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

[kumizi]

I am a relative shoe noob. I own quite a few Aldens including 4 pairs in shell cordovan.

I ordered 2 pairs of Carmina cordovan wholecuts. I like the design but when I received the shoes, there is 0 shine compared to my Aldens. What am I missing? Am I supposed to polish these? Or are shiny shoes no longer a thing for cordovan leather?

 

[yengli]

Bought several pairs of shoes from their outlet store. No real problems, in my experience. Only once that I bought a pair with dainite soles and got a pair with leather soles. Some of the outlet shoes are old collection. Experienced more problems with their new in stock pairs.

 

[madhat]

I am a relative shoe noob. I own quite a few Aldens including 4 pairs in shell cordovan.

I ordered 2 pairs of Carmina cordovan wholecuts. I like the design but when I received the shoes, there is 0 shine compared to my Aldens. What am I missing? Am I supposed to polish these? Or are shiny shoes no longer a thing for cordovan leather?

You can use VSC, Colonil 1909, or similar to bring up a higher shine. Alden adds a (sometimes very thick) layer of acrylic that Carmina doesn't. This makes Alden the shiniest shell out of the box. Carmina opts for a more natural finish through "glazing" of the shell.

 

[ducatiti]

Any updates from Carmina in regards to the recently received flawed Balmoral Boots?

 

[Vocans]

Any updates from Carmina in regards to the recently received flawed Balmoral Boots?

I'd probably shoot customer service an e-mail about them

 

[SRV]

View attachment 1382905
Just received an order from March. Natural shell in forest last with Tomir sole. They came out beautifully. The natural shell is the color. I was worried about it being too light at first (although I know it darkens over time) but it is a beautiful caramel color right off the bat. I can’t wait to see how it ages. The tomir also looks great, doesn’t detract from the profile at all (I prefer tomir and York where possible as I find they make shoes much more practical for my urban commute, etc., than leather soles).

Gorgeous looking shoes! Enjoy them in good health.

I have them in Detroit Last/York Sole. One of my favorites.

 

[kumizi]

You can use VSC, Colonil 1909, or similar to bring up a higher shine. Alden adds a (sometimes very thick) layer of acrylic that Carmina doesn't. This makes Alden the shiniest shell out of the box. Carmina opts for a more natural finish through "glazing" of the shell.

Thanks very much for this reply. I dunno what I would do without internet forums.

 

[Sinbios]

I am a relative shoe noob. I own quite a few Aldens including 4 pairs in shell cordovan.

I ordered 2 pairs of Carmina cordovan wholecuts. I like the design but when I received the shoes, there is 0 shine compared to my Aldens. What am I missing? Am I supposed to polish these? Or are shiny shoes no longer a thing for cordovan leather?

Alden is known to put their own proprietary (acrylic?) finish on shell that makes it shinier. You'd probably need to put some waxy polish on to get the same effect elsewhere.

 

[Mothetgoo]

That's really, really nice. Hopefully you can post more pics! I've always been interested in cordovan oxfords, but never really got around to getting a pair.

Thanks! Sorry for the bad lighting and photo skills, but here are some more pics.

 

[Vocans]

Gorgeous looking shoes! Enjoy them in good health.

I have them in Detroit Last/York Sole. One of my favorites.

View attachment 1383011 View attachment 1383012

These look great. Detroit is such a versatile last

 

[officine]

What is Pompei finish in taned vegano?

CAP-TOE OXFORDS SHOES 80386 RAIN

CAP-TOE OXFORDS SHOES IN TANNED (POMPEI FINISH) VEGANO...

www.carminashoemaker.com

It’s a Carmina hand finished dye. From their site “This shoes are fully hand dyed creating a whole new color the Pompei, similar to our iconic Cordovan color Rubi.”

I’d say it has more of a red clay tone, rather than rubi. IMO it is attractive. See shoe on right next to cognac calf boot.

 

[Jazzmenco]

You can use VSC, Colonil 1909, or similar to bring up a higher shine. Alden adds a (sometimes very thick) layer of acrylic that Carmina doesn't. This makes Alden the shiniest shell out of the box. Carmina opts for a more natural finish through "glazing" of the shell.

That is why Alden cordovan shoes get permanent creases after the first 3 steps you take in them. At the Alden shop the salespeople will not allow you to walk when trying on cordovan shoes.

 

[harlequin782]

Thanks! Sorry for the bad lighting and photo skills, but here are some more pics. View attachment 1383021 View attachment 1383022 View attachment 1383023 View attachment 1383024

Thank you very much for taking the time to post these additional pics...the side profile pics really help me get a feel for how sleek the tomir sole will be on my MTO pair when I receive them.

Beautiful shoes, by the way.

 

[Mothetgoo]

Thank you very much for taking the time to post these additional pics...the side profile pics really help me get a feel for how sleek the tomir sole will be on my MTO pair when I receive them.

Beautiful shoes, by the way.

Yes, I was really pleasantly surprised. I wanted a rubber sole that doesn’t make the shoes look clunkier, and I feel that this really delivered.

 

[Neville Southall]

Alden is known to put their own proprietary (acrylic?) finish on shell that makes it shinier. You'd probably need to put some waxy polish on to get the same effect elsewhere.

I would never put wax polish on cordovan, except for the toe cap and heel.