Based on the aggregated intelligence of 165,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, plastic-shoe maker Crocs (Nasdaq: CROX) has received the dreaded one-star ranking.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at Crocs' business and see what CAPS investors are saying about the stock right now.

Crocs facts

Headquarters (Founded)

Niwot, Colo. (1999)

Market Cap

$1.1 billion

Industry

Footwear

Trailing-12-Month Revenue

$677.7 million

Management

CEO John McCarvel (since March 2010)

CFO Russell Hammer (since January 2008)

Return on Equity (Average, Past 3 Years)

(7.3%)

Cash/Debt

$54.1 million / $3 million

1-Year Return

266%

Competitors

Nike (NYSE: NKE)

Deckers Outdoor (Nasdaq: DECK)

Skechers

Sources: Capital IQ (a division of Standard & Poor's) and Motley Fool CAPS.

On CAPS, 15% of the 189 members who have rated Crocs believe the stock will underperform the S&P 500 going forward. These bears include shiko250 and All-Star rknapton, who is ranked in the top 5% of our community.

A few months ago, shiko250 highlighted the stock's seemingly unsustainable price run:

Crocs is trying to diversify their product line but it appears the only way this stock has run up is on pure cost cutting. The Crocs fad seems to be over and they are so reliant on the middle income American consumer that its hard to see this company doing well with unemployment hovering around 10 percent.

While Crocs has certainly done well to survive its life-threatening plunge in popularity (in late 2008, its shares traded at about $1), many CAPS members think the stock's recent run-up is completely overdone. As Crocs' results continue to prove that its days of growth are behind it, my fellow Fool Alyce Lomax recently made a case that competitors Nike, Deckers, and Skechers are all far more proven and resilient places for your shoe investment money. Throw in the fact that Crocs' shares have handily outperformed those very same rivals in 2010, and it's easy to see why our community is so down on the stock.  

CAPS member rknapton elaborates on the bear case :

A former fad company in decline. ...

The shoes were a fad, and if you don't think that qualitatively, just look at the numbers for yourself. Revenues have declined from $847 million in 2007, down to $722 million in 2008, and then down to $646 million in 2009. Don't blame anything on a recession. This is simply the result of 9 year olds not begging their parents for a pair of Crocs anymore, because they just are not "cool" anymore.

I also think the forward estimated that analysts are giving this company are just too darn high too. They are predicting EPS of $0.69 in 2011. I think that is absurd, along with their revenue growth estimates to $724 million in 2010 and up to $797 million in 2011.

I know some people love this company and their products. ... Just send me a picture of you wearing Crocs, and I'll evaluate it and tell you if you look "cool" (the answer will be no).

What do you think about Crocs, or any other stock for that matter? If you want to retire rich, you need to protect your portfolio from any undue risk. Staying away from dangerous stocks is crucial to securing your financial future, and on Motley Fool CAPS, thousands of investors are working every day to flag them. CAPS is 100% free, so get started!