How to Spot Fake Holey Soles and Clogs

Holey Soles makes foam shoes styled similarly to classic wooden clogs.

Holey Soles is a Canadian-owned shoe company that was founded in 2003. The company produces foam footwear that is favored by water sports enthusiasts, gardeners, medical professionals and others who are looking for a casual shoe. The company's most popular models are variations of clog-style shoes with a heel strap, a style similar the popular Crocs brand shoe. There are many similar or "fake" versions of this style on the market, but Holey Soles are of a higher quality and more desirable than most of their cheaper counterparts. There are a few telltale signs that will let you know if you're looking at a genuine pair of Holey Soles.

Instructions

1. Look for the Holey Soles logo. Some counterfeits do have a fake logo. However, if you see the Holey Soles logo on the shoes, you more than likely have a real pair of Holey Soles on your hands. The logo is sort of like a sideways egg with a cut-out shaped like a number eight with the word "Holeys" printed either above or below it. Depending on the style, the logo will appear on the bottom of the shoe, the insole and on the joint of the strap.

2. Examine the joint between the strap and the body of the shoe if you're looking at a pair of clogs. Holey Soles have a washer between the strap and the shoe to make the strap move smoothly. Cheaper brands of foam or plastic clogs will not have this washer.

3. Feel the material of the shoe. Holey Soles are made of ethyl vinyl acetate, a closed cell foam. This substance is very light and is also waterproof. It is also softer and more comfortable than hard plastic. If the clogs you are looking at are hard or heavy, they are not Holey Soles. Holey Soles will also float in water, unlike heavier plastic clogs.

4. Wash your shoes. Holey Soles will not be damaged or discolored by washing. They are made with a special process that makes them resistant to wear and tear that makes other shoes become unsafe and slippery over time. If your shoes degrade in the wash or become slippery after wearing them for a length of time, they are not genuine.

References

• Holey Soles
• American Chronicle: Holey Soles Take a Higher Role