The Armoury - Official Affiliate Thread

[bhall41]



I've talked to Alan a couple times via email. I have a carmina shoe that's an 8.5 on the inca last which is a little wide and big for my foot, heel slips some. Alan suggested that I size up a half size to the 9 when going to the Simpson last. I'm trying to figure out how much narrower or smaller the Simpson is compared to the Inca last? I realize that Inca is the largest width last and Simpson is the smallest so I thought I would be the same size.

I have got a pair of shoes on the SImpson last on their way. I ordered them in a 7.5, which is my usual size, but am a bit concerned that I should have sized up to a 8. Alan told me he didn't think this was necessary.

 

[JPHardy]

I was concerned about the Simpson sizing as well. But Alan thought it would work out.

My first pair was the Rain last in 12, and I really like the fit. When ordering a second pair, I was concerned about the Simpson being too tight.

It arrived and it felt a bit tight at first, tighter than most of my other shoes. After a day of wearing the molded beautifully. They fit a bit more snug than my other shoes, but feel great at the end of day.

Good luck.

JP

 

[quar]

No need to size up.

I wear 8UK in John Lobb 7000 and C&J 337, and 8UK in Simpson is a good fit.

 

[bhall41]



I was concerned about the Simpson sizing as well. But Alan thought it would work out.
My first pair was the Rain last in 12, and I really like the fit. When ordering a second pair, I was concerned about the Simpson being too tight.
It arrived and it felt a bit tight at first, tighter than most of my other shoes. After a day of wearing the molded beautifully. They fit a bit more snug than my other shoes, but feel great at the end of day.
Good luck.
JP

No need to size up.
I wear 8UK in John Lobb 7000 and C&J 337, and 8UK in Simpson is a good fit.

Thanks guys, that is reassuring.

 

[teddieriley]



Thanks guys, that is reassuring.

Not to confuse the matter, but i find the Simpson last to be particularly narrow in the toe box so I had to size up 1/2 from what I would wear in Lobb 7000 or C&J 337/348.

 

[Odd I/O]

If I'm a UK10E in both Edward Green (888 last) and Gaziano & Girling (TG73 last) what size would I be in Carmina's Forest last? Anyone with any experience with this last?

 

[Cuttingboard]



Not to confuse the matter, but i find the Simpson last to be particularly narrow in the toe box so I had to size up 1/2 from what I would wear in Lobb 7000 or C&J 337/348.

This is what Alan is suggesting, sizing up from 8.5 in Inca last to 9 in Simpson last.

From my understanding, this is the breakdown of Carmina last sizes (Wide to Narrow):
Inca - Widest last and waist for wide feet (EE width)
Rain - Like the Inca but with a chisel toe (EE width)
Forest - Standard width with round toe (E width)
Uetam - Similar to Forest but a shade narrower (E width)
Robert - Like the Simpson but more room in the toe box (E width)
Alcudia - Like the Simpson but with Almond toe (E width)
Simpson - Narrow with chiseled toe, extended toe box (E width)

 

[SpooPoker]



Anyone have to return a pair of shoes to the Armoury? I'm curious how much it costs to return an item to Hong Kong?

NY-HK via express mail is about $60 for a pair of shoes.

 

[bullswin]



If I'm a UK10E in both Edward Green (888 last) and Gaziano & Girling (TG73 last) what size would I be in Carmina's Forest last? Anyone with any experience with this last?

The biggest thing to note with the Forest last is that it works best with someone with a low instep/arch. If you have a medium or greater instep, it's going to be too tight/pinched in the lacing area. Fortunately, I have a rather low instep, so the Forest last works nearly perfectly for me. I still get a tiny bit of heel slippage, and the overall fit is quite snug and cozy (when sizing down a full size from my usual US size). The only other Carmina last I have experience with is Robert, which fits a hair roomier overall (vs. the Forest) and seems a perfect tts.

I don't have experience with EG and GG, so I realize I'm not directly answering your question.

 

[Odd I/O]



The biggest thing to note with the Forest last is that it works best with someone with a low instep/arch. If you have a medium or greater instep, it's going to be too tight/pinched in the lacing area. Fortunately, I have a rather low instep, so the Forest last works nearly perfectly for me. I still get a tiny bit of heel slippage, and the overall fit is quite snug and cozy (when sizing down a full size from my usual US size). The only other Carmina last I have experience with is Robert, which fits a hair roomier overall (vs. the Forest) and seems a perfect tts.
I don't have experience with EG and GG, so I realize I'm not directly answering your question.

Thanks for the tip about the low instep/arch. How does one know whether they have a low instep/arch? For further reference other shoes/lasts I fit fine in are Allen Edmonds No. 5 (Park Avenue/Strand) and Crockett & Jones 348 last.

 

[kolecho]



The biggest thing to note with the Forest last is that it works best with someone with a low instep/arch. If you have a medium or greater instep, it's going to be too tight/pinched in the lacing area. Fortunately, I have a rather low instep, so the Forest last works nearly perfectly for me. I still get a tiny bit of heel slippage, and the overall fit is quite snug and cozy (when sizing down a full size from my usual US size). The only other Carmina last I have experience with is Robert, which fits a hair roomier overall (vs. the Forest) and seems a perfect tts.
I don't have experience with EG and GG, so I realize I'm not directly answering your question.

Low instep does not equal low arch. Forest has good arch support even though instep is lower. I'd go with your EG size for Forest last.

 

[runningfrog]

i have to bump this thread after my great experience with the armoury.

i really loved their carmina saddle shell brogue captoe oxfords, but my size was sold out and they did not plan a restock. after some email exchanges with ethan and alan, i decided to place a special order for them. the price was very reasonable for a special order shoe and they were both very prompt with responses to my questions. if you're looking into carminas, i would highly recommend the armoury.

 

[Gerry Nelson]

Completely agree! I just got my pair of double monks and Alan couldn't have been more helpful!

 

[Artking3]



i have to bump this thread after my great experience with the armoury.
i really loved their carmina saddle shell brogue captoe oxfords, but my size was sold out and they did not plan a restock. after some email exchanges with ethan and alan, i decided to place a special order for them. the price was very reasonable for a special order shoe and they were both very prompt with responses to my questions. if you're looking into carminas, i would highly recommend the armoury.

May I ask how much more did they charge you for a special order shoe? I'm thinking of doing the same with them.

 

[acidboy]



Completely agree! I just got my pair of double monks and Alan couldn't have been more helpful!

alan, mark and ethan are good people in my personal experience.