Odd, I was in Sports Expert and I noticed they had all these new Crocs products including rain boots and "fancier" looking shoes. But I guess I just haven't relaly looked until then, maybe these have been around.
I think the knock-off thing is probably a very good probability. Although, at my mother's cottage we had a live side-by-side comparison between my Mickey crocs, and a paid of knock offs she had bought from the drug store, and the comfort was NO COMPARISON.
I did hear however that they are no longer mannufactured in Canada. So much for national fidelity.