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

[joiji]

..

 

[yywwyy]



I have them and they're great, especially for that price. I wear them in the same size as I wear all other lasts (except Simpson). For the price, I'd get them and not look back. Great loafer, IMO. Here's a pic of them next to the Soller-lasted chukkas from http://www.skoaktiebolaget.se/

The soles look kind of thin...is that true?

 

[Leaves]



Aargh! The Oscar last looks to be too roomy for me, and York soles don't have as much traction as Dainite.

Traction is about the same actually. The Dainite has larger studs but these wear down and the rubber composition is about the same on York and Daintie so traction wise there's not a lot of difference. What makes the York different is that it's part leather. For best traction you have to go with Commando. Or Crepe which is made of a softer rubber and works excellent on snow and is but a little more wobbly.

The soles look kind of thin...is that true?

For MTO you can spec about any sole, there are three basic soles 50 (single), 505 (double) and 500 which is in between the two.

 

[kayjaybee]

Aargh! The Oscar last looks to be too roomy for me, and York soles don't have as much traction as Dainite.

I love the York soles...I haven't had any Dainite soles from Carmina (I heard they're much better than most), but the combo York is super comfortable and provides great traction. The "Dainite" soles on my Loake Pimlicos are hard and have worn down rather quickly and aren't near as comfortable as the York. Unless I was walking in sh*tty weather ALL the time with a lot of snow/rough terrain, I'd choose the York over Dainite any day. However, for a boot I can understand the usefulness of the Dainite soles.

 

[frezon]

There is always the option of having Victory soles.

 

[Asian Afro]

Aargh! The Oscar last looks to be too roomy for me, and York soles don't have as much traction as Dainite.

Traction is about the same actually. The Dainite has larger studs but these wear down and the rubber composition is about the same on York and Daintie so traction wise there's not a lot of difference. What makes the York different is that it's part leather. For best traction you have to go with Commando. Or Crepe which is made of a softer rubber and works excellent on snow and is but a little more wobbly.

I have Epaulet's Steinbeck in burgundy shell with York soles, and it's more slippery than my other boots, which have Dainite. I can accept York, but prefer Dainite. I've walked on slippery ground during freezing rain in Dainite, so not sure I need Commando.

How does Oscar fit? Simpson & Alcudia fit me best, and I find forest a bit roomy, but workable.

 

[mymil]

^ Oscar is a little bit roomier than Forest in both the heel and toebox, and it has a slightly higher instep.

 

[Asian Afro]



^ Oscar is a little bit roomier than Forest in both the heel and toebox, and it has a slightly higher instep.

Thanks! I'm out of this MTO then, sorry.

 

[mymil]

^ I should also add that because it's a boot, slightly too large is not nearly as large an issue in terms of fit as it would be for a shoe. Forest in UK 8 fits me perfectly, but I very happily wear an Oscar in UK 8.5, with literally no issues. It could also be that sizing down half a size would fit you, but I don't know your feet.

 

[Asian Afro]



^ I should also add that because it's a boot, slightly too large is not nearly as large an issue in terms of fit as it would be for a shoe. Forest in UK 8 fits me perfectly, but I very happily wear an Oscar in UK 8.5, with literally no issues. It could also be that sizing down half a size would fit you, but I don't know your feet.

True. I'd need to try Oscar before I can say whether to go down half a size. I have very low instep.

 

[Fiddler]

I have two pairs on Oscar and love them....quite roomy in width...but will say that the toebox area in them feels low... but not to any detriment.

 

[NAMOR]

Wondering if its possible size down 1.5 in the forest last... I hate excessive creasing...

FC says not possible
RF says it is

Hrmmmmm

 

[aj_del]

Paul & Friends has some Carminas on sale

http://www.paul-friends.com/index.php/online-store?page=shop.browse&category_id=133

 

[Concub1ne]

Thanks for the PSA aj_del. I stopped by last week and it looked like slim pickins though they weren't yet on sale. Had the string loafer been in suede or had the semi brogue been in a lighter suede I would have snap bought. If the shell boot ever goes on sale I think SF is gonna gobble it up in no time. $480 after 30% discount and vat removed isn't too shabby IMO.

 

[microwaveplasma]

I'm new to Carmina and just wondering if you guys can help me clarify something -> I live in Dublin so would the Carmina e-boutique the best place for me to buy their shoes? The prices on their websites are the same as the prices in their boutiques right? How come people here on the forum choose to buy from other retailers instead of directly from Carmina? It's said on the website that "MTO´S will have a 50 % increase on the retail prices" and I assume MTO is "Made to order" but I don't see the option for MTO at all in the e-boutique.

Their choices on the website are kind of limited but I do have my eyes on this http://www.carmina.telemaco.es/articulo.asp?idarticulo=3640213. Should I just order this pair now or wait to make a trip to Madrid sometime instead for better selections/prices?

Thanks in advance guys .