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Although both the Bistro and Specialist II clogs are designed to be work clogs, there are significant differences when you compare the Crocs Bistro vs Specialist II on things such as weight, sizing, and design. Quickly, this is what jumps out the most to me:
- Perhaps the biggest difference in design is the fact that the Crocs Bistro clogs have the certified slip-resistant outsole and the Crocs Specialist II clogs do not. The Crocs Specialist II clogs just have the traditional Crocs outsole.
- The Crocs Bistro clogs are not vented (closed-toe). The Crocs Specialist II clogs are a bit different because they come in both a non-vented version, and a version that has side ventilation. If you prefer your work clog to have ventilation, only the Crocs Specialist II offers that between these two styles.
- Both styles have what Crocs calls a “roomy” fit (which is the widest fit they offer). I found both styles to fit a bit larger than my Crocs Classics. Later in the article I use my side-by-side photo size comparison to show the size difference.
- The Crocs Specialist II weighs a bit less than the Crocs Bistro. My Crocs Specialist II clogs weigh 0.60 pounds per shoe and my Crocs Bistro weigh 0.73 pounds per shoe (based off size 12 men’s).
- Both styles have a pivoting heel strap and a taller heel cup than the traditional Crocs Classics. The taller heel cup helps meet certain workplace standards.
- If you are interested in the Crocs Bistro vs Specialist II because you need workplace Crocs, I have an entire article dedicated to discussing work Crocs options. To read more, visit my article about workplace Crocs.
I recently tried ten different types of Crocs. Just to give you an idea where the Crocs Specialist II and Crocs Bistro clogs compare to other styles regarding weight, I listed all of the weights below (weights based off one size 12 men’s shoe):
| Type of Crocs | Weight (lbs) | Photo |
| Crocs Classic | 0.43 | click here to view |
| Crocs Baya | 0.43 | click here to view |
| Crocs All Terrain | 0.56 | click here to view |
| Crocs Yukon Vista II | 0.56 | click here to view |
| Crocs Specialist II | 0.60 | click here to view |
| Crocs Crocband | 0.60 | click here to view |
| Crocs LiteRide | 0.66 | click here to view |
| Crocs Bistro | 0.73 | click here to view |
| Crocs Bistro Pro | 0.83 | click here to view |
| Crocs On-the-Clock | 0.84 | click here to view |
In this article let’s take a closer look at the Crocs Bistro vs Specialist II so you can decide which style might be best for you. I will use specific sizing photos that I have comparing these styles to other popular types of shoes so you can feel more confident you are ordering the right size.
Crocs Bistro vs Specialist II Clogs
Crocs Specialist II Clogs
| Weight | 0.60 pounds |
| Toe | Not Vented* |
| Heel | Open* |
| Fit | Roomy |
The Crocs Specialist II is designed mainly to be a work clog. As we discussed above, even though these Specialist Clogs have an open heel, the heel is taller than normal Crocs (think of it like a heel cup). This *may* help it meet certain workplace standards.
Here is a comparison of the Specialist II heel (right) compare to the Crocs Classic heel (left):
There is also extra arch support which can be beneficial on the job, and the toe/metatarsal area is thicker than normal Crocs clogs (the Crocs Bistro also has many of these same features).
These Specialist II work Crocs have a roomy toe box area. I found them to fit a bit longer than Crocs Classic Clogs. For comparison, here is my Crocs Specialist II (left) compared to regular Crocs sizing:
As I mentioned earlier, the version that I own are not ventilated, but they are also sold in a ventilated option. Click here to view the ventilated option available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
It is worth mentioning that these Crocs Specialist II clogs do not have the slip-resistant outsoles. This is perhaps the most important difference when comparing the Crocs Bistro vs Specialist II clogs. These Specialist clogs just have the traditional outsole. Here is a look at the bottom of mine:
This is the current price of these Crocs Specialist II Clogs available at Crocs.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Crocs.com). If you want to read more about this type of Crocs and see sizing photos, visit my Crocs Specialist II Clog Review.
Crocs Bistro Clogs
| Weight | 0.73 pounds |
| Toe | Not Vented |
| Heel | Open* |
| Fit | Roomy |
Perhaps the biggest difference in design between the Crocs Bistro vs Specialist II clogs is the Crocs Bistro clogs have the certified slip-resistant outsole and the Crocs Specialist II clogs do not. The Crocs Specialist II clogs just have the traditional Crocs outsole.
Here is the outsole on my Crocs Bistro clogs:
The Crocs Bistro doesn’t have ventilation holes, which help it meet certain workplace standards. It does have the open heel, but just like the Crocs Specialist II from above, this Crocs Bistro heel is taller than the Crocs Classic Clogs.
Here is a comparison of the Bistro heel (right) compared to the Crocs Classic heel (left):
These Crocs Bistro work clogs have a roomy design, and I found mine to fit longer than Crocs Classics. Here is my Crocs Bistro clog (left) compared to regular Crocs sizing:
Just like the Crocs Specialist II from earlier, this Crocs Bistro clog has extra support in the toe area compared to Crocs Classics. But, again, because this clog is design with these extra details, it does weigh a bit more than Crocs Classics (but still feels lightweight on the foot).
This is the current price of these Crocs Bistro Clogs available at Crocs.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Crocs.com). If you want to read more about this style of Crocs and see sizing photos, visit my Crocs Bistro Clog Review.
Crocs Bistro Pro LiteRide Clogs
| Weight | 0.83 pounds |
| Toe | Not Vented |
| Heel | Open* |
| Fit | Roomy |
When comparing the Crocs Bistro vs Specialist II clogs, I decided to go ahead and include this alternate version of the Bistro, known as the Crocs Bistro Pro LiteRide clogs (Bistro compared to Bistro Pro). This Bistro Pro features the LiteRide foam insoles which provide extra cushioning under the foot.
The LiteRide insoles are very comfortable to wear, and might be particularly useful for those of you spending long work days on your feet. In the video below, I tried to capture how soft these insoles are:
One significant detail about the Crocs Bistro Pro when compared to the regular Bistro and the Specialist II clogs, is the Bistro Pro Clogs have an adjustable heel strap so you can customize the fit for extra support when needed. Here is a look at the strap on mine:
Yes, these work clogs also have the slip-resistant outsoles for extra grip. Here is a look at the outsole on mine:
These shoes do not have vent holes. And even though they are open-heel, they do have that taller heel cup. Here is a comparison of the Bistro Pro heel (left) compare to the Crocs Classic heel:
They have the same roomy fit that the Crocs Bistro and Crocs Specialist II have. Just like those other styles, I found these Bistro Pro clogs to fit bigger than my Crocs Classics. Here are my Bistro Pro clogs compared to regular Crocs sizing:
When considering Crocs Bistro vs Specialist II clogs, the Bistro Pro provides another similar option that has a few unique design details that may fit your specific needs. These Bistro Pro clogs have the extra soft LiteRide insoles, and have the adjustable heel strap that give a more secure fit.
This is the current price of these Crocs Bistro Pro Clogs available at Crocs.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Crocs.com). If you want to read more about this type of Crocs and see sizing photos, visit my Crocs Bistro Pro LiteRide review.
Crocs Bistro vs Specialist II Sizing
In my experience regarding Crocs sizing, all types of Crocs clogs have a wide fit design. But, it is important to note that Crocs are offered in two main types of fits: Roomy Fit and Relaxed Fit. Don’t expect either of these fits to be narrow, but the Roomy Fit is the widest option.
Both the Crocs Specialist II and the Crocs Bistro have a “Roomy Fit”, which means they both have the widest fit available. As I discussed earlier, I found both styles to fit a bit larger than the Crocs Classics.
Here is my side-by-side comparison photo of the Crocs Bistro vs Specialist II sizing (Bistro on right):
Ultimately, I found the Crocs Bistro vs Specialist II sizing to have almost the exact same fit.
**Verify Your Crocs Sizing**: Crocs.com now has its own sizing resource page which helps you find the right fit for your foot. Click here to view this sizing resource available at Crocs.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Crocs.com).
Also, if you are looking for quick Crocs sizing advice and don’t want to browse through all the comparison photos on this page, then this quick video below just summarizes my thoughts regarding how Crocs fit:
Crocs Bistro Sizing Comparison Photos
Below are the Crocs sizing photos I took for the Crocs Bistro clogs compared to other brands. Please note that the pivoting heel strap is where the back of the foot will start, so take that into consideration when comparing these shoes.
Crocs Bistro Sizing vs Regular Crocs
Crocs Bistro Sizing vs Vans
Crocs Bistro Sizing vs Nike Air Max
Crocs Bistro Sizing vs New Balance 574
Crocs Bistro Sizing vs Adidas Superstar
Crocs Bistro Sizing vs Hey Dude
Crocs Bistro Sizing vs Nike Dunk
Crocs Bistro Sizing vs Reebok Classic
Crocs Bistro Sizing vs Air Jordan 1
Crocs Specialist II Sizing Photos
Below are the Crocs sizing photos I took for the Crocs Specialist II clog compared to other brands. Please note that the pivoting heel strap is where the back of the foot will start, so take that into consideration when comparing these shoes.
Crocs Specialist II Sizing vs Regular Crocs
Crocs Specialist Sizing vs Vans
Crocs Specialist Sizing vs Nike Air Max
Crocs Specialist Sizing vs Nike Dunk
Crocs Specialist Sizing vs New Balance 574
Crocs Specialist Sizing vs Reebok Classic
Crocs Specialist Sizing vs Adidas Superstar
Crocs Specialist Sizing vs Hey Dude
Crocs Specialist Sizing vs Air Jordan 1
Crocs Bistro vs Specialist II Design
Ventilation
Most workplace Crocs do not have vent holes because it helps the clogs comply with certain workplace standards. Both my Crocs Bistro and Specialist II clogs are not vented.
But as we discussed earlier, you can buy the Specialist II clogs in both non-vented and vented versions. The Crocs Bistro clog does not currently come in a vented option.
Toe Design
Although it doesn’t impact the performance of the shoe, there is one small design difference between the Crocs Bistro vs Specialist II toe box. Photo below (Bistro on right):
Slip-Resistant
Perhaps the biggest difference in design between the Crocs Bistro vs Specialist II clogs is the fact that the Crocs Bistro clogs have the certified slip-resistant outsole and the Crocs Specialist II clogs do not. The Crocs Specialist II clogs just have the traditional Crocs outsole.
Below is the tread of my Crocs Specialist II:
Here is the slip-resistant outsole of my Crocs Bistro clogs:
Heel Cup
Yes, both the Crocs Bistro and Crocs Specialist II clogs have the taller heel cup when compared to the Crocs Classics. This helps these clogs meet certain workplace standards.
Here are mine compared to the Crocs Classic:
Other Crocs to Consider
In this article we compared the Crocs Bistro vs Specialist II. If you want to read about other Crocs, visit our articles linked below:
- Classic vs Bistro
- Classic vs Crocband
- Classic vs Crocs LiteRide
- Classic vs Baya
- Classic vs All Terrain
My Crocs Bistro vs Specialist II Conclusion
The Crocs Bistro and Crocs Specialist II clogs are both designed for the workplace, but there are differences. The Crocs Bistro has the certified slip-resistant outsole and the Crocs Specialist II just has the traditional Crocs outsole.
There was a difference in weight between the Crocs Bistro vs Specialist II. The Crocs Specialist II clogs weigh a little bit less than the Crocs Bistro clogs. My Crocs Specialist II clogs weigh 0.60 pounds per shoe and my Crocs Bistro weigh 0.73 pounds per shoe (based off size 12 men’s).
Both styles have a pivoting heel strap with a taller heel cup than the Crocs Classics, which helps these clogs meet certain workplace standards.
The Crocs Bistro clogs have no ventilation. The Crocs Specialist clogs come in both a non-vented and vented version. I found both the Crocs Bistro and Crocs Specialist to fit a bit larger than my Crocs Classics.