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Black moto boots - is this an upgrade or a duplication?

Makrame

Veteran

I have had the Dolce Vita Storm moto boots (1-3) for 2 or 3 years now. I still like them but whenever I take photos, I get slightly annoyed by the "flaps" that like to stay open and look a bit sloppy. I ordered the Cole Haan Alix boots (4-6) thinking they would be a good replacement/upgrade. I am not 100% sure - I think they look better with skirts but as far as skinnies, I don't know if they are any better. Maybe I am just not as much into skinnies with boots now?

What are your thoughts - does one pair of boots look better than the other or are they too similar?

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21 replies

Latest reply was from

Adelfa

Veteran

Even though the boots seem similar, the Cole Haan ones have a much trimmer look around the ankle that makes for a very different looking boot. The trimness is more important with skirts. How much do you wear skirts? It sounds like you don't necessarily prefer the Cole Haans with skinnies so I think you might look at how important it is to you for them to look trim with skirts.

Makrame

Veteran

I pretty much "live" in Halogen skirts in the fall/winter. I mostly wear them with tall boots but I thought it would be a fun change to wear them with shorter moto boots from time to time.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Well, I think they look great with both, and agree with Adelfa that they have a slimmer, trimmer appearance altogether. Do they pass the comfort test?

Diana

Veteran

I think they look great, definitely more streamlined and sophisticated. I did almost exactly the same thing (replaced my DV storms with Frye Veronica shorties) last NAS and do not regret it one bit. The slimmer shaft felt much more streamlined and easier to wear (and I don't know about you, but I never, ever wore my Storms folded down), plus none of that annoying flapping.
Plus I'm sure the quality is much better too.

PS - If you do decide to return the Cole Haans, you might want to look at the veronica shorties (or the back zip version in this year's NAS). My Veronicas only have one buckle so it might be even more streamlined.

Deborah

Veteran

I think if it is a replacement you are looking for, the CH look fab. They are a little more streamlined which I like and are definitely slimmer around the calf. I can't speak to the comfort of the brand but certainly visually they look great.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

I like the new ones better, but not hugely so. How comfortable are they compared to the old ones? I wouldn't 'upgrade' to a less comfortable version of the same item even if it looks a lot better.

Makrame

Veteran

Thanks for your thoughts!

These are Cole Haans with Nike Air so they are very comfortable right out of the box. I think if I could only buy one brand of shoes, it would be Cole Haan - they are always comfortable for me.

Diana, I had Frye Veronica on my backup list, still not sure if I should try them as well. They are a bit taller that these Cole Haan boots, which would make it easier to wear them with skinny jeans.

abc

Veteran

Hi Makrame, it's funny, I was on the hunt for black moto boots recently myself. I came across the Cole Haan Alix in my size at Rack and took them home but ended up returning them. They just didn't fit my slightly wide foot right, and to me, they were a bit clunky.

I ended up getting the NAS Frye Veronica Back Zips in black. I had to size up 1/2 size from my normal Frye size, which incidentally puts me back to my regular size (if that makes any sense) and they are wearing in nicely.

If you have any questions or need my input on the differences, just let me know if I can help in any way.

MNsara

Veteran

I think the new ones look much better with your skirt than the DVs. I rather like the floppy DVs with the skinnies! Is there room in your life for both?

I'd be interested in seeing those Fryes on you before you committed to the Cole Haans . . .

Diana

Veteran

Yes, try the Veronicas! One thing though - they are heavy (much more so than the storm), so you need to be ok with that. I think mine weigh about the same as my docs.

abc

Veteran

I agree with Diana, the Veronicas are heavy but if I recall the Cole Haans were pretty heavy, too. The Fryes have a more delicate/refined sole than that specific pair from CH which might play well if you are planning on wearing skirts with them. Get them and try them out and let us know what you think.

Makrame

Veteran

Thanks abc and Diana, I did not realize that Veronicas had a more delicate sole, I assumed they were more rugged.

Sounds like I should try them on.

marit

I like the second pair that are tighter to the ankle/calf... I especially prefer those to the first with the skirt.

Makrame

Veteran

Diana or abc, did you find the Veronicas to run small? That's what a lot of reviews say so I am wondering if I would be OK ordering 7.5 (I am usually between 7 and 7.5) or if I need to go up to 8.

Diana

Veteran

I got them in my regular boot size (8, although I wear 7.5 in sandals) and they are plenty roomy. I think they may run a little bit small in comparison to some other Fryes, but not compared to other brands. I do have low volume, narrower feet though; if your feet are wide or deep you might want to size up. I know some people have trouble getting them on, although now that there is a zipper in the new version it's probably not as big of a deal. My feet are so low volume that I can actually kick them off if I kick really hard. =P

Anonymous

Makrame- I wear a 7-7.5 as well. I ordered the 7 in the Fryes and they were too small in length. If i would have wanted to keep them, I would have gone up to 7.5 and worn normal boot socks. Other Fryes I have tried on, the 7's felt better.

The heel was just way too wide. As far as comfort in the footbed, they were amazing! I loved them in the cognac ... Not sure what the black would be like.

I am hoping to find a different model that works better for my narrow heel.

abc

Veteran

In shoes and boots I normally wear 8.5 or 9. My first pair of Fryes, Veronica shorties, I ended up with 8.5. I *thought* the Veronica back zip shorties would fit the same, but I had to go up to a 9 in those. I guess because of the zipper or something. I do find the zipper pair harder to get on than the slip ons, but they are getting easier the more I wear them.

I would say try the 7.5 for you. If you can, order a couple of sizes and compare. Just remember, at the beginning, a little bit of heel slip is normal with Fryes (this is what the Nordies shoe salesperson told me and I confirmed on the internet). It is because there is no flex in the sole to begin with. Once the shoe starts loosening up the sole will move wiith your foot and the heel slip will be gone.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Ms_zanderblot

Member

Just trying to decide between the CH and Frye's. very helpful comments!

Anonymous

I agree with everyone else that the Cole Haans look more streamlined than your current pair.

I actually have the short Frye Veronicas with the back zip and I really like them, but with a few caveats. First, the zipper kind of rubs agains my heel. They really hurt there the first few days I wore them, to the point where the backs of my heels were actually bleeding. Once they were broken in, that got much better, although there's still sometimes some mild rubbing at the end of a long day wearing them. Second, the leather straps that go around the back actually are attached with snaps on one side so you don't have to redo the buckles every time you take them on or off. Which is great, except that the snaps don't stay closed that well, so you have to keep checking to make sure the straps are fastened and aren't just hanging down.

Despite those two issues, I do really love them. They look great, are wonderful-quality leather, and are a good balance between streamlined and rugged.

And they do seem to run a little small compared to other Fryes. I got a 5 1/2, which is my normal boot size, but I think I could have comfortably gone up to a 6.

Makrame

Veteran

Looks like this thread got revived, so I am happy to report that I ended up getting the Veronicas (did not keep the Cole Haan boots). They are pretty comfortable once broken in, and hopefully will last for a while.

Anonymous

I didn't even notice this was an old thread! Well, hopefully my dissertation will be useful to someone.

And I'm glad you like the Veronicas!