Product worth the Price: Cole Haan Shoes

Cole Haan heels
images from Cole Haan

I love heels. I'm particularly fond of wild heels, like the amazing Prada ones with wings pictured below. I love picking out an outfit around a pair of fantastic heels, and I absolutely fall in love with beautiful pairs at the store.

What I don't love, however, is being one of those women one sometimes sees teetering along in a pair of too-high heels. Seeing a woman balance on toothpicks, appearing to be held upright solely by her date's hand, makes me worry for her safety along the ripped up concrete of NYC's sidewalks.

Prada heels
image from Imagine Lifestyles

But I have owned a couple pairs of those types of heels... The trouble is that they often don't make themselves known as the stilts that they are until one is out of the store and actually headed somewhere.


A few years ago, I heard that Cole Haan partnered with Nike to apply the technology that makes sneakers supportive to make pumps more comfortable. It was at the back of my mind that I should check them out, but until recently, I had not. Here's what Cole Haan's website says about their heels:

The perfect pump with enhanced comfort and flexibility that proves looking great can feel good--a modern marvel for taking the city streets. 

-Injected insole and TPU forefoot for extra stability and flexibility
-Concealed Nike AIR technology in forefoot and heel for ultimate comfort
-3.5" wrapped heel with .5" platform compares to a 3" heel.

Hidden platforms are helpful, but still, one probably doesn't want to walk for miles in any pair of heels, right? Well, the Cole Haan pumps are an exception. A few weeks ago, when my wife and I celebrated our wedding anniversary, the Cole Haan shoes allowed me walk 23 blocks from work to dinner, and then an additional 21 blocks home. That's over 2 miles of walking in heels, and my feet didn't hurt. As in, did not hurt at all, and I could have easily continued walking!

They are on the more expensive side, but I believe paying a higher price for a good pair of heels is worth the price tag. Also, since the colors offered are somewhat basic, one can plan to wear them with many outfits, unlike the beautiful Pradas, which can only be pulled out a few times.

Because my feet didn't hurt, I was able to enjoy the company I was with, and a lovely walk home through the darkened streets of our city. I felt pretty and happy, which is something no one feels in a painful pair of heels, no matter how beautiful. A modern marvel for taking the city streets, indeed.


(I test a lot of products. In order for it to be a Products Worth the Price, it must be an item I've lived with for a while and absolutely will purchase again.)