Carlos Santos Shoes - Feedback & Appreciation

[Noblekostas]

Well, I have two pair of boots coming from AFPOS one on 333 round and other 234 (I think) soft square. AFPOS recommended TTS UK sizing (down one from US) so I did. I'm a 11.5D Brannock with a high instep, did I screw up? At the sale prices I can't see how I could turn it down. Well, the grandson is a half size smaller than me so he can have them if they don't fit.

A size UK 10 would fit you best if you usually wear US 11.5D in dress shoes. Brannock means nothing by the way.

 

[Peitron]

Well, I have two pair of boots coming from AFPOS one on 333 round and other 234 (I think) soft square. AFPOS recommended TTS UK sizing (down one from US) so I did. I'm a 11.5D Brannock with a high instep, did I screw up? At the sale prices I can't see how I could turn it down. Well, the grandson is a half size smaller than me so he can have them if they don't fit.

Lasts and feet are weird. I'm a 10/10.25 Brannock with very low instep and the AE65 last in 10.5 D is just about perfect. On Carlos Santos boots I go down to 8.5 UK on the z401 and z160 lasts (the latter is a snug fit the former a bit more spacious).

Again, my instep is very low. People with normal to high instep usually only size down 1.5. So you definitely were right on sizing down from your US size, just have to figure out how much is right for you.

Good luck!

 

[winghus]

A size UK 10 would fit you best if you usually wear US 11.5D in dress shoes. Brannock means nothing by the way.

Just got them today and it's a good thing I didn't go UK10, the 333 fits with a dress sock, too tight with a regular sock. The 234 is perfect with a boot sock. Instep is close to perfect with both. Brannock means something in that it's a standard of measurement to compare just like having a known size in certain brands/lasts is when buying online. I'm an 11.5D on Brannock and that's the size I wear in most shoes, I pretty much only have to worry about instep and whether or not the last runs narrow.

 

[RahnDail]

Kostas got these to me in lightning speed. 9899 in Dark Oak. The color is slightly darker than I was anticipating, but still absolutely gorgeous shoes. That said, curious your opinions on the fit, since although they feel moderately comfortable on foot the instep is a little tight. That said I have a higher instep, but curious if these look too tight, particularly with the "V" in the vamp.

 

[Noblekostas]

instep looks pretty fine, it will close a bit more with wear 🙌

Kostas got these to me in lightning speed. 9899 in Dark Oak. The color is slightly darker than I was anticipating, but still absolutely gorgeous shoes. That said, curious your opinions on the fit, since although they feel moderately comfortable on foot the instep is a little tight. That said I have a higher instep, but curious if these look too tight, particularly with the "V" in the vamp.

 

[RahnDail]

Some more glamor shots post-shining using some Saphir Renovateur and Pommadier cream polish. Outdoor and indoor lighting. Curious if anyone has polish recommendations to make em look shinier/with darker depth of color like in the Noble Shoe reference shots. But, lookin' good for now, and makin' me want them in black too...

 

[Adhazem]

Kostas got these to me in lightning speed. 9899 in Dark Oak. The color is slightly darker than I was anticipating, but still absolutely gorgeous shoes. That said, curious your opinions on the fit, since although they feel moderately comfortable on foot the instep is a little tight. That said I have a higher instep, but curious if these look too tight, particularly with the "V" in the vamp.

Beautiful pair. They do very nice work. That V is nothing. I have a higher instep and most my shoes will have varying levels of V. Once broken in, you’ll be surprised that V will be an I.

Enjoy the pair

 

[WhyUEarly]

So I picked up a pair of CS handgrade from the Pediwear closeout sale. I've been intrigued by CS handgrade for a long time since I tried my first pair of CS benchgrade. I actually made a mistake in sizing the Z445 last and ended up buying UK9 when I usually wear UK8.5. Although Kostas recommended going down half a size, I personally would stick with TTS next time, but ymmv. Not sure if I would keep given the sizing error.

After trying on my first pair of Handgrade, I can definitely say that they are well worth the increased price over Benchgrade. Noticeably more arch support. Outsole finishing is well done. More attractive last. Better leather clicking. So I would pick CS handgrade over C&J bench grade, and maybe even CJ handgrade

 

[Noblekostas]

So I picked up a pair of CS handgrade from the Pediwear closeout sale. I've been intrigued by CS handgrade for a long time since I tried my first pair of CS benchgrade. I actually made a mistake in sizing the Z445 last and ended up buying UK9 when I usually wear UK8.5. Although Kostas recommended going down half a size, I personally would stick with TTS next time, but ymmv. Not sure if I would keep given the sizing error.

After trying on my first pair of Handgrade, I can definitely say that they are well worth the increased price over Benchgrade. Noticeably more arch support. Outsole finishing is well done. More attractive last. Better leather clicking. So I would pick CS handgrade over C&J bench grade, and maybe even CJ handgrade

View attachment 1817903 View attachment 1817904

Thanks for sharing. I actually get the 445 last in my true to size but after thousands of pairs sold, 80% would size down on that one. Then again people are obsessed with snugness. Remember that these shoes are monks though and the fit can be slightly different.

i think this line is quite good value and it was a great purchase!

 

[Adhazem]

So I picked up a pair of CS handgrade from the Pediwear closeout sale. I've been intrigued by CS handgrade for a long time since I tried my first pair of CS benchgrade. I actually made a mistake in sizing the Z445 last and ended up buying UK9 when I usually wear UK8.5. Although Kostas recommended going down half a size, I personally would stick with TTS next time, but ymmv. Not sure if I would keep given the sizing error.

After trying on my first pair of Handgrade, I can definitely say that they are well worth the increased price over Benchgrade. Noticeably more arch support. Outsole finishing is well done. More attractive last. Better leather clicking. So I would pick CS handgrade over C&J bench grade, and maybe even CJ handgrade

View attachment 1817903 View attachment 1817904

That’s a gorgeous pair. I agree with all your remarks on the handgrade line. For someone with flat feet, I find their arch support probably some of the best in any RTW I’ve tried. The 445 works for me tts as sizing down half made it uncomfortable I had to have them stretched at the cobbler.

 

[Peitron]

Post-conditioning photo-op. Herring Lawrie Boots by Carlos Santos.

 

[RahnDail]

Some glamor shots of my recent CS purchase. I believe these boots are exclusive to The Hand, and are an awesome black color with some grey marbling. I'm sure they'll develop beautiful patina over time.

 

[Noblekostas]

Some glamor shots of my recent CS purchase. I believe these boots are exclusive to The Hand, and are an awesome black color with some grey marbling. I'm sure they'll develop beautiful patina over time.

This looks a bit like Tejo patina. Lovely!

 

[Enox]

Anybody have any thoughts between which is a better value between Carlos Santos Benchgrade vs TLB Mallorca Artista? Looking at getting some black whole cuts and currently comparing the William 6903 vs the 108 Picasso. https://www.thenobleshoe.com/products/carlos-santos-patina-service vs https://www.tlbmallorca.com/products/665.
CS:
+ slightly cheaper, better reputation/more well-known?
- Not able to return if sizing is off
TLB M:
+ more bevelled waist, closed channel, able to return for sizing issues
- more difficult to resole due to said bevelled waist, close-cut heel

 

[Peitron]

Anybody have any thoughts between which is a better value between Carlos Santos Benchgrade vs TLB Mallorca Artista? Looking at getting some black whole cuts and currently comparing the William 6903 vs the 108 Picasso. https://www.thenobleshoe.com/products/carlos-santos-patina-service vs https://www.tlbmallorca.com/products/665.
CS:
+ slightly cheaper, better reputation/more well-known?
- Not able to return if sizing is off
TLB M:
+ more bevelled waist, closed channel, able to return for sizing issues
- more difficult to resole due to said bevelled waist, close-cut heel

I would say Artista is a whole other level, plus the customization and direct customer service is unmatched. If Toni offered more leathers, I'd have a dozen more. That being said, I really like the CS z401 last.