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Cole Haan vs. Allen Edmonds vs. Florsheim vs. Johnston & Murphy: Who Wins the Men's Shoes Brand Showdown?

Cole Haan vs. Allen Edmonds vs. Florsheim vs. Johnston & Murphy: Who Wins the Men's Shoes Brand Showdown?

    Cole Haa, Allen Edmonds, Florsheim and Johnston & Murphy these four brands have been known for producing one of the most durable, high-quality shoes in the market, in many different styles. They are incredibly popular and also with noticeable differences between them. So, which brand is the best? Who makes the highest quality men's dress shoes? Is Cole Haan a good brand for dress shoes? Is Allen Edmonds a luxury brand? Is Johnston and Murphy a premium brand? Or are Florsheim shoes comfortable? Now we are going to take a look at the dress shoes from these brands and placed them side by side. We will try to get a comprehensive comparison on which one is better and which one will suit you best. Please keep on reading if you want more information that will help you decide which shoes you should buy.

Cole Haan Review

Cole Haan Brand History and Origin

Cole Haan was started early back in 1928 by Trafton Cole and Eddie Haan. It is an American brand of men's and women's footwear and accessories that serves markets worldwide. Cole Haan currently has its headquarters in both New York City and Greenland, New Hampshire, United States.

Cole Haan used to be a men's footwear label, they manufactured fine leather footwear for a number of society's most distinguished gentlemen, and soon, they became the premier men's shoe label in the early 20th century. Currently, it’s also offering plenty of amazing goods, including men’s and women’s casual footwear, belts, handbags, outwear, scarves, hosiery, sunglasses, gloves, and even dresses. They ultimately became one of the most prominent lifestyle brands in the US, but still focused heavily on footwear. 

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Source:colehaan.com

Cole Haan Men's Shoes Prices

Men's Sneakers:$79.95 - $200;Men's Boots&Chukkas:$119.95 - $219.95;Men's Oxford Shoes:$89.95-$400; Men's Loafers&Drivers:$79.95 - $239.95

Tip:Cole Haan shoes Prices vary depending on the specific style and materials, but generally considered mid-range for dress shoes. 

Cole Haan Shoes Design & Style

Cole Haan are known for comfortable dress shoes, a style that has morphed into current athleisure styles, where stepped-up sneakers and oxford shoes are appropriate in the office and during off hours. They also have golf, tennis shoes and high tech-running shoes. Cole Haan says its gear is intended to perform from“work to workout to weekend,”targeting a core customer of men and women between the ages of 24 and 44. 

A lot of people nowadays want comfortable yet stylish shoes that they can wear for any occasion and for long hours. Previously, many shoe brands were all about style, disregarding the wearer's comfort and putting too much emphasis on design. Cole Haan gives equal focus to both elements, making them a go-to brand for millions of consumers. These shoes are great for everyday wear, and they are doing well as business-travel shoes since they look professional, but are comfortable for walking or running. 

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Source:colehaan.com

Cole Haan Shoes Material & Durability

Cole Haan brand shoes are more focused to provide great comfort that you can count on a perfect mix of style, optimal performance and moderate quality. Users admire their dress shoes that have supreme comfort technology to keep your feet feeling great all day long.

Cole Haan's oxfords for men take everything there is to love about style with our innovative ØriginalGrand, Grand Ambition, ZERØGRAND, and 4.ZERØGRAND series, which combine traditional closed and open laced oxford styling with our engineered cushioning systems. The result? A versatile, sharp men’s oxford wingtip shoe that can be dressed up or down to suit any occasion.

As far as the durability of Cole Haan shoes is concerned, it's all about how you use them and for what purpose you've bought a specific style.

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Source:colehaan.com

Where to Buy Cole Haan Shoes Cheapest?

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Allen Edmonds

Allen Edmonds Brand History and Origin

Allen Edmonds is an American upscale shoe manufacturing and retail company. It began in 1922 with a singular focus on exceptional shoes expertly handcrafted in Port Washington, Wisconsin. 

The company made shoes with responsive cork insoles instead of the awkward metal nails and shanks used in footwear at the time. Due in part to his own abilities as a salesman, Allen's groundbreaking designs quickly found a following with anyone who appreciated a lighter, more flexible dress shoe that was much more comfortable from the very first wear.After supplying footwear to the US Army and Navy during WWII, they gained a life-long fanbase among returning GIs.

Currently, Allen Edmonds is operating over 70 stores, and more to their manufacturing site in the United States, they also make shoes in the Dominican Republic and Italy. Allen Edmonds has maintained a vast signature collection of its leather shoes for men.

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Source:allenedmonds.com

Allen Edmonds Men's Shoes Prices

Men's Dress Shoes: $139-$695; Men's Dress Boots: $249-$725;Casual Shoes:$79.95-$395;  Sneakers: $78- $695.

Tip: Virtually always on sale, they are also not bad for the $200-250 mark they are selling at.

Allen Edmonds Shoes Design & Style

Dress shoes is core to Allen Edmonds' DNA. Essentials that define sophistication for generations of their enthusiasts. As the nature of work changes, the most sought-after styles are evolving too. From reimagined lug sole dress shoes to elevated sneakers, this is the next era of must-haves everyone needs in their closet.

Like Cole Haan, Allen Edmonds has an extensive line-up of product offerings and styles. They sell every kind of men's shoe you can think of, from boat shoes to boots to dress shoes. Some of these styles are: Strandmok Brogue, Park Avenue, Sullivan Street, Addison Penny Dalton wingtip, McAllister wingtip, Strand, and Fifth Avenue. 

In the man's world of luxury fashion, Allen Edmonds fills the everyday luxury category. It is accessible for the upper-middle-class business professional, but the budget-conscious might choose an alternative brand and product. The frequently used leather soles aren't exactly the most comfortable either.

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Source:allenedmonds.com

Allen Edmonds Shoes Material & Durability

Allen Edmonds has been handcrafting footwear in America using the finest materials from around the world since 1922. It's a time-tested practice that involves 212 different steps, 48 pairs of hands and results in what they're proud to call real shoes.

In addition to their handsewn collection, Allen Edmonds also utilizes the Dominican Republic factory to cut and sew the uppers of their Goodyear welted collection of shoes. Similarly to the "American Made" handsewns, these welted uppers are shipped to the factory in Wisconsin, where the remainder of the lasting, welting, and soling are completed.

Built with best-grade leathers, comfortable footbeds and iconic bench welt that allows for recrafting, Allen Edmonds dress shoes collection of refined styles has set the standard for impeccable dressing for decades. Allen Edmonds has an amazing variety of sizes and use-cases. If you need a dress shoe or boot that’s waterproof and you have a unique foot size, Allen Edmonds is the best place to start looking. 

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Source:allenedmonds.com

Where to Buy Allen Edmonds Shoes Cheapest?

Florsheim 

Florsheim Brand History and Origin

Florsheim & Co. was founded in Chicago in 1892 by Milton S. Florsheim.The company marked its shoes with its own name and assisted stores in promoting them. By 1930, Florsheim was making women's shoes and had five Chicago factories and 2,500 employees, with 71 stores partly or entirely company-owned and 9,000 stores around the US selling Florsheims

In 1953, International Shoe Company, the world's largest shoe maker, bought Florsheim for $21 million. Three years later, Florsheim became a division, continuing to operate as a separate entity. During its first ten years, Florsheim was International Shoe's most important unit, doubling its sales and accounting for a quarter of the parent company's sales, as well as more than double that fraction of earnings. Florsheim had 70% of high-quality men's shoes and succeeded when its parent company was struggling.

In 1991, Interco declared bankruptcy but kept Florsheim until the company exited the shoe business in 1994. Florsheim became a separate company. In 1996 it changed its name to Florsheim Shoe Group.Until the mid-1990s, almost every mall in the US had a Florsheim store. With the rise of such shoe stores as Journeys and Finish Line, Inc., and the de-emphasis of shoe stores in American malls, most Florsheim stores closed by the early 2000s. 

In 2002, two members of the founding family, Thomas W. Florsheim, Jr. and John W. Florsheim of Weyco Group, based in Glendale, Wisconsin, repurchased the brand for $47 million from Florsheim Group.

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Source:florsheim.com

Florsheim Men's Shoes Prices

 Men’s Dress Shoes:$49.50 - $250; Men’s Casual Shoes:$49.90 - $250; Men’s Florsheim Imperial:$49.90 - $250; Men’s Loafers & Slip Ons:$49.90 - $200; Men’s Florsheim Comfortech: $49.90 - $150

Tip: Compared to some other brands, Florsheim shoes can be considered mid-range to higher-priced.

Florsheim Shoes Design & Style

Florsheim is known for its classic and timeless shoe styles, making them a good choice for formal occasions or professional settings. 

In 2015,Florsheim partnered with George Esquivel, a shoe designer and craftsman, to design a collection of extraordinary men’s and women’s shoes handcrafted in California. In 2017, to honor the company’s 125th anniversary, Florsheim created a limited-edition collection of shoes to pay tribute to some of the very first Florsheim styles.  And in 2019, Florsheim presented the Fuel Reflect Collection. These colorful shoes paid homage to the famous Florsheim neon signs of the 1930s, the true art deco masterpieces that lit up cities across the USA.

From dress shoes such as timeless leather Oxfords, to casual shoes includingsneakers and loafers, you’ll love Florsheim shoes comfort, style, and quality.

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Source:florsheim.com

Florsheim Shoes Material & Durability

Most Florsheim shoes are made outside North America, but from what we can see, the product quality is still superior to other brands in this price segment. 

Most Florsheim shoes are made with genuine leather, offering a premium look and feel. Many users praise the comfort of Florsheim shoes, especially when considering their dress shoe category, thanks to features like well-designed insoles and flexible midsoles. 

Florsheim shoes are generally considered to be a good option for classic, dressy footwear, with reviews highlighting their comfortable fit, quality leather construction, and traditional styling, but some users report concerns about inconsistent quality, particularly with certain newer models, and potential issues with sole durability depending on the specific style and material chosen

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Source:florsheim.com

Where to Buy Florsheim Shoes Cheapest?

Johnston & Murphy

Johnston & Murphy Brand History and Origin

A true American heritage shoemaker, Johnston & Murphy was founded in 1850 in New Jersey. Their claim to fame, and what cinched the heritage title, is the fact they’ve consistently been worn by American presidents from Lincoln to JFK (sometimes even customizing footwear for them). 

Unsurprisingly, Johnston & Murphy is known for more traditional styles like wingtips and oxfords. They’re also known for being at a lower price point than other heritage shoemakers, like Allen Edmonds and Cole Haan.

Today, they’re based in Nashville, Tennessee, and continue to mainly focus on the tried-and-trues. In fact, they’re one of the few shoemakers that offer traditional models in a non-costumey way.

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Source:johnstonmurphy.com

Johnston & Murphy Men's Shoes Prices

Mes's Lace-Ups: $69.99 - $325;  Mes's Slip-Ons&Loafers: $69.99 - $325; Mes's Dress Shoes: $79.99 - $325; Mes's Sandals: $69; Mes's Sneakers: $79.99 - $185

Tip: Johnston & Murphy is generally considered a mid-range brand, offering good quality shoes at a price that is accessible to many consumers. 

Johnston & Murphy Shoes Design & Style

The brand is recognized for producing classic, professional-looking shoes suitable for business settings, with a variety of styles to choose from. And Johnston & Murphy Shoes have been known as high-quality footwear for over 155 years. 

Johnston & Murphy  offers a fabulous selection of Johnston & Murphy shoes, men’s clothing—even Johnston & Murphy women’s selections. For accessories that you can count on, don’t miss the selection of Johnston & Murphy fine accessories and Johnston & Murphy wallets. 

Looking for a luxury Johnston & Murphy product? Check out the J&M Collection of men’s shoes, including penny loafers, wing tips, boots and slip-ons. For Johnston & Murphy performance athletic shoes, the Johnston & Murphy XC4 offers a fantastic selection of high-performance, waterproof, comfortable athletic shoes that will help you go that extra mile.

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Source:johnstonmurphy.com

Johnston & Murphy Shoes Material & Durability

Johnston & Murphy uses only the finest materials in their shoes.Their leather is sourced from the best tanneries in the Europe, and their soles are made with a high-quality rubber/leather that's built to last.

In general, Johnston and Murphy shoes are made of genuine leather – a grade of leather that's common in most leather products on the market at this price point. Sure, genuine leather isn't the highest grade out there, but it's still a good quality leather that will last for years if it's properly cared for.

Johnston and Murphy shoes are known for their high-quality construction and durability.They use only the best materials in their shoes, and their products are built to last.

If you're looking for a pair of shoes that will last for years, Johnston and Murphy is definitely a brand you should consider.

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Source:johnstonmurphy.com

Where to Buy Johnston & Murphy Shoes Cheapest?

Cole Haan vs. Allen Edmonds vs. Florsheim vs. Johnston & Murphy Dress Shoes Compared

1.Materials & Technologies

(1) Cole Haan Men’s Lenox Hill Cap Oxford  (@$140)

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Source:colehaan.com

Cole Haan Men’s Lenox Hill Cap Oxford  used full-grain cow leather that is of decent quality and holds a shine relatively well. It is also supler and uniform throughout every surface of the shoe. This is because full-grain leather comes from the strongest top layer of the cowhide that produce finest form of material making this shoes incredibly strong and durable. 

Plus, full grain leather is more breathable than lower layer hides like ‘top grain’, ‘split grain’ and ‘corrected’.

(2) Allen Edmonds Men’s Park Avenue Cap-Toe Oxford (@$425)

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Source:allenedmonds.com

Allen Edmonds Men’s Park Avenue Cap-Toe Oxford, on the other hand, features premium calfskin leather sourced from the famous Horween Leather Company in Chicago, IL. Calfskin leather is another source of high-quality, attractive leather that has soft and fine feel.

Just by one touch, you will immediately know that this shoe is made of premium quality leather; it is noticeably smoother than most of the dress shoes in the market. 

(3) Florsheim Midtown Cap Toe (@$125)

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Source:florsheim.com

The Florsheim midtown has a classic design that blends into most formal settings. It also follows all the best practices that make a dress shoe comfortable.

Noteworthy features would be the non-slip TPR (Thermoplastic rubber) sole that delivers traction and comfort, as well as a leather-lined Ortholite footbed that adds a layer of step-in comfort.

(4) Johnston & Murphy Men’s Melton Oxford (@$185)

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Source:johnstonmurphy.com

And just like Allen Edmonds, Johnston & Murphy Men’s Melton Oxford has been crafted with handpicked calfskin for a premium look and feel.

2.Style

  • Since Cole Haan Men’s Lenox Hill Cap Oxford is a classic lace-up oxford shoe, it has always been the top choice for both professional personnel and students. Most of the people love the standard black color as well as its traditional design; whether it’s for an official meeting, a graduation ceremony or just a casual party. Its traditional standard for straightforward and simple design is the mark for this shoes.

  • This timeless cap-toe oxford with subtle seam details Allen Edmonds Men’s Park Avenue Cap-Toe Oxford is absolutely the epitome of classic men’s dress shoe; they will always be appropriate for work and any formal occasions.

  • The Florsheim Midtown Cap Toe has a derby-style upper with external lacing panels. In contrast, a typical Oxford design has a closed lacing without a separate eyelet panel.Technicalities aside, the Midtown’s choice of materials is excellent for its price.

  • When it comes to Johnston & Murphy Men’s Melton Oxford, you have to be careful which color of leather you go with.

3.Durability & Care

  • What’s great with  Cole Haan Men’s Lenox Hill Cap Oxford is that its heel is stacked and replaceable while its upper is entirely attached to its sole so you will never be worried of peeling the bottom away. They are durable enough to last for years under really tough conditions.

  • Allen Edmonds Men’s Park Avenue Cap-Toe Oxford is handcrafted using a Goodyear welt construction method to make sure it will be durable enough; this method is labor-intensive and is considered to be the best when it comes to shoe-construction methods. 

  • Florsheim Midtown Cap Toe is not a lightweight dress shoe. The TPR sole’s optimal blend between durability and stable traction outperforms comparable PU (Polyurethane) and EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) designs, but the trade-off is the higher weight.

  • Johnston & Murphy Men’s Melton Oxford also features Goodyear welt construction that allows leather to mold to your foot for a truly individual fit.

4.Fit & Comfort

  • Though Cole Haan Men’s Lenox Hill Cap Oxford seems to be too narrow, it is actually the opposite; there will be plenty of space for your toes to breath. However, we noticed that it lacks some padding so it might lead to uncomfortable situation. Also, its old-fashioned lacing can slip easily too. Overall, they are flexible, useful, and beautiful shoes. Plus, they take a minimal time for breaking in.

  • Allen Edmonds Men’s Park Avenue Cap-Toe Oxford had a great fit out of the box and I noticed that it became even more comfortable after just a few weeks of wearing them. And to make sure that you have your right size, Allen Edmonds makes shoes in widths from AAA to EEE so you can have the perfect fit. 

  • Florsheim Midtown Cap Toe combines enduring styles and the latest in comfort technology. With modern profiles and features like Ortholite high rebound foam insoles and rubber Comfortech soles, these updated classics are designed to feel as good as they look. T

  • While Johnston & Murphy Men’s Melton Oxford features exclusive Optima Comfort System with multi-layered cushioning that is engineered for optimal comfort, support and flexibility. There’s also leather lining with perforated for forefoot enhances breathability; keeping your feet cool and comfortable. The only downside is its break-in period as it took a little longer than we expected. 

Conclusion: Which is Best Men's Shoes Brand

Cole Haan 

Cole Haan are known for comfortable dress shoes, a style that has morphed into current athleisure styles, where stepped-up sneakers and oxford shoes are appropriate in the office and during off hours.  Its appearance is more American and relatively younger.

Cole Haan shoes are generally reviewed as being very comfortable, with a strong reputation for stylish business casual options, particularly known for their "Zerogrand" technology which provides a lightweight and cushioned feel, making them great for all-day wear.

Allen Edmonds

Allen Edmonds is a solid brand and offers a lot of value even in today’s market with prices approaching $450 USD. It’s hard to find a brand that offers so much – items assembled in the USA, crafted from good quality materials, designs that are as timeless as it gets, and various options in a wide variety of sizes, widths, and last fittings. 

Affordability is subjective, but we do believe that a pair for $300-400 is affordable when you consider that the pair could last you well over a decade if they’re properly taken care of.

Florsheim 

Florsheim shoes are designed to be as comfortable as they are great looking. They have been crafting comfortable shoes for over 100 years. Whether dress or casual, these comfortable shoes include features like cushioned footbeds, breathable linings, rebounding insoles, and outsoles designed to make your stride easier.

Reviews for Florsheim shoes are mixed, with some users praising their classic style and comfort, while others criticize declining quality and issues with fit, particularly regarding the inconsistency in sizing and concerns about the durability of certain sole materials, especially in lower-priced lines; generally considered a mid-range option offering good value for business casual and dress shoes when choosing the right style and considering potential fit variations. 

Johnston & Murphy

Johnston & Murphy is a middle ground between the budget brand Florsheim and higher-end Allen Edmonds, which offers higher-quality shoes than budget brands at lower prices than high-end brands generally have.

Some consistent strengths in their models include good leather and timeless styles. They’re a good brand to go to when it comes to more traditional footwear, as they’ve got every box checked when it comes to “canon” shoe styles — from saddle shoes to loafers.

And Johnston & Murphy does have a few that are available at reasonable prices. The Melton Cap Toe, for example, is less than $200.

And finally, Johnston & Murphy shoes are incredibly comfortable, without falling into the hybrid aesthetic trap.

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