Crocs Class Action Lawsuit: Shoes Shrink and Warp in Heat, Consumers Claim

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims Crocs shoes shrink and warp when exposed to heat, and the company misled consumers about their durability.

Consumers Affected: California residents who purchased Crocs products made of Croslite.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Crocs is facing allegations that its shoes, made primarily of Croslite, shrink and warp when exposed to heat or sunlight, rendering them unwearable. Plaintiffs claim the company failed to disclose this issue despite marketing the products as suitable for outdoor use in sunny and warm environments.

Crocs Shoes Shrink and Warp in Heat, Lawsuit Claims

The lawsuit alleges that Crocs, which uses Croslite—a foamable ethylene vinyl acetate material—for its shoes, has been aware of this issue for over a decade. The plaintiffs argue that the defect undermines the products’ purpose, particularly given the company’s marketing of the shoes as ideal for outdoor activities such as visiting beaches, pools, and gardens.

“Defendant has engaged in a decade-long, widespread advertising campaign marketing the Products for use in hot, sunny, outdoor environments and consistently used, and continues to use, photos of people wearing them outside at beaches, pools, rivers, lakes, gardens, and in direct sunlight,” the filing states.

The plaintiffs also allege that Crocs has received thousands of complaints from customers regarding the shrinking issue but has failed to provide warnings or recall the affected shoes.

Consumers Report Defective Crocs Shoes

Plaintiff Chelsea Garland, a California resident, purchased Crocs shoes for herself and her children between 2021 and 2023. She claims the products shrank significantly after being left in outdoor environments such as beaches, rendering them unfit for use.

Garland relied on Crocs’ marketing claims, which portrayed the shoes as durable and suitable for outdoor wear. According to the lawsuit, this defect caused the plaintiff and her children to lose the ability to wear the products soon after purchase.

The complaint highlights similar experiences from other consumers who purchased Crocs shoes expecting them to retain their size and shape when exposed to typical outdoor conditions.

Crocs Accused of False Advertising and Warranty Breach

The plaintiffs allege that Crocs intentionally concealed the defect to drive repeat purchases, with affected customers likely to replace shrunken shoes with new pairs. This practice, they argue, misleads consumers and violates state and federal warranty laws.

The lawsuit also accuses Crocs of using false advertising to misrepresent the durability and usability of its products. Plaintiffs claim this marketing tactic boosted sales while leaving buyers unaware of the shoes’ susceptibility to damage in common outdoor settings.

“Defendant knew that the Products it sold were not capable of withstanding use and storage in hot environments, including direct sunlight,” the complaint asserts.

Crocs Faces Other Lawsuit Over Shoe Durability

This is not the first lawsuit involving the company’s product durability. Earlier this year, a California federal judge allowed a separate case to proceed against Crocs. Plaintiffs in that lawsuit claimed the company marketed its shoes as all-weather footwear while failing to disclose that they would shrink significantly in hot or wet conditions.

Despite attempts by Crocs to have the case dismissed, Judge Trina Thompson ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, allowing the case to move forward.

The new Crocs class action lawsuit seeks to represent California residents who purchased Crocs products made of Croslite between November 22, 2018, and the present. It also includes a subclass of individuals who bought their shoes directly from Crocs, either online or in-store.

Plaintiffs aim to secure damages, refunds, and equitable remedies for affected customers while seeking acknowledgment of the defect and transparency about the issue.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Mongalo et al v. Crocs, Inc.
• Case Number: 3:24-cv-09037-LB
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Seth A. Safier, Marie A. McCrary, Anthony J. Patek, and Kali Backer (Gutride Safier LLP)

Have you experienced issues with your Crocs shoes shrinking or warping? Share your experience in the comments below.