Another Spanish Shoe brand - Yanko

[Tinkertrain]

How are these in quality compared to Carmina or CJ?

 

[Sactogeoff]

How are these in quality compared to Carmina or CJ?

In general Yankos are very good quality. You won't get the same level of finishing details as Carmina. But they are arguably as durable using leathers along the same quality level. Where say, with Carlos Santos you get a bit more on the "style" side of things with color variations and nuanced changes to stay with the current trends. Yankos tend to be a little more simple, straightforward, classic styles.

But the materials and construction is arguably better than Carlos Santos. So the trade off is simple style/good quality materials and construction. Vs a little more style and perhaps not quite as good material or finish. That's just my take.

As compared to CJ. Well I'm biased and believe that CJ is overpriced. Certainly a great shoe and worth the money to some people. But their peers are Carmina, Alfred Sargent, Alden etc. And they cost nearly 2x as much.

As compared to Meermin for example, I don't think there is any argument Yanko is a higher quality shoe. Although you won't have the same level of style choices. Or those awful plastic heel cups everyone grumbles about. But it's not an accident Yanko is priced between Carmina and Meermin.

If you want good materials, quality construction & classic styles, Yanko is hard to beat. Hope this helps!

 

[Elessar]



My shoes should be delivered today - after being held up in customs for almost a month! @patinePL has been great to deal with - responsive to inquiries and has continued to follow up unsolicited.

@Elessar those chelseas look great! I hope the 915 works out for me, they have a really nice shape and profile.

Thanks! I'm sure it would. First time I tried it it was too big for me though and I had to return for an exchange. Once you get a feel for the sizing it's much better.

In general Yankos are very good quality.  You won't get the same level of finishing details as Carmina.  But they are arguably as durable using leathers along the same quality level.  Where say, with Carlos Santos you get a bit more on the "style" side of things with color variations and nuanced changes to stay with the current trends.  Yankos tend to be a little more simple, straightforward, classic styles.

But the materials and construction is arguably better than Carlos Santos.  So the trade off is simple style/good quality materials and construction.  Vs a little more style and perhaps not quite as good material or finish.  That's just my take.  

As compared to CJ.  Well I'm biased and believe that CJ is overpriced.  Certainly a great shoe and worth the money to some people.  But their peers are Carmina, Alfred Sargent, Alden etc.  And they cost nearly 2x as much.

As compared to Meermin for example, I don't think there is any argument Yanko is a higher quality shoe.  Although you won't have the same level of style choices.  Or those awful plastic heel cups everyone grumbles about.  But it's not an accident Yanko is priced between Carmina and Meermin.

If you want good materials, quality construction & classic styles, Yanko is hard to beat.  Hope this helps! 

What he said.

 

[Betelgeuse]



My shoes should be delivered today - after being held up in customs for almost a month! @patinePL has been great to deal with - responsive to inquiries and has continued to follow up unsolicited.

@Elessar those chelseas look great! I hope the 915 works out for me, they have a really nice shape and profile.

Pics, pics, pics, now!

How are these in quality compared to Carmina or CJ?

According to a Sapnish forum, some even say that are in the same level as Carmina. I don't own any Yankos (sadly, I hope soon) or C&J but since they have all those shoe options there, I trust them hehe.

 

[burgerkong]

Here are the 915 last brown captoes I got from @Skolyx a little while back. It looks gorgeous......

 

[Tinkertrain]

In general Yankos are very good quality. You won't get the same level of finishing details as Carmina. But they are arguably as durable using leathers along the same quality level. Where say, with Carlos Santos you get a bit more on the "style" side of things with color variations and nuanced changes to stay with the current trends. Yankos tend to be a little more simple, straightforward, classic styles.

But the materials and construction is arguably better than Carlos Santos. So the trade off is simple style/good quality materials and construction. Vs a little more style and perhaps not quite as good material or finish. That's just my take.

As compared to CJ. Well I'm biased and believe that CJ is overpriced. Certainly a great shoe and worth the money to some people. But their peers are Carmina, Alfred Sargent, Alden etc. And they cost nearly 2x as much.

As compared to Meermin for example, I don't think there is any argument Yanko is a higher quality shoe. Although you won't have the same level of style choices. Or those awful plastic heel cups everyone grumbles about. But it's not an accident Yanko is priced between Carmina and Meermin.

If you want good materials, quality construction & classic styles, Yanko is hard to beat. Hope this helps!

Thanks, they look really nice for sure, those chelseas for example. I agree with you that CJ is a bit overpriced. I naver saw Calos Santos.

 

[Christopher Essex]



In general Yankos are very good quality.  You won't get the same level of finishing details as Carmina.  But they are arguably as durable using leathers along the same quality level.  Where say, with Carlos Santos you get a bit more on the "style" side of things with color variations and nuanced changes to stay with the current trends.  Yankos tend to be a little more simple, straightforward, classic styles.

But the materials and construction is arguably better than Carlos Santos.  So the trade off is simple style/good quality materials and construction.  Vs a little more style and perhaps not quite as good material or finish.  That's just my take.  

As compared to CJ.  Well I'm biased and believe that CJ is overpriced.  Certainly a great shoe and worth the money to some people.  But their peers are Carmina, Alfred Sargent, Alden etc.  And they cost nearly 2x as much.

As compared to Meermin for example, I don't think there is any argument Yanko is a higher quality shoe.  Although you won't have the same level of style choices.  Or those awful plastic heel cups everyone grumbles about.  But it's not an accident Yanko is priced between Carmina and Meermin.

If you want good materials, quality construction & classic styles, Yanko is hard to beat.  Hope this helps! 

Can you comment on the fit of the 915 last vs. C&J 348/358 lasts? I've heard they're a bit wider and Skolyx suggests going down a half size if the C&Js E width fits normally or is slightly wider than necessary.

I ask because for me my 348 C&J shoes are the right fit or slightly wider than I need as they lace up with no gap at all.

I'm inclined to order 7UK vs. my 7.5UK in C&J but may order 3 pairs at once and want to be reasonably sure of the size as shipping them back would be expensive from Canada.

Thanks.

 

[jamie411]

A few quick shots of my new Yankos and side-by-side comparison w same style Carmina Rain (excuse the small cell phone shots):

The suede and calf photograph differently, so it's difficult to detect differences.

Initial impressions (note I haven't worn these except just trying them on briefly) - Yanko 915 fits a little wider through the ball and has a little more length. I have a narrower foot, so the Yanko is roomier through the forefoot and toes but I'm not sure it would be enough to size down for me, but maybe... the finishing and suede quality are excellent.

The one thing I find lacking is the dress laces on the Yanko are very skinny and wiry. I'd prefer slightly thicker laces like on the Carminas.

Overall they look great, fit well, and seem high quality and a great value, especially on sale.

Edit: the Yankos seem much larger in the pics, in reality the differences are much more subtle and I think it's just the angle and the difference w how suede and calf photographed.

Thanks to @patinePL for these great shoes and service.

 

[Tinkertrain]

That suede shade is really nice

 

[Betelgeuse]



Here are the 915 last brown captoes I got from @Skolyx a little while back. It looks gorgeous......

Spoiler

This look great! How are the shoe trees?

A few quick shots of my new Yankos and side-by-side comparison w same style Carmina Rain (excuse the small cell phone shots):

Spoiler

The suede and calf photograph differently, so it's difficult to detect differences.

Initial impressions (note I haven't worn these except just trying them on briefly) - Yanko 915 fits a little wider through the ball and has a little more length. I have a narrower foot, so the Yanko is roomier through the forefoot and toes but I'm not sure it would be enough to size down for me, but maybe... the finishing and suede quality are excellent. The one thing I find lacking is the dress laces on the Yanko are very skinny and wiry. I'd prefer slightly thicker laces like on the Carminas. Overall they look great, fit well, and seem high quality and a great value, especially on sale. Edit: the Yankos seem much larger in the pics, in reality the differences are much more subtle and I think it's just the angle and the difference w how suede and calf photographed.

Thanks to @patinePL for these great shoes and service.

Great shoes! Thanks for the comparison, the length pic is curious. I have done that comparing my Carmina's in 9.5 UK vs my Santoni in 8.5 UK and the Santoni are even larger than the Carmina.

 

[Tomboys]



How are these in quality compared to Carmina or CJ?

I have both Yanko (Carson Street Clothiers) and C&J (224, 341, 348 and 337) and I think all of them are great. Understand that quality is relative. IME, both manufacturers produce quality products and I don't really favor one over the other. So, IMO, regardless of which brand you choose, you'll be fine. That being said, the other two criteria--aesthetics and fit, should become the focal points. And, of the two, aesthetics is probably the greater decider because you can tweak the fit somewhat. However, if you think the shoes are beautiful, but they fit poorly, you're not going to wear them a lot. Similarly, if they fit your feet very well, but you think they're ugly, you're not going to wear them a lot.

Moving forward, I really love the silhouette of my Yanko's. Perhaps more than all of my C&Js. I'm not 100% sure, but it looks like the 915 last. So, I may be making a purchase soon.

 

[Meyboom]

915 is a good looking last for sure

 

[Zapasman]

I do not try to compare brands but for the prices you have in the market nowadays, Yanko is one of the wisest options if fit is good. The thing is that their marketing is just inexistent.

 

[Sactogeoff]

Thanks, they look really nice for sure, those chelseas for example. I agree with you that CJ is a bit overpriced. I naver saw Calos Santos.

Sorry I missed this question. There are several fit guides out there for Yanko. You can see the width in CM. It's a reasonable guide. The 915 last is certainly "wider" than the Carmina Rain last for example. With more room in the toe box. At the instep they are just the right amount roomier than the Rain last for me. I take the same size in Rain (which are snug on me) as the 915 which fit well on me. They fit about the same as my JFitzpatrick MGF lasted shoes which are spot on - all in the same size, 7.5UK. The only shoe I sized up with is an Alfred Sargent 724 last. In Carmina Simpson, I've tried them on and I would be an 8UK.

In general, the 915 is on the wide size Vs Carmina Rain which for me is on the narrow side. Both wearable in my case.

 

[jamie411]

After wearing my Yanko 915s today after wearing my Carmina Rain on Monday, I'd concur with your description.