Meermin Mallorca Shoes

[Crafty Cumbrian]

I'd definitely pick up a pair of the Galway style boots in utah calf!

Sounds like a plan...

still can’t believe you’ve not been assassinated for that avatar!! ??

 

[H. E. Pennypacker]

Sounds like a plan...

still can’t believe you’ve not been assassinated for that avatar!! ??

Lol! Why, what’s wrong w my avatar??? ?

 

[Crafty Cumbrian]

Lol! Why, what’s wrong w my avatar??? ?

I think you know a certain gentleman may or may not want to parade your head on a stick to reclaim it!! ??

 

[H. E. Pennypacker]

I think you know a certain gentleman may or may not want to parade your head on a stick to reclaim it!! ??

Oh, I’m well aware, but we must abide by the social distancing rule! Lol. Until this blows over, we’ll settle this in person ?

 

[Sinbios]

Hi @Meermin, I've had these shell cordovan boots for 3 months now and worn them a bunch, but the right boot still manages to chafe my ankle raw even after a short walk while wearing thick socks. The heel stiffener rubs against my ankle bone constantly, and there's some odd creasing in the leather at the ankle which makes me think the heel stiffener is too large maybe?

I know Meermin shoes have a reputation for a hard break-in, but these should be broken in by now, and with the way the stiffener juts out I'm not sure if it ever will be comfortable. Any advice or anything you can do to help with this?

 

[cr2596]

Sell em. I had to sell a pair for the same reason.

 

[Coffandcig]

Hi @Meermin, I've had these shell cordovan boots for 3 months now and worn them a bunch, but the right boot still manages to chafe my ankle raw even after a short walk while wearing thick socks. The heel stiffener rubs against my ankle bone constantly, and there's some odd creasing in the leather at the ankle which makes me think the heel stiffener is too large maybe?

I know Meermin shoes have a reputation for a hard break-in, but these should be broken in by now, and with the way the stiffener juts out I'm not sure if it ever will be comfortable. Any advice or anything you can do to help with this?

You probably are just not used to goodyear welted shoes. Meermin are a really good value. Not all lasts work for everyone, maybe you just got the wrong size. /S

Seriously though, the heel blisters happened to me on all of the Meermin pairs I have and now keep bandaids with me for the ones I still wear.

 

[WSB17]

Hi @Meermin, I've had these shell cordovan boots for 3 months now and worn them a bunch, but the right boot still manages to chafe my ankle raw even after a short walk while wearing thick socks. The heel stiffener rubs against my ankle bone constantly, and there's some odd creasing in the leather at the ankle which makes me think the heel stiffener is too large maybe?

I know Meermin shoes have a reputation for a hard break-in, but these should be broken in by now, and with the way the stiffener juts out I'm not sure if it ever will be comfortable. Any advice or anything you can do to help with this?

Just wondering, which last is this ?
I had a similar issue, not as bad as this though, with both of Meermin boots (calf, and Shinki shell), both on the HOK last.
They did break in eventually over 20 wears or so.

But I do consider this to be a function of the stiff hard leather that Meermin uses, that seems to require dozens of wears and occasional conditioning to break in.

 

[Sinbios]

Just wondering, which last is this ?
I had a similar issue, not as bad as this though, with both of Meermin boots (calf, and Shinki shell), both on the HOK last.
They did break in eventually over 20 wears or so.

But I do consider this to be a function of the stiff hard leather that Meermin uses, that seems to require dozens of wears and occasional conditioning to break in.

Yep, HOK last.

 

[Potatoe]

But I do consider this to be a function of the stiff hard leather that Meermin uses, that seems to require dozens of wears and occasional conditioning to break in.

The break in seems to vary drastically from shoe to shoe.

I had a pair of Suade boots and Chromex boots, with zero break in. Then I had a pair of Longwings and a cap toe where it was tough. Mind you the captoes in particular were a half size small at least.

The boots were both roomy which may be the reason. I think with Merrmin if your shoe is on the smaller side, you are going to suffer.

 

[Crafty Cumbrian]

I’ve never had an issue with any. Only ones that are stiff are a pair of cordovan boots but I have had cordovan from various makers that have troubled me equally.
I’ve cxl Meermin which are a dream. The Shinki shell I’ve got was comfortable straight away.

 

[Journeyman]

I know Meermin shoes have a reputation for a hard break-in, but these should be broken in by now, and with the way the stiffener juts out I'm not sure if it ever will be comfortable. Any advice or anything you can do to help with this?

@Sinbios - I don't know if it will help, but I was having some pain and issues with the shaft on my Meermin shell cordovan boots (although not as bad as you - thankfully, mine weren't cutting my skin!).

After I gently flexed and twisted the shafts of the boots back and forth for about five minutes for each boot, it started to improve. I've now done that a few times and it's a great improvement - see my post below.

So, although everyone's feet are different and shoes/boots fit differently as a result, I thought that this might help with your situation, too.

I thought I would provide an update to my earlier post.

A few weeks ago, I received a pair of split-toe boots in shell cordovan, from the last custom boot weekend. As I noted, the boots fit my feet very well, but the shafts of the boots were very, very stiff and, as a result, the boots were difficult to lace up and painful to wear. They were so uncomfortable that I was concerned that they would be unwearable.

To try to resolve the problem, I gently massaged the shafts of both boots, including flexing the shafts back and forth for about five minutes per boot.

It made an enormous difference. After bending and flexing the shell cordovan shafts, they became much softer and more flexible. I walked 4km while wearing the boots today, without any discomfort at all.

I can highly recommend massaging your (boot) shafts if you are feeling any stiffness and discomfort!

 

[Sinbios]

Only ones that are stiff are a pair of cordovan boots but I have had cordovan from various makers that have troubled me equally.

My Aldens and Carminas don't have this issue though. I still feel like it's got more to do with the size and shape of the heel counter than the leather itself.

After I gently flexed and twisted the shafts of the boots back and forth for about five minutes for each boot, it started to improve. I've now done that a few times and it's a great improvement - see my post below.

Yeah I've done that multiple times as well. It helped with the stiffness in the shaft which used to chafe my calves as well, but not the chafing against the ankle.

 

[Crafty Cumbrian]

My Aldens and Carminas don't have this issue though. I still feel like it's got more to do with the size and shape of the heel counter than the leather itself.



Yeah I've done that multiple times as well. It helped with the stiffness in the shaft which used to chafe my calves as well, but not the chafing against the ankle.

Alden and Carmina use Horween so I can’t speak to that as all the ones I have are from every other tannery but! ?

my advice is move em on and chalk up to not for you. I’ve persisted like you and to what end?

 

[stephenaf2003]

Oh oh, look what the cat dragged in...the much maligned issue of the very late, Olive shell, shearling lined boots, has been resolved. More imagery tomorrow when daylight returns. They were supposed to be Olive, unfortunately they are more like the batch you got @Crafty Cumbrian, overwhelmingly brown. I have to to say, I know it’s not Horween, but $480 bucks for these is a just a ridiculous bargain.