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

[Vocans]

If you're looking for another option with a generous toe box, high instep and fairly generous heel, another commonly used last not included on jet-stream's chart is Detroit (available in both EE and EEE). I've only tried the Detroit EEE variant but found it to work better for my feet than Llubi. I didn't own both lasts at the same time to be able to directly compare them but I feel like Detroit EEE might be a hair wider in the toebox despite being more shapely and tapered at the end of the toe.

 

[Sfroide3]

If you're looking for another option with a generous toe box, high instep and fairly generous heel, another commonly used last not included on jet-stream's chart is Detroit (available in both EE and EEE). I've only tried the Detroit EEE variant but found it to work better for my feet than Llubi. I didn't own both lasts at the same time to be able to directly compare them but I feel like Detroit EEE might be a hair wider in the toebox despite being more shapely and tapered at the end of the toe.

Haha thanks, but I am trying to avoid generous heel...

I am looking for a tight heel, higher side instep, and enough room in the toe box to accommodate some toe spread that I have. I think I might give Inca a shot.

 

[zag73]

Inca has tight heel compared to Rain or in general ? According to Jet-stream's diagram Inca is the second largest heel - way more than Soller, Oscar, Forrest and Simpson. Would you agree with that ?

According to Carmina's Last description, Inca is considered "little roomy" instep last.

If comparing Rain, Inca and Forest insteps on Carmina's size comparer, Rain and Forest are supposedly equal.

I need to say that I am somehow lost with all this lasts and sizing. I know that my rain oxfords are destroying my feed because of some heel slip. I need something tighter on the heel. I am close to a -1 Narrow width but with some toe spread and higherish instep. Simpson is impossible in my size and sizing up makes the shoes way too loose while destroying my instep. I tried Inca and Forest in store which are fine, but so was the rain shoes that I bought.

Is there any last with a tight heel cup, good arch support and roomy toe box that I am missing ? I also tried soller which are ok, but very little arch support. Maybe Oscar ? It's considered a medium instep last.

Try the sineu last

 

[Vocans]

Haha thanks, but I am trying to avoid generous heel...

I am looking for a tight heel, higher side instep, and enough room in the toe box to accommodate some toe spread that I have. I think I might give Inca a shot.

Yeah, was more of a general comment than directed at any particular person. I saw your post about wanting a wider toe box and a comfortable instep and was going to respond directly and recommend Detroit until I saw tight heel cup. Unfortunately, my feet are generous all around (US E+) so I don't have much insight on lasts with narrow heels

 

[jet-stream]

Inca has tight heel compared to Rain or in general ? According to Jet-stream's diagram Inca is the second largest heel - way more than Soller, Oscar, Forrest and Simpson. Would you agree with that ?

According to Carmina's Last description, Inca is considered "little roomy" instep last.

If comparing Rain, Inca and Forest insteps on Carmina's size comparer, Rain and Forest are supposedly equal.

I need to say that I am somehow lost with all this lasts and sizing. I know that my rain oxfords are destroying my feed because of some heel slip. I need something tighter on the heel. I am close to a -1 Narrow width but with some toe spread and higherish instep. Simpson is impossible in my size and sizing up makes the shoes way too loose while destroying my instep. I tried Inca and Forest in store which are fine, but so was the rain shoes that I bought.

Is there any last with a tight heel cup, good arch support and roomy toe box that I am missing ? I also tried soller which are ok, but very little arch support. Maybe Oscar ? It's considered a medium instep last.

Based on your description, Oscar would be worth a try. Maybe Robert, but it has a bit less room in the toes than Oscar.

 

[Sfroide3]

Based on your description, Oscar would be worth a try. Maybe Robert, but it has a bit less room in the toes than Oscar.

Thanks. Unfortunately Carmina's NYC store didn't have any Oscar boots with the correct size when I was doing my sizing there...

Never heard of Sineu ... I just read the description on the website. Seems like a good contender.

 

[jet-stream]

If you're looking for another option with a generous toe box, high instep and fairly generous heel, another commonly used last not included on jet-stream's chart is Detroit (available in both EE and EEE). I've only tried the Detroit EEE variant but found it to work better for my feet than Llubi. I didn't own both lasts at the same time to be able to directly compare them but I feel like Detroit EEE might be a hair wider in the toebox despite being more shapely and tapered at the end of the toe.

I thought about including Detroit, but I only tried it on once and don’t have a good recall. I suspect it’s in the neighborhood of Soller, probably a bit bigger, but can’t state that with confidence. That applies to EE, 3E is not a need for me.
Thanks for the add!

 

[Patrick1053]

I like the chili shell cordovan that Allen Edmonds offers it is a little redder than color 4 and maybe a little browner than color 2. It seems fairly close to Carmina rubi, but the rubi seems that it is a little red. Does anyone know if Carmina can make a pair closer to the AE chili color?

 

[Betelgeuse]

My latest Carmina acquisition. The MTO 80229 (Boots without Shaft lining). Rubi Shell Cordovan. Rain D, as I wanted something sleeker than Rain that's not Simpson, as Simpson is too symmetrical for what I want with this. Decided to take my Simpson size, +0.5 from Rain.

It came out as a pretty dark Rubi. Almost a Color 4. Which, just for this case, quite nice. Because I was one the fence between Burgundy and Rubi for this particular pair make up, and I kinda wish I joined the Color 4 GMTO earlier.

In shades, it looks too dark to be Rubi, but in sunlight, it brighten up a notch and show a very deep, dark brownish red.

Oh, and the unlined shaft part make this a very comfortable wearing as well. (Actually, I learned that unlined shell boots are very comfortable from the unlined Chukka 80728).

Now, for eye candies:

View attachment 1361841

View attachment 1361842

View attachment 1361843

View attachment 1361844

View attachment 1361845

How's the fit of the Rain D?

 

[Rodolphe]

I received my last order few days ago :

I definitely love their brown Karangrein !

However, I was confused about their heel finition :

?

I already bought the exact same model (Oxford 80105) and the heel was not the same @Carmina :

Left : 80105 Forest Brown Karangrein
Right : 80105 Robert Brown Vegano

 

[Gertoshav]

AE Chili 5th St boots next to Carmina Rubi frankenstitch jumpers.

 

[Sfroide3]

I received my last order few days ago :
View attachment 1362267
I definitely love their brown Karangrein !

However, I was confused about their heel finition :
View attachment 1362268
?

I already bought the exact same model (Oxford 80105) and the heel was not the same @Carmina :
View attachment 1362270
Left : 80105 Forest Brown Karangrein
Right : 80105 Robert Brown Vegano

Definitely missing the top part. If it was meant to be like that there would be some broguing ... I would ask for a discount or a remake depending on how perfectionist you are.

 

[Rodolphe]

Definitely missing the top part. If it was meant to be like that there would be some broguing ... I would ask for a discount or a remake depending on how perfectionist you are.

It's more the little stitched part that should be cover by the rear part which bothers me :

It should be like my another 80105 :

 

[Jon A Thon]

It's more the little stitched part that should be cover by the rear part which bothers me : View attachment 1362403

It should be like my another 80105 :
View attachment 1362404

Is the stitched part symmetrical on the other side of the heel? Not saying that makes it okay or not, just wondering.

 

[dave_rawitat]

How's the fit of the Rain D?

I found Rain-D to fit pretty similar to Simpson.