Enzo Bonafe Handmade Shoes.

[clee1982]

Well you're going to be either 8.5 or 9. Most people are down 0.5 from their G&G sizing. That being said, 74945, in my opinion, has a touch lower instep than the Bonafe 946 and 804 lasts and the same size is a little uncomfortable to me because I have a high instep. So, in my personal experience, if I were to buy something in the 74945 again, I would buy the same as my G&G size. You have no concerns about instep though.

As to toe width, I find the 946 to crowd the toes a bit. I did not have this issue with the same size in 74945.

by the way what other maker do you have for sizing comparison wise (this would be my first EB...)

 

[CLTesquire]

by the way what other maker do you have for sizing comparison wise (this would be my first EB...)

I think I agree with the premise that EB as a brand will generally have a higher instep than, say, Edward Green or G&G. However, within the myriad lasts offered by Bonafe there is variation. Honestly I found the 74945 to very similar in appearance to the Carmina Forest last, but with a higher instep. If you have a normal instep and never find yourself having to increase the size because of the instep of a shoe, I wouldn't sweat it so much. Here's what I wear:

Bonafe 804: 9 UK
Bonafe 946: 9 UK
Bonafe 74945: 9 UK a bit tight on the instep
EG 606: 9 UK (I only have Dovers on this last)
EG 202: 9 UK mostly, sometimes 9.5 UK depending on the shoe (I have trouble with the instep of their chukka boots)
EG 184: can't wear b/c of the instep
EG 82: 9.5 UK (this isn't the greatest last for me)
EG 72: 9.5 UK (only in boots and great with thicker socks)
G&G GG06: 9.5 UK in oxfords (I go F width in boots for thick socks and have an instep adjustment on one foot for chukkas)
G&G MH71: 9.5 UK
G&G KN14: 9.5 UK (instep adjustment on each foot)
C&J 341: 9 UK (these were loafers I had to sell b/c the instep was too tight...length was fine)

 

[clee1982]

thanks a lot!

 

[jischwar]

Well you're going to be either 8.5 or 9. Most people are down 0.5 from their G&G sizing. That being said, 74945, in my opinion, has a touch lower instep than the Bonafe 946 and 804 lasts and the same size is a little uncomfortable to me because I have a high instep. So, in my personal experience, if I were to buy something in the 74945 again, I would buy the same as my G&G size. You have no concerns about instep though.

As to toe width, I find the 946 to crowd the toes a bit. I did not have this issue with the same size in 74945.

They actually are all supposed to have the same size instep. See the below chart from EB (I think these measurements are for a size 8UK) but you can see the relation amongst them. Obviously the last shapes are different and that can play into the taper towards the toe.

 

[jischwar]

now as embarrassing as it sounds (being the starter of this GMTO), how does 74945 fit, I would say CJ 341 fits me well (348 is too tight in toebox, 236 is too short, or borderline acceptable). In general I just need toebox width (not necessarily wide, but standard to wide would be preferred), not worried about instep.

For reference

CJ 341: 8.5E UK
CJ 348: 8.5E UK (but not ideal)
GG MH71: 9E UK (TG73 and DG70 is too tight in toebox)
AM Chisel 2: 9E UK
AM Soft Square: 9F UK (took wide, never tried to go 9.5E UK, so not sure if that would have been better)

And I know something like CJ Carmina in 8.5 UK definitely does not work

Well you're going to be either 8.5 or 9. Most people are down 0.5 from their G&G sizing. That being said, 74945, in my opinion, has a touch lower instep than the Bonafe 946 and 804 lasts and the same size is a little uncomfortable to me because I have a high instep. So, in my personal experience, if I were to buy something in the 74945 again, I would buy the same as my G&G size. You have no concerns about instep though.

As to toe width, I find the 946 to crowd the toes a bit. I did not have this issue with the same size in 74945.

One thing to note when going the GMTO route is that you can have small adjustments made to the last for no additional cost. You can lower the instep, widen the ball and/ or toes so that you don't have to size up and be stuck with a shoe that's too long or vice versa.

 

[clee1982]

hum, looks like I might stick with 8.5 then, I like high instep, but don't need abnormally high

 

[aj2603]

On a similar note.. regarding the 74945 Last, do most of you go with the same size as ur Carmina rain last ?

 

[laufer]

On a similar note.. regarding the 74945 Last, do most of you go with the same size as ur Carmina rain last ?

I do not. I have to go up a half size because my toes get crowded if I take 74945 last. On the top of that 74945 has a large instep so I can only wear boots on this last.
PS. I would recommend that you do not buy unless you can try it on first.

 

[clee1982]

hum, you're making me agitated...

 

[laufer]

hum, you're making me agitated...

Did you order something on 74945 last?

 

[Proleet]

I took the same size so might work out for you

 

[jischwar]

Yeah, I think it's a good starting point with a higher instep.

 

[evangel21]

Well you're going to be either 8.5 or 9. Most people are down 0.5 from their G&G sizing. That being said, 74945, in my opinion, has a touch lower instep than the Bonafe 946 and 804 lasts and the same size is a little uncomfortable to me because I have a high instep. So, in my personal experience, if I were to buy something in the 74945 again, I would buy the same as my G&G size. You have no concerns about instep though.

As to toe width, I find the 946 to crowd the toes a bit. I did not have this issue with the same size in 74945.

Toebox wise the 74945 is more comfortable than AM's soft square in E width. I find slightly more room to wriggle my toes in the 74945 than AM soft square.

As for the instep, I suspect EB lowers it for non-lace models. I find the instep of my single monks to be lower than my oxfords. Both are 74945 and same size.

 

[bsarosi]

On a similar note.. regarding the 74945 Last, do most of you go with the same size as ur Carmina rain last ?

I take same size on 74945 as Carmina Rain but I only own boots on the 74945

 

[clee1982]

Did you order something on 74945 last?

GMTO on short chelsea, took my CJ UK size (8.5E UK) and I prefer higher instep