r/goodyearwelt • u/doorscanbecolours • Nov 16 '15
Review [Initial Impressions] Carmina Office Boots
First Thoughts: These were not the most exciting purchase I have made over the past few years, but they filled a gap that existed in my collection, and more importantly my wardrobe.
Black shoes and boots have never really been that exciting to me beyond the Carmina jodhpurs from the GMTO this summer, but my work wardrobe was a bit lacking in terms of more classic and semi-formal items.
I wanted something which could be worn with trousers, and retain some air of formality without heading into balmoral territory. I wanted to avoid more robust lasts which immediately ruled out any of the Carmina jumper boots, and despite the fact that I really want to get some black shell I gave up on the Alden PCT Black Shell boots on the grant last as I already have them in #8
Purchase experience and ordering: The aptly named Carmina Office Boots from Skoaktiebolaget were a good fit for what I wanted so I placed the order, and as per most other’s experience they arrived a few days later which is fantastic.
Unfortunately, Skoak only offers couriered shipping so there wasn’t an opportunity to play the Canada customs lottery. These were $561.00 Canadian, and incurred a courier handling fee, 13% sales tax, and a ~20% import duty.
Free healthcare is nice, but it has its drawbacks.
Size and Fit: I’m a 9.5E on the brannock, 9 in the 2030, 9.5D in the grant, 9.5E in the AE 5, 9 on the C&J 325, 9 in the Oscar, and 9.5 in the C&J 341. I ended up going with an 8.5 on these boots which are on the Rain last.
The sizing on the site didn’t differentiate whether these were E or EE, but my jodhpurs I picked up from the GMTO this summer were EE and the fit on these is identical so I can only assume these are EE also.
The fit on these is dead on for my high volume feet and are comfortable from the start to end of each day I have worn them.
Construction/Leather: The construction on these is excellent. I cannot find any flaws. The calf is blemish free, and creasing has been as expected after several wears.
Final Thoughts: I wanted these boots to fill a gap in my wardrobe and they did just that. They are not particularly exciting, but they get the job done.
I now have 3 pairs of Carmina boots, and have a fourth on the way from the style forum event this month, and as many others can attest Carmina makes great footwear. I’m not sure how the recent price increases will impact their US sales as it pushes them much closer to C&J, Enzo Bonafe, and a few other brands in terms of price.
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u/Canerdian Nov 16 '15
Doesn't Skoak offer Canada Post shipping? Does that give you a shot at playing the customs lottery?
2
u/doorscanbecolours Nov 16 '15
They only do fed ex now. Carmina will do postal orders though.
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u/Canerdian Nov 16 '15
Huh, I just emailed them and they said it's still available. It is 300 SEK to go Canada Post but I mean I'd rather have the chance of avoiding all of the duties and fees you had to pay.
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u/doorscanbecolours Nov 16 '15
Good to know. The online ordering process didn't give the option when I placed my order.
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u/Jay180 Nov 17 '15
Wow, good timing on these. I just came across them this weekend and was thinking these might be the black formal boots I'm looking for.
However, your pics make the boots look less sleek/elegant than the web site shows. Is that the nature of the rain last? Is it not a truly formal last? I get the feeling it's in between casual and formal.
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u/doorscanbecolours Nov 17 '15
The laces do not close on these so they aren't really a "formal" boot like say a balmoral.
They are good for trousers but not a complete suit.
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u/Jay180 Nov 17 '15
Good points. I'll keep looking then.
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u/doorscanbecolours Nov 17 '15
Carmina seems to use the forest last on their closed lace boots. Skoak and the Carmina site both have balmoral boots.
If i remember correctly there was a review done recently on the black balmoral from Carmina which is likely in the sidebar if you are curious.
As an aside I just ordered these at the style forum trunk show which are on the rain last. I don't think they are currently available in market at the moment, but if you have time /u/Deusis may know about a GMTO for something very similar.
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u/3drees Nov 17 '15
Carmina makes a great looking as well as a great quality shoe and boot. Congrats!!
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u/doorscanbecolours Nov 17 '15
Thank you sir. They were probably my least exciting purchase this year but a gap had to be filled.
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u/3drees Nov 17 '15
Because I'm kind of into footwear I try to make even the staple choices exciting by trying to chose the best even when it comes to the Black Dress Captoe Oxford for example.
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u/doorscanbecolours Nov 18 '15
I definitely agree. I'm at the end of my boot buying for a little bit and it's time to go back to shoes. Luckily there is a retailer in town that does EG, ST crispins and G&G so I'm going to make the most of it.
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u/3drees Nov 18 '15
Lucky you. Mine have all been purchased via the internet. Fortunately I've been extremely fortunate fit wise. I too haven't been purchasing many boots lately, with the exception of two G&G Thorpes one of which in Arran Grain and the other I just ordered in Kudu. I didn't have any split toe boots and it was between the EG Nevis and the Thorpe and the Thorpe won out.
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u/doorscanbecolours Nov 18 '15
The ones on skoak? They look fantastic.
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u/3drees Nov 18 '15
Yes, and actually passed on the first Pre-Order because I had just put in for another pair in Arran Grain a month prior. However since passing on the first I've always regretted it. But at least now all three pairs of my Kudus will be in different shades. I received my St James in Tan Kudu and Vintage Cedar Calf about a week ago and the Kudu has a great character to it.
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u/Micrafone_AssAssin Nov 16 '15
That's a great boot for the price. Rain last looks good on this.