How are Cole Haan shoes?

HomerJ · Oct 18, 2010

Originally Posted by junior varsity

the high end cole haan collections from my experience were great. made in italy, soft bologna construction leather soles. the regular pedestrian collection from cole haan sucks. the nike air is not a good sole imho
I have an Italian pair from years back like that. Very soft (but a little too thin) leather and light, sleek construction, bit like Magli. Haven't really looked at recent Cole Haan.

TheWGP · Oct 18, 2010

WRT low-end Cole Haans:

No, I do not know how they are called shoes, either. Foot-bags, a la Henry VIII, maybe?

Harold falcon · Oct 18, 2010

I have one pair that I purchased back when I was very poor, before the new Nike sole. They still fit so I haven't thrown them out, but they do not compare to higher quality shoes, and I don't think I've worn them in over 7 or 8 years. I should probably just give them to the Salvation Army.

I would even recommend quality used shoes to brand new Cole Haans.

junior varsity · Oct 18, 2010

Originally Posted by HomerJ

I have an Italian pair from years back like that. Very soft (but a little too thin) leather and light, sleek construction, bit like Magli. Haven't really looked at recent Cole Haan.

yeah they almost phased out the high end cole haan collection series...
i got mine back in 2006, and still running on original soles.

RangerP · Oct 18, 2010

You won't find much love for Cole Haan in these forums.

EVERYONE seems to hate them.

I have just started buying better shoes and I can say that my personal experience is that Cole Haan has much cheaper leather and soles than other companies in slightly higher price ranges (or in the same one even).

Check the forums and eBay for Allen Edmonds... I recommend going to the store before buying to really determine your size in the different lasts.

They don't carry AE for reasonable price where I'm from so during a recent trip to NYC, I tried on a whole bunch of different styles and wrote down my sizes for each of them.

Now I know in which last I need a 9E, 9.5D or 9.5E...

Good luck!

JLibourel · Oct 18, 2010

Isn't it hard to generalize about C-H because they get shoes from a variety of vendors?

I have one pair of C-H shoes that were made in Brazil. The lasting is kind of blobby, but otherwise they have been durable, comfortable shoes that have stood up well to a helluva lot of hard use over the past 11 years and are still in pretty decent shape.

JonathanHemlock · Oct 18, 2010

I like mine but haven't been here long enough to absorb the groupthink. Feel great, fit is TTS. I have a pair of these. . .

and a pair of these. . .

as well as some black dress shoes. I buy enough shoes that I think I know what is quality and what is crap, YMMV. Thumbs up!

cb_32 · Oct 18, 2010

those boots don't look too bad.

Harold falcon · Oct 18, 2010

Originally Posted by cb_32

those boots don't look too bad.

No, they kinda do.

Alan B. · Oct 19, 2010

Vintage Cole Haans are my favorite shoe. You can still find some on eBay. Just be sure that they are stamped "Made in USA." Their old Bragano line from Italy was also superb, especially if you like low vamps. As everyone else has said, stay away from the current stuff.

jbotz05 · Oct 19, 2010

Originally Posted by Alan B.

Vintage Cole Haans are my favorite shoe. You can still find some on eBay. Just be sure that they are stamped "Made in USA." Their old Bragano line from Italy was also superb, especially if you like low vamps. As everyone else has said, stay away from the current stuff.

I have a couple of "Made in USA" loafers that are pretty good but if they're in the same price range as AE shoes I would definately go with the AEs.

michael_legeek · Oct 19, 2010

I have a pair of pre-Nike Cole Haan chestnut brogues, and over the years the colour has gone very uneven, and they flex rather unattractively when I'm walking (maybe they always did that, but I really notice it now). I would not buy another pair even at a super-bargain auction price.

I have a couple pairs of the Nike hybrids, and I consider them pretty reasonable for going on holiday with only a single pair of shoes where unknown amounts of walking, rough terrain and rain may be involved. Which is to say, I think they have uses if I look at them as something that may get used up quickly and made disposable by necessity. I wouldn't consider them an investment shoe.

HomerJ · Oct 19, 2010

Originally Posted by Alan B.

Vintage Cole Haans are my favorite shoe. You can still find some on eBay. Just be sure that they are stamped "Made in USA." Their old Bragano line from Italy was also superb, especially if you like low vamps. As everyone else has said, stay away from the current stuff.
Shot of my Bragano, not too shabby.

JonathanHemlock · Oct 19, 2010

Originally Posted by michael_legeek

I wouldn't consider them an investment shoe.

Aren't all shoes a depreciating asset as soon as you walk off the carpet?

Not being funny, I'm just trying to understand. I like the idea of an "investment shoe." When my wife asks me WTF I am doing with some new kicks, I can tell her they part of my retirement portfolio!

patrickBOOTH · Oct 19, 2010

Originally Posted by HomerJ

Shot of my Bragano, not too shabby.

Look like the soles are glued. Fail.

How are Cole Haan shoes?

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