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

[Qayyum]

Anyone else with shell always that are quite loosely lasted? Makes them fit a looser too

I have the impression that it depends on the color. My two new boots, one in color 8, is very stiff, while Armagnac is very flexible, even too much for me. My other shell shoes, loafers, all are rigid except the unlined.
Very nice combination on this boot. color 4 or rubi?

 

[yengli]

I have the impression that it depends on the color. My two new boots, one in color 8, is very stiff, while Armagnac is very flexible, even too much for me. My other shell shoes, loafers, all are rigid except the unlined.
Very nice combination on this boot. color 4 or rubi?

your Armagnac boot also have this much excess? This is with trees on btw. Yea all my other shell also don’t have this much excess. The excuse of shell not stretching enough would not be reasonable in this case imo.
Really only complaint I have with this pair.

color 4 with hatch grain 8

 

[Qayyum]

your Armagnac boot also have this much excess? This is with trees on btw. Yea all my other shell also don’t have this much excess. The excuse of shell not stretching enough would not be reasonable in this case imo.
Really only complaint I have with this pair.

color 4 with hatch grain 8

I confirm that all my shell cordovan shoes are more spacious than my other shoes in another leather. That suits me perfectly.
However, not to the point of having so many excesses with a shoe tree.
With my armagnac boots, the leather just feels finer.

 

[Goofy]

Anyone else with shell always that are quite loosely lasted? Makes them fit a looser too

Manufacturers do this on purpose because unlike regular leather, shell Cordovan doesn’t stretch and therefore doesn’t conform to ones feet.

 

[yengli]

Manufacturers do this on purpose because unlike regular leather, shell Cordovan doesn’t stretch and therefore doesn’t conform to ones feet.

i know this fact, but I have half a dozen of shell and this pair is particularly loose!

 

[Rekla]

Manufacturers do this on purpose because unlike regular leather, shell Cordovan doesn’t stretch and therefore doesn’t conform to ones feet.

Shell cordovan does stretch and what he is showing isnt normal at all.

 

[Goofy]

Shell cordovan does strech and what he is showing isnt normal at all.

Barely, until it tears.

 

[RozenKristal]

Manufacturers do this on purpose because unlike regular leather, shell Cordovan doesn’t stretch and therefore doesn’t conform to ones feet.

I wish my viberg account for this…

 

[DL120]

Barely, until it tears.

Shell cordovan does stretch, almost as much as calf, the issue is that once it gets a tear the tensile strength is much lower meaning it’s more prone to continue to tear whereas calfskin will retain its strength everywhere around the tear. This is just a poorly lasted waist. I wouldn’t say makers account for it, more like makers last it as snug as they can, and the characteristics of shell result in about a .25 size difference give or take. Shouldn’t cause a sizing issue unless the wearer already wears shoes that are borderline too large. It also would not cause this type of rippling issue.

as far as the general topic of does shell stretch or not, and some of the myths about shell, here is a great video that speaks to most of it. And for the impatient folks, you can scrub to the 4:50 mark to see him stretch shell.

 

[thefoobar]

here is a great video that speaks to most of it.

Mr Koronya himself! Kudos for real data instead of opinion.
I don't understand how this reconciles with Carmina's reluctance to do shell jodhpurs and chelseas (and I confirm, the Carmina shell chelseas I have aren't blocked as much around the instep as my jodhpurs). Perhaps the industrial blocking machine (which can block a piece of calf in 2 steps in around 10 seconds) isn't suited to shell? Maybe it helps to take more time and adjustment using a crimping board when stretching shell...

 

[Rekla]

I mean, every person who own (and wear it ! ) a cordovan pair of shoes can tell you the leather stretch and mold to the foot.
And this is not an opinion.

Thank you for the video.

 

[Crafty Cumbrian]

Mto landed… ?

 

[Qayyum]

Mto landed… ?
View attachment 1667928

beautiful, maybe one of my next boots. forest or oscar?

 

[Wcutsmart]

Mto landed… ?
View attachment 1667928

Which model is this? I particularly like the broguing and was thinking about getting some boots with a pattern.

 

[Betta]

Examples of Horween Navy Shell from Carmina, Enzo Bonafe, and ZEB:

What last is that Jodhpur. That is one beautiful looking boot.