New Oxford Dilemma: Carmina or Santoni?

[LeDiable007]

I want to buy three pairs of shoes. I've recently fallen in love with the Carmina mid-brown single monk, but I've also found some FAM Santonis for about the same price. Which should I go for?

I know how highly Carmina is regarded on the forum, and a search didn't return much in the way of comparative discussion between the two. I'm also open to suggestions, but $450 per is about the most I'd spend per pair.

Thanks in advance, mates.

 

[papado]

I want to buy three pairs of shoes. I've recently fallen in love with the Carmina mid-brown single monk, but I've also found some FAM Santonis for about the same price. Which should I go for?

I know how highly Carmina is regarded on the forum, and a search didn't return much in the way of comparative discussion between the two. I'm also open to suggestions, but $450 per is about the most I'd spend per pair.

Thanks in advance, mates.

I can't speak from experience, but they're both well made goodyear welted shoes so I would suggest you choose what you like! I thought the FAM Santonis went for closer to 600-900 so if 450 is your budget I think Carmina makes perfect sense. I'm not sure Santoni is that much better than Carmina in terms of construction/materials (others can chime in here...) so you may as well save the extra $ if Carmina fits your needs.

 

[LeDiable007]

I can't speak from experience, but they're both well made goodyear welted shoes so I would suggest you choose what you like! I thought the FAM Santonis went for closer to 600-900 so if 450 is your budget I think Carmina makes perfect sense. I'm not sure Santoni is that much better than Carmina in terms of construction/materials (others can chime in here...) so you may as well save the extra $ if Carmina fits your needs.

Thank you for the info. These are the Santonis: https://www.ebay.ca/itm/NEW-SANTONI-Dress-Black-Leather-Shoes-SIZE-Eu-46-Uk-12-Us-13-8R/163325316049. With shipping and what I expect to pay in duties, they're right up around the Carminas.

I tried Meermin because folks here raved about it, but the leather was hard-wearing and I wound up with sore feet and shoes I don't wear anymore. Materials and construction are my only real concerns atm. Short break-in period, GYW, and Meccarrelio-esque leather.

 

[circumspice]

Buying shoes you haven't tried on off of ebay might be rife with danger, especially since you mention duties - that implies a lot of pain even if the Ebay seller does returns.

Fit is paramount.

 

[Anachronist]

I can speak from experience and in my opinion the choice is very clear: Carmina over Santoni any day. I am yet to see a Santoni shoe that is Goodyear welted, they are all Blake Rapid welted and whilst nicely designed in a fashion forward look, they are way overpriced and in every way inferior to Carmina shoes in terms of construction and leather quality. The only reason to choose a Santoni shoe is if you desperately desire the modernist look.

 

[LeDiable007]

Buying shoes you haven't tried on off of ebay might be rife with danger, especially since you mention duties - that implies a lot of pain even if the Ebay seller does returns.

Fit is paramount.

That was my thinking as well. The seller is in Europe, so if it doesn’t work out, I’m in for it.

I can speak from experience and in my opinion the choice is very clear: Carmina over Santoni any day. I am yet to see a Santoni shoe that is Goodyear welted, they are all Blake Rapid welted and whilst nicely designed in a fashion forward look, they are way overpriced and in every way inferior to Carmina shoes in terms of construction and leather quality. The only reason to choose a Santoni shoe is if you desperately desire the modernist look.

I think Santoni does do Goodyear welting, but these I’ve found are definitely Blake rapid. I went for the Carmina cap toes.

Thank you both for responding.

 

[Anachronist]

Congrats, wear them in good health

 

[LeDiable007]

Congrats, wear them in good health

Thank you.

I got them from Baltzar for $357 a pair, just in case anyone else comes by and reads this.

 

[ultramantaro]

I know this is an old thread but want to add what I know to add some clarity. FAM Santoni's can be either blake stitched or goodyear welted. From what I have seen, if the sock lining is orange it's usually blake stitched. If it's black or dark brown with dimples (small dots) it is usually goodyear welted.

A Carmina vs a Santoni FAM at the same price should win in terms of quality. However, when paired against a goodyear welted line model like the Carter it's debatable. The Carter last have a tighter waist and a chiseled toe, and they have a higher notch of leather burnishing and finishing. I wouldn't buy them at the MSRP however, as I feel it's inflated and targeted towards a designer driven market. You can easily find them on sale at half off, or sometimes 1/3 of the MSRP.

 

[Anachronist]

I also would like to dig up this old thread mainly for the sake of correcting myself and ensuring other readers don’t get misled. Since my last posts I in fact have purchased a few Santoni fatte a mano (handmade) shoes, which are Goodyear-welted and I have to admit with shame that they are extraordinarily well made and actually surpass my previously so coveted Carminas (and even Crockett & Jones Handgrade for that matter) in terms of craftsmanship and leather quality. Yes, Santoni has some lower quality Blake-welted and even glued shoes in their lineup which I tend to avoid as they are IMHO massively overpriced, but if you get your hands on a pair of Santonis marked as FAM or Goodyear at a decent (read „discounted“) price, you‘re buying some seriously good shoes. A word of warning though: Santoni shoes will only fit narrow feet unless you are buying a „wide“ last version and they run large, i.e. you need to size down a full size (with Monks or Loafers maybe even 1.5 sizes) to get a good fit with their elongated lasts.

 

[apk251]

I also would like to dig up this old thread mainly for the sake of correcting myself and ensuring other readers don’t get misled. Since my last posts I in fact have purchased a few Santoni fatte a mano (handmade) shoes, which are Goodyear-welted and I have to admit with shame that they are extraordinarily well made and actually surpass my previously so coveted Carminas (and even Crockett & Jones Handgrade for that matter) in terms of craftsmanship and leather quality. Yes, Santoni has some lower quality Blake-welted and even glued shoes in their lineup which I tend to avoid as they are IMHO massively overpriced, but if you get your hands on a pair of Santonis marked as FAM or Goodyear at a decent (read „discounted“) price, you‘re buying some seriously good shoes. A word of warning though: Santoni shoes will only fit narrow feet unless you are buying a „wide“ last version and they run large, i.e. you need to size down a full size (with Monks or Loafers maybe even 1.5 sizes) to get a good fit with their elongated lasts.

Hi - thank you for all your input regarding Santoni shoes! Any chance you could share some more wisdom? I’m currently eyeing a black whole-cut oxford and debating between buying the C&J James or the Santoni’s Men’s Polished Black Leather (https://www.santonishoes.com/us-en/mens-polished-black-leather-oxford-shoe-MCCR16229MC1HVVDN01.html), in your experience which shoe is better? Perhaps it would make more sense for $200-300 more get the EG Newburry?

Thank you!