Carmina Shoes - Definitive Thread (reviews, advice, sizing, etc...) - official thread.

[easy_golfing]

can anybody comment, how does the oscar fit (especially vs forest)? I read the sizing thread, but some said it is wider, others said it has a narrower heel and waist.

 

[Beatlegeuse]

It would be awesome if someone with a lot of experience on all Carmina's lasts could make a sizing picture similar to the one REguy made in the Alden thread.

 

[coxaca]

can anybody comment, how does the oscar fit (especially vs forest)? I read the sizing thread, but some said it is wider, others said it has a narrower heel and waist.

No personal experience, but the above is also what I learned from the sizing thread. I'm guessing, roomy at the front of the boot, tighter at the back.

Hopefully one of the 16 participants in the previous MTO will be able to elucidate.

 

[Fiddler]

Oscar is rounded but it has a low instep that I find extends all the way to the area where the toes begin.

 

[easy_golfing]



Oscar is rounded but it has a low instep that I find extends all the way to the area where the toes begin.

Ah If that is the case, sit think I can participate in the jumper boot MTO. I feel like my toes would be too tight since I wear insoles.

Any chance you want to chane lasts?

 

[dlm4114]



It would be awesome if someone with a lot of experience on all Carmina's lasts could make a sizing picture similar to the one REguy made in the Alden thread.

It takes some time, but if you go through enough of sizing thread, I think you've got a good chance of finding enough people with similar problems to put together a good guide for yourself. I went through and saved 3-4 of the best comments and was able to do so, at least for the issues I have for my foot (slightly narrow, really high arch). I did this for two MTOs, but neither of them has come in yet, so take this with a grain of salt. Helped me order without being able to try on though. If anyone wants I can dig up the comments I saved.

 

[Beatlegeuse]

Ahh, I didn't even realize there was a separate Carmina sizing thread. I'll have a look through that. My concern is usually width as I have a fairly narrow foot. I wish it was easier to try on a bunch of different shoes in person so I could figure it all out for myself.

 

[diglett]

Here is the reply from Skoaktie:

"There are actually two different Horween Shell Cordovan Cognac colors. There is Cognac Cordovan, which was used for the Skoaktiebolaget Derby Boot Group MTO, this is quite light brown to mid-brown in colour. Then there is a shade called Dark Cognac Cordovan, this is a shade that goes from brown to dark brown in colour.

I prefer the lighter, or “normal” Cognac Cordovan myself, I think it is richer in colour and ages very nicely. But a lot of people expect Cognac Shell to be what Horween actually calls Dark Cognac.

People will have to accept quite large variations in Cordovan shades, this is the way of Cordovan."


Hope that clarifies the matter. Now here's the thing: I myself would be happy with either Cognac Shell, or Dark Cognac Shell. Once we have a quorum of participants, we could put it to a vote. But my feeling is that the lighter colour, being the one in the photos I put up in the first place, will be the one which prevails.

That cognac/dark cognac bit has been mentioned before, but there's been no concrete confirmation on it as far as I know. Furthermore, we only heard that after the MTO was all wrapped up; at best it seemed like Carmina trying to explain why a bunch of boots came out looking like they were made from Saddle shell. The photo you offered is the same one we used as a basis for the first MTO, and I honestly don't know how someone could say that it's the lighter shade of Carmina's cognac.

Gerry's cognac jumper boots on the left, next to a pair of Saddle boots on the right:


My own boots, from the delayed batch of jumpers:




At the end of the day, it's the "variations in Cordovan shades" that annoyed a lot of people. If you're going to pay $700+ for boots, it just doesn't make sense to not be sure what color they'll be. For all I know, the second MTO will have better luck, but I'd be wary of it.

can anybody comment, how does the oscar fit (especially vs forest)? I read the sizing thread, but some said it is wider, others said it has a narrower heel and waist.

I take the same size in both Forest and Oscar. Oscar has a bulkier, more rounded toebox, and if there are any differences in the heel or waist, I haven't noticed them on my boots.

 

[coxaca]

That cognac/dark cognac bit has been mentioned before, but there's been no concrete confirmation on it as far as I know. Furthermore, we only heard that after the MTO was all wrapped up; at best it seemed like Carmina trying to explain why a bunch of boots came out looking like they were made from Saddle shell. The photo you offered is the same one we used as a basis for the first MTO, and I honestly don't know how someone could say that it's the lighter shade of Carmina's cognac.

Gerry's cognac jumper boots on the left, next to a pair of Saddle boots on the right:

My own boots, from the delayed batch of jumpers:

At the end of the day, it's the "variations in Cordovan shades" that annoyed a lot of people. If you're going to pay $700+ for boots, it just doesn't make sense to not be sure what color they'll be. For all I know, the second MTO will have better luck, but I'd be wary of it.
I take the same size in both Forest and Oscar. Oscar has a bulkier, more rounded toebox, and if there are any differences in the heel or waist, I haven't noticed them on my boots.

Thanks for the feedback and photos Diglett. There is indeed a big variation between your boot and Gerry's.

I'm guessing that maybe one of the issues with the first MTO was the relatively large order (20 pairs - Skoaktie added four pairs for their shop to the 16 SF participant pairs). The fact that some pairs were delayed tends to indicate that they ran out of cordovan and had to order a second batch.

Interest in this second order has been slower and I suspect our order will top out at six, unless there's a sudden rush. Also, armed with prior experience, perhaps we can prevail on Skoaktie, Carmina and of course Horveen to get their **** together and keep the colour consistent across this batch.

Also thanks for the comments re the Oscar last, that clarification is very welcome.

I'm still going ahead with this MTO. Once we have our six, I will ask for a final vote on colour - "light" or "dark" cognac. I think that's fair.

Just by-the-bye Diglett, do you prefer your own boot colour, or would you rather have had the lighter shell of Gerry's boot?

 

[dddrees]

That cognac/dark cognac bit has been mentioned before, but there's been no concrete confirmation on it as far as I know. Furthermore, we only heard that after the MTO was all wrapped up; at best it seemed like Carmina trying to explain why a bunch of boots came out looking like they were made from Saddle shell. The photo you offered is the same one we used as a basis for the first MTO, and I honestly don't know how someone could say that it's the lighter shade of Carmina's cognac.

Gerry's cognac jumper boots on the left, next to a pair of Saddle boots on the right:




My own boots, from the delayed batch of jumpers:






At the end of the day, it's the "variations in Cordovan shades" that annoyed a lot of people. If you're going to pay $700+ for boots, it just doesn't make sense to not be sure what color they'll be. For all I know, the second MTO will have better luck, but I'd be wary of it.
I take the same size in both Forest and Oscar. Oscar has a bulkier, more rounded toebox, and if there are any differences in the heel or waist, I haven't noticed them on my boots.

Although I really like the walnut or saddle color, I would want to know what shade I was getting as well.

 

[PorDucMan]



Does anyone have any suggestions on shoe trees for the simpson last in a 7.5 UK? What have you found works best?

Epic trees, size M. Almost a perfect fit.

 

[diglett]

Just by-the-bye Diglett, do you prefer your own boot colour, or would you rather have had the lighter shell of Gerry's boot?

For that MTO, I definitely prefer the darker color. My pair doesn't have that depth/shine that the photo you used had (although that could be due to inexperience with shining cordovan), but I already had a pair of open-laced boots in a walnut brown when I picked up those jumpers; I wanted something darker.

I actually really like the saddle color, but, like dddrees said, I just wouldn't want that kind of surprise on a $700 purchase, whether or not the other color is nice.

 

[coxaca]

I think the best way forward is for me to get back to Skoaktie and ask them to confer in turn with Carmina and Horween.

We need finally to choose a colour which gives us the best chance of a predictable and consistent outcome.

Saddle, light cognac, dark cognac... could be any one of these.

But not burgundy. Reminds me too much of Doc Martens with air-cushion

soles.

 

[Leaves]



I think the best way forward is for me to get back to Skoaktie and ask them to confer in turn with Carmina and Horween.

We need finally to choose a colour which gives us the best chance of a predictable and consistent outcome.

Saddle, light cognac, dark cognac... could be any one of these.

But not burgundy. Reminds me too much of Doc Martens with air-cushion

soles.

There is more consistency in Dark Cognac. But still, there will be variations in this as well.

 

[Gerry Nelson]

I think the best way forward is for me to get back to Skoaktie and ask them to confer in turn with Carmina and Horween.

We need finally to choose a colour which gives us the best chance of a predictable and consistent outcome.

Saddle, light cognac, dark cognac... could be any one of these.

But not burgundy. Reminds me too much of Doc Martens with air-cushion

soles.

Burgundy:


Both are classfied burgundy shell from Carmina but the wholecut is more reddish than the boot. A bright red jumper boot would not be very appealing.

Perhaps Carmina could provide an image of the shell to be used so everyone knows what to expect from the start. This is what happened when I did the Alfred Sargent single monk MTO with A Fine Pair Of Shoes. More information in this post.

Note that the cognac is referred to as "dark cognac" so I would say that this should be specified if you all do decide to go for a dark brown.