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

[budapest12]



Well said.  I've never understood all the chatter about Dainite being poor in winter.  Snow and ice must be different where I live.  Way better than leather, in my experience - and differences between it and other synthetics amount to splitting hairs.

Oddly enough, I was just reading a novel last night where the protagonist was extoling the virtues of Dainite soles on his Cheaney shoes.  No, I'm not making that up.

During fall and winter in the northeast, I am always nervous leaving the house in leather-soled shoes, even when the weather seems to be ok. It can change quite quickly and while I have SWIMS, I don't always carry them along with me. I have never had an issue with Dainite - they have performed exceptionally well for me in the rain and light snow. Few people can tell the soles are not leather. Moreover, they are comfortable. Some people seem to hate Dainite, but I've never had a bad experience.

 

[Cuttingboard]



During fall and winter in the northeast, I am always nervous leaving the house in leather-soled shoes, even when the weather seems to be ok. It can change quite quickly and while I have SWIMS, I don't always carry them along with me. I have never had an issue with Dainite - they have performed exceptionally well for me in the rain and light snow. Few people can tell the soles are not leather. Moreover, they are comfortable. Some people seem to hate Dainite, but I've never had a bad experience.

Ditto, which is why I prefer Dainite on a boot that I only wear in fall/winter. Not to mention the rubber grip helps on the slippery subway platform and escalators.

 

[MSchapiro]

Again I agree with all of you, but I don't find Dainite to have a better performance than a double leather with vibram cover. The vibram cover makes it cheaper to change rather than resoling a Dainite, which is an expensive procedure. That is why given the choice I tend to avoid Dainite, although I'm happy with it on the pair of boots I do have.

 

[budapest12]



Again I agree with all of you, but I don't find Dainite to have a better performance than a double leather with vibram cover. The vibram cover makes it cheaper to change rather than resoling a Dainite, which is an expensive procedure. That is why given the choice I tend to avoid Dainite, although I'm happy with it on the pair of boots I do have.

But doesn't the rain/snow soak the leather under and around the sole and edges? Also, isn't double leather with a cover going to create a very thick profile? I guess we all have our own preferences.

 

[RogerP]

During fall and winter in the northeast, I am always nervous leaving the house in leather-soled shoes, even when the weather seems to be ok. It can change quite quickly and while I have SWIMS, I don't always carry them along with me. I have never had an issue with Dainite - they have performed exceptionally well for me in the rain and light snow. Few people can tell the soles are not leather. Moreover, they are comfortable. Some people seem to hate Dainite, but I've never had a bad experience.

This.

Ditto, which is why I prefer Dainite on a boot that I only wear in fall/winter. Not to mention the rubber grip helps on the slippery subway platform and escalators.

And this. Leather soled shoes can be downright treacherous when traversing the wet, slushy steps and marble floors of the two train stations that bracket my morning commute.

 

[wurger]



Again I agree with all of you, but I don't find Dainite to have a better performance than a double leather with vibram cover. The vibram cover makes it cheaper to change rather than resoling a Dainite, which is an expensive procedure. That is why given the choice I tend to avoid Dainite, although I'm happy with it on the pair of boots I do have.

My thoughts too

 

[budapest12]

M

This.


And this.  Leather soled shoes can be downright treacherous when traversing the wet, slushy steps and marble floors of the two train stations that bracket my morning commute.

. My best working theory: People who live in places that don't usually require Dainite tend not to appreciate Dainite. That said, I gather MShapiro being in London shoots that one down a bit...

 

[MSchapiro]

But doesn't the rain/snow soak the leather under and around the sole and edges? Also, isn't double leather with a cover going to create a very thick profile? I guess we all have our own preferences.

Never been a problem as for the soaking. I tend to coat the exposed leather piece with either a water repellent or edge dressing.

Double leather is just my preference. I tended to prefer heavy boots for clinging to the ground when I was in Boston and the government housing failed to remove its ice from the sidewalks. I had a bad fall in Oakley combat boots once there and it was awful.
On a personal note I also am shorter and prefer that the double leather adds a little height. The rubber cover doesn't add to that profile. I have found single leather to be just as effective.

My biggest issue with is just the replacement cost. When I wear down a Dainite sole I need to replace the entire sole versus just the rubber cover. Why buy something that will cost you more down the line given the choice? I would never say no to a Dainite sole (actually the Carmina is the best in my limited experience) but I don't get it on any of my MTOs.

Edit: Budapest12 I've spent the past three years in Boston, NYC and London. Enough rain and dark clouds for a life time

.

 

[venividivicibj]

Does anyone know if navy cxl is the same color as the navy calf that carmina uses

 

[stevent]



Does anyone know if navy cxl is the same color as the navy calf that carmina uses

It's two different leathers, don't think Carmina uses navy cxl only french calfskin

 

[venividivicibj]

I know it's different leathers, I'm wondering how the colors are relative to each other. (If one is darker or whatnot)

Just wondering because I saw leffots navy CXL boot

 

[unipair guy]

Our favorites for fall. These will work with denim or wool pants.
Unipair Guy

 

[eddiemczee]



Oddly enough, I was just reading a novel last night where the protagonist was extoling the virtues of Dainite soles on his Cheaney shoes.  No, I'm not making that up.

I am curious to know what novel this is.

 

[zippyh]

Oddly enough, I was just reading a novel last night where the protagonist was extoling the virtues of Dainite soles on his Cheaney shoes.  No, I'm not making that up.

I am curious to know what novel this is.

Wasn't that in a Peter Lovesey detective novel?

 

[RogerP]

The novel is Lee Child's 'The Hard Way' - a Jack Reacher novel - and that is the character who expressed a preference for Dainite.