Carmina: Is It Worth It? (Men's Luxury Dress Shoe Review)
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- Опубликовано: 5 июн 2024
- Everything you need to know about the shoemaker, Carmina, and our verdict if they’re worth it or not: gentl.mn/carmina-shoe-review
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00:00 Carmina Shoes Review Introduction
If you’re well versed in the world of classic menswear, then the name Carmina is likely no stranger to you. And even if you’re a newcomer, chances are this won’t be the last time you hear their name either!
01:01 The History of Carmina
Although the company was named “Carmina” in 1997, it was actually 131 years earlier when Matias Pujadas opened a small workshop in 1866. This workshop was located in Inca, Majorca. And this Spanish island remains the home of the Carmina group today.
A few decades later, in 1961, the founder’s great-grandson, José Albaladejo Pujadas, continued this company expansion by setting up one of the largest shoe companies in Spain.
03:00 Carmina Today
Nowadays, Carmina is associated with something like Crockett & Jones is in England or Allen Edmonds in America. That is to say, they are a large volume manufacturer of footwear that focuses on traditional processes and quality materials at prices that rely on a distributor network.
What makes Carmina Unique?
03:28 → Lasts
Carmina boasts a very impressive 27 different last styles and shapes with a few of these lasts coming in different width fittings. This sort of variation makes for ample choice when it comes to selecting a pair of shoes or boots.
06:12 → Leathers
You’ll find over 30 different types of leather that Carmina uses in the construction of their footwear.
10:02 → Construction
Very solid and lots of metal tacks. The uppers leather is lined with fabric and the seams have an additional reinforced tape. All upper stitching was very neat and close to the edge. High quality of workmanship and very similar to other quality brands.
13:02 Sole Options
Carmina boasts a number of different sole options including traditional leather soles, heavier duty rubber soles, and combination soles which feature both leather and rubber components.
16:05 → Custom Shoes
Carmina offers the ability to create a pair of shoes with your own creative stamp on them. Through a 3D online generator, you can select pretty much all components of what goes into making a pair of Carmina shoes.
16:30 Shoes in Review
Throughout the Gentleman’s Gazette team, we’ve had the chance to get acquainted with several pairs of Carmina shoes. Overall, we'd say they are good shoes, that tend to run a bit small in some lasts.
20:00 Are Carmina Shoes Worth It?
Based on the quality of materials, construction, variety of available styles, and the information available, we consider that Carmina shoes are indeed worth their price.
However, as these things often do, this comes with a caveat. It is a well-discussed issue that Carmina’s customer service can be quite lackluster. Of course, the in-store experience may be a different matter.
So with that in mind, a pair of Carmina shoes can be a great addition to your footwear collection
24:04 Outfit Rundown 
Хобби
I'm loving this series. Cutting apart the products really showcases the quality (or lack thereof). I would be interested in seeing younger shoe brands like Cobbler Union, TLB Mallorca, etc.
I have only recently started watching this channel, but i am very gratefull. My life has improved greatly and these videos help me alot.
Awesome transcript in the description! Thank you!
Love the tie in this video. Has been on my list for a while
Just got a pair and they are definitely worth it for the price point! Cheers!
Nobody is more thoughtful, thorough, and well-rounded than the Gentleman's Gazette. Have you done a review on TLB? My new favorite brand. Best customer service I have received anywhere let alone a shoe company. I really depend on you guys to be in the know. Keep the greatness coming!
Thanks for your kind words, Joseph! We haven't reviewed TLB yet, but it's certainly a potential candidate for the future. :)
- Preston
@@gentlemansgazette Outstanding! I'll look forward to it. Thanks for taking the time to reply. It really does mean a lot. All the best!
Yes sir TLB Arista line please
@@sesu5604 Yes Sir!
If TLB ever starts offering shell carmina will be a lot of trouble...
Great review guys. Really like that you're taking the shoe apart, that's the only way to really know what going on in there. Nice!
I love their braided leather boots. got similar ones from my dad this year and the look so extraordinary it is a pure joy!
Great series. Making a few shoe purchases in the near future, this really helps. Thank you
We're happy to help!
I actually enjoyed this review of Carmina. Well done guys. I personally don't have any pairs from them. I can relate to the fitment anxiety, especially when you can't try them on before committing. Which is why once I've found my fitment with a certain shoemaker, I end up getting several pairs from them for peace of mind 🙂
Nice. I've been waiting for this review 🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾
Also, I would be interested in Peccary house slippers.
I have had multiple pairs of Carmina's for years and it's the best value ever! Comfortable, good craftmenshsip, good leather (bit stiff initially) and well priced. However, i strongly suggest going into a Carmina store or stockist and trying the different lasts, particularly important if you have a wide foot. I also had to go up half a size.
I don't have any Carmina shoe shops in England. I'll have to guess whether they will fit or not.
The Church 173 last is very similar (in fit) to Carminas Rain last.
@@stuartbritton4811have the same issue, thinking about taking a Eurostar to Paris just to try 😂
For over 10 years I have been eyeing the Crockett & Jones Alex. I have always wanted them to be my wedding shoes for many many years. I then eventually found myself a lady a few years later and then got engaged a few yeears after that. I finally tried out a pair of Alex last weekend at the C&J store in midtown Manhattan and was not a fan of the shape. It felt too long in the front.
I then stumbled across this random store called Carmina on Madison ave in New York while walking back to my car from the C&J store. I went in just to look and had no expectations whatsover. I never even heard of Carmina. I was blown away by how perfect their Rain last is.
They are so incredibly perfect that I custom ordered their wholecut oxford in the rain last and they are for my wedding later this year!
This is an easy yes ! I have 5 pair and they are far superior to Allen Edmonds - hands down.
Love the review and the effort in pronouncing the Spanish names, great job !
I really love this channel
I recently received my Carmina oxfords on the narrower Rain-D last. Love the shoes, no break-in period.
Great video GG! I bought myself as a Christmas gift last year a pair of burgundy Shell Cordovan boots with a matching cordovan belt at their Black Friday online sale. It was a great addition to my wardrobe as I already had some other dress shoes that I bought second-hand like Allen Edmonds, Meermin, and Edward Green. I am just in love with the model and the fit of the boots, although the elongated last (Soller) was a bit difficult to get used to at first. In any case, I can't wait to return to Europe for Fall and Winter to wear them again! (never thought I would be looking forward to European Fall and Winter lol) P.D: I just bought a pair of used Carmina bourbon Cordovan wingtip oxfords in Peru. Only the soles were changed but they are in great shape (one of the blessings of Goodyear welted shoes). Plus, it was a total steal in Mercado Libre. The collection keeps on growing.
I got the exact same Shell Cordovan Burgundy in Soller last. It's a bit uncomfortable at first but it is stunning indeed. I get looks at my shoes all the time!
I got a (lightly used) pair of dark brown suede chelseas in the Oscar last on eBay for $80. Best shoe purchase of my life. They are simply gorgeous and a pleasure to wear. I'm wearing them out tonight, in fact.
Currently in Barcelona for work, picked up 3 pairs. Gorgeous and fit beautifully
Due to lifelong Orthopedic problems and the need to put orthotics in my shoes, I went to Carmina's store locally at 45th St. in New York, hoping I could get fit with a quality pair of dress shoes that I could fit my orthotics into and wear comfortably. Instead, I was met by a pushy salesman who was just hellbent on selling whatever they had in stock. When I got home and double checked the Detroits he had sold me, I saw that my orthotics were in fact cutting into the sides of the shoes, and would in no time be damaging the linings. Although I could probably get a perfect pair of custom Carminas for myself, I can't trust this company anymore. I'm just taking these shoes back.
Excellent review, very thorough as usual. I had a similar experience with Oliver Sweeney when returning a pair of ill fitting shoes. It cost so much as I had to pay the postage and the tax (having already paid tax to receive them!) I would have been better off selling them online. I was quite shocked (even though I'm from there). The customer service here in Shanghai is excellent. Free returns, full refund, no questions asked.
This is a good video. I bought a pair of shoes from Ace Marks based on your recommendation. They look fantastic. A little tight but need some breaking in. Do you recommend Carmina over Ace Marks?
Ok I can't really see the logic with the customer service thing. He got a pair of shoes, they were discounted at a later time and he wanted that discount for his previous purchase. I've never seen any store do this for any product.
It it's common in the US - ok, different place different culture, but I've seen this 0 times in Europe.
Bad customer service here is having a problem with the way a product works, calling them and they go "well it works fine in the store sample, so your works fine as well". Had that with a Chinese electronics company at one point. They instantly lost me as a customer.
I've absolutely had a company do this for me - ordered a product from an australian company which then went on sale three days later, reached out on Instagram and they refunded the difference no questions asked.
That company wasnt a shoe company, but even so at most high end clothing companies, you are given some kind of extended or lifetime care for your products (e.g. being able to send them back at any time to be repaired), so that serves as an example of the kind of service you might expect from that level of company.
Charging 35 dollars for shipping to return a 300+ dollar purchase does not fit in with that picture of what good customer service is.
The way i see it, the granting of the refund wld have represented good (as in, *above average*) customer service - but its really the insistence on charging for returns that knocks them down a step further from average to below average.
@@owenopi8694 I see your point and i'm 100% sure it is a good business practices that will generate return customers.
Still where i live this would be considered above and beyond for any company, even the high end once.
I’ve been waiting for this episode ever since I got into expensive shoes and decided that shoes over $150 weren’t a rip off.
Shoes *less* than 150 can be more of a ripoff when it comes to "leather" dress shoes.
My dress shoe journey went from Mezlan --> Johnston and Murphy --> Allen Edmonds --> Carmina. Carmina is the best of that bunch by a wide margin.
Not bad, their selection of leathers and the fact that they sell balmoral boots intrigues me. Think I'll have to go to them for a couple of pairs of balmorals and maybe some of those woven Chelsea boots I saw you wearing. The monk straps look great too, but at the same price I'll have to compare them to AE. I like the AE styling of most of their boots more, but those balmorals and woven Chelseas are just muah!
First off, I am a Carmina fan- which makes me biased. I also like my Allen Edmonds- and even my many times resoled Johnson and Murphy plain toes- but as you observed the Carmina shoes are in general next level. That noted, I had a good experience with their customer service. The first instance was on a not in stock item that needed an eight week lead time. I was unclear on the specifics and they explained it to me. The second was on an exchange. This was my fault entirely since I changed my mind on the color after it dawned on me that I only needed so many black shoes.
Great review. I got some Johdpur boots on sale from them in their "Vegano" leather from them that are outstanding, and head and shoulders above AE and the C&Gs I've tried any day. It hasn't come up for me, but it's still a shame to hear about their customer service.
Something to mention about Rendenbach. They will close during this spring and sold out since round about 3 months. So you won’t get such shoes very soon. As an orthopedic shoemaker from germany I think it is very sad because they have been one of the best for soles and in my opinion the best for caps.
I like these videos! Can you do Santoni: is it worth it next?
Awesome review video
Thank you for an excellent review. I recently bought Carmina Double Monk Strap shoes at the NYC store. The shoes are excellent and definitely of high quality. They did take a little while to break-in but are comfortable after a few wears. I wear a size 11 and 11 fit me great. Their customer service in the store was definitely not that of a high quality shoe store but I'm ok with that since in person customer service seems to be lacking these days.
Thank you for in-depth analysis of Carmina products. I’m planning to purchase my first pair of Chelsea boot from them.
I love these “is it worth it” videos 👍
Excellent video!!! Thank you.
Yes Carmina is more expensive than others of similar quality. There shoes are quite nice and I love the vast selection and variety of lasts. And the Custom made option entertains me for hours and I am waiting for a sale before pulling the trigger on a few more pair from Carmina. Every man who like well made shoes needs to own Carmina.
Their custom MTO program is really nice. I have designed and ordered a few pairs from them that way. They offer a nice variety of leathers, styles, sole types, and the details I find are a good step up from Allen Edmonds. I will say though that I prefer to save my money a bit more to go with something of even higher quality like from Antonio Meccariello in Italy or Gaziano&Girling in England.
This
Vass is a good in-between level from Carmina & TLB to Gaziano, Stefano Bemer etc
@@soreliansorelianism6802 I have seen some stuff from Vass. It’s also a good option for that extra middle ground. Not too pricey for the value. When considering the jump in detail you get though when going for a Gaziano shoe or Stefano Bemer or Corthay or Enzo Bonafè, then it’s really worth it for me to buy the higher end shoe. Bespoke shoes from those 4 makers are worth it if you can afford them.
@@soreliansorelianism6802 It’s all about what you’re willing to pay and what you can afford. You find great makers offering great details for a lower price because they might be direct to consumer, but (generally) the more you pay, the more you can get for that money. Bespoke is expensive but it’s really worth it when considering the quality of work you’re getting
Do either of those produce balmoral boots? I'm wanting a couple pairs and pricing them.
Love the subtle Ft. Belvedere Peccary plug
Would love an episode on Shoepassion, I know you have a pair. They are extremely unknown around the big forums, despite being in operation for over 10years. I see them as similar quality to meermin at a similar or better price depending on sales (which they have often, unlike most brands). They also have a GYW line for ladies, similar to carmina here. I think their line of modern styles makes most interested parties uninterested compared to the manufacturers with purely classic styles.
Regarding Peccary shoes, Antonio Meccariello also makes MTO/Bespoke shoes in peccary leather, in case you are interested.
Definitely agree with this. More people should take notice of Shoepassion. Also, Meccariello is one of the best and has a many number of different exotics.
Generally I say yes depending on the shoe. Love visiting their Barcelona store not exactly Meccariello but still fine quality.
Once you try Meccariello, it’s hard to keep from getting addicted.
Hi there, thanks for your amazing content. It would be great if you could do a video recommendation on how to deal with a second and third date and what to wear etc...your first date "what to wear video" was fab but would be great to have some guidance after that. Thx
Great job on the videos. Quick question: Have you done a video on wet weather clothing/accessories?
We certainly have! www.gentlemansgazette.com/rain-gear-for-men/?
@@gentlemansgazette Excellent! :)
Out of my small collection of crockett's, church's, carlos santos, alfred sargent and loake 1880's, my two pair of Carminas have stood the test of time better than anyone else.
Extremely high quality comment
This can't be true .. I had all of the english quality shoes from John Lobb, Edward Green down to Crockett Jones and Church's. Nothing ever beats a pair of Church's regardless of price! Those shoes are build like a bank vault. Carmina may be good but they don't stand a chance! Also, I highly dislike the Carmina last styles.
Great video as usual. Nice pronounciation of the Spanish names!
i have allen edmonds in the park avenue and bond street in addition to other styles. i do agree with you in that carmina is a better shoe in terms of leather and construction but allen edmonds is still a good entry level luxury dress shoe.
Hey, great video. Needed on help with a decision. I am ordering a bespoke captoe oxford. I am confused weather to have quarter brogue or plain.. I mainly want to wear it for formal occasions/ office/ client meetings. Please advise.
Beautiful shoes like always. While I'm not a fan of the brand, I've always admired and loved their good value that they bring to the shoe community.
Ordered Black captoe shell last week.
Excellent video
Great video
Carmina is an excellent shoemaker. Best in this price range IMO, and really, the best overall value by a pretty wide margin over competitors like Allen Edmonds, Cobbler Union, TLB Mallorca, Alden etc in my experience
I was on the fence about this brand. I do not do business with any company that is notorious for poor customer service. Thank you for saving me the mistake.
Kudos on your excellent Spanish pronunciation, deserves to be mentioned.
good video!
I love the Carmina Shoes ,the Quality is perfect.
Hi everyone, any opinion on installing toe plates on formal shoes? Is it an oxymoron to have walker contraption in an “indoor” shoe?
They look nice. Will check them out.
What products would you recommend me to make my shaven head shine , Kyle ?
I'd like a pair. Do they sell them anywhere other than online or in their small number of company stores? I'm outside of Philadelphia, and it looks like the closest store is in Manhattan. I know they can be ordered online, but I like to try shoes on before buying.
Hi guys great video, what was the manufacturers name of womens shows you mentioned? My wife is after a pair.
Great jacket and vest
Peccary leather is perfect for loafers due to it's softness and light weight. Many Italian shoemakers use it actually for their loafers, and loafer type footwear.
Excuse me, what is your opinion on gentlemen using parasols?
Gentlemen quezt what dress shoes brand you recommend for the people who have wide feet? I wear 13 wide cowboy boots square toe.
Beautiful!
I wish that the gentleman's gazette would do a video on Dr squatch for is it worth it because I would love to see what the reaction would be but if I had to choose what they could probably get I'd say they just get the hair products the deodorant toothpaste and the soap they can choose what they like but it would be a good recommendation for all of them maybe even Preston would like it because you know he sweats a lot but that's okay we all have our flaws keep up the work guys
Couple ideas for future videos in this series:
- Rimowa suitcase
- Brioni suit
Since the 1980s, the only dress shoes I've been wearing are Mephistos. French made. The sole is more comfortable and durable than on my Nike's. I still wear a few pairs that are over 20 years old. The comfort of Mephistos is their best feature. They are more comfortable than any sneakers I own. Why walk on hard leather soles when you can have the pillowy comfort of the Mephistos sole? Why wear narrow uncomfortable leather shoes when you can have the super comfy leather top of Mephistos? Mephistos are expensive to buy but if you amortize the price over 20 years, they are cheap.
But their dress shoes don't look good at all. Some people want comfortable classic shoes to wear with a tailored suit. Mephistos look goofy with a tailored suit.
Hello, sir. Could you please make a video about "how to react to a present when you don't have anything to give back like a gentleman"? I'm curious about it, and I really need it. Thank you a lot for your videos.
OMG I been looking at them on IG.
7:15 - Those whole cut shoes looks nice!
This video; It's like I watched the gentlemen of "Downtown Abbey"...
Perfect hand Mader.
"What a fine workmanship !!!"...
P.S: I am sorry for my English.🕊
So i would love to hear your opinions of LMD (Le Majordome) coming out of my home town Zürich production in Spain and recently expanded overseas and opened a shop in NY City! Let’s see a review of LMD ready to wear shoes
Carmina has also ladies shoes, I buy these ,when possible, travelling to Madrid.
Wonder what happen to my shoes! There they are getting torn apart!!! Just love it!
As a man of modest means I buy my dress shoes from 3DM Lifestyle. For the price they are attractive, comfortable, and a great value. I'd enjoy knowing your opinion of them.
I had to look them up! How do they compare to Thursday Boot?
I am Spanish. Asking for the application of a discount retroactively in a Spanish company it is not only a huge disrespect to the company, but probably that company does not want you as a client anymore. It's almost an insult.
I wish I had watched this video a couple of weeks ago before I ordered a pair of Oxford whole cut from Carmina. I’m a 12 in US size and ordered the 11 in UK. It’s also in a wide so we’ll see. Those double monk straps Kyle ordered looked great by the way. Nice review.
I’m under the impression that Crockett and Jones is a much higher quality than Allen Edmunds. My Carmina are very nice. We’ll see how they hold up over time.
Well since you did Carmina...now time to do TLB!
Great video. I have 2 pairs of carmina boots. I love em. I do wish their soles had slimmer waist like TLB. Carmina's MTO program may be the best in the business because of the variety of leather they offer.
They have a MTO special two times a year (or so im told) where you can customize a shoe/boot without an upcharge.
Their customer service is kinda meh. It took several days to get replies to my emails.
I would love to see a Is it Worth It? on Cobbler Union.
I wonder how they compare to English brand, NPS / Solovair?
Are the Carmina shoes still made in Spain or now in China???
A friend of mine owns nothing but Carmina and Ludwig Reiter. He swears by their "forest" last.
Their forest runs narrow for me. Their Forest-EEE on the other hand fits my feet like a glove. Love it.
22:20 why would they refund? He already agreed on the price. A deal is a deal, isn’t it?
Agree completely!
Hold. What type of grid do you need???
I still have my Allen Edmonds shoes as they are well taken care of and will last a long time at this rate (the covid lockdown actually was a blessing in disguise as I don't have an extra 2+ years of wear and tear on them) but I have been eyeing Carmina shoes for a few years now. Wanted to buy them when I finally get around to purchasing a bespoke shoe, so this review video is going to be very useful and relevant to my decision making
bespoke suit*
Could you review the y by yeosal brand please sir
I heard that Carmina shoes are no longer made in Spain, but Columbia. Is this true?
I think these are good shoes, well make and high quality materials. It all depends on your foot!. Does anybody have any experience from Hammerstein shoes?, a German brand made in Berlin. Thanks and all the best.
I just binge watched almost all of the videos I now feel like I am a British butler . I feel mighty fine now
Is it usual in the US to expect the seller to give you a discount if the product goes on sale in the return period?
I live in the UK and have never come across this before. TBH if I someone tried that I would consider it extremely rude, but the US seems to tolerate a lot of consumer requests that we find pretty unreasonable.
You guys should do a video on shoe brands to stay away from for beginners in menswear or beginner brands that can help you learn the difference of good shoes vs bad shoes! It would have certainly helped me in the beginning of my journey.
An interesting idea! What brands would you consider in that list?
@@gentlemansgazette Lots of internet "made to fit" micro brands are an example (parisian gentleman / sartorial talks made a subject on that if I remember well)
Yes.
how comfortable are they in comparison with AE and Crockett? Shoe comfort is as important as appearance
Just as comfortable
Now I find the remark on European vs US customer service particularly unfair and based on really exotic prejudice.
Take for example a friend of mine, who had pair of Carlos Santos shoes on sale. When it arrived, it turned out it was the wrong fit and he had to go for a higher size. Despite the fact that that higher size was out of stock and the model discontinued, they MADE A PAIR SPECIALY FOR HIM. Different culture indeed...
Although if I were them, I would have given you a 85$ discount code, but you can't really expect them to give you free cash for no good reason - the deal was done in good faith. I think our perspective might have been spoiled with loss-making-take-over-markets Amazon customer service, and we expect craftmen to abide by those unreal economical logic...
@@endautrestermes I feel like it's just american culture wanting to speak to the manager
Yes, it's worth it watching the video.
I recently tried to make a purchase from your store. I live in Puerto Rico, unfortunately the Island was not listed neither as a country or part of the US. So, I was not able to buy. Thanks.
Hello Vicente. We recommend using a shipping forwarder like www.myus.com to get the goods in this case. Their shipping and logistics is good and you don't have to pay sales tax
00:50 - Gentleman's Gazette pretending to be Rose Anvil, cutting shoes, hahaha!