Carmina Shoes - Definitive Thread (reviews, advice, sizing, etc...) - official thread.

[ducatiti]

egregious

I'm the guy with the almost armagnac colored bourbon toe on the balmoral boots. And yes, it was not even close.

I agree with the suggestions here, they should have at least mention flaws may be apparent on the description.

 

[ducatiti]

Anyone else wondered why c & j shell is the same price as carmina. While Normal calf of c&j is much more expensive, at least in €

That being said, I can confirm that C&J in both shell and calf, are the best bang for the buck. Materials used and attention to detail is definitely a step up. If I can do it again, I will go with C&J from the get go even if calf is priced more than Carmina. If only C&J can only be easily purchased in the US.

 

[CMR16]

1)It's obvious that the shoes from the outlet are seconds. I bought two shoes from outlet both were of lower quality vs my full prices Carmina. I received them with gashes, dents etc. The only issues I have is they should be straight forward about it at least mention factory seconds of some sort. I bought them thinking they were just on sale and ended up selling them. I personally don't like seconds and I think many here don't either. I understand why some of you are complaining about their shoes bought from the outlets. I think maybe if you knew upfront they were seconds you wouldn't purchase them either.

That may have been some unfortunate luck with your order(s). My recent orders with Carmina from the outlet yielded no form of QC issues -- at least by my inspection.

 

[CMR16]

That being said, I can confirm that C&J in both shell and calf, are the best bang for the buck. Materials used and attention to detail is definitely a step up. If I can do it again, I will go with C&J from the get go even if calf is priced more than Carmina. If only C&J can only be easily purchased in the US.

I would love to get my hands on some C&J's, but the nearest store is only a mere 640 miles from me. That and they don't carry my size, so it looks like it's only Allen Edmonds and Carmina for me ?‍♂️

 

[ducatiti]

I would love to get my hands on some C&J's, but the nearest store is only a mere 640 miles from me. That and they don't carry my size, so it looks like it's only Allen Edmonds and Carmina for me ?‍♂️

I gave up on AE as well. I guess I am just too picky. I'm swaying towards Alden now over AE even if they cost a little more.

 

[CMR16]

I gave up on AE as well. I guess I am just too picky. I'm swaying towards Alden now over AE even if they cost a little more.

I like AE for what they are: simple and practical. Plus, they are largely accessible for me. I know what I am getting with Allen Edmonds, which is a decent shoe that will last with care. However, I have been expanding the rotation with Carmina and have been delighted.

As for Alden, they are incredibly hard to find in-person; at least in Michigan. My cobbler is an Alden AD and has been begging me for years to give them a try (and to line his pockets a little more) but I don't know if I like what they have. My only other alternatives that I know of right now is TLB Mallorca and John Lobb, and their prices scare me with how clumsy I am. I would be too nervous to wear a pair of JL's.

 

[Sinbios]

True, but with the discussed items I would assume the items would primarily be seconds (pairs with imperfections or excessive/clear evidence of having been tried on).

That is not made clear on the product page though. There's no indication that they're seconds or that you should expect lesser quality when buying from the outlet. In fact I think I saw on Reddit @Carmina explicitly stating that the outlet does not sell seconds, though that was a few years ago.

Here's the description on the outlet page:

In this section you will find the men’s shoes from last season. With lower prices than the rest of the webstore categories and the men’s shoes models that you can find. They have the same handmade features as our collection. You will find the best outlet shoes quality, leather craftsmanship and ergonomic designs at an impressive price with the best shipping rates.

That does not say "expect seconds quality" to me, unless "outlet shoes quality" is an euphemism for "seconds quality", in which case they're saying "You will find the best seconds quality"??

1) I think it's hard to say whether it's outlet shoes in general or whether you just lost out on Carmina QC russian roulette. I've certainly had fairly glaring issues with a number of non outlet shoes as well.

Would be nice if @Carmina could clarify this, if it's simply a QC issue and they're not supposed to be seconds, then I expect I should be able to exchange them for a pair with no issues.

 

[Sinbios]

Accept or return it, but this gut reaction to ask for compensation I find too greedy and entitled.

Not asking for compensation, just want to exchange for a pair that do not have these issues as they are ostensibly not seconds. My AEs and Aldens certainly do not suffer from similar issues while being cheaper than the even the outlet price.

 

[zag73]

That being said, I can confirm that C&J in both shell and calf, are the best bang for the buck. Materials used and attention to detail is definitely a step up. If I can do it again, I will go with C&J from the get go even if calf is priced more than Carmina. If only C&J can only be easily purchased in the US.

Prior to Carnina , I always purchased c&j. They’re good but by no means special. Certainly , I don’t find them better than Carnina. Where Carnina fall down is on occasional sloppy QC. When manufactured with no issues, I’d say they’re better than c&j. I love to say otherwise from the UK, but I can’t.

 

[vmss]

Prior to Carnina , I always purchased c&j. They’re good but by no means special. Certainly , I don’t find them better than Carnina. Where Carnina fall down is on occasional sloppy QC. When manufactured with no issues, I’d say they’re better than c&j. I love to say otherwise from the UK, but I can’t.

Since some of you guys have both brands which of the two ages better after years of wear and tear? ALL new shoes look nice when new, but its how they age counts.

 

[officine]

Anyone else wondered why c & j shell is the same price as carmina. While Normal calf of c&j is much more expensive, at least in €

Are you sure about this? The average Carmina RTW cordovan shoe is around $790 vs C&J mostly at $1000 (a few at $970). Two hundred bucks is not an insignificant difference. It is just a little less of a differential on boots....Carmina $990 vs C&J $1170. If take MTOs in cordovan boots you see a big difference. The C&J RTW $1170 price is only slightly below Carmina's MTO price (~$1202) for cordovan boots.

Search results for: 'cordovan'

www.crockettandjones.com

Now consider doing a C&J cordovan MTO. It would be murder. I did a C&J Coniston boot in country calf MTO a few years ago -- which I love -- but could have had same boot done in Carmina cordovan with change available to purchase a RTW blake calf loafer. Finally, consider how often C&J waives their MTO fees....

Btw, I love C&J as well. Currently have two, but have owned six. I just don't think you get the same flexibility.

 

[zag73]

Since some of you guys have both brands which of the two ages better after years of wear and tear? ALL new shoes look nice when purchased, bit its how they age counts.

I’d say the same.

 

[ivancream]

I’d say the same.

+1

 

[miamidoc]

My own experience with the outlet - 5 pairs - has been fantastic. No QC issues. Don’t appear to be seconds. In fact they have been among my most worn shoes.

On the other hand, nearly every full price pair I’ve purchased has some relatively glaring QC issue. Torn stitches and misaligned pieces on a Cordovan boot. Glue everywhere on a chelsea. Terrible welt stitching on my recent MTO. ??‍♂️

 

[yengli]

Are you sure about this? The average Carmina RTW cordovan shoe is around $790 vs C&J mostly at $1000 (a few at $970). Two hundred bucks is not an insignificant difference. It is just a little less of a differential on boots....Carmina $990 vs C&J $1170. If take MTOs in cordovan boots you see a big difference. The C&J RTW $1170 price is only slightly below Carmina's MTO price (~$1202) for cordovan boots.

Search results for: 'cordovan'

www.crockettandjones.com

Now consider doing a C&J cordovan MTO. It would be murder. I did a C&J Coniston boot in country calf MTO a few years ago -- which I love -- but could have had same boot done in Carmina cordovan with change available to purchase a RTW blake calf loafer. Finally, consider how often C&J waives their MTO fees....

Btw, I love C&J as well. Currently have two, but have owned six. I just don't think you get the same flexibility.

as I’m located in Europe a pair of boots from both Carmina and C&J would cost me about €900