10 Best Ortholite Replacement Insoles (Reviewed in 2022), 11 Best Water Shoes for Water Parks | Footslide, Highly-Durable Shoe Construction and Design, Meermins dont last as long as Carmina shoes, You can get most Carminas for cost prices between 341 and 407, You can buy Meermin shoes for prices between $160 and $210. Meermin Ron 8E UK: Snug in every direction and noticeably narrow, but wearable with no socks. I cant imagine very people are going to buy a sports jacket or merino sweater there. Side-note: >90% of the sneakers I've worn over the years have been 10D, mostly Vans growing up and later Asics. The high end, aspirational item is necessary too and will always be a hallmark of your site, but I believe you have wisely corrected a too marked journey into luxury where many less of us could have followed. Definitely wish Viberg made more boots on this last. The quality difference was like night and day and Id have no hesitation recommending the Loake 1880s as a good budget shoe. Finally, its worth noting that they have a very robust MTO program where customers can customize lasts and detailing, and they also use a lot of crust calf, where other makers on this list (besides possibly the Asian ones) only use aniline. Good to have it spelt out, Michael is correct when simply paying a US retailer for a Northampton shoe, but Ive purchased over 20 pairs of English shoes and boots over the past 18 months, all directly from a myriad of U.K. retailers and stockists and in some cases, the factory directly. if youre going to write mean spirited attacks on someone you shouldnt be surprised that they defend themselves and reply in kind I think the short answer is that yes, it is expensive to add an extra width across all shoes. You might also care more with a dress oxford than a casual loafer. Seems to be a popular thing to write now. Perhaps more time and break in on the stiff leather sole would make it work. I think I could tell the difference between a standard C&J and EG from a distance, though I wouldnt like to put that to the test! I shall have to give bespoke shoes a try some day. Predictably, this European company uses European sizing, which is normally a full size down from your Brannock (or "true") size. Viberg 2005EE 9: (there is a D version available from MTO only) I have these in an old 2013 Sample service boot and the engineer which is what its normally found on. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account. Ive read PS with some interest over the last year or so, and have enjoyed learning how to dress properly. I have gone through years of posts comments where US readers often praised the company and you alleged unawareness about it, sometimes citing Alden as the only US quality shoemaker known to you. These are sockless only. Although classed as subs, most of the time you would be hard pushed to see why. Avoid if you have a low instep or wide feet. Although, suede uppers would take a long time to wear out. The last of their chukka didnt fit me, but the suede felt surprisingly good for the price. But they are still good value for money. However, after having broken in the heel of my 9.5E MP, I feel like I would have actually been just fine going straight 9.5E. You get slightly better quality with Carmina at a cheaper price. 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. Again, a big thank you to Simon and Jesper for the article. Surprisingly minimal break-in but it's been a long time. This means the number of brands to cover increases, as they do at the bottom of most clothing categories, so towards the end we divide into regional sections instead. Take your size in any standard UK shoe (Cheaney, crockett, loake, alfred Sargent, churchs) and add half a size. These shoes are well-appraised by people worldwide for their comfort, style, and proper appearance. Not a thick sock last. 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. Hmm, thanks for highlighting that Francois. Carmina shoes are stylish, comfortable, unique, durable, and very cost-effective. Were the shoes more structured I would go with 9.5D. Allen Edmonds Sizing to Carmina & Meermin Those that have Allen Edmonds and carmina or meermins, what size do you wear in AE compared to the others? Carminas are better than Meermin shoes today because of one major thing: Better Material Quality. Really? Bought before I understood my size. Having a shorter HTT than HTB allows me to wear it 1 down from by brannock. C&J do not run their own shops. Fast worldwide deliveries; 14 day returns; . It might be somewhat boring, but the greatest shoe design can be quite a disappointment when theres puckering on seams, marks on the leather or misaligned stitching. The close-channel stitching is also a plus, you know youre getting more handwork for the soles. A couple of years ago, I returned two pairs of Oxfords that needed resoling after less than ten wears each. Still fine for the price point, as this piece suggests, but the quality control is miserable. CARMINA belvtor.by - CARMINA 100% 10016 U www.clinicarinologica.com - 6.5 CARMINA ecovitaconstrutora.com.br 17,500 . A pair of EG Chelseas bought today are just as good as a pair bought ten years ago as will be a pair bought in ten years time. and the results for the money where quite good.at a distance, you could mistake them for Berluti, at 1/4 the price. All one had to do is insert a sole liner, of wear thicker socks. Carmina Shoes - Definitive Thread (reviews, advice, sizing, etc) - official thread. Hi Simon, you mentioned at the top that Carmina doesnt use plastic heel stiffener. I would agree that some change has happened since Stollenwerk sold the company to an investment fund, they seem to have gone into the greed and certainly for some cost cutting somewhere to make up for the handicap of making in the US. 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. For example, I got two new boots from the UK this week: a shell Carmina balmoral at just over $500 USD and C&J Galway 2 at just under $390 USD. Viberg 2040 8.5: No variable widths for this last. I beg to disagree. You have aimed at a balance of smart casual, RTW / MTM / bespoke really useful and affordable; you have catered for all. Thats the opposite advice I received on rain from someone else. I run in minimal shoes, lift in minimal shoes or barefoot, and hike a lot in zero-drop trail runners. 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. in fact my favourite leather is meermin museum calf, while meermin llama I dont really like, and I wouldnt touch their black box calf with a 10 pole. Yeah, Luca Rubinacci apparently also has a cooperation with them, which frankly I dont understand, Just for info, Velasca in Italy does have a selection of shoes that are Goodyear welted:https://it.velasca.com/collections/francesine-goodyear The two brands are roughly the same level of make, with the price difference largely coming down to costs of labour in the UK and Spain. Of course second pairs usually come out better, and know there can be customers nagging on very small things, but certainly doesnt sound like it in your case. So I have never needed to seek an alternative, and have been fortunate never to need to spend more than 500 on a pair of shoes. Other brands in this range include Septieme Largeur, Andres Sendra and Janko. In the end I find it would be the most comfortable of all three lasts. Trickers 4497s: 8.5 is a little too short, while 9 feels too big in most pairs. Carminas are more expensive than Meermins. Perhaps if I lived in Spain I would got to a Carmina store to gauge their quality and service. What struck a cord for me is consistency of (most) english manufacturers. The level above that is made in Japan, and includes brands like Scotch Grain (above) and Otsuka, with brands like Miyagi Kogyo and Oriental on a level above that. ??? Anyone that gets these Carmina shoes for their wardrobe would be getting some of the best style statements of their lives. Because my older Carmina heel stiffener are longer and substantial that the newer ones. Their price seems similar to or slightly higher than C&J Handgrade collections but I wasnt sure as they are a French brand. The big differentiating factor is not business model, but location of manufacture. Ive been reading a lot of menswear sites/blogs for years and this is one of the few that does not feel like sponsored content when you read it. And sorry for the long post, whenever I come across such I wonder whether the guy is a bit insane, but then, passion, what? Good point Ben, Im not sure. I wear a US10/UK9 and opted for a UK9, on Pepe's recommendation, and the fit is spot on. . Styleforum is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Slightly low instep and volume. Styleforum is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Edward Green does for example. Guess it goes to show how individual it all is. I normally wear medium weight socks from Darn Tough and Wigwam unless otherwise specified. Theyre perhaps most similar to Skolyx, in being a very simple make but with good materials. This helped me understand why sizing as 10D was actually very bad advice and never worked out well. If you have never tried or heard of it, is it a company you would try in the future? Viberg 2030: 10 - Good fit. Its Spier and Mackay not Spier McKay. Im keeping an eye open for Skomaker Dagestad Yamagata make-ups in the future. He replied straight-faced: No, we only use the best full-grain calf for our shoes. Id highly recommend it for more detail all of these brands, particularly on the technical side. On the otherhand Viberg Halketts and 145s fit a bit smaller in the same last. Cheers, H. While I havent worn Prada or Ferragamo, I can be quite certain that they will be worse value for money than those mentioned here. 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. The last is generally nicer, finer finishing elements are nicer, fewer corners are cut in certain areas, etc. Would these look good suits ( navy/grey) and trousers ) blues/grey/green/white etc.) Maybe I experimented with them too early. I bought a pair of suede oxfords some months ago and I have found them to be fairly good for their cost. You always get something more for your money (if you avoid big brands/designers) but the best value-for-money options will nearly always have been selected already by the cheaper brand. Are there other difference? I realise this may seem like a simple choice, and maybe thats exactly what youll say, but Im only 25 years old and money is definitely a consideration. Pinky toe pinches a touch, * **Meermin Bob** 8UK a hint loose at the heel, but snug at the forefoot, * **Meermin Elton** 8UK very snug to start, much more comfy now, * **Meermin Olfe** 8.5UK could've probably gone down to 8UK but is still pretty comfortable, surprisingly not too slippy. Rafal hails from Poland and is a shoemaker who creates each pair of shoes by himself. As of late, I found that the cost differential between Crockett & Jones and Carmina has become more significant. I suppose they get away with it because the overwhelming majority of their customers arent that knowledgeable about shoes or leather quality. Ive mostly moved to bespoke now due to my weird feet, but I do own a pair of Morjas suede chukkas that I use in bad weather. Not sure why this is the case. Just got re-measured last week after losing some weight (again), Im standing in between 10.5 C/D. I have to say from personal experience I found Berwick to be the most incredible value. The fit/finish/materials of my $600 Alden boots is markedly different from my $350 Allen Edmonds Dalton boots. JavaScript is disabled. Out of the two shoe brands, however, Carmina shoes come forth as the best shoes in this discourse. 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. Ive always found the customer service at EG shocking. . I could fully close the lacing with the shoes still being a little loose with 9E. Ive found having slowly worked my way up the chain that in terms of value for money, its Cheaney, Trickers and Alfred Sargent which have ultimately paid off. Carmina shoes are better than Meermin shoes. For example, I dont really care about super fine handwork on a shirt. Down by half. Is it enough to justify the extra 75 quid per pair? I appreciate it doesnt work for everyone geographically, but most of the famous English brands are still manufactured in the Northampton region. Buttero Tanino: UK9, still breaking in but fits well. Id have to say that, based on my personal experience, the C&J shops are one of the great strengths of the company. Pepe Albaladejo runs Meermin with his father Jose, who founded the company in 2001 by selling through the legendary shoe mecca that is Tokyo's Isetan department store. Do you think a knowledgeable observer like yourself could tell the difference in leather quality when they are being worn on someone elses feet (can you spot the difference in leather quality between CJ and EG when someone else is wearing them and your eyes are 6 plus feet away)? p.s. I have not personally verified it since, but I believe that I am at the mid-to-upper end of 10.5 based on other fits. It will be creeping in going forward too, whenever it makes sense. Using these focus points, lets get into the comparison of these two shoe brands: Also, the materials of the Meermin shoes are flexible and stretchable enough to accommodate most feet. Still would have preferred 9.5E if it were offered. I'm not sure if this last has a particular name. Back to Morjas specifically. I still recall trying them for the first time after having worn Carmina for some years and noticed the difference instantly. I have found Robert (admittedly in sales, not specifically costumer service) to be accommodating in every respect; answering scores of questions over a months long decision making process. The soles have also had some quality issues my shoes have channeled soles, and the top layer has peeled off repeatedly at the edges. Like I said, it wont work for everyone, but might be an option if on a budget. Truman P-79 9D: Nice fit. My issue with C&J is that the range of G fits has been reduced significantly. For the price of a brand new AE Id rather get a pair of C&J or Carminas for a little more. Vass (via Ascot) here. I just read on an Spanish forum that Meermin and Carmina used to buy together batches of leather from the same place. Viberg 2030D 9: The 9D is probably the best fit I have from Viberg, or tied with the 2040. Its a helpful round up, especially since I find this price bracket to be a sweet spot for my own purposes. Its also (if im not mistaken) the only brand that advertises the fact that they use full-grain leather from reputable tanneries on all their shoes (admittedly, based on the price, they probably use the cheaper cuts of leather, but from those tanneries nonetheless). Vans Old Skool/Era: 11D, solid out of the box. Makes buying difficult, much like with Vass. Interested to hear your thoughts if one abstracts from the usual price mark-up due to branding etc. American brands seem to be better at this (Alden, AE). Not having a physical shop makes a small difference, as does not selling wholesale or using an agent, but that doesnt translate to a shoe thats twice the quality. Meermin (above) has also become big, mostly in the US. Simon's books and product collaborations are available to buy through the Permanent Style shop. Im an Alden fanboy with the exception of longwings. 4 3 3 comments Best Add a Comment hjordan28141 2 yr. ago Little bit of heel wiggle room. TLB is from Mallorca, like Carmina, but is only a few years old and is trying to gain a similar reputation. 1757 last 10D: Great roomy fit as I recall from trying in a store over a year ago. Not sure I'd feel the same today. The honesty of the first 4 paragraphs bring home why , having read this blog for 8 years, at times it feels less relevant to myself . Its a bit funny though that you state I do arbitrary claims, when you yourself lift the examples you do, without backing it up with anything. Scotch Grain is particularly big and has its own production and stores, as well as being in department stores. I wrote an article about it many years ago on the Swedish version of Shoegazing (before English was launched) which, to summarise, had the conclusion that its down to vanity. When you go to shoe shows like Micam, the Berwick stand is always the one that's crowded.. , yet they settle for shoes at a, relatively speaking, much lower level. Jack & White Bros Round Last 9: Probably the best fit now. 8UK was much too loose. 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. 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. However, they are less fashionable than Carmina shoes because of the quality of their finishing. My experience with them has been very similar to yours, Felix. I will refrain from commenting on fit unless people think it will be helpful. A lot of side to side play in the ankle. The only running shoes for me. I usually just buy shoes in the 500 range when they go on sale for 200-300, but in the 300 range I really like the Austrian manufacturer Handmacher; they make shoes on traditionally boxy Viennese lasts, and they use tiny wooden nails to connect the soles to the uppers. I can fully close the lacing most of the way up for an ideal look. All Enzos were tried as oxfords and have comfortable insteps with no gap, * **Fugashin Saigon unknown wholecut last** 8UK comfortable, good instep for oxford, * **Gaziano Girling DG70** 8.5EUK comfortable. Thanks Simon, great work as always. 4. Altra Lone Peak 3.5: 12D, weirdly enough. Meermins can be bought at prices between $160 and $210 in the online and offline marketplaces today. Rancourt 114 9D: Great fit sometimes. D. C. D. Medium. Jespers site is shoegazing.com. Guessing I'd need 9.5D or 9EE. And with the double-insoles system in place, comfort is guaranteed with Meermins. The equivalent shoes are both online currently for 400 each. 6.5D Carmina: 5.5: UK: Forest, Robert - 5.5UK: 6.5D Carmina Forest: 5.5: UK: 5.5UK with a smidge of heel slip: 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. Fugashin is similar: the two are competitors in Vietnam. Very hard to break in and stiff leathers. I think either would be fine. Thats is some very useful information Jesper, thank you! Please use this thread to list your sizing in various lasts compared to your Brannock size. This separates footwear from most of fashion and it feels good to support the companies that work towards this. Ive thoroughly enjoyed this article and PS in general. 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