TLB MALLORCA - OFFICIAL AFFILIATE THREAD - Advice, sizing and reviews

[GenericUser]

My first pair of TLB Mallorca shoes: Dustin II, custom-made in vegano dark brown leather. No storm welt, city rubber sole.

 

[mdjd]

Got my MTO! A beautiful Hatch Grain Tan Velasquez Split Toe Derby in 9 narrow.
The fit of the Velasquez seems similar to the Goya, maybe a touch roomier. The instep is great though, not too high.

I added some side by side photos with a pair of Edward Green Dovers in Dark Oak. Note those are 9.5/10C - double narrow, so they'll look a bit thinner in comparison. The fit is pretty similar to the Edward Green 82. Style wise, you can see very minor differences. They look equally refined and finished, perfect detailing.

I'm thrilled with them, although I have two gripes: first, the leather isn't the softest, but that's ok, they'll break in.

The more serious issue is the color. When I order something in Tan, I expect it to be a light, maybe light-medium brown. These are very much a medium dark brown. Compare to the EG in Doak - Dark Oak is a dark brown, and the TLB are maybe one shade lighter. I ordered them in this color because I specifically wanted a lighter brown shoe.

TLB seems to have that issue across all its browns. They're darker than advertised. My first pair is in Vegano brown and they are significantly darker than the EG Dark Oak. I have a pair in brown suede, and they are very, very dark - espresso colored, almost black in certain lights. I wish TLB would lighten its browns to be more similar to what you would expect with other makers.

Anyway, beautiful shoes, impeccable detailing, and I'd say a fabulous value side by side with Edward Green.