Meermin Chukkas Review - and Questioning Their "Value”

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[@40OverFashion]

Jon, it looks like they got beat up pretty good in transit. They might want to re-think their packaging. Thoughts on the significant scuff marks straight outta the box?

[@Manaz101]

I thought THE SAME thing!?? Thought it was just me, but I would have been super mad on receiving shoes in that condition. I returned a pair of Allen Edmonds for scratches on the leather. If I'm paying over $100 for a pair of shoes, I expect them to be flawless.

[@xLithePanther]

Expecting anything being shipped to be flawless is ridiculous but so is the scuffing on the boots in the video

[@Manaz101]

@@xLithePanther o contraire mon frere! My wife and I just received custom made sneakers today, both were spotless 👌 AND they came from Vietnam, shipped out last week. Some companies just get it right while others just don't I suppose 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@frankrizzo7185]

Send them back :-)

[@xLithePanther]

Manaz101 then you got lucky. Great for you

[@MBisFrenchy]

I like that you called them out for pocketing the VAT.

[@The_Kavalier]

**Allegedly

[@36424567254]

i mean, technically they aren't, they are just upfront selling them at the same price point (for the consumer), probably the "not discounted" price is to cover the cost of stocking them in the US. As a european citizen this comment sounds a little bit entitled. That being said, I also hate shops that don't offer free returns or at least free exchanges, and having to pay shipping back for a product they shipped damaged is outrageous.

[@davidhalldurham]

Wow, Jon. Thank you for this. I have a pair of suede Chelsea boots that I bought from Meermin's shop in Madrid. Honestly, they're some of the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned and I was thinking of ordering a pair of suede chukkas like yours from the NYC store. Maybe I'll wait to buy them on my next visit to Spain...where they make it easy to get a refund on the VAT.

[@abdullah79195]

I have two pairs of Meermin shoes, love them. Comparable to my ace marks, although I prefer the shape of the latter. I haven’t encountered the same customer service issues. Definitely so,etching to think about. Great product vs bad customer service. Great as always Jon

[@porfirioroumpiroza]

Abdullah S. Ahmad only from photos i dont think that ace marks are at the same level of quality with meermin.meermin seems really high quality

[@S_F_R_]

Free shipping means shipping is included in the price of the shoes. Free return means that the price of return shipping is included in every pair of shoes even if you don't return them ...

[@wynkoop2000]

For outbound shipping yes that can be significant. Return shipping only factors in significantly if you expect a lot of returns. Besides, it’s one thing to charge for shipping, which is moderately ok for a value brand, another to charge for it when you’re returning a defective shoe like he was.

[@S_F_R_]

Charging for shipping is a different approach than what is usually done these days. A lot of brands are going back to that system to avoid people abusing the system. I do agree that charging the return shipping for defective shoe is completely wrong. It might even be illegal.

[@MrSquire10]

Thoughtful update. But seriously, how have you not reviewed Cobbler Union yet??? They just started a new site for those outside the US, but there are still virtually no reviews on KZbin. On par w Carmina, at least, in my opinion.

[@stonemc427]

Awesome video! A while back I think you mentioned you were working on a brief round-up where you review men's briefs. Are you still planning on doing that? Recently made the switch to briefs and curious what your opinion was. Love your videos man keep up the good work!

[@The_Kavalier]

Yessir!

[@raphael2966]

I love meermin shoes despite the stiffness. For me the aubergine vintage naturcalf is the best color, like a calf version of a color 8 shell cordovan.

[@Ya0Yao]

If you live in NY or NJ, shipping is free on every order (even if you just order a bottle of shoe cream). I noticed that because Meermin seems to be the only retailer that carries Burgol shoe care products in the U.S.

[@jarielgt-r7850]

Jon great video! As always.... Can you review the brand CABALLERO WEAR... i dont see to many videos here on youtube... ✌️😎 Take care brother

[@idrese4427]

Badass knife flip in the beginning!

[@devildog412]

I own four pairs of meermin, one being their premium Linea Maestro line or whatever. I'm pretty happy with them but thankfully I never had to make a return, that's where the headaches begin. I had one out of the four pairs with QC issues, just some black glue or maybe polish all around the brogue areas, was a pain in the ass to clean around but it was easier than returning honestly. They are all wearing pretty good. My favorite pair would be the cognac museum semi brogues, I would buy a second pair in a heartbeat.

[@TFM8]

I have 6 Meermin pairs. I'm happy with them at their price. They are indestructible, if its pissing rain I put my Meermins they can take a beating. They are very stiff to the point I need to wear them every day for a week to soften them up and end up with blisters. However once they break in (and the cork flattens) I feel I have too much space so should order half a size smaller if you like them snug

[@archipelago9376]

Hard to say if Ace Marks are directly comparable when most of their shoes are over $300 (or 50% more than Meermin). Thankfully, I've had a great experience with Meermin, but I also have the benefit of living in NYC and was able to try on pairs before buying and not worry about any return/exchange issues!

[@MrSpeedblader]

Hey Jon, what's that polo? Very nice collar and fabric

[@partybees8856]

Kent Wang kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHXIaKNjg5mLqLc

[@mikalrain]

Jon, check out Crownhill Shoes. They operate in the same range as Meermin and have and interesting catalogue. (Incidentally, the store lies just up the street from Meermin in Madrid.)

[@goude19]

It seems like there is always something with Meermin!, but still waiting for the Meermin unlined loafers video.

[@citizenk8125]

Great looking shoes, shame about the scuffs and bruise marks. Looks like they took a little bit of a beating in transit. I'm yet to own a pair of shoes from this brand but am seriously considering it when im next in the market for a pair but as of now im fully covered for fall/winter shoes so will hold out for now. Great content as always, keep me coming.

[@pattgsm]

If Jon doesn’t do another update (I think he’s moved on to $500+ brands), look for more recent reviews. I bought a pair in 2022. Shoes arrived w/n 5 days and the shoes themselves were in great shape. Sent them back for a different size. The exchange was simple and the next pair arrived 8 days after I sent the 1st pair back.

[@B-28]

Dude love your videos. Can you review some Taft brand shoes ??

[@The_Kavalier]

Have already done it! But a follow up review coming soon

[@DavidSaintloth]

Didn't know they had a shop in NYC, going to have to hit it up to see what these feel like IRL. But my shopping cart at Acemarks has like 13 pair of shoe furniture waiting to drop....would take an impressive experience at the Meermin shop to convince me to switch ...though paying almost half per shoe is quite a enticement.

[@Tee-jx2ow]

I've been following you for a minute, you had great content. I was just wondering have you ever review Jeffery West Chelsea boot for anything that Jeffery West produce?

[@The_Kavalier]

First I've heard of them. Will check it out!

[@danielhakimi]

Yeah, they're not there for customer service, and their pricing around borders is definitely set to make you pay the same amount no matter what... But these value brands -- meermin, spier & mackay, beckett simonon, et cetera -- always have a catch, and it's up to you to decide if the catch is worth it.

[@The_Kavalier]

100% Daniel

[@aymanalij]

Would you say the break in on suede Meermins was easier than the leather ones?

[@robertwilliams1286]

I really want their jodphur boot, but agree some things are sketchy. I plan to visit the NYC store to check them out in person. But can you recommend any goodyear welted jodphur boot companies at sup $300?

[@jdwal24]

Question about the “stiffness” - do you find Meermins are stiff even compared to other Goodyear-welted shoes? I can imagine they’re stiffer than blake-stitched shoes like Ace Marks/Beckett Simonon. It would be helpful to know if Meermins are much stiffer than the $400-600 good-year welted brands like Carmina, Crockett and Jones, Cobbler Union. Thanks!

[@pengu470]

I hear the frustration lmao. I appreciate the feedback.

[@pyenme]

Was the suede as roughed up in person as it looked on the video? I understand a little "box wear", but that seemed like a lot - and would take some maintenance to manage them right out of the box.

[@The_Kavalier]

No, that’s just how they were out of the box. Took a Brush to it later and helped a little bit. I would never misrepresent a product

[@vindicator75]

I'm glad you realized you were whining. Lol. Ya, Meermin is still better quality for value than Acemarks because Acemarks is priced at much higher and I think they are mainly Blake stitched. Meermin is best value for price you pay hands down according to build construction. I think you should compare quality of different products at the same price point. For example Meermin and Beckett Simonon are at a similar price point.

[@aymanalij]

Would the leather quality on the Ace Marks be an upgrade compared to Beckett Simonon? I'm sure Meermin has the best leather out of the three but I've heard they are hard to break in, so I'd stick to their suede options and probably go BS for leather shoes.

[@vindicator75]

@@aymanalij have you seen how Beckett Simonon leather turns out after a few months wear on Reddit and blogs? They crease hard. You probably would not want to re sole that in the future.

[@aymanalij]

@@vindicator75 yeah I heard that too. I'm sticking with AE seconds for now.

[@Justmyopinionlol]

these are essentially Chinese made shoes with some Spanish people putting them in a box.

[@kongmw]

is this a prelude to a chukka roundup? 😂 edit: i mock-ordered a pair of oxfords on meermin.es to be shipped to london and they want 10 gbp for shipping? brought total to 180 gbp

[@The_Kavalier]

I used a VPN to do it about a week ago. Not sure what’s up.

[@kongmw]

The Kavalier i did too 🤷‍♂️ maybe it’s just meermin having no idea what it’s doing 😂

[@gwimmer98]

To be honest I really like the look of some of their shoes (not this one though) but I don’t really feel like ordering a pair of shoes online and than having to pay myself to ship them back if they don’t fit etc. and then having to deal with extreme scrutiny when it comes to accepting my retuned shoes... I don’t know, is it worth the hassle?

[@MegaChiefster]

Even their factory seconds don’t look that beat up ! Really wonder what happened there

[@catlettsl100]

How did you manage to get a pair in your size? Every time I check the web page they never have anything bigger than an 11. When I called customer service they said they do not make larger sizes anymore unless you get MTO.

[@The_Kavalier]

the 11 is UK size which is my US 12. Might be worth going MTO if you can't get what you want from Thursday or Ace Marks

[@shahtel]

Surprised you didn’t comment about the suede discoloration that can be remedied with brushing. But have rarely seen that much scuffing or whatever you want to call it right out of the box

[@MrDudewiththeshoes]

For what its worth. I'd rather go to Thursday. I just wish Thursday would do calfskin leather.

[@aymanalij]

Yeah their own "chromexcel" doesn't age as well as Horween's or other full grain calfskin leathers.

[@rcsirish48]

I do like the style but it does look like the suede arrived really scuffed on video. Were you able to brush the nape up ?

[@The_Kavalier]

Brush helped a little but but definitely bad in transit. I look at them as partially broken in as I'd scuff them anyway

[@louishuynh1558]

Can you review patent leather shoes?

[@petehtwe8376]

Quick question! What do you think of side-zip boots like beckett simonon easton side-zip boots? Aren't they feminine?

[@The_Kavalier]

Not at all, I've seen great boots with zippers on the sides and don't think they look feminine as long as the zipper fits the overall aesthetic of the boot.

[@S_F_R_]

How can you compare Beckett and Simonon, and Ace Marks to Meermin ... The first two only sell blake stiched (which is less costly to produce) for the same price as meermin if not more expensiv ...

[@vindicator75]

Also storage fee and they have a new York store, so they need to pay the workers some how

[@danielzag7307]

Shop name or link

[@MichaelSmolski]

At last someone knows the pain I have to deal with relating to getting products, but vice-versa as someone that lives in Europe and normally gets products form the US, hehe.

[@The_Kavalier]

I know, US companies to other companies aren't bastions of value or simplicity either.

[@seanhuynh5184]

those shoes do not look good. not worth the headache.

[@Jaguardragoon]

They keep the pricing to deter grey market dealers or individuals buying back into the EU at lower prices.

[@undertoneboy]

Just got a leather pair for 125 today in black Friday. I bought a pair of boots from crown hill for 240. I could've gotten 3 pairs in my wardrobe if I waited a couple of months. Fuck black Friday.

[@forte9910]

you think thursday is a better value?

[@toddalbert8342]

I have the double Monks in Black and Brown and man OH man they are stiff as boards. Six months later and they are still breaking in to the dismay of my feet! They get complimented like crazy. Not many offerings in 3E width and as such I haven't made another purchase. I reached out to them and nothing promising was derived from their response. Now only one offering is available in HIRO 3E. So looks like its AE being the only 3E width option for me.

[@The_Kavalier]

Wide feet are tough to accomodate outside of AE! Ace Marks has some wide which is nice but very few brands carry them. Always looking out for more!

[@maxwellhoderlein7143]

Brand I have been interested in. Gonna be a definite no from me after this video. Suede looked to be in really bad condition on arrival and even though I like the style, I can't be asked getting something with what appears to be very questionable QC if there is a bad return policy in place.

[@conanchi6564]

What does “finished in Spain” mean specifically?

[@NotstarvinMarvin]

Putting in the laces so it sounds more expensive then saying made in China :D.

[@Ivanmaradonaaa]

It is kinda worrying that those are so beaten up. I'm afraid they won't look good if I order them, since they'll travel to San Diego.

[@idrese4427]

You seem to love suede chukkas!

[@rickybarrientos4543]

I think we are overdue for an underwear review vid

[@The_Kavalier]

In the works ;-)

[@diggidyd2009]

I have a pair of Meermin oxfords and they’re incredibly uncomfortable. They’re well-made and look nice, but have never broken in...sooo stiff still, and I’ve had them for two years but only wear them maybe once a month

[@pattgsm]

diggidyd2009 - Once a month wear is not going to break in a shoe. I don't own any Meermins but I have a couple pair Redwings that were tough to break in. For breaking in a tough shoe, try wearing for 15-30 min every day for about a week in the comfort of your home. Next, switch to wearing them out in the world every 3rd or 4th day for 5-8 hrs for month or 2. After that they should be well broken in and you can go back to wearing once a month knowing that when you wear them again in a month they will be comfortable.

[@TFM8]

I have like 6 pairs from them. Put them every day for a week or two...suck it up and they will break in nicely

[@pmrp12]

That VAT and shipping stuff is annoying. And for a stiff shoe too? Seems that for less hassle and comparable/better quality, Thursday, Beckett Simonon, and Ace Marks are all better options. I’m anxiously awaiting my first pair of AM double monks (same as yours)!

[@coachcleats13]

$195 I'm going to 'Beckett Simonon

[@lele135]

The exchange rates. Now u know what it feels like buying apple products in Germany 😂

[@guerreiroitaliano6952]

👍🏼

[@Dan-lq6dg]

MEERKAT SHOES?

[@jacobchavez4719]

Oh, no. That shipping/return policy is a big discouragement. Sorry, I’ll pass on this company.

[@MSR1187]

Yeah I dont see myself buying from this brand anytime soon

[@robm7449]

Beautiful boots . They look to be scuffed a lot tho.

[@344camh]

Maybe they are taking a loss in the UK.

[@Ivanmaradonaaa]

A company is not taking a loss 😂

[@gjunior2471]

Look nice but I prefer leather soles.

[@MrThomas401]

You have no luck with Meermin, lol, those chukkas looked bunk. I have purchased two pairs from them and both were flawless. Better luck next time .

[@leonpse]

Maybe, they know his name and his reviews.

[@adamr63]

It's ridiculous pocketing the VAT, simply inexcusable. Either they decide not to ship to the US or adjust their prices, the VAT is not theirs to keep, Are those bright spots just the nap or irregularities in the suede?

[@The_Kavalier]

Looks to be from rubbing together when shipping. Mostly worked out with a brush

[@hydroaegis6658]

There should never be shipping costs for returning defective shoes.

[@paulkim5699]

Isn’t it possible that you gravitate towards the AceMarks shoes simply because you had a bad experience with Meermin and not because of a difference in quality?

[@The_Kavalier]

Could be it but it's also the antique brown that I have in AM works best in my wardrobe compared to the more patina'd style of the Meermins I have

[@paulkim5699]

@@The_Kavalier Gotcha

[@1Kent]

If I ever paid $195 for a $20 pair of Chinese shoes and received them in that condition I would pitch such an Almighty fit!🤬(Hi Jon👋😉❤💋)

[@Kevin36007]

Kent tell me where you can these for $20 and I’ll buy them all lol.

[@MayonnaiseOreo]

I have a pair of Meermin leather loafers but had pretty terrible experiences with them in trying to get the right size and having issues with the shoes themselves. I like the loafers but I don't think I'll ever bother with buying from them again.

[@Filioque_]

nice none “bias” review, buddy 😂😂😂

[@jerrysifuentes5012]

Are you going to review the shoes or talk about shipping & receiving? I gave up.

[@donnymac575]

They already look used.

[@shanewright2772]

Do people still wear double monks? Good Lord!

[@timberhills1778]

I do

[@pedrocols]

I have two pairs but lately I rather wear the single monks.

[@seppiluthold5014]

Yes. Many many people.

[@shanewright2772]

Well, there you are. And I thought they were just a fad driven by certain Instagram/KZbin influencers.

[@kongmw]

also as far as price discrimination goes, carmina also does this to US customers. :(

[@The_Kavalier]

🕵🏻‍♂️🕵🏻‍♂️🕵🏻‍♂️🕵🏻‍♂️🕵🏻‍♂️

[@uga.d4173]

Those look terrible... like someone dragged them behind a tractor. Pass.

[@jluttrell2848]

They look cheap to me!

[@minervaaguiar7389]

That’s looks pretty ugly to me.. sorry

[@warriorlike1659]

How come everything you wear and review look super bland and boring looking 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@The_Kavalier]

I like “slow fashion”