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

[Carmina]

I think that I purchased them almost at the same time - just two weeks or a month apart. This was back in 2014, though, so I can't remember precisely.

They were both described as "cognac" so I was quite surprised to see the difference between the two.

I can see why! I do love them though.. the lighter shade looks very special.

 

[PartagasIV]

^^Riffing on the lovely natural Calway recently, any other interest in a shell & suede shaft Calway? I'd love to do a GMTO along those lines.

 

[stephenaf2003]

Yes, that's a great point and I agree completely that the market will be the ultimate arbiter of Carmina's strategy. As an aside, I think it's a novel use of the SF platform, seeing brands get real-time feedback from an exacting group of well informed consumers.

My original point was less about the new last being proposed, and more generally about the abundance of choice on the website, which for me personally is beginning to become a little off-putting. Purely my preference of course.

Yeah I hear ya; one thing perhaps you may want to take into account. Most SF guys have quite a few pairs of shoes. I’d say most SF guys subscribed to this thread even, have quite a few pairs of Carmina’s. Carmina’s engagement is a great way to get those of us that don’t necessarily need, or want another pair, interested in purchasing another pair. Normal people aren’t who they are targeting. SF guys, and our at times seemingly borderline OCD approach to shoes, are no where near atypical.

 

[jet-stream]

^^Riffing on the lovely natural Calway recently, any other interest in a shell & suede shaft Calway? I'd love to do a GMTO along those lines.

I can show you one in a few days ...

 

[dsk321]

So my suede woes have been resolved, and I opted to keep the robert derbies and return the chukkas.

The last really suits my foot well. Instep is comfortable (almost snug). The heel is nestled in pretty good, forefoot has no pressure against my pinky toe/big toe, and has a tiny bit of wiggle but not loose. I can wear them with or without insoles, which is that magical sweetspot. I wish they made more shoes in this last.

In contrast the rain chukkas felt too generous on the instep (the lacing was nearly kissing and there was way too much open space above the forefoot, but everything else was fine. With pedag insoles it snugged everything very well, though the closeness of the lacing still makes me worry that oxfords will shut completely, as i prefer a slight v for adjustability.

The forest should fit nearly the same as robert correct? Are these two and the oscar the only last that fits like the rain with a lower instep?

 

[Phoenician]

Quick last question. When going from Forest to Llubi, does sizing down a half seem to be the norm?

 

[Baked Potato]

Does anyone have any pics of the 905 chukkas on a rounded last (e.g Forest)? I'd like to see how it looks on a non chiseled last.

 

[Crafty Cumbrian]

Yeah I hear ya; one thing perhaps you may want to take into account. Most SF guys have quite a few pairs of shoes. I’d say most SF guys subscribed to this thread even, have quite a few pairs of Carmina’s. Carmina’s engagement is a great way to get those of us that don’t necessarily need, or want another pair, interested in purchasing another pair. Normal people aren’t who they are targeting. SF guys, and our at times seemingly borderline OCD approach to shoes, are no where near atypical.

Think you’ve channelled my conscious thoughts ..
1000 per cent.

 

[Carmina]

This is how our December GMTO votes are coming along,

I'll look into Hatch Grain, Russian Calf and Marble Shell since they look like your preferences.

 

[Betelgeuse]

Quick last question. When going from Forest to Llubi, does sizing down a half seem to be the norm?

Nope, unless Forest last is tight and you went up from your usual Rain size. If not, stick to the same Rain/Forest size.

 

[flylikeneagle]

This is how our December GMTO votes are coming along,

View attachment 1482774
I'll look into Hatch Grain, Russian Calf and Marble Shell since they look like your preferences.

In case anyone needs additional motivation , here are examples of Hatchgrain Balways from Bonafe. I have a pair of these in Armagnac, @stephenaf2003 owns a pair of these in green (Horween calls it "old bronze"), and Nishant has Balways in all three colors

I have on my wish list a pair of bourbon hatchgrain balmoral boots, hopefully Carmina will be able to source it



@Carmina Sara would you be able to inquire about availability of willow grain shell cordovan? Here's a picture for reference

 

[stephenaf2003]

This is how our December GMTO votes are coming along,

View attachment 1482774
I'll look into Hatch Grain, Russian Calf and Marble Shell since they look like your preferences.

Yes...the marbled, and grained shells are what’s up!

 

[stephenaf2003]

Mystery solved, apparently Cognac was renamed to Armagnac a few years ago. Horween still makes dark cognac which is a much darker version just like the pictures @yengli attached.

Oh really, well I guess that means that shell hole I had in my shoe room has been turned around into a doubly filled spot in my shoe room. My Cognac jumpers now fill the Armagnac spot as well ?

 

[stephenaf2003]

Quick last question. When going from Forest to Llubi, does sizing down a half seem to be the norm?

I don’t, but I’ve got a pretty wide forefoot area, YMMV.

 

[Crafty Cumbrian]

Oh really, well I guess that means that shell hole I had in my shoe room has been turned around into a doubly filled spot in my shoe room. My Cognac jumpers now fill the Armagnac spot as well ?
View attachment 1482970

View attachment 1482972

God damn! Those are nice.