Cole Haans are the best!

[Alexzander]

Just kidding! Got your attention though.

Ok, I have decided my life is too calm and am ready for some controversy.

What do you all think about Cole Haan Air Giovannis or Air Traftons? What's with this "Air" thing anyway, which is to say does it add to comfort and not sacrifice quality? The pair of CHs I do have are from the 90s and so all that jazz is news to me. These particular brands of CH do seem expensive and it seems I could just step up to Aldens for this price point. But CH's do fit me pretty well. Just wondering if anyone has had a decent experience with them.

I tried on a pair of J&M Aristocrafts and they fit me well. Are these really so bad as all that in terms of durability? Can these ever be had in an outlet? On discount anywhere?

Sorry, can't wear Allen Edmonds, they have too big a heel for me.

I just can't afford really nice English shoes. But I can go up to about $400. Any advice on other alternatives?

Yes I looked through the posts a bit, got a lot out of that. My questions are to fill in what I could not find, or what was not so current.

Thanks to all for your help.

 

[KObalto]

C&J benchgrade? Or even Loake 1880? Look here: http://www.pediwear.co.uk/crockett/ranges/43.php

 

[Gdot]

Look at the sale items at 'A Fine Pair of Shoes' as well.

Avoid the Cole Haans - they are all glue jobs and corrected grain leather these days. They will probably hold up well enough through one set of soles - but not going to do well past that.

Can't you get Carminas for around $400 US these days?

 

[Cuttingboard]



Look at the sale items at 'A Fine Pair of Shoes' as well.
Avoid the Cole Haans - they are all glue jobs and corrected grain leather these days. They will probably hold up well enough through one set of soles - but not going to do well past that.
Can't you get Carminas for around $400 US these days?

I have a couple pairs of cole haan shoes from the late 80s before they were bought by Nike and are great shoes. The current cole haan shoes are owned by Nike, hence the Air pocket cushion gymic in the heels. They are not worth paying full price, poor quality, corrected grain and glued shoe.

 

[Snedley]

Just kidding! Got your attention though.
Ok, I have decided my life is too calm and am ready for some controversy.
What do you all think about Cole Haan Air Giovannis or Air Traftons? What's with this "Air" thing anyway, which is to say does it add to comfort and not sacrifice quality? The pair of CHs I do have are from the 90s and so all that jazz is news to me. These particular brands of CH do seem expensive and it seems I could just step up to Aldens for this price point. But CH's do fit me pretty well. Just wondering if anyone has had a decent experience with them.
I tried on a pair of J&M Aristocrafts and they fit me well. Are these really so bad as all that in terms of durability? Can these ever be had in an outlet? On discount anywhere?
Sorry, can't wear Allen Edmonds, they have too big a heel for me.
I just can't afford really nice English shoes. But I can go up to about $400. Any advice on other alternatives?
Yes I looked through the posts a bit, got a lot out of that. My questions are to fill in what I could not find, or what was not so current.
Thanks to all for your help.

Aldens are twice the price of Cole Haan.CH are fine for the money and are comfortable. What do you mean by AE has too big a heel?

 

[Snedley]

Look at the sale items at 'A Fine Pair of Shoes' as well.
Avoid the Cole Haans - they are all glue jobs and corrected grain leather these days. They will probably hold up well enough through one set of soles - but not going to do well past that.
Can't you get Carminas for around $400 US these days?

Carminas are like $550-800

 

[Gdot]



Carminas are like $550-800

The regular line in calf starts at about 275 Euros. In shell in the 400 Euro range.

They are quite a good buy, IMO.

 

[Snedley]

The regular line in calf starts at about 275 Euros. In shell in the 400 Euro range.
They are quite a good buy, IMO.

There are only a couple of places that sell them in the US

http://www.epauletshop.com/servlet/Categories

 

[mr monty]



Just kidding! Got your attention though.
Ok, I have decided my life is too calm and am ready for some controversy.
What do you all think about Cole Haan Air Giovannis or Air Traftons? What's with this "Air" thing anyway, which is to say does it add to comfort and not sacrifice quality? The pair of CHs I do have are from the 90s and so all that jazz is news to me. These particular brands of CH do seem expensive and it seems I could just step up to Aldens for this price point. But CH's do fit me pretty well. Just wondering if anyone has had a decent experience with them.
I tried on a pair of J&M Aristocrafts and they fit me well. Are these really so bad as all that in terms of durability? Can these ever be had in an outlet? On discount anywhere?
Sorry, can't wear Allen Edmonds, they have too big a heel for me.
I just can't afford really nice English shoes. But I can go up to about $400. Any advice on other alternatives?
Yes I looked through the posts a bit, got a lot out of that. My questions are to fill in what I could not find, or what was not so current.
Thanks to all for your help.

$400, research, and PATIENCE will get you any of the top rtw shoes.

 

[Snedley]

$400, research, and PATIENCE will get you any of the top rtw shoes.

$400 and patience will also get you 4 good pairs of CH.

 

[2ghouls]

2 pairs of Meermin, Classic collection, shipped. Check the Meermin thread for pics.

 

[Gdot]



There are only a couple of places that sell them in the US

http://www.epauletshop.com/servlet/Categories

The Carmina web store is another option for US buyers. Although the selection is not vast.

Alternately you can take the model number of any model offered on their general web site and order them via email.

The prices at Epaulet are not the greatest compared to purchasing direct from Carmina. Although I notice closed channel stitching on the calf skin models. This is an upgrade from the normal spec. So I presume these specials for Epaulet are made to a custom specification.

In any case, if you have access to the store it's always worth paying a bit more to be able to try on the shoes and be fitted properly.

 

[Cuttingboard]



$400 and patience will also get you 4 good pairs of CH.

But you'll continually have to buy a new pair of Cole Haan's every other year and end up paying more in the long run. I'm currently in the process of replacing all of my CH shoes with superior products from Carmina, AE and Alden.

 

[Alexzander]

Really excellent advice! Thanks.

You have given me a lot to think about.

Thanks

P.S: Just tried on a few pairs of AEs at Nordstrom and my heels just mushed around in them. If I could not have laced them to the front of my foot, they would half fall-off when I would lift my foot. Its not all the problem of the shoe. I have a wider front foot and narrower heel. I know, I am a mutant. Anyway, I need shows with a bit more cup on the heels, and slip-ons are very tough for me (damn!).

The CH brands I mentioned in my original post were about $400. So that is how I got to relative equivalency (in price only!) between Aldens and these particular CHs.

I wondered if CHs went downhill.

No one bit on the Aristocrafts so I will take the hint.

Thanks for the tips on the English shoes I will check them out!

 

[rikod]



But you'll continually have to buy a new pair of Cole Haan's every other year and end up paying more in the long run. I'm currently in the process of replacing all of my CH shoes with superior products from Carmina, AE and Alden.

why?