shape to best suit the wearer’s and the other way around; it’s always one or the other. Crocs turned that dynamic on its head, which explains why healthcare workers as well as anyone on their feet for longer periods of time were early followers.

From Boat Shoes to Whole World

The first Crocs clog became available at the 2002 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show—an early production run of 200 pairs completely sold out. And honestly, this sales record should not be so surprising: people found this very much practical for wet conditions.

They drain water, are resistant to slipping, are easy to clean. News of how useful the clog was spread rapidly, especially to industries where the pair’s ability to support standing workers a little easier was critical—kitchens, hospitals and construction sites. By 2006, the brand floated them on the stock exchange and sales soared past $300million.

The fashion can-kick (and then some)

Here’s a curios: the brand nearly disappeared altogether circa 2008 and 2009—first trendy, then not.

So rather than retirement, Crocs made knee-jerk choices—increasing collaborations and silhouettes. Cab Driver collabs with Busta Rhymes, and even Justin Bieber—re-ignited the flame for the brand—hotter than before. A Balenciaga couture parody of the shoe, featuring its platform Crocs, and retailing for over $800, actually caused the industry to finally take the shoe seriously.

I can’t think of a more bizarre sentence to type.

The Comfort Debate: Why Crocs Footwear Fans Defend Them

Here’s the thing: there’s comfort advantages of Crocs footwear that keep people returning to them—a favorited grip on the footwear industry. The Croslite foam isn’t just succulently soft—rather it offers a unique quality of cushiness that alleviates pressure on the heel and ball of the foot. And for those suffering from bunions, plantar fasciitis or great foot fatigue, this is certainly no small thing.

Several foot health providers have championed Crocs (or similar roomy-toe-box shoes) when treating health conditions, despite a mixed reputation across the professional healthcare industry.

Having the most basic sole arch support and fit for the shoe

Standard Crocs clogs have a slight arch support shape built into the sole, which helps to evenly wallop out weight more than flat sandals. Widish toes boxes allow for extensibility and encourages toes to keep spindly which reduces cramping after a couple of hours. However, the fit can feel loose if you’re half a size between or if you’re wearing them in a manner that involves their strap being pushed to the front of the shoe.

Moving the heel counter backward and securing the strap there would make the shoe significantly more stable with a much different feel for the walk—that’s equivalent to moving from wearing two different shoes.

Is wearing Crocs good for your feet?

The answer varies—it can be, if you are wearing it in the right way and correct usage. They are great for short to medium wearing distances, particularly on flat surfaces but on uneven surfaces or for walking longer distances, they don’t provide the arch support profile to be able to be the sole footwear extension to the foot. The sole is a cushioned profile but doesn’t offer significant side-to-side stability.

They are suitable for walking about your home or grabbing your paper, but should then not be over-positioned for extended use. Think of them more as a coat than an extension of your feet—they work if you compare them to something similar known for comfort but can be extremity most in the wrong circumstances.

Styling Crocs: More versatile than you’d assume

Crocs experienced a reputation-shattering reputation for even thinking about wearing the shoes. And now, it’s truly a subject that warrants an open discussion.

Over the years, the shoe has grown—far away from the original design, we can see platform variations, hybrid sneaker models, sandal, boot and even a designer version (true fact)—providing for much greater versatility in styling than what is generally anticipated when we first encounter foam-copyright style.

Jibbitz charms, allow for characterization.

One of the most special features of this style is the open-hole design around the top of the shoe, which also serves to allow the 22,000-strong intarsia charms to hook on and off it with relative ease. These tiny accessories (sold openly by Crocs, through to countless third-party suppliers) can adhere to a wide array of funny, fashion-forward, food-based, nostalgic, zodiac, athlete, pop culture, weird ephemera—whatever floats your boat, really—and personalize shoes accordingly.

Though kids love them, the truth is adults go just as wild with execution. Personal styles have become a real reason-to-have-buy-inselling tagline, transforming a basic shoe into a true extension of the owner.

How to wear Crocs with ordinary clothes

The wearing of Crocs with socks was once relegated to camp, group-horror comedic potential—a statement of “I’ll only wear socks with Crocs” but now we see room in the norm of wearing sock pairs whilst rocking them thanks to crew-lengths. Pioneer Crocs could even be worn rather well with wide-leg slacks, extensive gathers or jowls/flappable apparel.

Heeled or other elevate footwear options integrating the clumping style work particularly elegantly when coupled with a jurk or other designed forward attire. An aesthetic that errs somewhat on the side of chunky-over the top-over and odd rather than attempting to deny it. Hauling the shoes into an ensemble often anchors the appeal—and thus selective treatment rather than an afterthought.

And those cultural connotations, long thought to have vanished, roared back more fiercely than ever.

So if you’ve never tried on a pair you should maybe park you rather dismissive, “ugly as hell,” attitude.

It’s worth finding out how they came to be loved by so many; chefs, fashion editors, school children.