ALLEN EDMONDS VS CARMINA: PROS, CONS, 1 CLEAR WINNER AND 3 HELPFUL INSIGHTS 

Such a good comparison between two great shoe makers. Preston, thank you so much for showcasing the pair of Carminas ive donated. You’ve made them look incredible. Carmina all day

I won't argue that more craftsmanship goes into the Carminas, they are great shoes. That said, I'm not sure what that extra craftsmanship gets you. The hidden threads don't stay hidden for long, and the additional stitch density in the welt may look a little nicer on close inspection, but they don't make the shoe fit or wear better, and the aesthetic advantage is marginal. I won't even argue that overall, all things considered, the Carminas are arguably a slightly better shoe. In sum, if you have the extra money and like the Carminas, buy the Carminas. If you can't justify the significant premium you pay for the Carminas in terms of dollars or value, buy the AEs. Either way, I'm sure you'll be quite pleased.

Allen Edmonds for everyday, Carminas for some days and John Lobb for THOSE days.

Your review was dead-on, Preston! I’ve owned AE’s for over 40 years, and I love the brand. But I recently purchased my first pair of Carmina’s, and I was blown away by the quality and great looks of the shoes. I’m still an AE fan, but they clearly need to do something about their apparent quality control issues.

I absolutely love your channel, it's beautiful to find people that have passion for what they do and the talent to communicate in such a way. I truly hope that you can keep growing your subscribers and helping people get a second life to their shoes.

I am a loyal Allen Edmonds guy. They have a few quality issues from time to time, so I have returned a few over the years. But, generally, they are great shoes and the sale prices make them a great value. Also, I like a more traditional American style rather than a European style. The Allen Edmonds really fit me well and match my personal style. Also they are sturdy and least for many years.

Nice review as usual. I have owned the same Carmina for about 4 years now and re-heeled once. Time for a second pit stop at the cobbler soon. They aged very well and are very comfortable. Loved the sleek design that still offers a roomy toe box. If anything, as it transpires from your evaluation of the welt, I would have preferred a slightly chunkier heel for wider stability.

I don't own a pair of Carmina's yet, but I have been wanting to add a pair of whole cuts to my shoe collection. I love to look classy, so I think the Carmina's is exactly what I was waiting for. Thanks for your review, very honest and unbiased.

Those Carminas are gorgeous. I wish they had a better selection of widths. I can buy a pair of AE in 10.5E, any last, and know they will fit me perfectly every time. Shoe comfort is very important for me, and the width is key. And of my six or seven pairs of AE, I think I paid full retail once. :-) Great video!

Well done man. AE is a solid buy especially on sale and they look great...until you line it up beside a Carmina. Carmina just has such a refined elegance and sophisticated last design...they are gorgeous shoes. I have both, enjoy both but if you can afford it...Carmina!

They both are great shoes. You really can’t go wrong with either. Thanks Preston

Very nice review, thanks. One thing that would influence my preference is the number of lace holes. I greatly prefer five rows over six.

The American Oxford is what I have been looking for. The shine on the toe looks good . Being an U S Army vet. We would spitshine the entire shoe front to rear , with them being black of course most of used Lincoln Polish with ice cold water and follow up with just a tab of Nuetral polish and finish until you could read the newspaper in the reflection. I have not heard of your shoe polish before but will give it a try.

New to the Elegant Oxford. Not only do I really admire your skill but I have learned a great deal in the process. I can't wait to hear your review on the Meermin Linea Maestro. I recently ordered a pair and I am really excited to hear what you think. I like that you give straightforward reviews. Keep up the great work!

Fantastic review looking honestly and clearly at two greats. Excellent work, I'd love to see more of this with other brands or even just other similar models. I'd also love to see a review of Loding shoes - they're known in France and have been making an appearance in Canada, and from what I can see are a contender against AE and similar brands.

Clear, concise, professional presentation. Nicely done. Thank you.

Thank you for this video. Some you tubers are in denial about Carmina being a superior brand

In Canada Allen Edmonds is a tough brand to find in brick and mortar locations. In Calgary the only place that is authorized to sell them is O'Connor's. Twice a year they'll have a few models on for $250 CAD but never the park avenues or something like that. For whatever the reason even nordstroms and saks don't carry them. I nearly bought a pair of wing tip blucher AE's seconds but after shipping and before import taxes they were going to go for $275 CAD, which was getting to be a bit much for damaged stock. I opted instead for a pair of Miles and Louie wing tip bluchers for $175CAD all in which I know will be defect free and are built as well as AE in my limited knowledge. The point being in Canada Both Carmina and AE are priced fairly exotically so you may as well opt for Carmina. There are AE sales, but they won't be deep sales and they won't be the stock you want. In Canada the brand that is easy to come by with great quality is magnanni. They are everywhere, all the big chains and most of the independents. There's always a sale and always lots of stock. Unlike AE in canada magnanni shows up in nordstrom rack and saks off fifth. I found a nice pair of black oxford magnanni in my favorite local menswear shop for $125 CAD which is cheap as chips. Often you can't get rockport at that price.

Absolutely great review, well informed, well structured and fair analysis. Do more please.

I know this is an old video that probably will not get many more views, but as for Allen Edmonds-I was in the US Army and suffered a major injury to one of my feet. Allen custom made each shoe to fit the foot for no charge, all I did was send them an outline of each foot. Best pair of shoes I have ever owned since my injury. With tennis shoes, I have to buy two pairs, throwing away the one that I cannot wear.

Both are nice! Hard to tell the difference with black leather at both these price points so I’d go with the cheaper pair depending on comfort. For lighter coloured leathers and shoes and boots in general my maker is Edward Green.

Carlyle was my first pair of AE, and I was hooked. 12 pair later they are still my favorite pair.

Great vid Preston. Both great shoe companies. Your point about Allen Edmonds going on sale regularly is the biggest factor. I imagine most AE enthusiasts wait for sales that they know will come. That is when I buy a new pair of AE's. Thus, Carmina's are far more expensive. Making these shoes incomparable for me. I believe AE's are your best value for money.

Wonderful content. I'm hoping to get my hands on or feet in some Carminas soon

AWESOME VIDEO 👏 THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT INFORMATION 👌👍🙏✌️ YOU ARE THE MAN 👊 PEACE ✌️

Hi Preston, thanks very much for the top notch quality content you provide. Would be interested to get your view on Carlos Santos as well (main line & handgrade). Have a cap toe oxford in "new wine" (close to what is now called "wine shadow"), with a mix of brown, burgundy & mahogany and definitely love them (retail at 375€, and got them in outlet at 230 €).

Great video Preston. now if the shoes looked like that when they actually came out of the box you could add another $100 to the bill lol. You made those shoes look better than the factory

I just got my first pair of Carmina oxfords today. They are well worth the money.

Ironically, I don't have a wide foot problem; I have a narrow foot problem. And the thing about dress shoes that I found out when getting fitted at my local AE store is that they should fit more snug to my foot. Being that I'm a US B width, per AE's Brannock device, it just made my hunt for shoes narrow to few brands and I shouldn't buy any more cheap dress shoes (because they either come in D or wider). I never thought I would like AE shoes, but I think I'll be going to them for the same problem you have, Preston: for their width selection. It's this kind of thing to think about that makes certain investments worth it in the long run. I can't wait to purchase my first pair of worthwhile dress shoes.

Preston, like you, I also have a wide foot. AE 8.5EEE fits like a glove. I can wear a 9.5 in other brands, but it just doesn't fit like an AE. That being said, I'll be visiting Carmina next time I'm in NYC to see if they have a last that fits me.

Great review and thanks for sharing

I love Allen Edmonds shoes, (I own many, many pair), but those Carmina's...are simply gorgeous.

Solid review. Very detailed and well spoken.

Can you discuss the AE independence line vs classic line. Independence line is being heavily discounted since they ended the line and I’m curious if you think they are actually better than the classic line.

For these two shoes, how does the sizing compare? I own three pairs of carlyles which I love, but my next purchase will be carmina. I’m just afraid about guessing in the size. Do both of these shoes fit your dad? Mind giving the sizes?

Nice work. I like both but prefer the more traditional look of the Allen Edmunds. The Carminas are a bit too flashy for me. Insightful video.

Man! Those Carminas are SOOOOOOO elegant.

Great video. I have been eyeing a pair of Carminas and am happy you compared them to the AE's. Very informative, objective comparison. Hope you can look at some other brands soon. One in particular I am looking at is Cobbler Union out of Atlanta. They also seem to be in this price range and have some of the finer touches like Carmina. Keep the videos coming!

I have a pair of oxblood carlyles I snagged off the shoebank for a song. Got them well under 2 bills, and no regrets. That said, this year marks my step-up into Carmina more and AE less. Been sticking with AE for a good while now due to being a B on the brannock.

Great video as always ..correct me if am wrong please .from what i know brands tend to put their highest quality in their wholecut range so to compare wholecut with normal cut is not comparing like to like so am assuming a wholecut AE would compete more fairly with a raival Carmina ,please note i've never own either so am only asking ..thanks

Excellent review

Can you do a polish video and review on a pair of Thursday Boots/shoes?

I like how the eyelets on the carmina flare out , beautiful shoe

I wish I could fit in Carminas. My feet are to wide. Great review by the way! Another great video!

I prefer the AE's. They're less formal, more versatile for business casual and better dollar for dollar.

I own a couple of carminas and really like them. I’d add to preston’s review that AE has an easier website to explore( even now than Carmina just launched their new site) . AE matching belts are more expensive than Carmina matching belts in regular price.

Hello Preston, great vid as always. You can make any shoe look like a pair of Carminas lol. I want your opinion on something if you can. Better value...recrafting a pair of AEs off Ebay, with excellent uppers but need a resole, that cost just under $100 or a brand new pair of say Beckett Simonon's that will still cost less than the recrafted AEs? Maybe this would be a good vid idea. Comparing the value prop and pros/cons of buying a used pair of a higher quality brand shoe against buying new from some of these very good DTC brands that are out now. Thanks again for the great vid and comparision.

is mink oil safe to put on the leather bottom sole to condition and water proof?

My biggest problem with Carmina is just what you pointed out. I must have a EEE width in my shoes. The last I checked, that narrows me down to the Rain 3E last and the Forest 3E last. Which means I can choose about 3 styles of Carmina shoes. Unless I go for custom ordered which is a solid chunk of cash extra. Now, there are some shoe manufacturers like Adelante Shoe Co. that are bringing that option head to head versus AE, so I don't know how much longer they can ride on that train. The only other thing for me is that AE is still one of the few that make 3E shoes with Horween leathers as an option. Not just Shell, but others like my new Mctavish in Horween Dublin. Adelante uses some pull up leather, but it's not Horween.

Like you, I need a wide width shoe. In fact, I am an 8 EEE. Allen Edmonds shoes look great, even on my feet.

I got a pair of used Carlyles off Ebay for my wedding, I got them half soled and new heels put on.

Bravo, Preston!

Preston, Carmina offers good deals with their Outlet Shoes sections. It's not clear if they are seconds or end-of-line shoes... I'd imagine the latter.

Hi, what Carmine shoe last was used for those beautiful whole cut shoes? Love the silhouette!

Great vid Preston. I'm the guy that sent you the nubuck email. I wish I was a EEE. Seems AE has more stock available. I'm an EE and they don't have as many styles on sale. I usually wear an 11 EE but in AE it's 10.5 EE. Hen's teeth! Those boots you did in the last video were amazing as well.

I think your knowledge of shoes are a nice upgrade.

Very good!

I have but one simple question not related to this video sadly, but how can I fix creases in a pair of Bates dress shoes for JROTC?

I kinda wonder how would you know if you have standard or wider feet for the shoe last. I guess you’d never quite know until you try on a shoe and it feels tight in the size. I’ve not had any issue I can tell from many the leather shoes I have. Yet some shoes do have a tighter instep and can feel bothersome when worn over hours just feels tight on top. Still it’s a curious thing to ponder and know either way tour feet width being standard or wider than normal for a shoe size.

Other brands to look out for are Cobbler Union and J. Fitzpatrick! They both fall within the same price point of Carmina and offer similar details like close channel stitching and sleek designs.

Very helpful.

I'm not a fan of closed channel stitching. After you wear them for a while the leather covering the channel starts flapping around like extra skin and looks bad.

Nice video. What color is the Carlyle featured in this video? Thanks.

With Carmina made to order you can choose any last with any style and have them made. I prefer the Forest EEE. Once you find your last you just order whatever you want with that last.

Great review, I believe AE have better value if you get them on a sale but looking forward to buy a pair of carminas.

I am shining some old shoes now. These shoes have cuts, notches, and chips in the sole-edges. Could I use some sand-paper (about 420 grit) to smooth out the sole-edges?

Carmina is the closest to a high end shoe as you could get imo. I have two pairs, a black derby simpson last and a dark brown single monk strap inca last. Both are awesome pairs and I really don't have the urge to buy a high end pair unless it's strictly for acquiring a shapely, art piece.

very good review

2 great brands. AE on sale are great value and fair price for what you get but I wouldn’t pay full price for AE. They Carmina at full retail are about $100 more than full retail AE but a also fairly priced for level of quality. AE is a strong straightforward formal shoe while it’s Carmina’s fine details and more elegant lasts enters statement shoe territory.

what is the Carmina's EE width? On their site their EE width is a D. I need a US EE so does that mean none of their shoe will fit me?

Would love to try other brands other than Allen Edmonds like Carmina. However I have a narrow foot. Which most manufacturers do not make. I have read Cobbler Union has a narrow last such as the Louvre. Then Shoe Passion also has a narrow last if you choose the Italian and French last. Wish I had a average width foot. I think Carmina does a narrow width if you get a MTM but that is expensive.

What About Comfort? You Did Not Say Say thing About Comfort... What Do You Think The Danish Shoes Ecco? I Can Tell You For Comfort They Are Great..Please reply..Thank You..

Love the video. Very informative. Maybe one day Carminas...maybe one day

Hey, Preston, you wear EEE in AE, how does that transfer to Carmina? I've read that their EEE is equal to US E. Thanks, brother, great vid!

I would love to see you guys do a comparison between one of these and Beckett simonon

Helpful!

Great video, thank you! May ba a video about Meermin shoes? I believe they are a subsidiary of Carmina, are they not?

Very helpful. However, not the same hypnotic charm as watching you shine a shoe.

HI, PRESTON! Hope you've been well! Those Carminas are gorgeous, if I were a Man, that's what I'd wear! 😂 But there's a guy I know that likes dress shoes, kind of a crush 😉. I'd buy him a pair of Carlisles, for sure... Love your videos, Preston!!! 👞💼🎩💯 🌻🌻🌻

Can you do a review on tlb Mallorca vs Allen Edmonds or vs Carmina? They’re around the AE price but with Carmina like build or so I hear

Hello! Just started with shoe shining, but have a question regarding the products I found at home. I have a "Foam cleaner", a brush, and leather balsam. What is the difference between leather balsam and leather wax, if there is any? Reason I am asking is that I tried following your videos but after 5 layers of balsam I never got closer to the "glass shoe" effect. Any tips?? Just to add, great content man! Keep them coming!

If Carmina offered different widths, I'd buy them, but my feet are too wide too. I have to stick with Allen Edmunds. In the old days, all shoes include sneakers were available with different width sizes. Also, Allen Edmunds has two stores in my locations, so I can try them out before buying.

Thank you for this video. The Carmina / European last style is so much more elegant, it isn't even close, to my eyes. But, at $150 on sale, the AE is a bargain! How do you find out about AE sales? When are the Nordstrom yearly sales?

Even though I'm a Edmond Allen guy I seen a nice brogue pair of Florsheim and Ross discount store in my city for 40 dollars, I think it's a good deal what you think

Before watching, Carmina all the way. For me, a shoe is more than just quality, although that’s important. It’s about the emotional feel of it; the beauty. Allan edmunds is very clunky to me. Carmina all the way. Such a beautiful elongated last.

My wide feet keep bringing me back to AE.

Captain, that was perfectly stated.

Wonderful informative video. Unfortunately none is available in India.

I always see people talk about the waist of shoe as if it just impacts looks. Is everybody else's foot just completely flexible and able to accomodate any waist? If I wore those Carminas, half the upper would be on the ground spilling over the edge of the sole (though for me there is spilling over even with an Alden Barrie last)

I like Gaziano and Girling but very expensive. Carminas look great x

The superiority of Carmina styling can be seen a mile away by anyone who cares about style. It is in a entirely different class of shoe than the AE

Hello, Are CARMINA shoes still made in Spain?? or in China??

Nice Seiko SKX

Hello Preston, I hope you are doing well. I have a question for you. I find that most of the brands featured in this channel are sold the states only. When shipping them to europe, most shoes cost almost twice as much when you consider shipping and taxes. Unfortunately I can't afford that at the moment as a student. I find that most european brands in the "under 300 euros" price mark sell poor quality genuine leather with plastic finishes instead of good quality full grain calfskin with aniline finish. They crease and scratch very easily and once the finish is worn out it's impossible to shine them again. I have a hard time finding good quality shoes in europe under 300 euros. Do you have experience with any european brand that you can recommend? I'm looking forward to your response! I think you are doing a great job with your channel and I really enjoy watching your satisfying videos. Keep up the good work! Thank you!

can we review archibald london?

I have 270 degree last and 360 degree lasted shoes. I can tell you that my 360 degree welts have a lot less dings in the heels. BTW fit is king and AE just fits a ton better. Wish I was a 9D but I am not and that alone makes me pass on brands like Carmina.

I have both of these shoes, and there really isn’t a comparison. Even before trying them on, simply holding them in your hands, you can tell which is better. Then, you slip them on your feet and feel the difference. Done. Carmina wins!

The AE leather looks dry vs Carmina on the closeup.

i thought hole cuts were made entirely with one cut of leather.. the carminas obviously have seperate leather for the shoe lace area. am i wrong about this?

If I'm being totally honest. I prefer AEs. I feel Carmina has been having QC problems too recently, and AE has a much better fit range. Plus if sleekness is your thing then why not a Cobbler Union or Carlos Santos? The former has fiddleback waists and the latter is more affordable.