Adelaide Shoe Battle: Carmina vs TLB

Adelaide Shoe Battle: A look at TLB Mallorca 121 Artista vs Carmina 80610 Simpson.

[@melvinjones3895]

I'm saving up for Carmina. Thanks a lot

[@wishoeguy]

They’re wonderful shoes

[@sosomiz]

It should've been the Goya at TLB vs the INCA last at Carmina for more similarities

[@garthwright6308]

TLB Mallorca Artista collection all day! The absolute best value for money in the shoe game. I'm getting the Artista 110 in burgundy wingtip next 🔥

[@justfaceless9388]

Thanks for the comparison!

[@tombaily29]

No sales tax on TLB though. That's something to consider, too.

[@bishop1shox]

Hello, can I get TLB in a wide width ready to wear shoes?

[@robertc9155]

The Carmina is exquisite

[@mbshoedoc]

Great comparison John, beat me to it ;)

[@scottbredin2882]

Interesting as always! Can you explain any functional differences between the kid and calf leather linings?

[@wishoeguy]

Kid is thinner but that’s it that I’m aware of.

[@kojiattwood]

Close battle! Seems like you slightly favour the TLB?

[@HighGrade_FireBlade]

You can get a JR sole with TLBs MTO program.

[@johnw9177]

And it doesn’t cost much. Customs from TLB aren’t much more than a reg priced pair. Worth it is an understatement.

[@ct18]

Great videos on your channel! I’ve been looking at Carmina, TLB and AM for a cap toe Oxford. My preference would be the TLB, but I am on the narrow side of D in 11.5 US. TLB really only has the one last with two different toe styles, and they are reportedly TTS maybe slightly wide. I was surprised that you had the Simpson last being on the wider side of US D width. Everything I’ve read on Simpson is that it runs quite narrow and low volume. Last, the AM is gorgeous and I’m looking at the Aeris Principes 2. I’ve heard they run slight narrow. I’m really torn on this and my gut tells me that TLB is going to be a loose fit for me. Any insight you can provide on the width and volume of these 3 would be really helpful!! Great shoe collection btw!

[@ct18]

Forgot to mention looking at cap toe Adelaides. Thx!

[@wishoeguy]

Check out the MTO side of TLB. They do offer marrow widths. I just placed my first one. Will post when it arrives.

[@wishoeguy]

The principes 2 will likely run narrow but I’m not sure it’s C width narrow, but I’m a D and size up for the Argentum line so would do the same for Aeris. You should call and speak directly to Antonio or a member of his team. They may ask for your feet measurements. I do size up on Simpson too for Carmina. You probably don’t need to if you’re narrow. Btw I’m very sorry I didn’t reply earlier. I never realized comments could be held on a spam folder and just found it. Be well!

[@scandihooiigan]

You’ve probably stated this before, but may I ask what your standard US shoe size is?

[@wishoeguy]

11d

[@realwvufan]

Wisconsin Shoe Guy, great review as always. Good timing, I’m actually making that decision between those 2 as I write. What color are the Carmina’s? Dollar for dollar, just comparing the two shoes, minus all the options for MTO’s, which would you chose? Thanks.

[@wishoeguy]

I tried TLB first for this style. It was my first example of a fiddleback waist and outstanding quality. If you have a Carmina last that is perfect, I’d always place fit above all.

[@realwvufan]

Wi Shoeguy thanks buddy. Sadly, I don’t own any Carmina’s, my first plunge into a nicer grade of shoes. (Been sporting Johnston & Murphy & Cole Haan for way too many years now. I have more pairs of those brands than I care to share)! Lol! At 61, I decided I’ve finally grown up now, and I’m ready to change my shoe game. This will be the first go at it. This working from home deal has me shopping more than I normally would. I’ve been looking for at least 5-6 weeks now, doing my due diligence. The price point for the reported quality appears to be solid on the TLB’s. They’ve not been around long enough to compare to others, as I understand it. On another note, I’m usually a US 13 D in the above brands. From watching your posts, would it be safe to say that your foot runs somewhat on the wider side? How did you find the Picasso last width wise? I’m thinking it will work, won’t know till I try I guess. Hell, I’m already plotting out the second pair! 😉 Thanks again for sharing and what color are those Carmina’s you just reviewed? Do the Carmina’s not have a beveled waist? I know, way too many questions, right. Anyway, any advise you can share is appreciated buddy. Thanks for the review.

[@wishoeguy]

When I lost a bunch of weight I went from an 11.5E to an 11D. I wear a 10 on Carmina and TLB. TLB doesn’t run narrow but it’s not particularly wide either. I’m probably the widest D there is and it’s fine but not roomy. For Carmina you can elect a Detroit last or Oscar last that are wider. Food for thought.

[@realwvufan]

Thanks buddy. Always a solid US 13 D, I’m thinking the Picasso in UK12 will work. Worth a try.

[@wishoeguy]

Best of luck. Let me know what you think!

[@tianningli747]

Hi, you mentioned TLB has a bespoke program and is very well-known. I was very interested so I googled it but have found nothing. What program did you mean there?

[@kojiattwood]

Wasn't aware TLB had a bespoke option; perhaps he was referring to the customization program.

[@mbshoedoc]

At first I thought you meant the MTO customization but he definitely said bespoke program. I am totally unaware of that.

[@wishoeguy]

I’m sorry. The founder, Toni Llobera Barceló, has a history in handmade and bespoke but not under the TLB brand. The brand itself is relatively new.

[@mbshoedoc]

@@wishoeguy Ah,makes more sense 👍

[@jackchen4508]

Wish tlb has shell cordovan. Trying to do navy shell tassel for my next pair. Also Carmina has custom weekend twice a year at least, according to their sales person. The upcoming one is in oct.

[@reklanora]

TLB was supposed to have shell this year but it has been posponed due to coronarivus obviously.

[@jackchen4508]

reklanora that's cool. From Horween?

[@wishoeguy]

Great question. I’m not sure that’s known until they do it. Each of the different shell tanneries brings their own advantage. I hope they do bring shell and hatch grain as options.

[@thatxonexguy5438]

@@reklanora dang that sucks. I was really considering getting carminas, until i found out about TLB just today and was on the lookout for when they would carry shell haha. Any other brands that are good for shell cordovan shoes?

[@wishoeguy]

Allen Edmonds, Alden, Crockett and Jones, Trickers, Heinrich Dinkelacker, ascot, Yohei Fukuda, Paraboot, Vass, Enzo Bonafe, zeb, yamagachi, Löf Tung, Shoe Passion, Paolo Scafora, Meermin, GAZIANO and Girling, Edward Green, Antonio Meccariello and St Crispins all make shoes in shell cordovan in addition to Carmina. I also believe a number of small shops will make it too if you provide your own shell, like Hephaestus. I’ve got a pair by Barker as well that was done as a private label for Edward & James. You also have the boot manufacturers that use it from Wolverine to Lucheese. In the USA it’s important in shoes that it says shell cordovan because many brands use cordovan to represent the color burgundy. In other countries they just say cordovan for the leather type. I’m sure this list isn’t exhaustive, but it’s a good place to start.

[@geraldogalarza9089]

on the barrie last I am a 9.5d and on the 65 last allen Edmonds I am a 9.5e how would that translate to in the carmina brand for some black captoe oxfords

[@wishoeguy]

On the Oscar last I would say and 8.5. For the Forest last and Rain it would either be 8.5 or 9. Depending on how wide your foot is exactly. They’re kind of in between. On the Simpson I’d wear a 9. I don’t own the other lasts so can’t help you there.

[@gyahahaandkyahaha1345]

@@wishoeguy 8.5 or 9 UK or are you talking about U.S sizing here? I'm an 11.5 US Brannock, I wear a size 12 in most casual sneakers and an 11.5 in most boots. So should I go 10.5 UK size?

[@wishoeguy]

Yes. That would make sense.

[@damonvergel2013]

Carmina has terrible customer service and their quality is diminishing. TLB Mallorca is definitely worth the money.

[@SillytanN]

just received cap toe oxford as my first camina. No big deal to take 2-4 days in addition because out of stock in main warehouse. But the fact is that they forgot to ship my order until I emailed 1 week after my order. Shoes arrived, stains in insole, construction flaw on heel (uneven curve on the heel cap where attaches to heel block), and dirt on outsole (it was very light, but clearly worn marks although exported from auxiliary warehouse). I mean these are very minor and doesnt affect wearability or longevity. But I would ask the staff to get me a new pair if i had the chance to try them on in person. Maybe im too sensitive or maybe its the norm of online shopping, especially when it comes with promotion, i dont know someone tell me. But i got to be fair their staff are polite and ans all my questions and reply within 48 hours.

[@damonvergel2013]

@@SillytanN Sorry to hear about your experience with Carmina. I would return the shoes for a refund. Don’t feel bad at all for getting a subpar product and wanting it fixed. If you are paying a premium price, you should get premium quality and service. TLB Mallorca has gone above and beyond for me. I can’t praise them enough for their quality and service.

[@wishoeguy]

The construction issue isn’t really minor. They should replace for that.

[@SillytanN]

@@damonvergel2013 Thanks guys for understanding my situation and I agree everything of what you said. Unfortunately I desperately needed a replacement as my old shoes had badly damaged outsole, and that is why I considered a pair of good quality RTW shoes that can be shipped to Asia in a few days. I convinced myself those stains are from dirty hands of diligent workers instead of sweaty feet of sockless customers, and the faulty heel will not affect the longevity of the shoes. I also blame myself for not being a patient customer who doesnt mind to spend time and effort to send several extra emails asking for product exchange and monitor the logistics for another two weeks, while receiving a new pair with perfect/better condition is not guaranteed considering their unstable QC. It doesn't affect my opinion that they have high quality leather and nice silhouette, but there are tons of alternatives like what we have found in TLB, ensuring that I will not go back to Carmina in foreseeable future.

[@kurtfrancis6638]

Compare apples with apples, Carmina better looking...........hey that is just my opinion

[@wishoeguy]

That’s a good point. The appeal of the lasts is something I haven’t addressed. Great point.