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

[oskrusa]

Kinda sorta but a lot different lol.
My MTO makeup

BALMORAL BOOTS 80450 (080450-999-0000-10M)
Skin and color Cordovan && Armagnac Cordovan Skin and color Cordovan && Armagnac Cordovan Skin and color Suede && Brown Suede
Skin and color Suede && Brown Suede
lining Calf Leather && Violet
Last and sole Forest && Dainite sole
fabricacion Single Sole && brown Edge
floron Without Medallion
Eyelets Blind Eyelets
laces Round Brown shoe laces
Nominated & initials Without name neither initials
special requests Replace top 4x4 blind eyelets with 4x4 gold speed hooks
View attachment 1057033

@Misterg12, thanks for the inspiration.
I hope you dont mind me getting almost this exact same make-up... so bloody tempting...

 

[Misterg12]

@Misterg12, thanks for the inspiration.
I hope you dont mind me getting almost this exact same make-up... so bloody tempting...

Ha don’t mind at all. It’s a phenomenal boot.

 

[cc808314]

Ha don’t mind at all. It’s a phenomenal boot.

They are great. I was thinking of ordering the same make up in navy shell/navy suede, but went with something else instead. Next time

 

[007Bond]

All right @007Bond thanks for getting my hopes up for the Frankenstitch Shell, only to have them crushed when I called the store to inquire about them.
lol..

The young lady told me they haven’t had that shoe for a very long time.

@stephenaf2003 I just noticed that the Frankenstitch and actually several other MTO's are active again and can be ordered at the original reduced price. If you are interested you can get your size same as original cost including the shoe trees.

 

[Zapasman]

Robert is subtle, but I love the toe shape. It’s also good for loafers btw.

Do you have any Oscar lasted shoes to compare at the toe with Robert, side by side?. Thanks.

 

[Dandy_dapper]

Love those boots! Nice catch

Carmina Cognac shell balmorals on Robert today:

View attachment 1057152

 

[stephenaf2003]

@stephenaf2003 I just noticed that the Frankenstitch and actually several other MTO's are active again and can be ordered at the original reduced price. If you are interested you can get your size same as original cost including the shoe trees.

Thanks @007Bond I really like Carmina, but not so much that I’ll do $750 for one of their shell derbies.

 

[peppercorn78]

Thanks @007Bond I really like Carmina, but not so much that I’ll do $750 for one of their shell derbies.

I hear you, but sizing up the competition....

Alden is in the same ballpark and Carmina is head and shoulders better in every respect. Bonafe is north of a grand, Viberg too. Vass is 590 euros plus 40 shipping. CJ is in the same ballpark in terms of both price and quality. EG is astronomical.

What brand hits your sweet spot for shell cordovan?

 

[jet-stream]

Do you have any Oscar lasted shoes to compare at the toe with Robert, side by side?. Thanks.

I do, but will be a few days before I can post a side by side. I’ll go into the archives to see if I have done something like this already.

 

[jet-stream]

Thanks @007Bond I really like Carmina, but not so much that I’ll do $750 for one of their shell derbies.

I hear you, but sizing up the competition....

Alden is in the same ballpark and Carmina is head and shoulders better in every respect. Bonafe is north of a grand, Viberg too. Vass is 590 euros plus 40 shipping. CJ is in the same ballpark in terms of both price and quality. EG is astronomical.

What brand hits your sweet spot for shell cordovan?

I'm with pepper here - Carmina puches well above their weight class. The only brand I can think of with less expensive shell (firsts) would be AE. I love me some Allen Edmonds, but Carmina and AE are not really in the same league.

 

[jet-stream]

Shell monks today:

 

[Zapasman]

I do, but will be a few days before I can post a side by side. I’ll go into the archives to see if I have done something like this already.

No worries, take your time. Thanks

 

[stephenaf2003]

I'm with pepper here - Carmina puches well above their weight class. The only brand I can think of with less expensive shell (firsts) would be AE. I love me some Allen Edmonds, but Carmina and AE are not really in the same league.

Looking at you fellas collection it’s clear you are fine with it. I wouldn’t presume to speak for you guys or anyone other than myself. I also don’t disagree with you both in the statement about their place amongst other makers. I really do love the brand; I personally prefer them to Alden. I do own hand welted shoes I’ve spent significantly more on; but it will be a very cold day when I pay that price for a good year welted derbies/bluchers etc... Boots are another matter entirely; again these are simply the personal spending choices of Stephen. I don’t hold anyone in ill regard that chooses to do so.

 

[peppercorn78]

Looking at you fellas collection it’s clear you are fine with it. I wouldn’t presume to speak for you guys or anyone other than myself. I also don’t disagree with you both in the statement about their place amongst other makers. I really do love the brand; I personally prefer them to Alden. I do own hand welted shoes I’ve spent significantly more on; but it will be a very cold day when I pay that price for a good year welted derbies/bluchers etc... Boots are another matter entirely; again these are simply the personal spending choices of Stephen. I don’t hold anyone in ill regard that chooses to do so.

Makes perfect sense.

I have a psychological inability to spend over 1k on shoes (though I was able to rationalize a recent Bonafe order by using some credit I had from a return), so have ended up with mostly Goodyear footwear. I know they’re inferior to handwelted, but I suppose I’ve convinced myself that Given the size of my rotation and mostly urban walking environment, I won’t really notice much practical difference in the end.

I do hear you though. I miss the days when shell cordovan Carminas could be had for 500$!

Alden too, for that matter! Just got a preorder email from a top tier retailer asking $770 for black shell derby!!!

 

[stephenaf2003]

Makes perfect sense.

I have a psychological inability to spend over 1k on shoes (though I was able to rationalize a recent Bonafe order by using some credit I had from a return), so have ended up with mostly Goodyear footwear. I know they’re inferior to handwelted, but I suppose convinced myself that Given the size of rotation and mostly urban walking environment, I won’t really notice much practical difference.

I do hear you though. I miss the days when shell cordovan Carminas could be had for 500$!

Alden too, for that matter! Just got a preorder email from a top tier retailer asking $770 for black shell derby!!!

Yikes, first world problems eh? Lol Hey, I ain’t mad at them, if consumers are willing to give them that kind of money for GYW black shell, why not.

Don’t misunderstand me though. I’ve got almost exclusively GYW, I don’t have anything against them. But given my appetite for, and the amount of shoe purchases, I have to set some guidelines for myself.