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

[tet45]

What polish color would you recommended for Carmina tan (pompei finish) vegano leather? I'm unsure between Saphir light brown or cognac as I want to preserve the original color. Carmina recommend their own polish but getting Saphir is much more convenient, please advice. Thanks

 

[DorianGreen]

Forest Marron.

 

[DorianGreen]

What polish color would you recommended for Carmina tan (pompei finish) vegano leather? I'm unsure between Saphir light brown or cognac as I want to preserve the original color. Carmina recommend their own polish but getting Saphir is much more convenient, please advice. Thanks

As a general rule, in order to preserve the original colour is recommended to choose a lighter tone, in case the exact one is not provided.

 

[tet45]

As a general rule, in order to preserve the original colour is recommended to choose a lighter tone, in case the exact one is not provided.

This is the shoes actual color, it's tan with hint of orange.

 

[User888]

What polish color would you recommended for Carmina tan (pompei finish) vegano leather? I'm unsure between Saphir light brown or cognac as I want to preserve the original color. Carmina recommend their own polish but getting Saphir is much more convenient, please advice. Thanks

If you don't want to alter the colour at all, then use colorless polish. Saphir has it. Or even just renovatour would give a nice sheen and you have the hard wax for extra shine

 

[DorianGreen]

Cognac seems a better tone than light brown, which looks too yellow. As suggested above, you can use a neutral cream and only apply a tinted one ocasionally.

 

[tet45]

Thanks @User888 @DorianGreen , much appreciated for your suggestions. I already have renovatour, cognac, and hard wax.....so this would work.

 

[JTMD]

Broke out the cognac shell single monks. I've always been a bit suspicious that the right is a bit darker than the left so I tend to wear them in torrential downpours and blizzards to try and even it out..but perhaps it's just me. I got these from Leatherfoot in Toronto about 8 years ago and even got to meet up with the always amazing RogerP (I haven't been active on the forums for a few years and it seems RogerP hasn't either?).

 

[JTMD]

As mentioned previously, , it's been several years since I was a regular on the threads..nice to see Uppr-crust is still around (I remember him more from AAC).

Either way, a recent find of a couple Alden shells got me back in the spirit. Today I took about everything out of the closet, unboxed/unbagged them all, inspections, brushings, etc. Quite rare to do so so of course I got a few photos.

The U-wing boots and the shell still see a lot of use..the calf sort of moved to secondary/bad weather use after I acquired similar models from EG and G&G

 

[DorianGreen]

As mentioned oreviouskt, , it's been several years since I was a regular on the threads..nice to see Uppr-crust is still around (I remember him more from AAC). Either way, a recent find of a couple Alden shells got me back in the spirit. Today I took about everything out of the closet, unboxed/unbagged them all, inspections, brushings, etc. Quite rare to do so so of course I got a few photos.

The U-wing boots and the shell still see a lot of use..the calf sort of moved to secondary/bad weather use after I acquired similar models from EG and G&G

View attachment 2153847 View attachment 2153853

Really impressive.

 

[JTMD]

Really impressive.

Well thanks. Not too bad for piecing together a collection mostly from clearance sales. Perhaps a bit less impressive than a few folks wandering these threads.. but I don't want my wife divorcing me over shoes. 😅. I'm sure she'd be fine with the occasional once off $1'500 pair of boots..but I still haven't reached the point where I want to spend that type of money on footwear.. no matter how much I love some of the models from higher end manufacturers. End of the day..My carefree shopping spree at St Crispin's will most likely have to wait to the next lifetime..but it's not as if I'll be going barefoot anyways. 😁

 

[TheLawBeard]

So. I’m considering an MTO of something really “rugged.” Cap toe jumpers on Llubi. Or maybe tankers. We’ll see.

Out of all the leather choices- what would you consider the best choice? I know we’re all fans of shell but I’m considering other options as well. Something brown, durable, and you wouldn’t be worried about the weather, the woods, or whatever else life might throw at you when traveling. They’ll get worn with a lot of denim, flannel, and Filson.

Current contenders are shell, waxy commander, or brown CXL.

 

[armedferret]

CXL or maybe a hatch grain.

 

[KarlHungus]

So. I’m considering an MTO of something really “rugged.” Cap toe jumpers on Llubi. Or maybe tankers. We’ll see.

Out of all the leather choices- what would you consider the best choice? I know we’re all fans of shell but I’m considering other options as well. Something brown, durable, and you wouldn’t be worried about the weather, the woods, or whatever else life might throw at you when traveling. They’ll get worn with a lot of denim, flannel, and Filson.

Current contenders are shell, waxy commander, or brown CXL.

CXL or maybe a hatch grain.

Agree - waxy commander, CXL or karagrain would be good options, each a very different effect though. Beware the "CXL lottery" if you don't like the look of those deep creases where delamination occurs.

 

[KarlHungus]

Broke out the cognac shell single monks. I've always been a bit suspicious that the right is a bit darker than the left so I tend to wear them in torrential downpours and blizzards to try and even it out..but perhaps it's just me. I got these from Leatherfoot in Toronto about 8 years ago and even got to meet up with the always amazing RogerP (I haven't been active on the forums for a few years and it seems RogerP hasn't either?). View attachment 2153587 View attachment 2153589

Curious has wearing these harsh weather helped even out the coloring? I have a couple shell pairs with color differences between left and right -- all more noticable than your pair though