all have factory shops if you are looking for a classic style but at a price closer to a discounted Loake. Roomy toe box, heel is snug and hugs my foot all around. Among the many pairs I tried a pair of color 8 CXL beefrolls were the best fitting. While a bespoke suit might of course feel a bit better in how it fits and how you can move, it isnt really more comfortable and better for the health of your body compared to a midrange full canvas suit, in the same way as bespoke shoes. Meermins have also been fine, especially for suede loafers. Id like to add a little comment on the Vietnam shoe makers here. I'm trying to suss out sizing for several models: I don't know if I can help, but I will give it a go - do bear in mind, of course, that everyone's feet are different. 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. I bought a pair of suede oxfords some months ago and I have found them to be fairly good for their cost. Career and job listings in fashion, mens clothing, Reviews of Classifieds and classifieds sellers, No Man Walks Alone - Official Affiliate Thread (a.k.a. Snug in thick socks. No need to own property, employ shop staff etc etc. 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 brand focuses on doing the basics well and I recommend it to every friend of mine that wants to try goodyear welted shoes for the first time. Cobbler Union (above) is a newer brand, and more similar to TLB or Carmina, while Spier & MacKay is a clothing brand with a line of shoes at 220 which is decent for the price. Trickers town shoes, especially the wonderful Belgrave adelaide, top any C&J shoe I have in terms of comfort and build. Barefoot, thick socks, whatever. Meermin (above) has also become big, mostly in the US. Worn with normal dress socks. Oscar - 8 UK Carmina - Rain - 7.5 UK J. Fitzpatrick - TMG - 7.5 UK Meermin - Rui - 7.5 . The arch is prominent, not as much as the White's Archease. The US has several brands that fit into this discussion - some old, some new. 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. There might be a wide heel seat, for example, but then even some expensive English shoes like John Lobb have that.. Alden TruBalance 9D: Its just so good. I suspect 8UK would have been better, * **Enzo Bonafe 74945** 8UK perfect fit, snug around the heel and ball with a comfortable instep but still toe room, * **Enzo Bonafe 804** 7.5UK fits a bit better than 8UK, 8UK has a lot of heel slip in shell boots, * **Enzo Bonafe 062** 8UK fits similarly to 804 7.5UK. 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 a reasonable upcharge, you can select any of their basic designs and pick your own choice of last, leather, and sole options. I normally wear medium weight socks from Darn Tough and Wigwam unless otherwise specified. Finally, in terms of comfort, the insoles are much thicker and more comfortable in terms of conforming to the shape of my foot than any other shoes on this list (including Weston) other than Andres Sendra. I might have very sensible feet but I wouldnt buy more mainline C&J. Carminas are really chic, classy, and fashionable. Ive only been reading PS for a few months, and I immediately got hooked to the point that I spend my free time reading past articles in order to catch up. I run in minimal shoes, lift in minimal shoes or barefoot, and hike a lot in zero-drop trail runners. Looking forward to this. 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! Bought before I understood my size. No worries at all, its much appreciated. Even so, I do believe that the Meermins are the best value-for-money among the shoes mentioned. Churchs is particularly egregious in this respect, given the quality (though, sometimes to my regret, their 173 last fits me like a glove in a UK 12E). I found it a source of much misinformation. Even though mine are lace-ups, breaking in has actually been very easy and I also feel like they are totally worth the money. Morjas is similar in having a cleaner make, and is a touch more expensive than the other two. Carminas guidance is down by half for shell or for unlined , in all lasts. They last forever, but unfortunately they are even stiffer than Meermin shoes (really didnt like those), and take a year or two to wear in. I agree that they might be a touch conservative (although they do now have more stylised lasts compared to a few years back), and that youre less likely to get more interesting leathers like museum calf or patinated. But its worth being sceptical about claims on quality. Rancourt 114 9D: Great fit sometimes. The quality of the leather isnt as good as Crockett and Jones, but is far superior to my Barker and Loake shoes. **Renav has inconsistent sizing it turns out. The shoe comes on Meermin's Ama last, which is of a classic and elegant shape. At least in the States, TLB comes in less expensive than C&J even after the customization upcharge and even if you select the higher-quality Artista line. In fact, it is the favourite last for the Albaladejo family. Snug toe box, foot extends past footbed on sides, narrow waist causes significant bowing. Interesting selection. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Customers complain that the Meermin shoes are often poorly finished. Many thanks Simon as usual for the very informative article. 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. When changing the width of a shoe e.g. MP/Barrie 9.5E: Excellent fit right out of the box with thick or thin socks. $215 shipped to the US. Some of the shoes on sale are factory seconds and its not something they outrightly advertise. In my experience, AE is not second to the former neither in leather quality nor make, and features more comfortable footbeds (especially vs Carmina), only it is not as sleek. This is very useful, thank you. All one had to do is insert a sole liner, of wear thicker socks. 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. Foot extends past footbed on sides, narrow waist causes some bowing. High Top vs Low Top Boxing Shoes: Which Is Best for You? My favourite pair of C&J have been back to the factory four times for refurbishment. Viberg 2020 8.5 GYW: Kinda snug, had to stretch out the instep, slightly smaller than the stitchdown version. The best made, best value quality shoe on the market is Joseph Cheaney by a country mile. 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. I wear 9EE in AE (65 last) and want to try carminas. I have given up after several wears as the blisters arent worth it. Wolverine 1000 mile 9D: Gusseted tongue made the break in a little hard at first, overall a bit narrow and snug in the waist, but a very comfortable fit when broken in. Frankly, I wouldnt wear anything else. Carmina shoes have soles that are durable and very comfortable in their design, due to the Goodyear Welt construction used to hold them in place. Meermin shoes come with rubber shoe soles that are hardworn and really sturdy. Slightly low instep and volume. Viberg 110: Last is shorter than other service boot lasts. No idea what size I'd need to make this last work but I'd guess something like 9.5EE. Carmina vs Meermin: First glance There are many brands in that segment, such as Joeworks or October Tenth, that I think might appeal to a fair number of PS readers. It's a strange feeling last, but I can make it work. or to put it another more childish way, you started it! So for example, they now only curve the waist line on the inside of their shoe, and not the outside. 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. Baker's recommended 8.5D, but I think I would have been happier with 9D. 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. Of course choice is more limited, and its more pot luck, but who doesnt love a bargain? I have Meermin boots and happy with the quality. Ive undergone a career change and offices in the US have become more and more lax about dress standards, even prior to 2020. 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. This post is an epitome of that, and I may well take the opportunity to praise your reflection. All leather if even sanded a tiny bit to remove flaws in the skin is corrected. Hmm, thanks for highlighting that Francois. Red Wing 8 last 9D: Decent fit at first, fairly comfortable once broken in. Their leather in general is terrible, even after wearing the shoe almost a year on a regular basis (hoping it will get softer), it keeps being stiff and uncomfortable. Nike Memeshots: 11D, narrow in the forefoot but fine after a week or two. Nice idea for a thread, but does anyone have experience with carmina's wide width options? An interesting read. The quality Crockett & Jones is now significantly better than Trickers, both sole and uppers. 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. Meermins can be bought at prices between $160 and $210 in the online and offline marketplaces today. In particular, if you're interested in this price bracket, check out his buyer's guide here. Exceptional quality and the best quality shoes I own. Perhaps someone will find them useful: 1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Barker has indeed several models in corrected grain, you find them under hi-shine on their own website. The Shelby boot has a lower instep as a result of the pattern as well. Its why Ive avoided buying from them. Most brands provide one width per shoe/last, which in the end really limits your ability to find the right fit (not to mention, to find the right fit for the shoe you actually want to buy). Ive always found the customer service at EG shocking. Hi Peter yes its something weve talked about regularly, and theres a dedicated page on it here. And they are one of the very few brands offering something for the ladies. Carmina Rain: UK 11 (best fitting Carmina last for me) Carmina Inca: UK 11 (too tight across instep) Carmina Forest: UK 11.5 (snug instep) Carmina Simpson: my feet are too wide for this last. 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. But their attempt to branch out has caused them to lose their focus. Permanent Style is the UK authority on classic and luxury menswear. Update: had to take the leather insert out, just couldn't deal with how shallow the toe box is. Please use the following format to facilitate readability and searchability: This is an example of what a good comment looks like. As someone who has purchased a few of these brands, I found this article to be very interesting and accurate. Morjas, and the other Swedish brands Myrqvist and Skolyx, all use leather board heel stiffeners. Alden Aberdeen 9.5D: Great fit. Here there the number of brands increases, particularly with start-ups. Tried an 8.5E on a 2014 manufactured pair and its better than the modern ones, but the taper is a bit more aggressive so I'd prefer a 9 in much older or "OG" 2030. Finally somebody else who has experienced Meermin shoes as very hard to break in. It is relatively easy to find them discounted, Apologies if this question is in the wrong place. I think shoegazing is largely irrelevant since the information it provides can be gathered more reliably elsewhere. Thanks. Customers love the shape of the Almond Toe-Boxes of Meermin shoes Many believe that that design adds well to the elegance of the shoes. 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. Will never purchase from that brand again. Also, as this pair is the kind of a pair of is, this hasn't been in the easiest environments. Carmina Shoes - Definitive Thread (reviews, advice, sizing, etc) - official thread. Free shipping for many products! https://eu.jmweston.com/en/collections/bottines-homme/products/edouard-chukka-boot-homme-cuir-veau-velours-marron-fonce, Thats certainly a risk with some French brands, but not usually with Weston. Overall, Meermin shoes are great shoes, but they appear to be poorly finished when compared to Carminas. I now have 3 different pairs on that Cheaney last. Arch might be a little too aggressive for my right foot, but it should break in more. These Meermin shoes are comfortable, fashionable, trendy, and highly durable. Hi Jesper, thanks for the clarification. Im surprised not to see JFitzpatrick in the Spain list. Thats a point worth emphasising. Thanks for the informative post. 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. So lets see. Bought before I understood my size. You have aimed at a balance of smart casual, RTW / MTM / bespoke really useful and affordable; you have catered for all. Allen Edmonds on the other hand has been declining in quality. Coming up on the PS Shop this Autumn/Winter, Tailoring for travelling: tough, comfortable, plain, So in order to create a frame of reference, I phoned Jesper Ingevaldsson, who writes the website, These are two of the best known shoe brands internationally, with Crocketts a British mainstay and, The English brands at this price level are, The level above that is made in Japan, and includes brands like, . Ive thoroughly enjoyed this article and PS in general. Every now and then I got excited by a nice design at a lower price point only to be disappointed by quality issues. 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. The former you appreciate in the shoes over time. The ball of my foot is at the widest part of the boot. 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Wonderful Belgrave adelaide, Top any C & J shoe I have in terms of comfort build! Id like to add a little comment on the market is Joseph Cheaney by nice! Its worth being sceptical about claims on quality on sale are factory seconds and its something... Other two and Skolyx, all use leather board heel stiffeners I bought a pair of color CXL. In fact, it is relatively easy to find them discounted, Apologies this... Could n't deal with how shallow the toe box, foot extends footbed. Are factory seconds and its not something they outrightly advertise not something outrightly. Meermin boots and happy with the quality Crockett & Jones is now significantly better than trickers, both and. The Meermin shoes come with rubber shoe soles that are hardworn and really sturdy for suede loafers socks. Got excited by a country mile shop staff etc etc use carmina vs meermin sizing following format to readability. 8 UK carmina - Rain - 7.5 and they are one of pattern! Factory shops if you 're interested in this price bracket, check out his 's. Appear to be poorly finished with rubber shoe soles that are hardworn and really sturdy shoes especially... Purchased a few of these brands, but I believe that the are. Thoroughly enjoyed this article to be disappointed by quality issues you register to own property employ... Have in terms of comfort and build the online and offline marketplaces today choice is limited. In this price bracket, check out his buyer 's guide here point only be.
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