Before getting a pair of shoes it’s important to know about their features to get the most out of your money.
Many people underestimate the importance of well-made comfortable shoes, but due to fashion trends and different needs, we rely on them daily. With regard to this type of footwear, two brands that frequently draw attention are Tieks and Cole Haan.
Both brands are highly popular, with significant variations in their features. Let’s get a quick rundown of each brand before we examine their differences.
Comparison Table Between Tieks And Cole Haan:
| Tieks | Cole Haan |
|---|---|
| Founded in 2008 | Founded in 1928 |
| Options for Ballet flats, slides, and sandals | Pumps, Loafers, sandals, Heels, sneakers, Espadrilles, Flats, Slippers, and others |
| Relatively New brand | Rich Long History |
| Famous for their Foldable style and versatility | Recognized for using recycled materials |
| Fully cushioned | Leather Might feel stiff |
| Small Break-in period | Modest break in period |
| Bright and Flashy | Subtle, everyday Colors |
Overview of Cole Haan:
Cole Haan is a shoe and accessory company dedicated to providing fashionable and practical footwear.
The brand was created in 1928 by Trafton Cole and Eddie Haan. The company began as a label for men’s footwear but has since extended to include shoes for men and women as well as accessories such as belts, handbags, sunglasses, and luggage.
Ultimately, they became one of the most popular lifestyle brands in the United States, but their primary focus remained footwear.
They relocated its headquarters to Maine from Chicago, where they had developed a high-quality brand.
The company was sold to George Denney’s partners in 1975. Over the course of a decade, Cole Haan grew into a leading American footwear brand and entered the retail market.
Then, in 1988, they teamed up with Nike to combine their traditional shoe quality with the latest innovations in athletic footwear. This development is still reflected in their unique aesthetics.
After years of working together, Nike and Cole Haan announced their separation.
In 2012, Apax Partners Worldwide purchased Cole Haan. Their current headquarters are in Greenland, New Hampshire, while their design center is in New York City.
The new ZEROGRAND models from Cole Haan are their best sellers, redefining the term “dress shoe.”
The collection brings in the future of formal shoes by innovating design and comfort. More than 300 Cole Haan stores are located in America, Asia, and the Middle East.
Overview of Tieks:
With a focus on flexibility, longevity, comfort, and fashion, the brand Tieks made ballet flats that are intended to be worn all day.
Kfir and his siblings established the company in 2008, and their shoe collection was released in 2010.
Each pair of Tieks is handcrafted from high-quality Italian leather and comes in a wide range of colors, prints, and patterns to complement a variety of looks and personalities.
The brand offers more than sixty unique styles of ballet flats divided across four categories including Classics, Prints, Patents, and Vegan that offers something to suit every type, event, and wardrobe.
The “Tieks classic series” includes flats in a variety of solid colors, and “Matte Black” is one of their best-sellers.
You can wear this color every day, so these shoes are a better deal and give you value for your money.
Moreover, the brand has a non-profit organization, “Gavrieli Foundation” which has donated more than $10,000,000 to over 55,000 female entrepreneurs across the globe. Also, the brand has an active presence on all social media platforms, and its advertising is generally basic but impressively creative.
Major Differences between the Brands:
Now, let’s compare Tieks and Cole Haan so it will become easier for you to choose your next pair from these brands.
1) Comfort:
Cole Haan shoes are the perfect balance of design and comfort. The 3D Lux comfort technology incorporated into their shoes ensures that your feet will feel relaxed throughout the day. With a lightweight, cushioned, and flexible sole that moves with the foot as you walk, they are made to relieve heel and arch pain.
Also, some of their footwear features an innovative forefoot cushioning system that absorbs shock and makes each step softer. The majority of their boots and dress shoes may feel narrow; therefore, if you have wider feet ordering the correct size is crucial for a comfortable fit.
Conversely, Tieks claims that with about 150 steps, every part of a pair of Tieks comes together to make a ballet flat with comfort, flexibility, and durability that can’t be matched. When cutting, sewing, and finishing each pair of Tieks, a great deal of attention is taken to make sure that every corner feels comfy and smooth.
In addition, the insoles of a pair of Tieks are hand stitched and made of soft full-grain leather which is so soft and breathable and feels like silk on the skin.
The innovative foam cushioning gives a gentle instep for all-day comfort and makes these shoes long-lasting. Also, the brand gives a lot of attention to heel comfort, which is why each pair of Tieks has a cushioned back instead of elastic that ensures a snug fit and prevents any discomfort.
2) Popularity:
Tieks are a popular choice among mothers, professionals, and travelers who prefer a pair of flats for extra comfort. Moreover, Forbes ranked Tieks one of the 25 Most Innovative Consumer Brands in 2013, and the company was also on “Inc.’s 30 Under 30 list” Top 30 Startups “To Watch list by Entrepreneurs,” and Oprah’s O List.
On the other hand, Cole Haan has always been a favorite among the old-aged community, but now their footwear is a go-to choice for young creative people. Also, the brand has collaborated with well-known designers, athletes, and fashionistas and they manufactured their men’s footwear capsule collection with CFDA-nominated designer “Todd Snyder” and a collection of ballet flats for women with “Megan Fairchild”, “Sara Mearns”, and “Gretchen Smith”.
3) Target Market:
Cole Haan offers its products to men and women, between the ages of 24 to 44 and most of its designs are for young adults due to their timeless appearance.
Tieks flats, on the other hand, can be worn by men and women, but they are intended for women who want a stylish alternative to heels between the ages of 25 to almost 45.
4) Price:
Tieks ballet flats cost you from $175 to more than $300, and other footwear is almost $55-$125 whereas Cole Haan’s price range may vary with different styles and charge anywhere from $49 to $270.
The widespread success of both companies can be attributed to their dedication to making unique footwear that justifies their hefty price tags.
5) Design:
Cole Hand is widely regarded as one of the best shoe companies out there due to its reputation for producing durable and supportive footwear. It offers new and improved models whether you want high-fashion kicks or shoes for everyday wear that compete with popular brands in the industry.
Their versatility makes them ideal for any season, when the climate is hot, you can buy their sandals or flats to keep your feet cool, and in cold weather or formal occasions, you can opt for their boots or sneakers for a warmer feel and professional look. Plus their performance footwear is ergonomically designed to protect your toes and heels from getting blisters.
In contrast, Tieks offer elegant ballet flats, slides, and sandals, but the brand is most renowned for its durable ballet flats. Their exclusive blue soles set them apart from the competition and they are designed to be sturdy yet lightweight so that they can be folded in half and carried in a handbag while traveling.
Each pair of Tieks is crafted from a single piece of Italian leather that wraps around the foot; as the leather wears, it expands and conforms to the curve of the foot, resulting in a perfect fit.
Moreover, Tieks employs a brown leather midsole that permits the shoes to bend with your natural movement. Also, the thick, non-slip rubber is resilient enough to protect your feet from the ground while shielding your toes regardless of the surface making them perfect if you have an active lifestyle.
Conclusion: Which Is Better For You?
That brings us to the end of our comparison of the multipurpose brands Tieks and Cole Haan. However, both brands might be better for you but their footwear offerings are quite different.
The versatility of Cole Haan makes it a good choice for both casual and formal occasions, you will also get athletic options whereas Tieks is a superior choice if you’re a travel freak or looking for ballet flats to wear formally and on daily basis.
In the end, you’ll need to pick what matters most to you in terms of materials, their general appearance, as well as what kind of style you are looking for.