Crocs Review: the Air Force 1 X Crocs hybrids?
Crocs, the default “ugly” shoe of the popular consciousness, have been reimagined and repurposed in humorous, interesting, and pretentious ways over the past decade. In recent memory we have seen the eight-hundred dollar platform Crocs released by Balenciaga, the KFC x Crocs Classic Clogs that carries the aroma of said coveted chicken, and most recently, a rendered concept by designer Kegan McDaniel of an Air Force 1 X Crocs hybrid.
the Crocs x Nike Air Force 1 clog hybrids by Kegan McDaniel
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Design wise, the Air Force 1 X Crocs hybrid is simple. The shoe is essentially a Nike Air Force 1 Lover XX slipper reconstructed in rubber and paired with its iconic Nike Swoosh to emulate the buckle found on a Croc slipper. The hybrid Air Force also enlarges the size of its toe-holes to imitate those of the clog, allowing classic charms and buttons to decorate the shoe if desired. While the design repurposes all emblematic design elements of Nike’s Air Force 1, the metal tag, toe shape, the “AIR” lettering on the sole, I wonder to what extent this collaboration resembles its other half. Where is the “Crocs” in this Air Force X Crocs hybrid?
If I could pinpoint the iconic features of a Crocs’ Clog slipper, it would be the combination of its upwards curved and widened toe, the absurd amount of holes dotting around the shoe, and the handle-like strap that transforms the Clog into a sandal or a slip-on depending on your mood. The prototype shared by Kegan McDaniel dismisses any of these details original to the classic Crocs slipper, and fails to recognize what elements make this controversial slipper a banger.
One may ask, what makes a good Crocs collaboration? The top Crocs collaborations that come in mind are those that embrace the foundational structure of the blank Clog slipper. In its nature, the Crocs Clog is designed as a blank canvas. Whether it was decorating our childhood crocs with charms that spelled out our initials or with our favourite Pokémon starters, the inherently customizable nature of Crocs is integrated into its design. Not unlike flip phones that came with a hole for charms and chains, a key feature to a successful Crocs collaboration lies in our collective nostalgia for accessible customization.
The officially named “Foam Platform Slippers”, Balenciaga’s take on the classic Crocs Clog design
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The Balenciaga Platform Crocs, for example, is playful, chunky, and ugly at first sight—all qualities shared by both Crocs and iconic Balenciaga footwear such as the Triple S and Track sneakers. Balenciaga was one of the first high-end brands to reappropriate the clog for the runway, giving the comfortable slipper an uneasy platform that looks terribly difficult to walk in. This new Croc hybrid treads the line of adulthood and fond nostalgia. While it preserves the vibrant and playful aesthetic of childhood memories, the shoe’s five inch platform is a reminder that it is only a facade of comfort.
The KFC x Crocs Classic Clogs, which comes in either original and platformed
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The KFC x Crocs Classic Clogs are another pair of croc collaboration classics. Released in July this year, the KFC Crocs embraced the ugly absurdity of the Clogs and pushed them to the extreme. This shoe, literally emulating a bucket of fried chicken, comes with a realistic rubber drumstick charm sitting atop the toes. This design leans into the all the camp-y possibilities of this collaboration, and the appeal of these slippers lie in its tongue-in-cheek design and conscious ugliness. The KFC x Crocs Classic Clogs is a perfect example of how two brands can marinate into something unique, showing off both what makes a pair of clogs great and what makes a bucket of KFC fried chicken mouthwatering. It’s honestly kind of disturbing to look at, which is what it’s trying to get you to do. As intriguing or repulsive as they are, they are difficult to look away from.
In essence, the Air Force 1 X Crocs hybrid is a materially altered Air Force 1 sneaker, but pays no homage to what makes a Crocs Clog so iconic in the first place. The Clog is designed as a shoe of comfort, utility and easy customization, and so, a successful Crocs collaboration should serve to illuminate or expand upon these nostalgic characteristics. The Crocs Clog Slipper is seen as the antithesis to a fashionable shoe in the popular consensus. Now adopted by the fashion world, it exists as a satire shoe; a dadaist poke at the absurdity of “what even is fashion?” in the high-end community. When brought into the fashion sphere through collaborations, it becomes its very own coveted luxury limited shoe. These collaborations are saying, “see, isn't it absurd that anything can be fashion?”
