I love both! I've got a couple pair of the
Crocs...beach model, known as the ones with all the holes...and a couple pair of Holey Soles, without the holes, known as the Provider.
I've worn both styles with socks...the Crocs (Beach) don't get too hot for me, but I've notice I have a heck of a time with my left sock...it's always twisting inward toward my big toe side...no blisters or anything just the sock keeps twisting when I do a lot of walking and it's only the left foot.
The Holey Soles with socks are just fine...no twisting, no blisters, my feet don't feel too hot while I'm wearing them, but I do notice that after I take off the shoes and the air hits my feet the toes feel a chill...means my toes have been sweating a bit, but it hasn't caused any foot issues like overly dry or athlete's foot stuff.
Now, I've been told by my local retailer...a very small shoe store with no chain affiliations...that Crocs and Holey Soles are the same shoe...that the Crocs are just the American version while Holey Soles is from Canada. I don't know for sure. The only visible differences I can see are...
-the connectors for the ankele straps are different...Crocs has a crocodile image...Holey Soles just say "holey soles".
-the tops of the shoes design is slightly different...Crocs has like a water-wave thing while Holey Soles is more like 2 lines...not a big difference
-Holey Soles Provider (no holes at all) seems a wee snugger on the foot than the Crocs Beach (all the holes) even though both are sized as M, LG, etc. The retailer agrees. I've not tried the Holey Soles version with all the holes to see exactly though.
-Holey Soles Provider was $29.99 while the Crocs version is either $39.99 or $49.99...either way Holey Soles were cheaper for me.
My retailer has told me that for ordering and delivery purposes...Holey Soles is much better...faster turn around than Crocs, which seems to take forever when you order them direct from the company.
The last time I was in her store (mid December), she showed me all the really cool "jewelry plugs" (for lack of a better word) for the Crocs and Holey Soles. It looks just like the connectors on the ankle straps, but is decorative....letters so you can spell things, flowers, butterflies, birds, cats, dogs, basketballs, soccer balls, baseballs, etc...all for you to jazz up the shoes with the holes. I'm not sure of the cost...she'd just gotten them that day and was showing them to me since she knows I'm a huge fan of the shoes.
As for getting the right fit...personally, IMO, ya need to try them on...I tried on several pairs to find the ones that are exactly right the first time...I've learned that as your foot warms up the shoe, it does start to form fit to your foot like the Crocs site says and other wearers here said, but I guess I'm old school and think ya oughtta try on shoes first.
So, that is what I know. I hope it helps!
