THIS CROC IS (not) AN XBOX

Microsoft and Crocs—the brand of polyethelene clogs that are as divisive as they are ubiquitous—seem to have a thing goin’ on. Just a short time after causing an online sensation with the limited edition Windows XP shoes, the brands are back with an Xbox edition. The “Xbox Classic Clog” doesn’t actually play games, but it might fool you with toes covered in Xbox controller buttons and even joysticks.

With typical Xbox green-on-black styling and an air of intentional ridiculousness, the crossover is perhaps leaning into the irony. And somebody at Microsoft is certainly trying to make a bit of synergy with the “This Is An Xbox” campaign, in which Xbox Game Pass flouts its near-universal availability on everything from phones to cars.

Microsoft is also trying to extend the Xbox brand into the PC gaming space with devices like the Asus ROG Xbox Ally handheld, which is not an Xbox but does get access to tons of Xbox features and a streamlined Windows 11 interface tuned for gaming. That interface is now available on other handhelds (and even laptops and desktops if you’re willing to tinker with Windows Insider settings).

Meanwhile, the Xbox console brand has never been weaker versus the PlayStation and Nintendo, and Valve is now positioning itself as a stalking horse for the entire gaming industry. The PC gaming giant is building off the success of the Steam platform and the Steam Deck to make a console-style mini PC in the revamped Steam Machine.

But enough about industry stuff. You’re here for the shoes. They’re going for $80 on the Crocs site, which is pretty typical for the brand, in US sizes from 6 to 12 for women and 4 to 13 for men. At the time of writing, it looks like pretty much all of them are in stock. Unlike the Windows XP Crocs, these don’t seem to be limited edition.