SHOE BATTLE: Carmina vs TLB Mainline

SHOE BATTLE: Carmina vs TLB Mainline in suede and smooth leather. By the numbers. You should give TLB a try at roughly 60% of the investment of Carmina.

[@darionwinters2542]

You are by far the best shoe reviewer on YT. You are absolutely spot on, and you support your statements with facts - exhaustively. Hats off.

[@wishoeguy]

Wow. Thanks so much.

[@darionwinters2542]

Wi Shoeguy Any chance for a review of Y by Yeossal? It would be interesting to have your thoughts on the quality of leather they use, and whether you like the lasts and finishing.

[@wishoeguy]

I have two reviews out there. Check my playlists.

[@lukeschoenberger86]

Great content. I was leaning Carmina, but I'm really glad I watched this video.

[@wishoeguy]

Thanks

[@orianhernandez4578]

Hi! which TLB last would you say comes closest to the Forest last? Bryan perhaps? looking for a softer profile to the Goya/Oliver, since they are beautiful but too "sleek".

[@paulkissiah8083]

OMG! Really comparison

[@AhmedMagdy-yy5gf]

Great video 👌👏👏👏

[@melvinjones3895]

You could take a magnet and see if there is a steel shank. How about the shank plastic, fiber glass, wood. Hickory wood??? I guess I will have to see Rose Anvil who will cut them in half. But I will be looking at TLB. Thanks a lot. A

[@chuckboyle8456]

Very nice presentation & analysis, thanks! Great examples of the shoemaker’s design and construction skills. Are these makers really duplicating the Dainite sole quality in-house, or just exploiting a very respected product?

[@wishoeguy]

I haven’t noticed any significant difference in wear compared to the Dainite soles and it may in fact wear better like the vibram version(per the cobblers I know). I find the feel of both to be quite similar to Dainite.

[@frankrizzo7185]

Which size for tlb would you suggest I get? I am an allen edmonds 9.5D. I like those split toes w/ jr soles. I used the hanger project kirby Allison to resole my Allen Edmonds with a JR sole and they (Iim McFarland) did an impressive job. Very good review, thank you.

[@wishoeguy]

I would go down a whole size to an 8.5

[@AitorAlopez]

Hi WI, you should include size comparison, because guys like me get confused with US sizes, UK sizes. And some shoes like Carmina and Meermin they run only half size down compared to UK I don't know about TLB Carlos Santos and other brands. I really appreciate your time and consideration greetings from California.

[@wishoeguy]

Greetings and thanks for watching. The size comparison is going to depend on the last and shoe as well as what you’re comparing it to. I published a last comparison in my collaboration video with Michael Baldinger about Meermin. In general I take a 11D in all US shoes except the Alden Aberdeen last in which I wear an 11E. I wear a 10 in Meermin and Carmina except the Carmina Simpson last (which is narrow) and I go up to a 10.5. For the LPB last in J Fitzpatrick I take a 9.5UK or 10.5US. I did this because I had an 11.5 US in the past when my foot was wider and I realized this last is cut wider and longer than others. I’m undecided on other JF lasts because I was wearing the 11.5 on all my shoes and they got too big when I lost weight (a lot...). So I will decide on my next buy. I’ll probably go 11 US. Don’t mean to confuse you, it’s a very complicated subject because every brand is different to some degree and often within the brand.

[@pattgsm]

Love that you are a Marvel fan. I think you would enjoy Rob Jefferson’s KZbin channels “Comics Explained” and “Pop Culture Explained” he’s equally knowledgeable and passionate about his topic. Like yourself, he is arguably the best of the best at what he does on KZbin.

[@wishoeguy]

Thank you for kindness

[@henrykissinger65]

Hi, could you please share with me how we could remove the cracked ageing wax on the toe area of a pair of calf skin shoes?

[@wishoeguy]

I would use saphir renovateur and pressure to get it to melt back in. If that doesn’t work acetone or rubbing alcohol (without pressure or you’ll strip the finish)

[@drzaius844]

Super late reply, but is you leave shoes in warm sunlight outdoors for 20 minutes, you can simply remove the warm wax with a clean rag.

[@bassamshukair7450]

Can you advise me according to your experience please ...I'm planning to buy from one of them but don't know to go with Dainite sole or JR sole...double sole or single one 🤔

[@wishoeguy]

All depends on what you like. The JR sole does cost quite a bit more but in my experience with other brands lasts a bit longer. It’s 30% to Customize plus a $40 up charge if you like the options on the RTW option I’d probably just go for it. Dainite is important if you work on marble or linoleum all day and the leather will be slick. If you work on other surfaces I personally prefer leather and just use Dainite for weather or casual. Hope that helps.

[@bassamshukair7450]

@@wishoeguy thank you a lot but is there a different between single sole and double? Or not noticeable

[@wishoeguy]

It’s not really noticeable. Just depends on what you like. If you’re not sure I’d go with single.

[@MrCoachab]

Wi Shoeguy does the double sole last any longer than single?

[@wishoeguy]

@mrcoachab that’s a great question. You would think so wouldn’t you? It depends on how your shoes wear. I just ordered a pair of shoes that had a choice between 6 mm soles and 10mm soles. I would bet you that the 10mm would last longer, but when you add another layer of soles and it wears through the first one, will the wear spot be solid enough that you can wait to resole? I think this rather depends on if it’s the edge of the shoe or the middle of the show and how the wear progresses. I’m afraid the answer is probably but it depends. Hope that helps!

[@absk601]

Only in America, can someone talk about dress shoes with a Captain America shield, and Thor hammer in the background! 😆

[@scottkaneko9582]

Price wise, I don't feel like this is a fair comparison. Even the higher end Aritista collection from TLB is less expensive than a Carmina shoe.

[@KMaybach1]

I heard, that TLB uses leatherette for the lining of their Mainline shoes? Can you confirm this?

[@wishoeguy]

It doesn’t feel like leatherette. I just checked again. It feels like leather. It’s not full grain leather like on a GG, but feels real.

[@KMaybach1]

@@wishoeguy okay, good to know

[@James_Edward59]

Great video but I’d much rather pay the extra for the Carmina’s and the history and heritage and reputation that comes with Carmina than a company that’s only been around a couple years but to each his own.

[@wishoeguy]

I hear you. Carmina also has Cordovan which TLB is not planning to add. Their selection at Carmina is also much broader.

[@pwsod]

Nice hat, however your forehead and eyes are in shade. Interesting comparison.

[@wishoeguy]

Fair point. I will watch that in the future.

[@pwsod]

Wi Shoeguy yes it is good to see your eyes as they show just how much you enjoy your obsession.

[@pwsod]

Wi Shoeguy Yes is is good to see your eyes and see just how much you enjoy our obsession.

[@pwsod]

Oops I seem to have sent it twice but with a slight change.