Cole Haan outlet shoes: Quality?

[Anonymous]

I was at the Tanger outlets the other day and saw that Cole Haan had really nice-looking boots at what looked like a good price. But when I went to look them up online to find reviews, I couldn't find any of them on the company's website. Does that mean that they produce a different line for their outlet stores than they do for their regular stores? And if so, does anyone have any experience with the outlet store's quality?

[Anonymous]

It's their leftovers and clearance stuff usually. Cole Haan in general has gone way down in quality IMO.

[Anonymous]

Funny enough, I bought a pair of heels a couple of years ago that I LOVED. I replaced the heel a couple of times but they held up really well. I just recently tried to replace them, purchasing a similar style. I am very disappointed in the quality.

[Anonymous]

I have purchased many pairs of shoes from the outlet (though not this year) and the quality seems good to me. I don't think the shoes there are different quality or made for the outlet. I think they are leftovers and clearance, as 12:43 said.

[Anonymous]

I was told by CH customer service that some shies are made for outlets only, or Nordstrom only. I like the quality though.

[Anonymous]

I have several pairs from both outlet and regular store and all are the most comfortable shoes I own.

[Anonymous]

I went to a Cole Haan outlet here in NJ and asked the sales person about the difference with regular and outlet. She said that it's the same quality, but it is specifically made for the outlets, so you won't find the same models in retail stores. She said that the forms are first used for retail and then given to the outlet to use, but the quality is the same.

I ended up ordering a pair from the Cole Haan outlet online (mens dress shoes). Looking at the pair I bought compared to similiar retail models I cannot tell the difference other than the "Cole Haan" marking on my sole doesn't look as clear as the retail ones (again, I viewed them online so can't say for sure in person). I know that with some outlets, like Gap and BR, their products are also specifically made for the outlets but is of inferior quality to the the retail products (you can easily tell when holding an outlet product and similar retail product side by side). Also, Gap and BR outlet products have three squares or diamonds under the brand name on their tags, so you can easily tell that they're from the outlet. From what I can tell, my Cole Haan outlet shoes are not easily distinguishable from retail and is of very good quality. Even the shoe box doesn't have the word "outlet" or "factory store" on it.

So far, the outlet shoe seems decent and I paid less than half the price of a comparable retail one that was on sale.

[Anonymous]

Compared to Cole Haan 20 years ago, the quality has gone downhill. I bought a wonderful pair of elegant loafers in the late 80s that I wore for almost fifteen years. I must have had them reheeled five times, but they still looked great until the sole finally wore through. Ive looked and looked, but they haven't had anything nearly as nice for years. Like everywhere else, they're ok, but not crafted to last for years, like they used to be.

[Anonymous]

I own two pairs of heels from there and am perfectly satisfied, but I make sure I try them on JIC.

[Anonymous]

I've researched this extensively. Cole Haan Outlets do in fact sell made for outlet only and clearance models from the regular retail store. While Cole Haan claims there is no difference in quality, I do see a slight difference. I ordered a regular retail shoe and an outlet shoe online. They were different model numbers and different names, but the style was identical. The material on the outlet shoe had a more glossy shine, like cheap leather or "pleather" and the sole didn't look quite as nice, but they were both pretty comfortable. How well they hold up is a question that I wont be able to answer, because I returned both. IMO, Cole Haan, while comfortable is still a bad value. It is not worth the money. For the same price of a Cole Haan, I could get a pair of Allen Edmonds that will last 1/2 a lifetime. Maybe if you get them on super sale. I did manage to get a pair of Cole Haan regular retail store Grand OS for $80 and loving them.

[Anonymous]

They don't they used to look like cheap knock off's

[Anonymous]

More likely to be "man-made" material instead of real leather. To be honest, most of Cole Haan shoes these days are on the same level as any other pair of $40 made in China plastic crap you can buy at DSW.

[Anonymous]

The 3" workhorse pumps in my closet came from that outlet, 10 years and going strong!

[Anonymous]

Cole Has is having a huge sale, no need to go to outlet if you are certain of your size

[Anonymous]

I looked at a couple of zerogrand sneakers at the outlet and they were much stiffer than the ones I bought at the regular store. Sales clerk said they get some products from regular CH store and other products are 'made for outlet'. I think they should put the three little dots, like GAP and Banana Republic does, so customers can tell the difference. I'd shop their online sale, great values.