carmina vs meermin sizing

4 3 3 comments Best Add a Comment hjordan28141 2 yr. ago Although the vast majority of my formal clothes over the last 40+ years have been bespoke, I have never seen or felt the need to go bespoke on shoes. One thing I could never understand is why, from lower to higher price points, RTW makers dont provide more width options. Like the arbitrary claim that the soles on English soles wear out more quickly than European ones. TLB Artista full review here i would think they sit somewhere between C&J and Loake/Barkers. They claim it will still last as long and that the defects are just cosmetic, but still, it may not be what you expect. Particularly I struggle with the heel which I find very wide with most English makers. I'm interested in branching out from C&J to Carmina so I'll be paying attention to this thread. The shoe soles of the Carminas are truly some of the best in the market today. Good engineer last and terrible service boot, there's a reason they never went production on em. NWT Pual Smith Linen, Cotton & Silk Blend Neck Tie in Navy w/ White Polka Dots from MR Porter, New w/ Tag $200+ Brioni Italian Made Woven Silk Purple Paisley Neck Tie from Bergdorf Goodman, Vintage Dunhill English Made Black Leather Long Wallet. This is particularly true in the shoe market, given there are few designer brands spending big budgets on marketing and advertising. Additional notes: Heel-to-toe is 10, width on the border of D/E; heel-to-ball is 11. The new El Salvador ones were too tight and I'd require a 10.5. CNES and Fugashin are both high quality shoes and I carefully compared them before deciding that Fugashin was the better and choosing it as my Shoemaker. Less so in the winter. The leather feels like a glove and is truly unlined (to the extent that the uppers almost collapse under their own weight), unlike Carminas unlined shoes which dont feel all that different from normal lined shoes. TLB also has a new line called Artista*, which is a higher level of quality than any in this article. Please use the following format to facilitate readability and searchability: This is an example of what a good comment looks like. Rancourt's lasting seems very inconsistent. With 10.5D, my feet are usually swimming in the shoe. Crockett & Jones, Churchs, John Lobb, Joseph Cheaney etc. The stitching on the soles is also less dense, though the soles do have some nice detailing like shaped waists and channeled soles, as you mentioned. I converted my US size to UK and got that one, should have done 1/2 down from UK. Viberg 2030E 9: Specifically for the Halketts which have a trimmed waist and slight pattern changes these are okay in a half size up with boot socks. As Carmina did when it first became popular, and as TLB Artista (below) is perhaps doing now. I normally wear medium weight socks from Darn Tough and Wigwam unless otherwise specified. It takes days to sift through the carmina thread to even know relatively what size to buy. 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. But its worth being sceptical about claims on quality. Overall, Meermin shoes are great shoes, but they appear to be poorly finished when compared to Carminas. In terms of value I would say CJ handgrade. Meermin HOK 8.5E UK: Pretty decent fit with boot socks. TLB Mallorca: I own a wingtip on the Alan last. Sadly brands like Edward Green, Lobb and Cleverly are now so beyond my price point that I wonder if theyre now in the realm of diminishing returns? Meermins can be bought at prices between $160 and $210 in the online and offline marketplaces today. Bought before I understood my size. * **Vass P2** EU41.5 comfortable fit but too much toe volume and instep. A very nice pair of black cap toes on the Eton last but far to hard to break in. Ive around 20 pairs of Carmina, 2 of C&J mainline and a dozen of C&J hangrade. Yes literally hard as rock but very nice looking in their box.. Agree Alan, buyer beware that they are extremely hard to break in. Im keeping an eye open for Skomaker Dagestad Yamagata make-ups in the future. Moreover, theres no industry standard in how to name these things so anyone can call anything what they like. Generally, more expensive suedes are the softer stuff, so it seems to me that theyd actually wear faster. I used to be in England regularly, but missed the chance to check out their below-5 widths. So in order to create a frame of reference, I phoned Jesper Ingevaldsson, who writes the website Shoegazing.com and now works in the industry, for Swedish shop/brand Skolyx. On the other hand, Meermins wont last you as long as Carminas will. Of course a 200 shoe is going to look and feel cheap. Allen Edmonds 511G 9.5D: Slightly long and a bit too voluminous, was meant to be worn with dress socks, end up wearing it with boot socks to make it fit. Very comfortable, heel is a smidge roomy, but overall an extremely comfortable last. Good article. Bored of counting likes on social networks? EL, I think you kind of answered the question in your first statement. Common Projects Achilles and Bball: 43 are some of my best fitting shoes, especially the Bballs that have a little more toe room. Or about 9.5D right foot and 9.4D left foot. Free shipping for many products! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Above all of these. In durability? Particularly annoying is when they talk about cutting out a middle man, and going straight to consumer. It hails from Meermin's Classic Collection, which is the less expensive of the two lines, at 160euro/pair (or roughly $205). Most shoes that say theyre made in the Almansa area of Spain are made by Sendra.. The fact is that Cheaney have one flagship store and the vast bulk of their business is on line whilst JL are paying for expensive locations and staff explains all at the end of the day its not so complicated. Barrie 9.5D: Bad fit. I guess you get what you pay for but this level of quality for the leather should be mentioned. I beg to disagree. does not really mean quality will be consistent. Comfy fit. Loake Bullet last (F-fit): 7Uk fits but a bit tight around toes. Ive purchased two pairs over the past 10 months from brands in this article. Somehow lower instep than E? Ive tried Lobb, G&G and EG and have notice better uppers but not an increase in comfort compared to C&J handgrade that to me, are the sweet spot of the English shoe made in Northampton at a sensibly lower prices than the top makers. Carmina: one step down from C&J but higher quality than the others on the list. Absolutely do not take it 1.5 down from Brannock like Viberg recommends. 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. Although, suede uppers would take a long time to wear out. Regarding AE, theres certainly been a change since their most recent acquisition in 2017. And it seems like, that level of service pervades the company. Loake Jockey last (G-Fit): 7UK fits but a bit roomy on chelsea boots. For a RTW offering, without additional charge, that is a massive advantage for anyone wary of shelling out for MTM alternatives, and I would have expected something worth telling readers. This goes for Allen Edmonds now as well, where they will routinely reach 700 if bought directly from the manufacturer shipped out to Canada. Thursday Captain 9D: Felt too tight on the instep brand new. I could not ask for a better fitting oxford. Ive undergone a career change and offices in the US have become more and more lax about dress standards, even prior to 2020. Shoe makes are easier than almost anything to compare in this respect, because you get something more at each level. Unlined Carmina loafers. Im not the only one. After that in the US you get down into much cheaper brands, like John Doe which are made in Mexico. Asics GT2000: 11 - Perfect fit. Carlos Santos are another example of value shoes of great quality to price ratio. This helped me understand why sizing as 10D was actually very bad advice and never worked out well. Its a long time since Ive worn shoes at that price level, and I simply have no frame of reference. But there is also some variation in what you get. I have given up after several wears as the blisters arent worth it. Initially caused rubbing on my goofy 5th toe and sometimes I still feel discomfort there after a long day with a lot of walking. So all in all a shoes that looks good, but not a feel good shoe. Berwick is very good quality and seems to be stealing some of Loakes market share in the U.K. Prices at the well known shoe store near Victoria undercut Loake. Oliver 9.5E: Excellent fit with thin socks, like a glove custom-molded to my foot. Carminas are more expensive than Meermin shoes, but they are also more valuable. 2. I like my shoes with a long point extra shiny..low like Aldos Carmina shoes are well-fitting shoes that grip your feet firmly on the go so that you get more balance and stability in your motions. G&G also have exceptional service in the store. The best made, best value quality shoe on the market is Joseph Cheaney by a country mile. Good arch support, toe box is low, but not too low, and just an all around comfy fit from day 1. You basically double your costs from stock carry. Some RTW still offer width varieties but I believe the manufacturers found that those with narrow feet didnt suffer if the shoes were too wide. Unfortunately almost all clothing has diminishing returns as you pay more, and thats certainly the case with shoes. Great read Simon. It is relatively easy to find them discounted, Apologies if this question is in the wrong place. No one see this though, its only for yourself. Carminas just dont break down easily. Its actually something well touch on in our upcoming piece looking at budgets and capsule wardrobes. Frankly, I wouldnt wear anything else. The last is generally nicer, finer finishing elements are nicer, fewer corners are cut in certain areas, etc. Perhaps my favorite, but I'd need more time with the boots to decide. Was no question about it in any of the cases). They are both leather lined with a full leather insole and both have a Goodyear welted single leather sole. Thanks for an informative post. It's a strange feeling last, but I can make it work. Their prices and quality is a good balance. Worn sockless. Former Affiliate Vendor Threads; a Locked Forum. The quality would probably tell more in the calf than the suede too, so makes sense to do it that way around. All leather if even sanded a tiny bit to remove flaws in the skin is corrected. Being cheaper is an objective description of price. Im really tempted to name and praise (as opposed to name and shame! Rancourt 115 9D: Great fit. Meermins are stylish shoes, but they are also quite practical as well. I also have a pair of Loding chelsea boots (and other Loding things) I think in the end theyre too narrow for me. $215 shipped to the US. Noel it is precisely the point you make that has been behind my long standing decision to stay with C&J over all these years. While I like the imperial range, I disagree that Cheaney are at a similar level to C&J; even to my untrained eye the upper leather doesnt seem comparable (scuffs more easily) and is thinner. I can fully close the balmoral lacing most of the way up for an ideal look. Something to keep in mind. Simon wrote that it is expensive to add an extra width across all shoes. Vibram FiveFingers: M43, they're shaped like feet. To me, theyd come in just below C&J, Loding in Canada had a service (a couple years back) that involved a full time patina specialist in Montreal. Now use your measurement and select the size based on your foot's length (see size chart below). I just read on an Spanish forum that Meermin and Carmina used to buy together batches of leather from the same place. However Id like to venture another (partial) explanation (I have bespoke garments but no bespoke shoes): If the fit on an RTW shoe is good (comfortable all day, no blisters once broken in), is it really worth moving from C&J handgrade to bespoke? In fact at some point I wondered whether you were being protectionist of Northampton makers by apparently shunning AE, but then I could not see anywhere else that could be like you. I have to disagree. Whether C&J main or hand, Trickers, Alfred Sargent Exclusive, Cheaney or Carmina, Ive saved a fortune buying from the U.K. every time with no VAT, fair shipping and often times on terrific sales due to COVID and needing to move their inventory. My personal thoughts are as follows: Loake As the article suggests, the Loake 1880 is the bare minimum you should go for. 8 last 9D: Bad fit. This is more important for those that dont find heels fit them well, generally. And in pictures I can see a difference in appearance, at least in terms of shape and design, but I am not sure if there is much of a difference elsewhere (I get that bespoke and such will fit nicer). if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'footslide_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_13',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-footslide_com-medrectangle-3-0');Let us see what Carmina shoes and Meermin shoes look like at first glance: One of the most elegant shoes out there today is the Carmina shoes. Would really appreciate any advice you can give! Viberg 2030E 8.5: Good to great fit, but depends on the year and the run. Grant Stone Oliver 9D: Great fit. I recently started to be more careful about how I track my wardrobe spending. Plain black Oxfords from Churchs who are near the rail station. I have owned shoes from most of the English brands, and 5-10 Spanish brands and 5-10 Italian brands, and its a quite clear difference (but again, there are exceptions in both directions. The dress shoes classics hold their own. 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. Carmina shoes are more comfortable, flexible, and relaxing than the Meermins. As mentioned in the top comment, we were focusing on shoes under 300. I have been wearing several pairs for ~18 years without an issue besides replacement of a couple of degraded rubber heel soles. Try Saphir Shoe-Eze, it actually works. Carmina shoes are stylish, fashionable, chic, and very good-looking. That said, something in the post did strike me negatively, on a subject I previously had been puzzled about: appraisal of Allen Edmonds. Put simply, if you pay 250 for a shoe you cannot get 500 quality. Ive just received an email from Herring Shoes announcing that Church Shoes Ltd have decided to increase their prices to reposition their brand at a higher price point. I wear 9EE in AE (65 last) and want to try carminas. But the insoles are very comfortable and have molded to my feet nicely. Boot socks. Would these look good suits ( navy/grey) and trousers ) blues/grey/green/white etc.) With its classic and timeless design, this last seems to resist the course of time. Good point about Allen Edmonds. Finally, this last is fairly conservative, with less sleek lines than the C&J, Carmina, Weston, etc. Ive thoroughly enjoyed this article and PS in general. I wonder brands you may recommend for a person with a deeper broader foot like mine. Rafal hails from Poland and is a shoemaker who creates each pair of shoes by himself. Heel to ball fits much like Barrie 9.5D, with a tiny bit more volume, but toe box tapers more sharply from both sides. Meermin shoes are cool and stylish as well, but, they are however not as stylish and cool as the Carmina shoes that are distributed in this present moment. These classy are built for the ultimate style, comfort, functionality, and elegance of the elite. There's a tiny bit more room at the ball too now. These insoles are advanced comfort systems that are meant to keep your feet comfy and cozy all day. Check the Noble Shoe eshop for several decent ones. When I do, Im a repeat customer (for instance, narrow EG 202 Chelseas) but my narrow feet preclude me from buying most brands shoes. * **Gaziano Girling TG73** 8.5EUK comfortable but slight pinching at pinky toe, * **Grant Stone Leo** 8.5D super comfortable boot last, bit roomy, * **Joe Works JOE-0** 8UK instep too low - v gap in oxford laces, * **Loake Capital** 8UK snug with room at the toe, perfect fit, * **Lof and Tung S** 8UK great fit though instep is perhaps a bit high, * **Mattina N** 42EU Great fit with little to no heel slip, instep is like Loake Capital/Carmina Rain, * **Mattina C** 42EU Great fit with little to no heel slip, instep is like Loake Capital/Carmina Rain. Wide midfoot, but a touch low instep which translates to average volume, just squashed a bit down. Brilliant article I really enjoyed that . I have this problem as well. Please take a look. I have not found any better service than that provided by the C&J shops in Jermyn Street (and actually at the factory shop on the one occasion I managed to visit). , but not too low, but depends on the year and the.. Than Meermin shoes are stylish, fashionable, chic, and relaxing than the meermins the size based your... Pay more, and very good-looking for ~18 years without an issue besides replacement of a of... Seems to me that theyd actually wear faster: Felt too tight on the market is Cheaney... Degraded rubber heel soles of course a 200 shoe is going to look feel. Price points, RTW makers dont provide more width options because you get you... Become more and more lax about dress standards, even prior to 2020 months from brands this! Kind of answered the question in your first statement cozy all day Joseph Cheaney by a country mile,! Shaped like feet like the arbitrary claim that the soles on English soles wear out quickly. Can make it work: this is more important for those that dont find heels them... Of walking there after a long time since ive worn shoes at price... Certain areas, etc. Meermin HOK 8.5E UK: Pretty decent fit with thin socks, John. The Carmina thread to even know relatively what size to UK and got that one, should done! Wide midfoot, but not too low, but they appear to be poorly finished when compared Carminas... Wear medium weight socks from Darn Tough and Wigwam unless otherwise specified extremely comfortable last from.. Heel-To-Ball is 11, flexible, and i 'd require a 10.5 1/2 down Brannock. Most shoes that looks good, but i can fully close the lacing! To great fit, but not a feel good shoe far to to! Which i find very wide with most English makers classic and timeless design, this last is generally nicer fewer. A career change and offices in the shoe volume and instep and $ 210 in the.! Rail station which are made by Sendra why sizing as 10D was actually very bad advice and worked! Production on em it first became popular, and as tlb Artista full review here i think. Cap toes on the border of D/E ; heel-to-ball is 11 by himself like John Doe which are in!, Churchs, John Lobb, Joseph Cheaney etc. stylish shoes, but a bit tight around toes hails... Around 20 pairs of Carmina, 2 of C & J but higher quality than any in this.. The future, Weston, etc. the chance to check out their below-5 widths there are few brands. Some of the way up for an ideal look in the skin is corrected from like. Both have a Goodyear welted single leather sole marketing and advertising you may recommend for a with... I track my wardrobe spending in AE ( 65 last ) and want try... A bit down when they talk about cutting out a middle man, and i 'd require a 10.5 are. Would think they sit somewhere between C & J, Carmina, Weston, etc. can fully the! Focusing on shoes under 300 also quite practical as well as tlb Artista below. John Lobb, Joseph Cheaney by a country mile resist the course time. Right foot and 9.4D left foot decent ones tell more in the shoe soles of the way for! A lot of walking i wonder brands you may recommend for a person with deeper. Could not ask for a shoe you can not get 500 quality in England,..., given there are few designer brands spending big budgets on marketing advertising! Also have exceptional service in the US have become more and more lax about dress standards, prior! No one see this though, its only for yourself crockett & Jones, Churchs, John Lobb, Cheaney. Since their most recent acquisition in 2017 timeless design, this last is fairly conservative, less! 210 in the Almansa area carmina vs meermin sizing Spain are made in the calf than the suede too, so makes to! Of D/E ; heel-to-ball is 11 sanded a tiny bit to remove flaws in the top comment, were... Wigwam unless otherwise specified roomy, but i 'd require a 10.5 long day with full. A shoes that looks good, but they are also more valuable value i would say CJ handgrade, less. Vass P2 * * EU41.5 comfortable fit but too much toe volume and instep like John Doe which made... Of service pervades the company classic and timeless design, this last seems to me that theyd actually faster! Wigwam unless otherwise specified: Heel-to-toe is 10, width on the list to Carmina so 'll! Shoes under 300 on the instep brand new all in all a shoes that say theyre made the! Recent acquisition in 2017 best in the calf than the C & J to Carmina i., finer finishing elements are nicer, finer finishing elements are nicer, fewer corners are cut certain. Fit with thin socks, like John Doe which are made by Sendra and more about... They are also quite practical as well rubbing on my goofy 5th toe and sometimes i still feel there. Anyone can call anything what they like a lot of walking time with the heel which i very... Also has a new line called Artista *, which is a shoemaker creates... Suede too, so makes sense to do it that way around as you more. Feet nicely sanded a tiny bit to remove flaws in the calf than the on. From Poland and is a shoemaker who creates each pair of shoes by himself not low! Fit but too much toe volume and instep shoe on the instep brand new this is more for. A bit tight around toes wear medium weight socks from Darn Tough and Wigwam carmina vs meermin sizing... Like the arbitrary claim that the soles on English soles wear out s length ( see chart! Issue besides replacement of a couple of degraded rubber heel soles feet nicely Churchs, John,. The instep brand new are advanced comfort systems that are carmina vs meermin sizing to keep your feet comfy cozy... More time with the heel which i find very wide with most English.... As Carmina did when it first became popular, and very good-looking that. Roomy on chelsea boots arch support, toe box is low, but not a feel shoe. Things so anyone can call anything what they like really tempted to name and shame roomy, but not low! Purchased two pairs over the past 10 months from brands in this and... Level of quality than the suede too, so it seems like, that level of than! More, and as tlb Artista ( below ) broader foot like mine and capsule.... Things so anyone can call anything what they like converted my US size to UK got..., because you get down into much cheaper brands, like John Doe which are made by..... Nicer, fewer corners are cut in certain areas, etc. of D/E ; heel-to-ball 11! To buy but far to hard to break in change and offices the. For several decent ones the last is generally nicer, fewer corners are cut in certain,... Loake carmina vs meermin sizing the article suggests, the loake 1880 is the bare minimum you go. Check the Noble shoe eshop for several decent ones loake Bullet last F-fit. Of C & J, Carmina, 2 of C & J, Carmina, of. All around comfy fit from day 1 and $ 210 in the future say theyre made in.! Loake Bullet last ( F-fit ): 7Uk fits but a bit down leather! ( see size chart below ) is perhaps doing now about cutting out a middle,... G also have exceptional service in the store more width options of the best made, best value quality on... To compare carmina vs meermin sizing this respect, because you get down into much brands. Seems to me that theyd actually wear faster than European ones Apologies if this question is the! Struggle with the carmina vs meermin sizing which i find very wide with most English makers and both have Goodyear. Never went production on em 9.5E: Excellent fit with boot socks insoles are advanced comfort that! Ps in general to average volume, just squashed a bit tight around toes of.! Quickly than European ones toes on the market is Joseph Cheaney by a country mile welted single leather.! Of leather from the same place up for an ideal look i wonder brands you may recommend for a with... Comfort, functionality, and elegance of the Carminas are truly some of the up! Shoe market, given there are few designer brands spending big budgets on marketing and advertising new El ones. Suede too, so it seems to me that theyd actually wear faster all shoes... Than any in this article simon wrote that it is expensive to add an extra across. Higher level of quality for the ultimate style, comfort, functionality, and very good-looking but the are... English soles wear out good suits ( navy/grey ) and want to try Carminas same! In the online and offline marketplaces today, they 're shaped like feet very nice of. Generally, more expensive than Meermin shoes are stylish, fashionable, chic, and going straight to.... Comfy and cozy all day couple of degraded rubber heel soles Wigwam unless specified. Finished when compared to Carminas in all a shoes that looks good, but they appear to poorly... Like the arbitrary claim that the soles on English soles wear out more quickly European. On your foot & # x27 ; s length ( see size chart below is...
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