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

[pewpewpewpew]

A few months back I had an issue with a pair of Carmina Cordovan boots arriving with creases. They were willing to take the return and send me a new pair.
I was happy with the new pair until a couple of days ago when, after less than 10 wears on them, I found a small hole in the toe box after giving it a (not hard) brush. When shining the shoe under a light, it looks like there are several lighter spots in the area as well. Anyone know what this issue is? I have only given it a brush once every other wear. This is my first time handling cordovan, but I certainly didn't expect holes after very minimal wear.

 

[stook1]

Can someone pls post some pictures?

 

[zag73]

As @Carmina customer service has been discussed lately...

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I was walking down Madison yesterday (towards Alden) and thought I would stop to see the new Carmina store and was presented with this sign. The frustrating and customer service related issue was that it was after 1pm, I was looking in through the door, the sales associate asked me to get out of the way so he could unlock the door, he then went in, did not say anything, relocked the door, and disappeared into the back. After 10 minutes I gave up and walked away. A part of me wanted to stay and explain that "Out to Lunch" has a much different meaning than "Out for Lunch" but I did not have more time to waste (on Carmina).

There could be so many answers but here are my questions:
- Why would Carmina only have one sales associate at their new Madison and 53rd flagship store?
- If possibly the other person was out sick, why not have someone from the original store cover lunch because it is not even half a mile away which by NYC standards is nothing?
- When I walked to the 45th street store there were two people inside, 1 helping a customer and the other one behind the desk working on a computer so they could have covered 53rd if needed.
- And the biggest injustice, and why I wanted to stop by the newer and larger Madison Ave store, is because 45th still barely stocks anything on the Detroit last.

Knowing how little most companies pay sales associates, I do not understand how they cannot always have more than one especially when they are spending a fortune on two stores in Manhattan less than nine blocks (aka less than a half mile) from each other. WTF, Carmina?

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Quite a detailed description of your experience ???

 

[Patrick1053]

A few months back I had an issue with a pair of Carmina Cordovan boots arriving with creases. They were willing to take the return and send me a new pair.
I was happy with the new pair until a couple of days ago when, after less than 10 wears on them, I found a small hole in the toe box after giving it a (not hard) brush. When shining the shoe under a light, it looks like there are several lighter spots in the area as well. Anyone know what this issue is? I have only given it a brush once every other wear. This is my first time handling cordovan, but I certainly didn't expect holes after very minimal wear.
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To me, the hole looks like it could be a knick from wearing them. If there was a small nail that you bumped against or something like that. The light spots are probably watermarks

Can someone pls post some pictures?

I think everyone is too afraid to take a picture, because they might notice a defect.

 

[zag73]

A few months back I had an issue with a pair of Carmina Cordovan boots arriving with creases. They were willing to take the return and send me a new pair.
I was happy with the new pair until a couple of days ago when, after less than 10 wears on them, I found a small hole in the toe box after giving it a (not hard) brush. When shining the shoe under a light, it looks like there are several lighter spots in the area as well. Anyone know what this issue is? I have only given it a brush once every other wear. This is my first time handling cordovan, but I certainly didn't expect holes after very minimal wear.
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Leather moths ?

 

[jischwar]

Here you go

 

[stook1]

A few months back I had an issue with a pair of Carmina Cordovan boots arriving with creases. They were willing to take the return and send me a new pair.
I was happy with the new pair until a couple of days ago when, after less than 10 wears on them, I found a small hole in the toe box after giving it a (not hard) brush. When shining the shoe under a light, it looks like there are several lighter spots in the area as well. Anyone know what this issue is? I have only given it a brush once every other wear. This is my first time handling cordovan, but I certainly didn't expect holes after very minimal wear.
View attachment 1593774
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The spots and the small hole are hair follicles. It's fairly common and isn't normally an issue, especially on the toe cap where it's not subject to flexing.

 

[zag73]

Here you go
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Now these are very nice.

 

[jischwar]

Now these are very nice.

Thanks! I think they turned out very well?

 

[JohnMRobie]

Here you go
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That Bakers is just an awesome leather for boots.

 

[jischwar]

That Bakers is just an awesome leather for boots.

It really is! Been debating another makeup with it.

 

[pewpewpewpew]

To me, the hole looks like it could be a knick from wearing them. If there was a small nail that you bumped against or something like that. The light spots are probably watermarks


I think everyone is too afraid to take a picture, because they might notice a defect.

The hole was not there before I started brushing. Of course, there is always a chance I missed it but I doubt it. The pair is new enough where I would be conscious of bumping them into anything. The hole is very clean, which to me speaks to a tear rather than a hole from hitting it against something.

The spots and the small hole are hair follicles. It's fairly common and isn't normally an issue, especially on the toe cap where it's not subject to flexing.

Thanks for the answer - is there something I can do about it? I assume it was filled out with something which my brushing removed. From my understanding brushing is the most important part of maintaining cordovan but I am not interested in hair follicle brogue.

 

[zag73]

Thanks! I think they turned out very well?

They certainly look well made

 

[stook1]

Here you go
View attachment 1593777

Just what the doctor ordered!

 

[stook1]

The hole was not there before I started brushing. Of course, there is always a chance I missed it but I doubt it. The pair is new enough where I would be conscious of bumping them into anything. The hole is very clean, which to me speaks to a tear rather than a hole from hitting it against something.


Thanks for the answer - is there something I can do about it? I assume it was filled out with something which my brushing removed. From my understanding brushing is the most important part of maintaining cordovan but I am not interested in hair follicle brogue.

My suggestion is to just enjoy your boots. It's really not an issue. If it makes you feel any better I have literally the exact same follicle kind of mark on an even newer pair of Aldens that I am wearing today. It's just the nature of the material sometimes.