Children's crocs - advice please

[smoggie]

OK so some of you might report me for posting this under the "style" thread ...but....ds1 (5) wants a pair of crocs (as his older cousin has them) and actually I concede they will be useful for beach/water etc. on hols.
We tried a pair on in our local shoe shop and the sizes were apparently 10-11 or 12-13. He's 10 1/2 and his toes were poking through the front when he walked on the 10-11 and the larger size were hideously big.
I noticed that Next have their version of them that are sold in single sizes so I should be able to get a size 11.
Are they similar to the genuine article or a pale imitation. Not sure how different a piece of plastic can be to justify the price difference....however, both ds(s) have never worn anything other than properly fitted Clarks or Start-rite shoes, so a bit nervous about getting cheap crocs.
Are they OK or would you avoid "mock Crocs"?
TIA

[cocolepew]

To my eternal shame, DD2 has a pair. Hers cost £2 and they are fine. Apart from looking like Crocs, of course.

[OurHamsterisevil]

I would get the cheapest ones you can find. They are all crappy anyway. DS1 has a pair from Aldi and DS2 has some from Next

[Fimbo]

I got some last Friday in Lidl for my ds for £2.99.

My dd has skinny feet and some of the cheaper ones are far too wide on her. It's a case of trying lots on until you find a pair that are a good fit.

[smoggie]

ds has v skinny feet too, so will give Lidl/Aldi a try. Next website only have larger sizes anyway. Might be forced to walk 10 paces in front of him on holiday though

[BroccoliSpears]

I got some cheapy ones from Next for dd - they're fine. Quite nice. Like Crocs.

Have had a look at replacing them with something really cheapy like Asda but they were horrid.

[Fimbo]

If you are going abroad - wait until you get there - they are so much cheaper.

I brought back 2 lots for my 2 for next year!

[shhhh]

imo I would buy genuine crocs...more expensive but imo worth it.

dd and ds have crocs and they love them. I have genuine ones and fake ones and I can tell the difference without a doubt. The are so much more comfier and softer.

[iBundle]

I would have said go for the cheapo ones but a podiatrist told me the other day that the expensive ones are impregnated with stuff that stops you getting things like athletes foot etc.

[shhhh]

genuine crocs can be washed and washed and washed....in the washing machine..not sure about fake ones...

[expatinscotland]

DD1 has 3 pairs and DD2 has two.

The real ones.

Fake ones = yuk.

A lot of places have them on sale just now.

DD1 has Mary Jane style ones and one pair of Cayman ones.

DD2 has Cayman style ones but she has fatter feet.

[ChopsTheDuck]

dd got blisters from fake crocs.

What about the croc flip flops for children? dt1 adores these.

[christiana]

Message withdrawn

[NigellaTheOriginal]

Crocs are supposed to be loose on the feet so don't get any that'fit'
also real ones last much longer, can be washed and are made of a more comfy plastic stuff. useful comfy shoes but not stylish or glamerous. (and i really like mine)

[theexmrsfederer]

Get the real crocs. They will wash in the machine.

They look huge on but that is the style. They have been a godsend for my 8 yr old ds as we normally have lots of "shoe issues" every summer.

[Hulababy]

We are having similar problem. DD is completely out of her 10/11 pair, but the 12/13 pair we have are massive - way too big. She can't keep them on her feet properly.

[hoxtonchick]

dd has lived in hers this year. sometimes they go in the bath with her . they are real ones, from the shop in covent garden.

[smoggie]

Oh dear - tried on the 'mock crocs' in Next in 11 and no good. I think he's just going to have to wait until next year when hopefully the proper crocs in 12/13 will fit him...seems to be the concensus to stick with the proper ones.
Thank you everyone!

[shhhh]

have you tried the real ones with keeping the strap around the back..? That gives an even snugger fit iykwim. Band over the front makes it roomy and band around back make it stay on better...You can also heat up the back strap (gently) and mound it smaller iykiwm....

Like others have said, they are meant to be roomy/loose....

[CissyCharlton]

I bought ds1 and ds2 a pair each. Had tried Woolworths version on ds2 but they gave him blisters. Left one of ds2's on holiday!!! I curse it every day because they are great. Every time I see ds1 wearing his (ie every waking hour!!) I am with myself.

[Hulababy]

DD only ever has hers with strap round back, makes no difference. The difference in Croc size between 10/11 and 12/13 is immense.The 12/13 are like boats on DD, and she is a 12.5 in normal shoes. They just come off. Such a shame too as she lived in her Crocs last year.