Cole Haan shoes?

[andrew96]

I went to the Cole Haan store today in search of some new loafers. The salesmen and service was exceptional, but the quality and fit seemed to be lacking. I went to J & M and it seemed to be of much higher quality at a lower price. I haven't worn any Haan's so I don't have an opinion from wearing them, but they didn't look to great. What do you guys think? Are they worth it?

 

[Simon Radash]

Originally Posted by andrew96

I went to the Cole Haan store today in search of some new loafers. The salesmen and service was exceptional, but the quality and fit seemed to be lacking. I went to J & M and it seemed to be of much higher quality at a lower price. I haven't worn any Haan's so I don't have an opinion from wearing them, but they didn't look to great. What do you guys think? Are they worth it?

Yes I think they are worth it. But that is not the point is it? many other items are also worth it but not everybody gets them. So I think all depends on what you consider to worthy.

 

[oaw01]

No.

 

[dasai]

Cole Haan shoes are not looked upon well here. The same is mostly true of Johnston and Murphy, but they do have some decent shoes at the upper end of their range (although for that price, you're better off going with Allen-Edmonds or Alden).

 

[noob in 89]

Originally Posted by dasai

Cole Haan shoes are not looked upon well here.

True. When I first started reading Style Forum, I wondered if these claims might be exaggerated, but now, I notice that every every single pair of Cole Haans I find in resale shops have an identical hole near the top of each sole. It's uncanny.

I'd amend that question to ask if there was a solid era of good quality Cole Haan shoes. I'm a bit nostalgic for them, having worn them as 'school shoes' for many years. It'd be nice to find an older, higher-quality pair online, if they exist.

 

[SuitedDx]

I've owned them and can attest to the poorer construction and leather quality. I do still own 2 pairs: 1 black derby and 1 brown boot (similar to the AE Bayfield). They are decent enough looking for me to wear on bad snow days (pretty much the only time I wear them) because they have a thin commando-type sole and don't mind getting them salted up during long NYC walks. I also got them for around $60 each (IIRC) which is far from what CH retails their shoes at.

If you were looking at paying retail for CH shoes, there are definitely much better options.

 

[Cuttingboard]

I have a pair of pre-Nike Cole Haan wingtips that are wonderful!! I also have a brown and black cap toes with the rubber sole that are my beater shoes since I ride the subway every day. I've never paid full price and don't plan on buying any more of their products. I plan on purchasing a nice pair of C&J Drummond wingtips for spring and Alden navy suede chukka's for summer.

 

[reidrothchild]

The question of whether or not Cole Haan is "worth it" depends. I own a pair that I paid $130 (full retail!) for. I've worn them regularly for about a year, they still look fine, and haven't fallen apart. I also have a pair of AE seconds I got for $130 on sale. There is no comparison between the CH and AE; AE is hands down the better value if you can get them for the anywhere near the same price. However, if you don't have access to cheap AEs, and you're comparing retail CH to retail AE, I don't think the CH represents a terrible value. Some of the CH stuff that I see advertised for $200+ is pretty insane, though.

 

[Harold falcon]

There really isn't any reason to buy Cole Haan shoes. J&M is certainly better, although it would be even better if you could save up and get some AEs on sale.

 

[SirGrotius]

Cole Haan's quality has been lacking recently. IIRC, I stopped at one of their stores in Chicago recently and most of the shoes were made in china and on top of that didn't look that stylish to me. Johnston & Murphy are boring as hell but at least you can get a better constructed pair of shoes. Definitely hold out for the better brands if you can. Shoes should last a while.

 

[TRA8324]

Cole Haan isn't bad if you can get them way on sale. I bought a pair of $165 burgundy penny loafers for $60. For that price you really can't do much better.

 

[Harold falcon]

Originally Posted by TRA8324

Cole Haan isn't bad if you can get them way on sale. I bought a pair of $165 burgundy penny loafers for $60. For that price you really can't do much better.

I'd rather buy $60 used AEs instead of brand new $60 CHs.

 

[JesseJB]

The soles wear out in weeks and the leather peels.

 

[Tomboys]

Originally Posted by andrew96

I went to the Cole Haan store today in search of some new loafers. The salesmen and service was exceptional, but the quality and fit seemed to be lacking. I went to J & M and it seemed to be of much higher quality at a lower price. I haven't worn any Haan's so I don't have an opinion from wearing them, but they didn't look to great. What do you guys think? Are they worth it?

Well, based on what you've written, I think you've answered your own question,"...quality and fit seem to be lacking...they didn't look great." Given those assessments, there's no reason to waste your money on them.

 

[andrew96]

Originally Posted by Tomboys

Well, based on what you've written, I think you've answered your own question,"...quality and fit seem to be lacking...they didn't look great." Given those assessments, there's no reason to waste your money on them.

Okay, this is true. But I don't know anything about shoes either so I thought I would find out what you guys thought.