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

[Neville Southall]

Satisfied my fix for a Navy blue boot, and had expected I'd get a more casual boot in that color. But when I saw these Horween shell navy balmorals in Forest last, with double JR soles, I was sold. I'll get some decent pictures in the coming days, as Navy shell is superb, but my photography, isn't.?
that said, a couple quick snaps in slightly different lighting. Thanks again to George Red for his inspiration for these.
Oh, and a quick kudos to Carmina NYC; these were returns they had on ebay, and are the best new boots I've ever purchased for $450, thats for sure! ?

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Wear them in good health, bro!

 

[Betelgeuse]

Correct. They are Custom order 80277 Wingtip boots on the rain last, Bourbon Shell Cordovan, double JR with storm welt. Here are more photos

Great boots! Would you mind sharing a photo of these boots and the Detroit longwings from up top?

 

[DL120]

Great boots! Would you mind sharing a photo of these boots and the Detroit longwings from up top?

Oh no, @Betelgeuse on his sizing obsession. ?

 

[Betelgeuse]

Oh no, @Betelgeuse on his sizing obsession. ?

Hahaha nah, I want to see how does the Rain last with storm welt looks vs the Detroit last haha

 

[Phoenician]

Quick question regarding shell. There seems to be buzz with Alden boot fans about their ‘rare shell’. When I go to Carmina’s MTO site, you can order their boots and shoes in a wide range of Horween shell colors. Is the Alden ‘rare’ moniker only because Alden won’t often venture outside #8 and black often, or does Alden get access to colors that no one else does, and thus truly ‘rare’?

 

[lcdx22]

Quick question regarding shell. There seems to be buzz with Alden boot fans about their ‘rare shell’. When I go to Carmina’s MTO site, you can order their boots and shoes in a wide range of Horween shell colors. Is the Alden ‘rare’ moniker only because Alden won’t often venture outside #8 and black often, or does Alden get access to colors that no one else does, and thus truly ‘rare’?

Yes and yes. There are colors that Alden doesnt use regularly but are available with other shoe makers including Carmina and there are exclusive colors like Ravello for example that only Alden uses. There are also colors that are rare in general even for Carmina like color 4.

 

[Phoenician]

Yes and yes. There are colors that Alden doesnt use regularly but are available with other shoe makers including Carmina and there are exclusive colors like Ravello for example that only Alden uses. There are also colors that are rare in general even for Carmina like color 4.

interesting! Thanks very much

 

[DL120]

interesting! Thanks very much

A quick addition here, alden does runs of cigar, ravello, whiskey and so on regularly. They’re almost shipping them on a monthly or 2-3x a month. The difference is, alden only sells color 8 and black to everyone, the other shades of shell are only sold to certain retailers who then only sell them to certain customers, namely the ones who have spent a lot of money with them or have sat on a wait list for months. I’ve had both opportunities and have been bought, owned and turned down all of the above.

so it’s not so much rare, as it is made exclusive and limited opportunities to buy unless you have the right connections for alden. That said,IMHO, carmina far exceeds anything you can get from alden, and you can buy it whenever you want.

 

[DL120]

unlined Sineu lasted chukka in bourbon grain shell and natural shell rear quarters. Absolute heaven on your feet, especially in 90*+ weather.

Obviously this last pic wasn’t exactly timed perfectly ?

 

[jischwar]

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unlined Sineu lasted chukka in bourbon grain shell and natural shell rear quarters. Absolute heaven on your feet, especially in 90*+ weather.
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Obviously this last pic wasn’t exactly timed perfectly ?

Always love seeing these posted. What pants are you pairing them with here?

 

[DL120]

Always love seeing these posted. What pants are you pairing them with here?

Thanks man! They are Soso brothers brown canvas selvedge chinos.

 

[Neville Southall]

A quick addition here, alden does runs of cigar, ravello, whiskey and so on regularly. They’re almost shipping them on a monthly or 2-3x a month. The difference is, alden only sells color 8 and black to everyone, the other shades of shell are only sold to certain retailers who then only sell them to certain customers, namely the ones who have spent a lot of money with them or have sat on a wait list for months. I’ve had both opportunities and have been bought, owned and turned down all of the above.

so it’s not so much rare, as it is made exclusive and limited opportunities to buy unless you have the right connections for alden. That said,IMHO, carmina far exceeds anything you can get from alden, and you can buy it whenever you want.

Yeah. Reason number 5,358 why Alden ******* blows. I love how they act like they're ******* Rolex or Patek, siphoning off "rare" (READ: bourbon shell that literally everyone else offers stock) to people that chug that mediocre cool aid. It's hilarious.

 

[Neville Southall]

Quick question regarding shell. There seems to be buzz with Alden boot fans about their ‘rare shell’. When I go to Carmina’s MTO site, you can order their boots and shoes in a wide range of Horween shell colors. Is the Alden ‘rare’ moniker only because Alden won’t often venture outside #8 and black often, or does Alden get access to colors that no one else does, and thus truly ‘rare’?

Buying Alden is like shopping for a nice car and then buying a ******* FIAT.

 

[Betelgeuse]

String loafers.

 

[stook1]

Hahaha nah, I want to see how does the Rain last with storm welt looks vs the Detroit last haha

It's very rare to find rain with storm welt. I have a few pictures saved. These are not mine...

edit: heh, this is what happens when you read the thread backwards. didn't realize someone had pics of, coincidentally, almost the same exact boot. lol