Caring for your Rugged Sharks

RUGGED SHARK FOOTWEAR — CARE TIPS

Keep your clogs in shape with a few simple habits.

⚠️ Heat shrinks EVA — permanently

EVA foam softens and contracts when exposed to temperatures above 40°C (104°F). A hot car dashboard, a sunny deck, or an afternoon on concrete can shrink your clogs a full size. This damage cannot be reversed.

Temperature guide

  • ✅ Safe — up to 40°C / 104°F
  • ⚠️ Caution — 40–55°C / 104–131°F
  • 🔶 Shrinks — 55–75°C / 131–167°F
  • 🔴 Warps — 75°C+ / 167°F+

A car parked in summer sun can reach 70–80°C inside — well into the damage zone in under an hour.

Care tips

Cleaning
Rinse with cool or lukewarm water. A soft brush and mild soap removes most grime. Avoid hot water — even from a tap, it can distort the foam over time.

Drying
Air dry in a shaded, well-ventilated spot. Never use a clothes dryer, dishwasher, or leave to dry on a hot surface. Shade is key.

Sun exposure
Don't leave them in direct sunlight when not being worn. On a boat, beach, or patio, tuck them in the shade or store them inside.

Hot cars
Never leave clogs in a parked car in warm weather. Trunk and rear window areas are especially hot. Bring them inside or store in an insulated bag.

Scuff marks
A magic eraser or baking soda paste on a damp cloth lifts most surface scuffs without damaging the foam.

Rotating pairs
If you wear your clogs daily, rotating between two pairs gives the foam time to fully decompress and bounce back between wears.

Do's and don'ts

✅ DO:

  • Store in a cool, shaded location
  • Rinse after beach or pool use
  • Air dry in the shade
  • Bring them indoors when not wearing
  • Clean with cool water and mild soap

❌ DON'T:

  • Leave in a parked car
  • Dry in direct sunlight
  • Put in a dryer or dishwasher
  • Rinse with hot water
  • Leave on a hot deck or boat floor

Where to store your clogs

✅ Indoors — ideal, cool and out of sun
✅ Shaded outdoor area — fine if temperature is moderate
❌ Car interior — too hot, avoid in warm weather
❌ Direct sunlight — will cause shrinkage quickly

My clogs have already shrunk — now what?

Unfortunately heat damage to EVA is permanent and cannot be reversed at home. There's no stretching or re-hydrating method that reliably restores shrunken foam. If your clogs have shrunk significantly:

  1. Check your original purchase date and receipt. Heat shrinkage isn't covered under warranty (it's not a manufacturing defect), but we want to help.
  2. Contact Rugged Shark customer support with a photo. In some cases we can offer a goodwill discount on a replacement pair.
  3. When you get your new pair, bookmark this page and share it with family — sun damage is the most common reason our clogs come back!

EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) is the same lightweight, buoyant foam used across most clog-style footwear. All EVA products from any brand are susceptible to heat shrinkage — Rugged Shark clogs are no exception. Proper storage is the single most important thing you can do to extend the life of your pair.