Crocs introduced the first version of its clog in 2002.
The original Crocs design was based on a boating shoe called the Foam Clog, developed by the Canadian company Foam Creations. Crocs co-founders Scott Seamans, Lyndon V. Hanson, and George Boedecker Jr. presented the shoe at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in Florida in 2002.
The clog was made from Croslite, a molded resin material that gave it a lightweight, water-resistant construction. Ventilation holes, a heel strap, and a roomy shape became defining characteristics of the design.
Crocs are not technically conventional lace-up sneakers, but they became a major part of casual footwear and sneaker-adjacent culture. The brand’s later collaborations with fashion houses, musicians, and entertainment properties helped move the clog from practical boating gear into collectible streetwear.