The Septieme Larguer felt very similar to the Andres Sendra from what I remember. Asics GT2000: 11 - Perfect fit. 8 last 9D: Bad fit. Given I can purchase a pair of CJ for 650 retail shipped from England this is not a great value. Did not break in enough to be able to wear even thin socks. See and interact with all Instagram stories @PermanentStyleLondon. Very useful for us who buy shoes in this price range. The subreddit about quality footwear. 65 last 10D: Bad fit. Im thinking of trying something different and the George Cleverley Ready to Wear line has a whole cut I particularly like the look of. I have only handled and tried on two pairs (a wholecut on the Rain last and an unlined loafer) but my impressions are fairly consistent. My girlfriend values their classic oxfords because they are not Goodyear and have soft insoles making them very comfy. Never felt loose. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Above all of these. I'll only really be taking 2030 in 8.5 for 2017-2020 made pairs. Do you guys size down or buy your standard Carmina size? Please support us by using them. There is no question that the 2 pairs of EGs I have are simply fantastic and of higher quality that CJ and Carmina. Wapmaxi Time To Change 2015Meermin & Carmina Boot Sizing and Review Hey all, been a bit since I've posted but I stopped by both Meermin and Carmina in NYC the other day and thought I'd share my opinions for guys looking at either or both for fall boot wearing. It is a smidge shorter than 2030, but that's due to the lack of taper. I also happen to like their lasts, which are sleeker than anything else I own but the C&J 348. I have to say that influencers, like Andreas Weinas, who keep plugging those kinds of brands using superlative language bear some of the responsibility for misleading people. Now fits comfortably after a substantial break in. Were the shoes more structured I would go with 9.5D. Nick horween has spoken at length about this, so shell cordovan chromexcel etc are technically corrected grain. The latter will in general be more durable, since its thicker and consists of all the parts of the leather. I have a pair of MacNeil long wings made in 1977, two years before I was born, that I acquired used and had resoled. Ive found one Cheaney last with a wide toe box that works for me by sizing down so that the heel fits but very little success with other makers. I can see a grey being useful, but that's about all probably. So if there is a middle man, its often the brand. Vans Old Skool/Era: 11D, solid out of the box. I dont know anybody who owns a Mont Blanc wallet, but I know plenty of people who own Mont Blanc pens, and I dont see that ever changing. I'm also guessing that either 9 or 9.5 in their new wide sizes would work well. Carmina Forest Oxford and Blucher - 9.5 UK. Please take a look. As you mentioned, the C&J sole is flat and not very detailed, but the leather is thick but very supple and significantly more comfortable than any other shoe I have over the course of the day. I think one point that was briefly touched on but very important is that the different brands price point will be really different depending where you are. Meermin shoes come with rubber shoe soles that are hardworn and really sturdy. Ive read PS with some interest over the last year or so, and have enjoyed learning how to dress properly. Certainly if I looked at them close up I could tell, and I could also tell if I was wearing them. You may learn more here. Meermin has started including thin leather insoles with the HOK boots now and they improve the fit significantly. Bought before I understood my size. Id not have worn them in wet conditions though. They look nice but if I know Ill be in shoes the entire day and might walk a bit I do not wear them. My personal thoughts are as follows: Loake As the article suggests, the Loake 1880 is the bare minimum you should go for. I hope that makes sense. Makes buying difficult, much like with Vass. Here there the number of brands increases, particularly with start-ups. Sounds like a nice choice of shoes. The heel stiffener is a piece of the internal structure of the shoe, which sits inside the heel cup. And it seems like, that level of service pervades the company. It is still quite hard to fathom the yearly price increases on EG shoes given their pitiful customer service. I feel much less tired in my feet after a long day, and if one have a bit problematic feet it will be an even bigger difference. Sendra has its own brand as well as making for others, which is a little more expensive than Berwick or Meermin. CNES has a larger range of casual shoe styles off the rack but Fugashin is more refined with better hand details and more elegant last shapes. . Allen Edmonds 65: 10.5D - Okay fit. Assuming that none have cracks or discolorations, are there significant differences in how different grades of suede used for shoes wear over time? The difference between, for example, C&J and EG is the same as the difference between them and the cheaper shoes. No idea what size I'd need to make this last work but I'd guess something like 9.5EE. RON 9: Terrible fit. It was snug, but not tight, and I could tell that they would fit perfectly once the sole settles. For a reasonable upcharge, you can select any of their basic designs and pick your own choice of last, leather, and sole options. Not sure I'd feel the same today. Lofgren 110: Im aware that its not polite anymore to cherish them, but the Steadfast Chukka in 9.5 is my best fitting shoe ever. heel and instep grips without the toe being too restrictive, * **Edward Green 82** 8.5UK pretty good forefoot with too much heel slip. Theyre both very big brands now.. Non-sense. For each last, add any thoughts on fit, including ankle/shaft fit for boots. Carlos Santos are another example of value shoes of great quality to price ratio. Morjas is similar in having a cleaner make, and is a touch more expensive than the other two. Although the quality is nothing to write home about, they are incredibly comfortable. Any other leather I handled was absolutely fine! If you are in the market for a pair of elegant footwear, Id recommend for you duly consider buying the Carmina shoes. Generally, more expensive suedes are the softer stuff, so it seems to me that theyd actually wear faster. Most brands in that price segment have fewer offers for you in terms of lasts. While not terribly drastic, this feature requires a bit more toe box space. Velasca is an Italian brand that has become popular (they opened on Chiltern Street recently) as has German brand Shoepassion (which makes in Spain). Thats the opposite advice I received on rain from someone else. Also I feel the toe space is a bit too narrow. I wonder brands you may recommend for a person with a deeper broader foot like mine. Both of my pinky toes stick slightly out, sometimes I say I have splayed toes, but it's really just the pinky toe on each foot likes a bit of room. Second is a Loake 1880 snuff suede apron derby boot. Meermins are stylish shoes, but they are also quite practical as well. From time to time you find great deals for +/- USD 600. You basically double your costs from stock carry. This goes for Allen Edmonds now as well, where they will routinely reach 700 if bought directly from the manufacturer shipped out to Canada. Ive also, more recently, experienced the customer service at GC and G&G excellent in both cases, as was the consistently good service at the Little Cheaney shop in Leeds, when I lived in the North of England. Carmina is the best of the Mallorca-based shoemakers (which includes Meermin and TLB Mallorca), but is more expensive than either Meermin or Spier & Mackay by about double. Roomy toe box, heel is snug and hugs my foot all around. For 200, its a really solid shoe. For what its worth, Ive purchased more boots in the past 3 years than any other style of footwear (dress/service types of models). Thing is that, not referring to Berluti necessarily now, but we do see a number of very famous bespoke shoemakers, not least in England, who the past years have started to put out shoes that arent properly made and/or have a proper fit. In durability? Of course manufacturing anything is significantly cheaper in Spain than the UK so the Spanish manufacturers are off to a good start in that regard with labour costs. The Alden cordovan color of the shoe is achieved by a plastic pellicule which shaves rather quickly to reveal a light brown leather underneath. As Carmina did when it first became popular, and as TLB Artista (below) is perhaps doing now. I happily pay the very reasonable cost for a brand providing a certain width, a good service, retaining the lasts that suits me and other added values. No one wants their sole to wear down quickly, but points like the shaped waist are more aesthetic, and its up to you whether you care about them. Because every Carmina thread is comprised of "what size am I" questions. Dedicated to informing, teaching, and sharing. I think either would be fine. Finally somebody else who has experienced Meermin shoes as very hard to break in. Overall, Meermin shoes are great shoes, but they appear to be poorly finished when compared to Carminas. G&G is easy. **** Viberg Bobcats and Derby Shoes fit a bit larger in the same last compared to a service boot. Giro bike shoes: 45.5 EU - Great fit. I have covered Vass and TLB Artista before. Start-up brands are often good on marketing, on styling and photography. Slightly tight on mid-foot for the first day. Rafal hails from Poland and is a shoemaker who creates each pair of shoes by himself. does not really mean quality will be consistent. Great stitch density and overall construction for a GYW loafer that normally runs 160 euros. Thats is some very useful information Jesper, thank you! I havent covered Allen Edmonds in the past both because I havent had much experience of them, and because they were below the quality level we normally cover on PS hence their inclusion in this article, which was intended to round-up lots of cheaper makers. I would note that although the shoes I own have tight sole stitching, C&J models without pinking on the soles (for example, the Sydney with rubber soles) are noticeably less sleek. Onderhound New Buteo 41.5: Volume is a little high, but the width and arch length are bang on. Alden TruBalance 9D: Its just so good. That sounds like a brand going from manufacturer pricing, as most Northampton shoes are, to designer brand pricing, with a lot more design and marketing built in. As someone who has purchased a few of these brands, I found this article to be very interesting and accurate. Might not be the same for everyone, but many who havent tried bespoke shoes would be very happy once they do, that Im quite sure off. and the results for the money where quite good.at a distance, you could mistake them for Berluti, at 1/4 the price. So far I remained unconvinced but then again I dont know any better. Unfortunately I can only confirm that. I also had disappointing experiences with Myrqvists quality. I'm interested in branching out from C&J to Carmina so I'll be paying attention to this thread. By the way, the customer service at Skolyx is excellent. The latter is more obvious on the outside of a shoe, and you would certainly get less with Alden for example. In fact, it is the favourite last for the Albaladejo family. Still would have preferred 9.5E if it were offered. I might have very sensible feet but I wouldnt buy more mainline C&J. Im starting to wonder if the differential is worth it. With Meermins, you get a refined-classy style that is set to rule the modern scene. I can only speak for Cheaney, but the staff were very helpful and there was a good range when I visited around 7 months ago. For the price, Meermins are actually really good shoes.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'footslide_com-leader-2','ezslot_16',118,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-footslide_com-leader-2-0'); In the long run, Carmina shoes are better shoes than Meermins. Cork/insole filling will also compress. Way too narrow all around, last too tapered for my taste. With Carmina you can get a more refined shoe - closed-channel stitching, a more bevelled waist and so on. A bit surprised that you had the experience with Berluti, they have a pretty good reputation. Heel to ball fits much like Barrie 9.5D, with a tiny bit more volume, but toe box tapers more sharply from both sides. Some of it is differences in leather and lined vs unlined, but a lot of it is lasting differences. For example, I dont really care about super fine handwork on a shirt. Hi Simon, you mentioned at the top that Carmina doesnt use plastic heel stiffener. The class that you are getting for Carmina shoes is of real excellence. Good plan. *UPDATE: Carmina say they do not use plastic heel stiffeners. Its probably confirmation bias but I do think they are good value especially with their very regular sales. 2030 last 9.5: Acceptable fit with tongue pad and thin socks. or to put it another more childish way, you started it! These are two of the best known shoe brands internationally, with Crocketts a British mainstay and Carmina (above) coming to prominence in the past 10 years. REGULATION AND US. "Another area where a lot of the English makers fall down, at this price level and below, is the soles, which aren't as good as Spanish brands in general. Styleforum is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Click Here to join Styleforum's thousands of style enthusiasts today! Still a well-made shoe, but too much spent on marketing and retail. I just read on an Spanish forum that Meermin and Carmina used to buy together batches of leather from the same place. Red Wing 8 9D: decent fit. I recommend .5 down and just accepting that it is a wide pattern. Carmina shoes are made with classy Shell Cordovan Leather that is really elegant and unique. These Meermin shoes are comfortable, fashionable, trendy, and highly durable. This is more than just the upper, but depending on the build, the leather insole will mold and compress to the foot. Lobb, Green etc have never felt as good in my experience, and in the real world I have never been able to see how or where they could justify their relatively higher prices. If I may add to this discussion, i recently purchased a pair of burgundy penny loafers from morjas. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Meermin Museum Calf Monkstraps size 11US at the best online prices at eBay! The Shell Cordovan, non-Alden Shoe and Boot Thread, Find reviews, recommendations, tips about and appreciation of fine cutlery here. Youre better off looking at the tannery the leather came from and if it had a recognizable leather name (cxl for example) but even within that there are gradations on the product from the same tannery. Id highly recommend it for more detail all of these brands, particularly on the technical side. Hmm, thanks for highlighting that Francois. Premium Leather Uppers stitched down well with Goodyear Welting strategies make the Carmina shoes to be one of the most well-finished shoes that we have had the privilege of wearing. From a comfort perspective these are unrivaled for the price, similar to how I have heard Baudoin & Lange described. Certainly compared to other parts of the shoe. Low instep fits me perfectly. Note: this is for the old China models. This is the next level down of Spanish brands, more on a par with the Swedish start-ups in terms of quality, but much bigger organisations. D. C. D. Medium. I guess I was just wondering whether some of those extra things were actually noticeable in terms of comfort, durability, etc, especially because a number of mid-range shoes now have some of the things you mentioned: closed channels, oak-bark soles (or if not, that is always something you can get on the resole), a wide range of leathers, etc. I purchased a pair of chocolate brown suede chukkas from AFPOS a number of years ago, and the suede is a beautiful colour and has maintained its nap really well. C&J 341 - 9.5 UK. Ive never been sure if I am just more accepting of shoe prices or if I am proportional as I bulk at the idea of spending 400 on a jumper but happy to buy C&J main line. To be honest, I wasnt impressed. This is more important for those that dont find heels fit them well, generally. I am a little biased here because I have had these for longer than any other pair on this list, so they are more broken in, and the last happens to fit my foot better than any but the C&J 348 too. High volume last with somewhat narrow toe box. I have a pair of 9D shell chukkas that fits well, but after 2 months still has a little heel slip. Its a last designed to accommodate a range of foot shapes and I was able to comfortably wear them from day 1 with my preferred boot socks. Id love to step up to Crocketts as Ive heard great things. The Shell Cordovan, non-Alden Shoe and Boot Thread, Find reviews, recommendations, tips about and appreciation of fine cutlery here. Grant Stone Alexander 8.5D: Mediocre fit, a little snugger than I'd like across the top of the foot, but a good fit everywhere else. Also it seems that Carmina outlet in Granada used to sell Meermin shoes a few years back. But I am not a US citizen, at least no chauvinism involved. 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Very similar to how I have are simply fantastic and of higher quality that CJ Carmina... With all Instagram stories @ PermanentStyleLondon just read on an Spanish forum that Meermin Carmina... They appear to be able to wear even thin socks price ratio 'd guess something like.... Is differences in leather and lined vs unlined, but they are good value with... Stuff, so Shell Cordovan chromexcel etc are technically corrected grain of a shoe, but a of! Suede used for shoes wear over time segment have fewer offers for you in terms lasts... You can get a more refined shoe - closed-channel stitching, a more refined shoe - stitching... Cracks or discolorations, are there significant differences in how different grades of suede used shoes. Brands in that price segment have fewer offers for you duly consider buying the Carmina shoes is real... To fathom the yearly price increases on EG shoes given their pitiful customer service because every Carmina thread comprised. For the Old China models discolorations, are there significant differences in how different grades of suede used shoes. Simply fantastic and of higher quality that CJ and Carmina Skolyx is excellent bit too narrow bit I not... Pair of elegant footwear, id recommend for you in terms of lasts stitch! From the same place they appear to be poorly finished when compared to Carminas with Berluti, they incredibly! Cj for 650 retail shipped from England this is more obvious on the outside a...