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

[Watchman1]

Too bad Carmina no longer offers this shade (cognac)...these are collectors items now...my loss your gain...

https://www.styleforum.net/buyandse...184-high-boots-oscar-last-uk-10-us-11d.13927/

 

[Jazzmenco]

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Too bad Carmina no longer offers this shade (cognac)...these are collectors items now...my loss your gain...

https://www.styleforum.net/buyandse...184-high-boots-oscar-last-uk-10-us-11d.13927/

I am very familiar with the one in one out rule....one just may have to go out....

 

[Paul902]

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Too bad Carmina no longer offers this shade (cognac)...these are collectors items now...my loss your gain...

https://www.styleforum.net/buyandse...184-high-boots-oscar-last-uk-10-us-11d.13927/

Absolutely stunning!!

 

[scb]

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Too bad Carmina no longer offers this shade (cognac)...these are collectors items now...my loss your gain...

https://www.styleforum.net/buyandse...184-high-boots-oscar-last-uk-10-us-11d.13927/

That looks like bourbon

 

[Watchman1]

That looks like bourbon

Years older than bourbon....cognac indeed...

 

[scb]

I’ll rephrase. Those look like the bourbon jumpers I got last week

 

[Blastwice]

I’ll rephrase. Those look like the bourbon jumpers I got last week

Agreed, these are very similar to my bourbon pair (about a year old), but perhaps more red-brown in some spots on these.

 

[Jazzmenco]

 

[Goosey]

I would say they're about the same in both length and width. Noticeable differences between the two is that Inca's instep is lower and heel is narrower compared to Rain. There's also a little more toe space on Inca.

I bought a pair of shoes in Inca last and I am worried that I might have made the wrong decision. An E in AE 65 last pinches my pinky toe a bit so I was worried about the Rain last being every so slightly less wide and having a more aggressive taper. So I ordered the Inca last. The heal fits pretty well and there doesn't appear to be pinching of my pinky toes. But right now, there's a lot of pressure around the top of my foot and also to the sides. I have flat but thick feet. Am I having instep problems? Will the issue solve itself after breakin? Would the Rain last have been a better fit or perhaps I need to go with Rain EE (but they don't have too many styles in that size).

 

[bm93]

I bought a pair of shoes in Inca last and I am worried that I might have made the wrong decision. An E in AE 65 last pinches my pinky toe a bit so I was worried about the Rain last being every so slightly less wide and having a more aggressive taper. So I ordered the Inca last. The heal fits pretty well and there doesn't appear to be pinching of my pinky toes. But right now, there's a lot of pressure around the top of my foot and also to the sides. I have flat but thick feet. Am I having instep problems? Will the issue solve itself after breakin? Would the Rain last have been a better fit or perhaps I need to go with Rain EE (but they don't have too many styles in that size).

If you're feeling pressure at the top of the foot, that would be instep problems. If the sides are tight, that would seem like a width issue. Rain would allow for more space in the instep, and maybe a little bit more in the width, but with the aggressive taper, you might be trading one problem for another and have pinched toes. Perhaps Rain in EEE would work best for you (EE is standand width for Rain). I'd advise finding a store that carries Carmina's and trying on different lasts.

 

[stephenaf2003]

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Those are just......!

 

[patliean1]

Can anyone remind me of the fix to prevent my Carmina bal-boots from chewing up shoelaces from the speedhooks? This only happens on one specific pair of boots.

And yes, I ensure my boots are tightened prior to using the hooks. Can I file down or bend the speedhooks outward?

 

[Watchman1]

I’ll rephrase. Those look like the bourbon jumpers I got last week

Agreed, these are very similar to my bourbon pair (about a year old), but perhaps more red-brown in some spots on these.

Gentlemen,

Forgive me for not responding sooner. It is important to make the distinction that Cognac and Bourbon are two completely different shades of cordovan. The former being permanently discontinued as per my conversations with Carmina.

Also, when I toured the Horween factory (last year IIRC) I had extensive conversations with Skip and Nick regarding this very thing.

I am trusting that another pic comparing 2 recent batches of Alden Ravello contrasted with Carmina (old discontinued) Cognac will clear up any misconceptions we may have.

Notice the Alden PTB on the left in Ravello and the Daytrippers on the right in Ravello with Carmina (old) Cognac in the middle. Maybe it was the direct light pics two days ago that threw us off. But as you can clearly see there are noticeable differences between old Carmina Cognac and Bourbon. Old Cognac having much deeper red, orange and mid brown under and overtones.

Happy Wednesday!

 

[Goosey]

If you're feeling pressure at the top of the foot, that would be instep problems. If the sides are tight, that would seem like a width issue. Rain would allow for more space in the instep, and maybe a little bit more in the width, but with the aggressive taper, you might be trading one problem for another and have pinched toes. Perhaps Rain in EEE would work best for you (EE is standand width for Rain). I'd advise finding a store that carries Carmina's and trying on different lasts.

Thanks. I was really worried that my toes would pinch that's why I went with the Inca in the first place. I think width wise, the Inca is actually very slightly wider than the Rain? Unfortunately, I don't think there is a store that carries Carmina near me.

I am thinking Rain EEE would be a better bet but they are hardly any style choices in that size.

 

[oskrusa]

I’ll rephrase. Those look like the bourbon jumpers I got last week

Agreed, these are very similar to my bourbon pair (about a year old), but perhaps more red-brown in some spots on these.

Gentlemen,... !

Indeed, Cognac is darker than Bourbon and Whiskey, and I see it a tad closer to #4 than to Bourbon, or about the same shade as Color4 but with more brown overtones.

Here is a pair of balmorals on Cognac that I am wearing today:

Natural light (light through the window)