Cole Haan, an American brand known for its men’s and women’s footwear and accessories, serves markets worldwide. Lately, many people have been questioning whether it’s actually a good brand.
There’s no doubt that Cole Haan is a popular brand, but does that translate into quality? Are they offering interesting options worth your attention, or is this just another fashion brand having a trending moment?
Let’s drop in and find out by three important factors.
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Overview at the brand Success
To really see if it’s good or not, let’s dig into an overview of the brand.
Cole Haan is an American vintage brand known for its distinct American style. It’s not classified as a luxury brand, but its products give off a high-end feel.
From my research, Cole Haan ranks 82nd among the Most Recognized Fashion Brands, with a brand value of $975 million in 2024—which, to be honest, isn’t small at all. Just in 2019, the brand made around $687 million of total annual revenue.
The brand mostly appeals to Gen X rather than Gen Z. However, recent surveys and interviews suggest that Cole Haan is shifting towards more Gen-Z-friendly fashion as well.
Moreover, 61% of Cole Haan enthusiasts fall into the high-income category. At the same time, 57% of Cole Haan owners show brand loyalty, which explains the brand’s focus on quality and attention to detail.
With all this in mind, the brand seems to be giving off some positive signals.
History And Legacy
Now, let’s see if the brand has a positive history or not.
This brand is nearly 100 years old, having started as an independent company in 1928. It later came under Nike’s ownership from 1988 to 2012 before being acquired by Apax Partners in 2012, where it remains today.
Cole Haan was founded by Trafton Cole and Eddie Haan. It was originally named “Cole, Rood & Haan” when it focused strictly on men’s footwear. But over time, the brand expanded, and now you’ll find women’s fashion in its lineup as well.
In its early days, Cole Haan leaned toward uniform-style fashion, perfect for office meetings and formal retreats. But over the years, it has adjusted its marketing and product strategy to match today’s more relaxed and flexible fashion trends. Especially after 2020, the brand has embraced a more casual and outdoorsy look.
Now, looking at all this history, it’s clear that Cole Haan has a deep connection with its buyers, which is another positive sign of it being a good brand.
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Quality And Dedication
Okay! Hear me out on this.
Speaking of quality and dedication, the brand is well-known for making men’s dress shoes, boots, loafers, sneakers, and Oxford-style shoes.
I’ve seen their boots and loafers in person, and they’re okay. Nothing flashy, but they hold up well. They’re about as good as other brands like Allen Edmonds, Johnston & Murphy, and Florsheim.
For quality, most of their products use leather. The leather they use—mainly suede and full-grain—is pretty average for what they charge. I’ve seen better-quality leather on cheaper boots from other brands, but to be fair, their quality is still comparable to many top brands. One good thing about their leather products is that they support responsible manufacturing through the Leather Working Group.
Now, one thing that bothers me is their claim about American craftsmanship. Their website gives that impression, but in reality, their shoes aren’t even made in the U.S. I asked their customer support for clarification, and they confirmed that most of their shoes are made in China, Vietnam, and Italy. Here’s a screenshot.
So, I don’t know how you guys feel about this, but why claim American craftsmanship in the first place if the shoes aren’t even made in the U.S.? It doesn’t necessarily mean they’re bad, but the wording feels a bit sneaky, which is kind of sus to me.
With that, the brand also throws in a few “innovative technologies” for lightweight comfort, but honestly, that kind of marketing is everywhere these days. Almost every brand now provides lightweight cushioning and enhanced breathability. Nothing too exciting here.
They also emphasize sustainability, operating ethically and ensuring fair working conditions and wages. Pretty standard stuff that most brands are doing now.
Overall, they’re doing fine with their footwear, and they have a loyal customer base. There are numerous positive reviews about their shoes on the internet. So, I can’t argue much if buyers are happy with the brand. They hold a positive stance when it comes to quality and dedication to their customers.
Final Thoughts: Is Cole Haan a Good Trusted Brand?
If you’ve gone through everything I’ve mentioned so far, you probably have a good understanding by now.
All the factors point to Cole Haan being a trusted brand with options worth considering for both Gen X and Gen Z buyers. They offer a wide range of footwear, from sleek leather sneakers to dynamic running shoes, blending luxury with performance.
On top of that, they have a long history and plenty of positive reviews from buyers and critics across the internet. That kind of reputation isn’t easy to build, especially with so many brands competing for attention these days.
So, yeah! The brand is trusted and definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for a new pair of shoes.
