Meermin. Carmina 2nd brand? - Page 124

Thoughts ???

They look great! 

 

Are those MTO or RTW?

After 13 weeks (and therefore perfectly in time as communicated by José), I received my Meermin MTOs - tan wholecuts with brogueing on the VIL last in UK 11.

 

Here are some pictures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While the packaging looks very nice, it came with a surprise: upon opening a strong "chemical" odor emerged, a smell you usually recognize when entering a store that sells cheap shoes. This smell comes from the upper leathers.

 

Quite a few here have commented that even their Classic Line Meermins would be of equal or higher quality and finish to their Crockett&Jones etc., statements that I found hard to believe. I own around 15 pairs of Crockett&Jones and Church', and I must say that the leather quality of at least this pair doesn't come anyway near those (not that this would be any surprise at their price point, yet I personally would consider this leather ok for Classic Line but not at the price of Linea Maestro). Not sure if it comes across well on the two pictures taken with flashlight: at least to my eyes the upper leather comes across quite artificial and veeery glossy, just like painted and sealed, it feels very "closed" and more like a polished, shiny surface than actually like leather. (Have written to José if this is the "standard" leather or if there are others of better quality, e.g. I'd love to see the ones made with Freudenberg calf). As many have said before, the leather itself but also the construction on heel and tip are very stiff and rigid, which is a bit uncomfortable at first but will allow the shoe to hold up well for quite some time, which is not bad. The finishing is well done. I'd personally rate this Linea Maestro model somewhere on par with most of my newer Allen Edmonds models.

 

Since I'm a US 11.5C (sometimes even width B), José had recommended to try the Vil last. As can be seen from the last picture, this last is reeeaaally small, and too small for me, the quarters come apart hugely. In addition, it is a bit too big, I should have stepped down to UK 10.5 to fit me well (but not more), yet the extra room for the sharp tip is amazing, the whole shoe comes out at an overall length of 330mm (13 inch)!  Many will consider this shape modern and fashionable, for me it is too much and not what I consider good looking.

 

Thank you,

Robert

My single monks arrived today, here are some pictures:

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Jmen - 8/14/12 at 4:45am

I have received my Meermin MTOs yesterday. Unlike many others, I find the leather quality non-satisfying.

 

Have written a detailed post with pictures - got message saying it is "held for moderation" because I am a new member... That's strange.

You could edit your post with that information.  I'm looking forward to the information! Did you order suede shoes or smooth leather shoes?

The same happened to me last week. It may take several hours, but your post will occur at that place in the thread where it would have been posted without the effect of the moderation.

 

Thanks for this! So I'm not alone ;-)

 

 

These are wholecuts in tan with some brogueing (will send picture in separate post). They had to be MTO because they are on the Vil last which only was available up to size UK 10.5, yet José's recommendation was to try UK 11. That last had to be made first, which took the regular MTO time of 12 weeks.

If you find the leather quality non-satisfying, the natural follow-up question is: Compared to what? I.e. what brands of shoes did you already have?
 

Hope my initial post is up soon, it's all in there ;-)

Many have said here that even the Classic Line for them is as good or even better as C&Js and the likes. I own mainly Crockett&Jones and Church's and find these Meermins to be of a quality in my personal opinion that comes not anywhere close in comparison. Rather on par with newer Allen Edmonds I'd say. So very understandable, especially given the price, but not something I consider an option for myself.

Indeed. As someone who's close, but hasn't quite yet pulled the trigger ...

Just bought the classic line Black Punch caps on the Olfe Last. Will report back upon arrival.

If all goes well then possibly MTO for the adelaides on the Olfe or Rui last.

They've been waiting for some Navy shell from their supplier for several months now.

Wow! Nice. I think I want these now.