"And why this global expansion? Because Crocs are fast becoming one of the most successful fashion brands of all time. Sales in John Lewis stores alone have gone up 270 per cent in a week.

Twenty million pairs have been sold in 12 months. And now the Wall Street analyst Piper Jaffray is predicting sales will more than double from £178 million in 2006 to £408 million this year".

Yes, they're ugly, the soles can be penetrated easily, etc. That being said, at 73, I have four pairs and credit them with pain free standing and walking for the first time in 25 years. I can stand on risers with my barbershop chorus for most of two hours and not get sore feet. I can tend bar for five to seven hours with the same result. I walk about five miles with no foot or leg pain. If I didn't have occasion to wear other shoes I'd throw away my orthotics and assorted arch supports, none of which gave me the help I get from Crocs. Yes, I bought the first pair as a joke. Best thing I ever did.