Loake 024 last (F-Fit): 7UK a bit tight around toes and heel. C&J have been my staple for more than 20 years, and I find that their 348 and 341 last feel like old friend straight our of the box. About 4 or 5 years ago, I naively bought a pair of Loake Shoemakers and the quality was very poor. But they are still good value for money. The point about corrected Vs full grain leathers is not a meaningful distinction. In fact at some point I wondered whether you were being protectionist of Northampton makers by apparently shunning AE, but then I could not see anywhere else that could be like you. So for example, they now only curve the waist line on the inside of their shoe, and not the outside. Tried an 8.5E on a 2014 manufactured pair and its better than the modern ones, but the taper is a bit more aggressive so I'd prefer a 9 in much older or "OG" 2030. Ie if you spend 500 on a pair of shoes youd probably be looking at circa 2,000 for your suit and 150 for your shirt. Good point about Allen Edmonds. MASSIVE. US size 8 at the best online prices at eBay! Ive decided to get a pair of loafers, which Id wear with flannels, chinos, dark denim and (occasionally) shorts. At least in the States, TLB comes in less expensive than C&J even after the customization upcharge and even if you select the higher-quality Artista line. Japan: Scotch Grain, Otsuka, Miyagi Kogyo, Oriental. Seemed comfortable at first but the more I wore it, the more I realized it just doesn't work for me. No issues on 5+ hour rides. However, I would recommend ones like TLB and Skolyx that I have had experience with. Career and job listings in fashion, mens clothing, Reviews of Classifieds and classifieds sellers, No Man Walks Alone - Official Affiliate Thread (a.k.a. My most desired English brand is C&J. Wapmaxi Time To Change 2015Meermin & Carmina Boot Sizing and Review Hey all, been a bit since I've posted but I stopped by both Meermin and Carmina in NYC the other day and thought I'd share my opinions for guys looking at either or both for fall boot wearing. Thanks for the personal comment it is very helpful and interesting, Any thoughts about the German brand Hammerstein? I found a pair on sale for about $100 more than those, however, so I figured I'd give them a try. However, I continue to buy loafers from Allen Edmonds because they sell shoes that come in 4-5 widths, so its easy for someone with narrow feet to find loafers that fit and wont fall off. While not terribly drastic, this feature requires a bit more toe box space. Loake Bullet last (F-fit): 7Uk fits but a bit tight around toes. Truman P-79 9D: Nice fit. Thus, not likely to be much different from your C&J in terms of make, but the last and the leather may differ. Just got re-measured last week after losing some weight (again), Im standing in between 10.5 C/D. Giro bike shoes: 45.5 EU - Great fit. I bought AS through him when they were the best value for money in higher end shoes then moved to C&J on his advice. He knows the market back to front and is a lovely gent. Not sure why this is the case. Rancourt 113 loafer: men's size 6D is pretty good Meermin Hiro derby: men's UK 4.5 wearable but the heel is . I will refrain from commenting on fit unless people think it will be helpful. But its a not a secret that English brands, in general (this for example does not go for the premium brands) use less good leather soles than Spanish and Italian makers of welted shoes, in general. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, This is an example of what a good comment looks like. I also happen to like their lasts, which are sleeker than anything else I own but the C&J 348. As of late, I found that the cost differential between Crockett & Jones and Carmina has become more significant. Cheers Adam, and very pleased thats the case. Exactly!! Carmina shoes have better soles than the Meermin shoes. Im not the only one. Carmina shoes are well-fitting shoes that grip your feet firmly on the go so that you get more balance and stability in your motions. Not only the uppers are nicer, but the full calf liners are a joy when you put them on and you walk even a bit. Why not economical or cost effective or something else which has more neutral/positive connotation unlike cheap. Nick horween has spoken at length about this, so shell cordovan chromexcel etc are technically corrected grain. Im starting to wonder if the differential is worth it. In contrast, Ive always found EGs service excellent but my interactions (outside of lockdown) are entirely based on the Jermyn Street store and I cant say Ive asked for anything unusual. I've been told that the forest last is the only one available in a wide, but only in mto. Theyre a solid make with a little paid for the brand, and decent value in the States - though not elsewhere, where duties make them much more expensive. Check the Noble Shoe eshop for several decent ones. Great article I wonder what you think of the dilemma I currently find myself in?.. Thank you for this listing Simon. or to put it another more childish way, you started it! Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account. Ive just received an email from Herring Shoes announcing that Church Shoes Ltd have decided to increase their prices to reposition their brand at a higher price point. I have had a painted patina on several shoes see Berluti here, Dandy here, Carreducker here and G&G here. 210 last 9.5D: Bad fit. The soles on the Trickers town shoes wear down quickly. Not sure I'd feel the same today. Most of my shoes are Crockett & Jones because of the great customer service and the consistent quality. Travel Shoes Poll: What shoes do you bring with you on short trips? My girlfriend values their classic oxfords because they are not Goodyear and have soft insoles making them very comfy. For each last, add any thoughts on fit, including ankle/shaft fit for boots. Viberg 2030E 8.5: Good to great fit, but depends on the year and the run. You get slightly better quality with Carmina at a cheaper price. 6.5D Carmina: 5.5: UK: Forest, Robert - 5.5UK: 6.5D Carmina Forest: 5.5: UK: 5.5UK with a smidge of heel slip: I had the hope it would get softer and stretch a bit. Ive found having slowly worked my way up the chain that in terms of value for money, its Cheaney, Trickers and Alfred Sargent which have ultimately paid off. The quality difference was like night and day and Id have no hesitation recommending the Loake 1880s as a good budget shoe. Meermins are not bad fits though; these shoes are flexible and stretchable enough to blend with your feet measurements accurately once you get the right sizing. I havent covered Allen Edmonds in the past both because I havent had much experience of them, and because they were below the quality level we normally cover on PS hence their inclusion in this article, which was intended to round-up lots of cheaper makers. One think really dont understand is why GC dilute their brand with the C&J RTW line instead of focusing on the Anthony Cleverley line which I hardly see being sold anywhere. Customers love the shape of the Almond Toe-Boxes of Meermin shoes Many believe that that design adds well to the elegance of the shoes. Dedicated to informing, teaching, and sharing. American brands seem to be better at this (Alden, AE). Viberg 2050 9: The E width of this last is still unreleased, but its what I would likely do for another pair in this last. A very useful piece for me as Im slowly getting into the joys of proper shoes. And sorry for the long post, whenever I come across such I wonder whether the guy is a bit insane, but then, passion, what? A reader even referenced it in a comment above on this post. Its hard to say since theyre Chelsea boots, which means breaking in isnt as much of an issue as with lace-up shoes. Meermins can be bought at prices between $160 and $210 in the online and offline marketplaces today. Unlined Carmina loafers. But in the same moment, I realised this was unfair. Start-up brands are often good on marketing, on styling and photography. Theyre the only pair from this collection that I got out of the box and went wow. I think Carmina sizing, at first, looks simple but if you read into it, there are lots of strange variations. Its a comparable quality level, at a slightly lower price, and uses leather-board heel stiffeners. Carminas are really chic, classy, and fashionable. They're also very flexible to work with. They used to offer calf leather and Goodyear welting at incredible prices though the soles would wear quickly and their shops recommended Topy. When I do, Im a repeat customer (for instance, narrow EG 202 Chelseas) but my narrow feet preclude me from buying most brands shoes. I guess the issue is that I've not worn an English shoe before. The ball of my foot is at the widest part of the boot. Snug toe box, foot extends past footbed on sides, narrow waist causes significant bowing. A pair of EG Chelseas bought today are just as good as a pair bought ten years ago as will be a pair bought in ten years time. When weve returned to normal I might need a trip to Spain to try on a selection from Carmina, Meermin and the other brands suggested in this article. These shoes are well-appraised by people worldwide for their comfort, style, and proper appearance. I dont think it is available outside of Japan though. Some can only be purchased at high upcharge compared to what they cost in Europe, while some can be bought from European retailers with free shipping, VAT deducted and no customs charge (as long as below $800) so they come out 15-20% cheaper than they cost in Europe. Although it may be difficult to clearly see from the photos online, could I ask what you think of their the last/design of their chukka boots? if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'footslide_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_6',108,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-footslide_com-medrectangle-4-0');The top-grade Shell Cordovan Leather material used to make Carmina shoes is surely one of the best in the world for dress shoes. I do appreciate your recommendations to other blogs/websites/magazines as its not always easy to spot good work in the vast numbers of style websites. There's a tiny bit more room at the ball too now. 55 last 9.5E: Excellent fit with thick or thin socks, this is what boot heaven feels like! There are many levels at tanneries, and cheaper brands dont get the same quality or the first selection. Although the quality is nothing to write home about, they are incredibly comfortable. Carmina shoes are good shoes that firmly grip your feet for extra balance and stability. Of course manufacturing anything is significantly cheaper in Spain than the UK so the Spanish manufacturers are off to a good start in that regard with labour costs. Viberg 1035 8.5: Its a great looking last, heel is massive. So far I remained unconvinced but then again I dont know any better. That sounds like a brand going from manufacturer pricing, as most Northampton shoes are, to designer brand pricing, with a lot more design and marketing built in. I can fully close the balmoral lacing most of the way up for an ideal look. Allen Edmonds is perhaps most similar to Loake or Barker. Best fitting Viberg last, comfortable from day one, even more than the newer 2030, but this has a little bit extra arch support and has some anatomical properties as well due to being a munson style. Carmina Rain: UK 11 (best fitting Carmina last for me) Carmina Inca: UK 11 (too tight across instep) Carmina Forest: UK 11.5 (snug instep) Carmina Simpson: my feet are too wide for this last. I got tired of my usual worn brands price development and wanted to see if it is possible to find decent shoes under 300 Euros, which in my eyes is in no way cheap. By far the highest quality of any of the brands on this list (and in my opinion, the most elegant lasts). Their MSRP is slightly below C&J and at a certain point theyve been advertised as The finest bespoke shoes outside of England., On par with Shoepassion in Germany Id recommend Prime Shoes. Particularly annoying is when they talk about cutting out a middle man, and going straight to consumer. I can fully close the lacing most of the way up for an ideal look. The alternative was to shut out the market of men with wider feet. I was very impressed with the integrity of your website after reading IS THIS AN ADVERT? And they are a Canadian brand not American. These insoles are advanced comfort systems that are meant to keep your feet comfy and cozy all day. No worries at all, its much appreciated. Meermins are stylish shoes, but they are also quite practical as well. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Overall, Carmina shoes are better than Meermin shoes. The Septieme Larguer felt very similar to the Andres Sendra from what I remember. * **Viberg 2030** 8 snug but not too tight, * **Viberg 2030** 8.5 a bit loose in the heel in CXL, comfortable when laced tightly all the way up, * **Winson OLD Edlyn** EU41 sized on advice of Emil via foot measurements, a touch short. Indeed the leather is really stiff. Putting that all aside, what do you think is the difference between mid-range makers (e.g. As for Northampton shoes they are still great value if you buy in the sale or go to the factory shops. Particularly for certain watches perhaps, although less likely for certain muted bespoke suits which might fit better but wont look more expensive than a good of-the-peg one. Luckily it did a tiny bit making it bearable, but damn they are still uncomforable I have to admit. Low arches but not flat. Allen Edmonds 65 9D: Excellent fit. *UPDATE: Carmina say they do not use plastic heel stiffeners. 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