#balmoralboot

Upper: Suede Colour: Polo Design: Balmoral Boot Sole: Single sole Model: 80092 Price: 3980sek Last: Robert Size: 8UK Width: E Source: Skoaktiebolaget

Leather

Shot taken in participation for #shoegazingfriday in IG

Ever since owning my first pair of Carmina shoe, especially in suede material, I have high expectation from their suede shoe. The buttery smoothness of their suede, plus the iridescent effect when brushes in one direction, present a kind of standard that can’t be matched by other shoemakers. Well this pair is not as much as what I have expected to be buttery smooth, only in certain part of the boot, especially the upper and cap toe area. I reckon for boot you need a large hide to make them up, you need to sacrifice certain degree of finishing. The finishing result might be better if you have ordered oxford or derby instead. 

Front side view

Fit

This is my first new last (Robert) from Carmina after owning Simpson and Rain last. I have tried Robert last during my Hongkong trip earlier this year and they fit differently. 7.5uk on a single monk feel tight snug for me hence I ordered the balmoral boot in 8uk. It fit comfortably but somehow I feel that I can still go down to 7.5uk. It could be due to the fact that it’s suede material as opposed to calf which I tried in Hongkong, stretching the size slightly by a bit. But having said that, it is a boot design so sizing in this case is forgiving. Plus the fact that this pair will be worn during winter that the size needs to cater for thicker sock. The boot shaft is very soft due to its suede material. I have some friend who has worn other boots that is very stiff in the boot shaft. Overall I am happy with the fit. 

Front view

Round roomy cap toe

Conclusion

Side view

In retrospect, this is a fine pair of boot well made from Carmina. The overall design looks well balanced in term of the boot shaft height together with the round roomy toe cap from Robert last. The straight punched line at the cap toe completes the look. If not for the fact that the suede finishing is not as perfect as my Carmina tobacco adelaide, I will give it a full mark! 

In the wild shot 1