Croc charms, also sometimes referred to as Jibbitz, are decorative charms that can be attached to the holes in Crocs shoes. The charms allow wearers to customize and personalize their Crocs with fun designs, characters, jewelry, and more.
What are Croc charms?
Croc charms, officially called “Jibbitz” by the Crocs company, are small decorative charms that can be inserted into the holes of Crocs clog shoes. The charms are made of plastic or rubber and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs.
Common Croc charms include:
- Characters from TV shows, movies, video games, etc.
- Foods like pizza, donuts, tacos
- Animals and creatures
- Shapes like stars, hearts, flowers
- Letters and numbers
- Sports team logos
- Flags
- Jewelry inspired charms like “gemstones”
The charms simply snap into any of the holes on the Crocs, allowing you to customize your shoes. They are easy to switch and change out depending on your mood or outfit. Many Crocs fans collect dozens of charms to mix and match.
Who invented Croc charms?
Croc charms were invented by Crocs, Inc. as a way to further personalize their popular foam clog shoes. The company introduced Jibbitz charm accessories in 2006.
According to Crocs, the original inspiration for the charms came from consumers who were already decorating their Crocs with homemade charms using craft store supplies. They saw an opportunity to make this customization official with specially designed charms made to fit the Crocs holes.
The name Jibbitz was created by combining “jib,” referring to an embellishment or decoration, with “bitz” meaning bits or pieces.
How did Croc charms get popular?
Croc charms took off in popularity thanks to their ability to allow wearers to put their own personal stamp on plain Crocs clogs. The charms turned the shoes into a fun customizable accessory.
Crocs capitalized on the charms by frequently releasing limited edition sets and new designs. Collecting charms became a popular activity among Crocs lovers. Some of the most popular early charms included floral motifs, college mascots, and Disney characters.
By 2007, Crocs was selling around $30 million worth of Jibbitz per quarter. The craze peaked in 2007 and 2008. To date, Crocs has sold over 200 million Croc charms worldwide.
Do Croc charms make the shoes more comfortable?
Croc charms are not generally expected to make the shoes any more comfortable. They are a purely decorative accessory.
However, some wearers like to arrange charms strategically over the shoe strap to prevent the strap from rubbing against your skin. The charms essentially act as a buffer to prevent skin irritation.
The charms also add texture and variety underfoot as you walk. This can provide some mild sensory stimulation that some find pleasurable.
But overall, Croc charms are about style, self-expression and fun rather than added comfort.
Are Croc charms still popular?
While the initial frenzy around Croc charms peaked in the late 2000s, they have remained popular with die-hard Crocs fans over the years.
According to Crocs, since 2006 they have sold over 200 million charms worldwide. So while the craze has died down, people do still enjoy personalizing their Crocs with Jibbitz.
New charms are still released regularly in limited edition sets, often coinciding with a new movie release or major pop culture event. Crocs has collaborated with companies like Disney, Marvel, Nintendo, Universal Studios, and Warner Brothers to offer branded charms over the years.
In May 2022, Crocs announced its partnership with 7-Eleven to release a limited edition set of convenience store-themed charms. This shows that fun, creative new designs are still being churned out for Crocs fans to collect.
It’s unlikely Croc charms will disappear completely as they have become an expected part of the classic Crocs clog experience for many wearers.
Why do people like Croc charms?
There are a few key reasons why Croc charms have appealed to wearers over the years:
- Customization – They allow you to modify and personalize a plain shoe.
- Self-expression – They let you showcase your personality or interests.
- Uniqueness – Mixing and matching charms makes your Crocs one-of-a-kind.
- Novelty – They add an element of fun and whimsy.
- Collectibility – Collecting new charms becomes addictive for some fans.
Being able to customize your Crocs with charms that reflect who you are is the number one appeal. Fans also just think they make the iconic shoes even more fun and playful.
What are some popular Croc charm themes?
Crocs offers an incredibly wide selection of charms spanning various themes and interests. Some of the most popular Croc charm themes include:
Cartoon characters
Crocs has partnerships with companies like Disney, Warner Brothers, and Sanrio to offer charms featuring instantly recognizable cartoon characters. Popular options include Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Hello Kitty, and more.
Food
Charms in the shape of different foods are common. You’ll see charms modeled after pizza slices, doughnuts, tacos, sushi rolls, pineapples, watermelon, and other tasty treats.
Animals
From household pets like dogs and cats to jungle animals like tigers and pandas, animal charms are everywhere. Butterflies and bugs are also plentiful for nature lovers.
Sports
Diehard sports fans love being able to sport their team’s logo on their Crocs. You can find charms for most major professional sports teams.
Holidays and seasons
Seasonally themed charms are available to celebrate holidays like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Easter and more. Snowmen and snowflakes for winter, flowers and bunnies for spring, etc.
Should you buy official Croc brand charms?
Official Croc or Jibbitz brand charms are highly recommended if you want quality and the assurance they’ll properly fit your Crocs. Off-brand charms are available, often at cheaper prices. But many find the quality and fit inferior with knock-off charms.
Benefits of official Jibbitz Crocs charms include:
- Made from durable, high-quality materials that last
- Designed to perfectly slide into Crocs holes
- Fun, unique designs you can’t find elsewhere
- Peace of mind from buying from reputable brand
Jibbitz also frequently debuts limited edition charm sets and exciting new designs you can only get through official Crocs retailers or Crocs.com. For the best selection, many charm collectors stick with official Jibbitz.
Price of Jibbitz charms
Official Jibbitz charms typically retail between $3-$10 per charm. The exact price can vary:
- Individual charms usually $4-$6
- Multi-charm packs $15-$30
- Limited edition sets $10-$50
They are an affordable way to customize your Crocs one charm at a time or build an entire collection.
Do Croc charms affect croc durability?
When used properly, Croc charms are not expected to negatively impact the durability or lifespan of your Crocs clogs. The charms insert securely into the existing holes in the shoes and do not typically cause damage.
Issues that could potentially arise include:
- Forcing charms into holes too roughly could distort holes
- Using cheap, third-party charms that don’t fit well
- Overfilling holes with multiple loose charms
As long as you take care when inserting your charms and follow Crocs recommendations, Jibbitz are designed not to affect the integrity or durability of Crocs’ proprietary Croslite foam material. Enjoy customizing without worries!
Do people still wear Crocs with charms?
Yes, many Crocs lovers still enjoy “jibbitzing” their clogs! While the initial craze has faded, wearing Crocs with charms remains popular for a few reasons:
- Jibbitz are iconic and nostalgic for long-time fans
- New charms are still regularly released
- They’re a fun way to add personality
- Crocs remain on-trend in fashion
Brands like Disney and Sanrio continue partnering with Crocs to offer new generation versions of beloved character charms. Crocs also taps into pop culture trends releasing charms themed to video games, foods, and celebrities that remain relevant.
The recent Y2K revival in fashion has created renewed appreciation for the chunky, colorful, charms-adorned Crocs of the 2000s. The customization factor also appeals to younger generations like Gen Z.
While the craze has died down from its mid-2000s peak, attaching Jibbitz charms to Crocs remains a staple part of the brand’s signature fun, playful aesthetic for devoted fans.
Do charms affect Croc comfort?
The decorative Croc charms themselves do not tend to affect the comfort of wearing Crocs shoes. However, there are a few charm-related factors that can influence comfort:
- Charms add slight weight, which some find uncomfortable over time
- Having loose charms sliding around can be bothersome
- Poorly made charms may irritate the skin
- Too many tightly packed charms restrict foot movement
As long as you follow some best practices, charms generally won’t impact Croc comfort:
- Use properly fitting official Crocs brand charms
- Avoid overloading holes with too many loose charms
- Re-adjust charms as needed if they start sliding around or poking
- Take out charms if they start feeling too heavy
The right number and arrangement of charms can make Crocs even more fun to wear without sacrificing the signature cushiony comfort!
Do the charms ever fall off?
It is possible for Croc charms to fall off, but they are designed to stay securely attached. As long as you follow proper use guidelines, Jibbitz charms should not easily fall off your Crocs.
Tips to prevent charms from falling off include:
- Press charms firmly into holes to ensure a tight fit
- Avoid overfilling a single hole with too many loose charms
- Check charms periodically to make sure they are still secure
- Take extra care when walking on rough or uneven surfaces
Wear and tear over time can cause the holes to loosen or the charm attachments to weaken and come loose more easily. Discontinue use of any charms that seem to easily pop off.
It’s also wise to avoid wearing charms in situations where they could easily snag and fall off, like hiking in tall grass. But in general, the charms are made to stay put, so falling off should not be a common issue.
Should you let kids wear Crocs with charms?
There are some advantages and disadvantages to letting kids wear Crocs with charms:
Potential advantages
- Kids enjoy decorating them
- Teaches creativity and self-expression
- Charms make a fun noise when walking
- Easy to clean
Potential disadvantages
- Charms could fall off and get lost
- Kids may be tempted to put charms in their mouth (choking hazard)
- Hard to walk quietly for naps or church
- Crocs do not have the best grip and support for active kids
Crocs with charms can be a fun choice for kids in the right environment. Avoid giving toddlers loose charms and supervise use. Only let school-age kids wear Crocs with charms for casual indoor activities, not sports or hiking.
Stick with official Jibbitz brand charms that securely attach. Check in periodically to make sure charms are still firmly attached so they don’t get lost. Setting ground rules helps minimize issues.
Conclusion
Croc charms, also called Jibbitz, remain a popular way for Crocs fans to customize their iconic clogs. While the initial craze has slowed, new charms are still regularly debuted. For those who grew up with them in the 2000s, the charms are part of Crocs nostalgic appeal. When used properly, Jibbitz allow you to put your own stamp on Crocs without impacting their comfort or durability.