Carmina
Recommended 22× on r/BuyItForLife
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Chelsea Boots
Elastic ankle boots in brown vegan leather.Equipped with an Alfil sole — half leather, half rubber — for greater comfort.20 mm heel and goat lining. This shoe, like all Carmina sho...
Inca Chelsea Boots 80809
Inca Chelsea Boots
Chelsea boots in black box calf.Finished with a silver sole in a refined goodyear welt construction and full calf lining.This shoe, like all the other Carmina ́s, is carefully manu...
CHELSEA BOOTS 1611 HILLS
Chelsea boots in black braided calfskin leather.With an Alfil sole, half leather and half rubber for greater comfort, 20 mm heel, and goat leather lining.This shoe, like all Carmin...
Madison Women's Chelsea Boots
Women chelsea boots in brown funchal.Goodyear welted on Alfil sole, leather sole microinjected with rubber padding for more traction and comfort, 20mm heel and Kid lining.With a re...
LLUBI Chelsea Boots 80273
Chelsea boots in black waxy leather.Finished with a Silver rubber sole and calf leather lining.This shoe, like all Carmina shoes, is carefully handcrafted by expert artisans, follo...
1490 LLuc High Heel Chelsea Boots
Black chelsea in Vitello.Featuring a Alfil sole, leather sole microinjected rubber padding for more traction and comfort, 40mm heel and Kid lining.This shoe, like all the other Car...
RIDING BOOTS 1506 PERLA
Shoemaker Suede Jumper Boots
RIDING BOOTS 1528 OSCARIA
Botas de montar en cuero rusticalf negro, sometido a un proceso de tumbado que aporta suavidad y textura natural.Construidas sobre la horma Oscaria, con puntera redondeada y espaci...
Semi Brogue Oxfords
Shoemaker Men's Mallorca Goodyear Welted Blue Suede Loafers
Why r/BuyItForLife recommends Carmina
22 mentions from real owners
- #1Dec 26, 2025
Of course no shoes are going to last a lifetime but I’m trying to build a pretty good collection (are made in Japan converse worth it?)
Damn Carminas are that expensive in the US? Their boots are like 500 bucks in Europe. Very good value at that price imo. Love mine
View on Redditopen_in_new - #2Dec 26, 2025
Of course no shoes are going to last a lifetime but I’m trying to build a pretty good collection (are made in Japan converse worth it?)
The world of GYW boots really depends on your budget. Carmina makes beautiful boots, including men's and women's Chelsea boots (though personally I think the Jodhpurs look more distinct and elegant). Their boots will cost you ~800 USD and up, plus you'll probably want shoe-trees to keep them in nice shape. You could also customize them (i.e. pick every colour for every panel, add or remove detailing, etc.). They are gorgeous and will last a lifetime with resoling every decade or so. But they do cost money. If you do consider Carmina, get on their mailing list and wait for a sale. They have various very decent discounts or other sales where they waive the customization fee or include a matching belt/wallet/accessory. Just missed all the biggest sales, but there are sometimes big fashion sales in January as last year's models change (though less so with timeless shoes/boots). There will almost certainly be Valintine's Day sale if not one sooner. If you budget is higher/lower, there are guides in /r/goodyearwelt for different budgets. There is a "bottom", though. You probably won't be able to find high-quality GYW boots for under 500 USD unless you manage to get lucky on something used or clearance. Quality does have a price. In fact, Carmina has two Chelsea boots on clearance right now for 531 USD each... but they're tiny size 38.5 (EU sizing).
View on Redditopen_in_new - #3Dec 25, 2025
I’m in Spain for the holidays, what are some BIFL/quality items I can get here that I can’t get in the US?
Carmina Goodyear-welted shoes. Up there with Crockett & Jones. Arcos steak and paring knives. Carbon steel paella pans.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #4Dec 24, 2025
I’m in Spain for the holidays, what are some BIFL/quality items I can get here that I can’t get in the US?
Out of the ones mentioned Carmina is the only one worth investing in.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #5Dec 23, 2025
I’m in Spain for the holidays, what are some BIFL/quality items I can get here that I can’t get in the US?
Carmina. If you goto Mallorca they have a factory which you can tour. One of the best “excursions” I did and it’s free. At the end you get to shop at their outlet/2nd’s (shoes with any blemishes or defects) store… it’s dangerous because the prices are insane. I wanted to buy everything there!!
View on Redditopen_in_new - #6Dec 23, 2025
I’m in Spain for the holidays, what are some BIFL/quality items I can get here that I can’t get in the US?
AI Overview Carmina loafers generally cost around **€300-€400 in Europe** (like €313-€398) and roughly **$475-$600+ in the US**, depending on the model (penny, tassel, horsebit) and material (like Cordovan), with US prices often including import duties/taxes, making them pricier than direct EU purchases, though sales and specific retailers vary.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #7Dec 23, 2025
I’m in Spain for the holidays, what are some BIFL/quality items I can get here that I can’t get in the US?
Camper is on the massive/mediocre quality. OP, check out Carmina or Meermin
View on Redditopen_in_new - #8Dec 23, 2025
I’m in Spain for the holidays, what are some BIFL/quality items I can get here that I can’t get in the US?
Check out Carmina or Yanko if you're looking for dress shoes - way cheaper there than importing to the US and the quality is insane
View on Redditopen_in_new - #9Dec 5, 2025
Looking for a quality women’s leather belt brand available in the EU
There's so many options... Carmina is actually very good and decently priced https://www.carminashoemaker.com/fr/fr/ceinture-femme?_gl=1*1i49udn*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTUwNzgyODgwMy4xNzY0OTQyMDMx*_ga_64D6YSZ478*czE3NjQ5NDIwMzAkbzEkZzAkdDE3NjQ5NDIwMzAkajYwJGwwJGgw Then there's brand like Bleu de chauffe, La perruque etc
View on Redditopen_in_new - #10Nov 6, 2025
What’s a BIFL thing you bought and now swear by?
Depends on your needs and dress style but some brands would be Crockett and jones, Carmina, tricker’s, Cheaney, redwing, Vass. Avoid luxury brands like Gucci or Prada.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #11Oct 5, 2025
Fairfax and favor ( riding boots inspired footwear ) alternatives
Carmina is the only brand close in Europe I know but they are even more expensive. Try to find a Euro horse riding sub and ask there as you likely won't get much help here.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #12Oct 5, 2025
Comfy Durable Wide Feet and Calf Boots
You do not have a wider foot, you have an actual width size via a Brannock Device as wide means zero. Go to a shoe store and learn your real shoe size. Women's Brannock Device: https://tristaterunning.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/womens-brannock.pdf Again, wider calf means zero. For this you have to try them on in person which kinda stinks because your "perfect" boots may be too narrow. Sylish means zero as well as that's a personal metric. https://www.carminashoemaker.com/us/en/women-boots is an example but they are pricey. Sadly, women's BIFL boots are rare as most are men's. I'd recommend you look for men's boots in your size if you can find them to open up the possibilities.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #13Jun 11, 2025
Crockett & Jones Coniston boots
Great, even better on their Hand grade line of shoes and boots but you will pay more for them. Keep in mind however the Last is one of the most important things when it comes to comfort and since every shoemaker uses a proprietary Last there is simply no way I can tell you how any one Last would fit your feet. I own Carmia, Crockett and Jones as well as many other shoes and boots from various other shoemakers. Carmina makes very nice shoes and boots however when it comes to Crockett and Jones and especially their Hand grade line they would be a step above not only in price but how nice they are when compared to Carmina.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #14Jun 2, 2025
supportive shoes that are also BIFL?
Quoddy makes more women’s styles. Subu or Bedrocks for slip-on type of shoes. Grenson, Tricker’s, Crockett and Jones, Rolling Dub Trio, etc., for everything else. Carmina if you can find anything that’s not made in the last couple years. Definitely look for the Japan-based shoemakers too, sizing is usually unisex. There is a thread on r/Goodyearwelt for women’s shoes.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #15Jun 2, 2025
Need Help Purchasing a Quality Bit Loafer
Of these two I only have familiarity with Carmina and I had a good experience-i think they are worth it and quality
View on Redditopen_in_new - #16Apr 9, 2025
Boots of this style that aren’t made in China ?
Try Carmina (Spain) or Crockett & Jones (England). Both provide better quality, good year welted shoes that can be resoled anytime you need to. If taken care of, they are BIFL.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #17Apr 1, 2025
Men's shoes Uk, which long lasting brands?
Carmina and Meermin are both Spanish companies.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #18Apr 1, 2025
Men's shoes Uk, which long lasting brands?
Carmina and meermin
View on Redditopen_in_new - #19Mar 7, 2025
Ladies, what are the MOST comfortable boots you’ve worn for walking 10k+ steps a day?
My Allen Edmonds Liverpool Chelsea boots are easily my most comfortable boots. I also have some carmina Chelsea's that are nice as well but I haven't worn them as much so they're not as worn in. I can tell they'll get there eventually though
View on Redditopen_in_new - #20Feb 3, 2025
A list of BIFL not made in the USA
I'm following this. For headphones/audio stuff, one of the few categories where tech is BIFL, Sennheiser, Germany is not only BIFL but also way better sound than the alternatives! Meze, Romania are also built like pieces of art and their new models sound like a dream! and Beyerdynamics, Germany are the choice for indestructibility for a reason. For tools, PB Swiss and Knippex, Germany, dominate for a reason. For knives, Victorinox, Switzerland and Opinel, France are not only top notch but also super affordable, and plenty of small French manufacturers if you want something fancier. For clothes, Fjallraven, Sweden deserves the reputation it has, and I'm very happy with my stuff from Seagale, France. If price is an issue, do not understimate the higher end of the Decathlon, France catalogue, it may not be as fancy as the alternatives, but durability is not compromised! For shoes, Carmina in Spain deserves a shootout. Same as Scarpa from Italy for more practical shoes. I know tech is not BIFL but Fairphone, Netherlands makes a repairable phone, and Nokia/HMD, Finland has done some nice repairability upgrades too. Tuxedo, Germany and Slimbook, Spain also sell computers based mostly on Clevo, Taiwan designs that tend to be more repairable and upgradeable than the alternatives.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #21Feb 2, 2025
Womens heels? All purpose work/dress formal shoes.
Carmina.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #22Jan 7, 2025
Seeking recs for high-quality Chelsea boots or other style- type women's boots
Tricker’s, look up their history. RM Williams or Carmina for a dressier style. All of them can be re-soled.
View on Redditopen_in_new