Allen Edmonds vs. Meermin vs. Beckett Simonon vs. Carmina: Which Brand is the Best? (History, Quality, Design）

Allen Edmonds Review 

Allen Edmonds Brand History and Origin

Allen Edmonds is an American upscale shoe manufacturing and retail company. It began in 1922 with a singular focus on exceptional shoes expertly handcrafted in Port Washington, Wisconsin. 

The company made shoes with responsive cork insoles instead of the awkward metal nails and shanks used in footwear at the time. Due in part to his own abilities as a salesman, Allen's groundbreaking designs quickly found a following with anyone who appreciated a lighter, more flexible dress shoe that was much more comfortable from the very first wear.After supplying footwear to the US Army and Navy during WWII, they gained a life-long fanbase among returning GIs.

Currently, Allen Edmonds is operating over 70 stores, and more to their manufacturing site in the United States, they also make shoes in the Dominican Republic and Italy. Allen Edmonds has maintained a vast signature collection of its leather shoes for men.

• Founded: 1922 in Belgium, Wisconsin

• Based In: Port Washington, Wisconsin

• Factories In: U.S.A., Italy, Dominican Republic

• Website: http://www.allenedmonds.com/ 

Allen Edmonds Shoes Prices

The average price of an Allen Edmonds boot or shoe is right around $400. You can find factory seconds or snag a discount on their footwear every once in a while, but their retail price is roughly $400. Some models are more expensive, others less, but the price is in the $400 ballpark.

Allen Edmonds  Shoes Design & Style

Dress shoes is core to Allen Edmonds' DNA. Essentials that define sophistication for generations of their enthusiasts. As the nature of work changes, the most sought-after styles are evolving too. From reimagined lug sole dress shoes to elevated sneakers, this is the next era of must-haves everyone needs in their closet.

Allen Edmonds has an extensive line-up of product offerings and styles. They sell every kind of men's shoe you can think of, from boat shoes to boots to dress shoes. Some of these styles are: Strandmok Brogue, Park Avenue, Sullivan Street, Addison Penny Dalton wingtip, McAllister wingtip, Strand, and Fifth Avenue. 

In the man's world of luxury fashion, Allen Edmonds fills the everyday luxury category. It is accessible for the upper-middle-class business professional, but the budget-conscious might choose an alternative brand and product. The frequently used leather soles aren't exactly the most comfortable either.

Allen Edmonds Shoes Material & Durability

Allen Edmonds has been handcrafting footwear in America using the finest materials from around the world. It's a time-tested practice that involves 212 different steps, 48 pairs of hands and results in what they're proud to call real shoes. In addition to their handsewn collection, Allen Edmonds also utilizes the Dominican Republic factory to cut and sew the uppers of their Goodyear welted collection of shoes. 

Built with best-grade leathers, comfortable footbeds and iconic bench welt that allows for recrafting, Allen Edmonds dress shoes collection of refined styles has set the standard for impeccable dressing for decades. Allen Edmonds has an amazing variety of sizes and use-cases. If you need a dress or work boot that's waterproof and you have a unique foot size, Allen Edmonds is the best place to start looking. 

Pros and Cons

Where to Buy Allen Edmonds Shoes Cheapest?

• allenedmonds.com: up to 4% cashback

• ebay.com: up to 1.86% cashback

• amazon.com

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Meermin Review 

Meermin Brand History and Origin

In 2001, a small artisan shoemaker family founded Meermin, a shoe company in Mallorca, Spain. Meermin is one of the most popular and best shoe brands in the world. The company is a direct competitor with other shoe manufacturing companies such as Loake, Allen Edmonds, etc.

Meermin shoes are now made in China. Previously, the Meermin had a factory in Mallorca. But it stopped making shoes there due to lack of capacity, non-sustainability, and lack of interest of workers.

The brand doesn’t outsource its shoe manufacturing to a third party. The family, who owns the Meermin brand, has also established a factory in China for large scale production of their footwear. They source different types of high-quality leather materials from Europe (Spain, France, Italy, UK) and Japan and ship them to China to manufacture their shoes.

Meermin is so affordable and high-quality shoes at the same time because they don’t have retailers or wholesalers as an intermediate customer. This shoe manufacturer directly sells shoes to its potential customers. In this way, they cut down their distribution costs, which results in customers’ savings.

• Founded: 2001 in Madrid, Spain

• Based In: Mallorca

• Factories In:  China, specifically in Shanghai

• Website: https://meermin.com/ 

Meermin Shoes Prices

Base line begins around $195 for Dress Shoes and $240 for Dress Boots. Some model costs up to $245 new but more on that soon.

Meermin Shoes Design & Style

Meermin shoes often feature a more tailored design compared to American brands, with thinner soles and leathers, resulting in a sleeker look. 

They offer a range of classic styles like oxfords, cap-toe shoes, and loafers, but with a modern interpretation. 

The designs tend to be more streamlined and elegant, with a focus on clean lines and well-proportioned details. 

While adhering to classic styles, Meermin also incorporates modern elements, such as slightly chiseled toe caps or beveled waistlines, adding a touch of originality. 

Meermin Shoes Material & Durability

Meermin shoes are also Goodyear welt constructed. The difference between Meermin and Allen Edmonds Goodyear welting is that Meermin is 270 degree Goodyear welted.This 270 degree Goodyear welted construction is the reason for the nice sleek look of Meermin shoes. 

Moreover, the Meermin company is also specialized in making hand-welted shoes. Hand welted shoes hold better durability and robust construction compared to the Goodyear welted shoes. 

Shell Cordovan is the most premium leather material. Meermin sources Cordovan from Japan, Italy, and Horween (USA).Meermin's  longstanding relationship with the best tanneries in France, Japan & Italy permitted us working close with them, developing new articles, accessing to top grade selections & the highest quality control.

Meermin Shoes are made to last, so your do have to change them over and over again, making them way more sustainable in every aspect compared with a fast-made product.

Pros and Cons

Where to Buy Meermin Shoes Cheapest?

• meermin.com

• walmart.com: up to 1% cashback

• ebay.com: up to 1.86% cashback

Beckett Simonon Review 

Beckett Simonon Brand History and Origin

Beckett Simonon isn’t your usual boot company. Crafted in Bogota, Colombia, their business model is making fine leather products under fair conditions of their employees, facilities, materials and construction. Their practice isn’t just marketing speak: they recently earned their B corporation badge, an enormously difficult to acquire certification that denotes a companywide commitment to standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

A big part of their low environmental impact is also what makes their footwear so inexpensive: each boot is made under a batch process, where they open orders for a month and deliver them straight from their factory in a 8-10 week period. This saves on storage space and labor, and so long as you have the patience, they can make an affordable, high quality product that’s sold direct to consumer. 

Beginning in the early 2010s, this small leather goods manufacturer has evolved to feature a full range of reasonably priced dress shoes, loafers, boots, sneakers, and bags.

• Founded: 2012 in Bogotá, Colombia

• Based In: Bogotá, Colombia

• Factories In: Colombia and Portugal

• Website: https://www.beckettsimonon.com/ 

Beckett Simonon Shoes Prices

Beckett Simonon is nearly $209 for their shoes, and about $239 for their boots. Most Beckett Simonon shoes cost between $239-$299. Sales and coupons for purchasing multiple pairs of shoes can bring these costs down lower.

Beckett Simonon Shoes Design & Style

Beckett Simonon offers many beautiful dress shoes for you. The Beckett Simonon handcrafted Oxford lace-ups are the perfect addition to any gentleman's wardrobe. They condition their leather with shea butter and carnauba wax for a deep color with a natural luster.

The Beckett Simonon Derbies are meant to last you for years, looking great in every season. Simply put, the classic look of a Derby shoe will never go out of style. The best part of the Derby shoe is the leather looks better with age. 

 If you're looking for a classic, high-quality, comfortable shoe, the Beckett Simonon Loafer might be the perfect fit. For a classic yet casual look, go with the Hoyt Suede Monkstrap. It’s similar to the Hoyt Monkstrap with the two buckles but is made with a beautiful suede material that looks great in our dark and chestnut colors.

Beckett Simonon Shoes Material & Durability

Beckett Simonon shoes – which are hand-made one at a time – feature Blake construction, and the outer sole is fully re-solable. 

Blake welting, or Blake stitching, is a method of connecting the upper, insole and outsole together via a single stitch on the inside of the shoe. Blake welting allows shoes to be more flexible and narrow, since the stitch is on the inside of the shoe, and allows the outsole to be resoled when needed.

They also feature full grain calf leather upper and full grain leather lining – full grain leather being the most expensive and aesthetically-pleasing kind of leather – as well as sturdy and re-soleable leather soles and extra durable rubber heels.

Beckett Simonon makes their boots and shoes to order, so they can take several weeks, and even up to 3 months to arrive, but the wait is worth it. They offer incredible value for your money—especially because of their leather quality.

Pros and Cons

Where to Buy Beckett Simonon Shoes Cheapest?

• beckettsimonon.com

• poshmark.com

• ebay.com: up to 1.86% cashback

Carmina Review 

Carmina Brand History and Origin

Carmina Shoemaker was founded in 1866 when artisan Matias Pujadas opened a workshop in Inca, Majorca, where he began crafting tailor-made shoes. Generations later in 1997, Pujadas’ great-grandson, Jose Albaladejo, was diligently keeping the family tradition alive when he decided to create Carmina Shoemaker with the vision to make some of the world’s best hand-crafted shoes.

With a little over a decade since its inception, Carmina Shoemaker has established eight shops around Europe – Paris, Barcelona, Bilbao, Valladolid, Palma de Mallorca, and Madrid – and competes boldly in shop displays alongside the most distinguished of shoemakers around the world.

Each shoe from Carmina Shoemaker is hand-crafted and Goodyear-welted with the precision and technique that has been passed down from generations. The modern gentleman will truly appreciate the high quality and individuality of his Carmina footwear.

• Founded: 1997 in Mallorca, Spain

• Based In: Inca, Mallorca

• Factories In: Inca, Mallorca

• Website: https://www.carminashoemaker.com/us/en 

Carmina Shoes Prices

The lowest range shoe starts at nearly $300. For that, you get Blake-stitched loafers or some Goodyear-welted loafers. Oxford and derby shoes start at $405. But, let’s say, the vast majority of all Carmina shoes are sold at $475. Their boots start at $525.

Prices continue to go up depending on the model and leather you choose. For example, cordovan shoes start at $790. These leather shoes start a bit lower than that. Crocodile, on the other hand, is more expensive at $1,155.

Carmina Shoes Design & Style

Carmina 's shoes combine theclassic modelssuch as oxford shoes, derbys, loafer shoes, monk strap shoes, and contemporary styles as chelsea boots and chukka boots. They are the specialists in genuine shell cordovan shoes and boots.

Carmina has a collection of over 200 different lasts, both in their archives as in the making. Some of them also come in different width settings, which is quite impressive and it allows you as a wearer to find a last that works best with your foot. Besides, they offer custom dress shoes that you can get rather close to a bespoke fit.

Exclusive oxford shoes for men are availble in classic oxford shoes models: cordovan, whole cut, longwing or wingtip. You can choose from different styles in Carmina loafers for men that will stand out from the rest: penny, tassel and cordovan. Every loafer has it’s unique features depending on the finishing details.

Carmina Shoes Material & Durability

Carmina follows a strict shoe quality process and confer all their formal shoes with durability, elegance and feet comfort. With a construction process that has over 190 steps performed by skilled craftsmen, Carmina does not sacrifice on quality, including using a Goodyear Welted stitch. Carmina shoes are made using traditional Goodyear stitching and are submitted to a strict quality control process. At Carmina , they create the lasts for their shoes following the same process as their ancestors.

Materials are meticulously selected from the best sources, and stored at an ideal temperature until they acquire the right texture for cutting. Carmina offers 30 different types of leathers, including box calf shoes, suede, cordovan, but also exotic skins, such as lizard, crocodile, alligator, and even peccary.

Cutting is done by hand, and the pieces are carefully sewn together.  The uppers are then molded over the lasts, where it rests for 4 days before stitching of the welts and soles are done.  Finally the shoes are painted and shined, with other finishing touches to ensure brilliancy and a beautiful patina.  

Pros and Cons

Where to Buy Carmina Shoes Cheapest?

• carminashoemaker.com

• gentlemensfootwear.com

• ebay.com: up to 1.86% cashback
  

Allen Edmonds vs. Meermin vs. Beckett Simonon vs. Carmina: Full Comparsion

Allen Edmonds, Meermin, Beckett Simonon and Carmina are all known for their well-made, Goodyear-welted shoes, but they cater to different price points and styles. 

Here's a more detailed comparison of these four brands:

Style

• Allen Edmonds: Known for classic American dress shoe styles, often with a focus on durability and comfort. 

• Meermin: Offers a good selection of styles and materials, but with a smaller variety than Carmina. 

• Beckett Simonon:Offers a mix of classic and contemporary styles, including loafers, oxfords, and boots. 

• Carmina:Specializes in classic and traditional styles, including oxfords, loafers, and boots, with a focus on high-quality materials. 

Manufacturing

• Allen Edmonds: Made in the USA in a factory with a long history. 

• Meermin: Made in Spain, but their raw materials are sourced from various countries like France, Italy, and Japan. 

• Beckett Simonon: Made in Bogotá, Colombia using traditional techniques,  according to Beckett Simonon.

• Carmina:Made in Mallorca, Spain by a family of shoemakers, according to Carmina. 

Quality

• Allen Edmonds:Are generally considered high-quality, well-crafted shoes. They are known for their use of premium materials, meticulous attention to detail, and lasting durability.

• Meermin: Meermin's quality is generally considered very good and even comparable or exceeding Allen Edmonds. 

• Beckett Simonon: While considered good for the price point, some sources suggest the leather might be slightly thinner than higher-end brands like Carmina. 

• Carmina: Known for using premium materials, including shell cordovan, and skilled craftsmanship

Customization

• Allen Edmonds: Offers limited customization options, but they're more focused on American-made quality. 

• Meermin: Periodically hosts events where customers can build their own shoes with a wide range of options. they also offer Made-To-Order (MTO) groups, which are limited-edition styles available for a set period.

• Beckett Simonon:Known for their custom-made-to-order approach, allowing for personalized designs and fit. 

• Carmina: Offers a wide range of customization options, including leather types, sole types, and bespoke services. 

Turnaround

• Allen Edmonds: Has a turnaround time of about 4-6 weeks for recrafting or resole services. 

• Meermin: Meermin ready-to-wear shoe orders typically ship out within 24-48 hours. 

• Beckett Simonon:Typically takes 10-12 weeks for orders to be processed and shipped, according to Beckett Simonon. 

• Carmina:Typically faster than Beckett Simonon, but customization options can extend delivery times. 

Price

• Allen Edmonds: Offers a range of prices, with some options being more affordable than Carmina. 

• Meermin: Offers a lower price point compared to Carmina and Beckett Simonon. 

• Beckett Simonon: Generally considered to be more affordable than Carmina. 

• Carmina: A higher-end brand, with shoes priced accordingly.

Conclusion: Which is Best Shoes Brand

Allen Edmonds 

Allen Edmonds is a solid brand and offers a lot of value even in today’s market with prices approaching $450 USD. It’s hard to find a brand that offers so much – items assembled in the USA, crafted from good quality materials, designs that are as timeless as it gets, and various options in a wide variety of sizes, widths, and last fittings. 

Allen Edmonds shoes are generally recommended for men seeking high-quality, American-made dress shoes and boots that offer durability, comfort, and timeless style. They are a good choice for those who appreciate craftsmanship and are willing to invest in shoes that will last. 

Meermin 

Meermin shoes are highly regarded for offering a great value proposition, with many users considering them a good alternative to more expensive brands like Allen Edmonds. They are known for their quality construction, use of fine materials, and stylish designs, making them a popular choice for those seeking high-quality footwear without breaking the bank. 

Meermin shoes are a good choice for those seeking quality, well-made, and stylish footwear at a more affordable price point than traditional luxury brands. They are particularly appealing to individuals who value Goodyear welt construction, durability, and a wide range of styles. 

Beckett Simonon 

Beckett Simonon offers a variety of well-crafted shoes, often praised for their blend of quality, design, and affordability. Their shoes are known for being made with full-grain leather and constructed using the Blake stitch method. They also offer a made-to-order approach, which means you can choose from a range of styles and have your shoes crafted specifically for you. 

Beckett Simonon shoes are a good fit for men who are price-conscious, seeking high-quality footwear, and appreciate a blend of style and craftsmanship. They are particularly well-suited for individuals entering the world of quality footwear and those looking to build a foundation of versatile shoes. 

Carmina

Carmina is a renowned shoe brand known for its high-quality, handmade shoes, particularly for men. They are known for using traditional techniques like Goodyear welt stitching, offering a wide range of styles and materials, and having a good reputation for craftsmanship and quality. 

Carmina shoes are ideal for individuals who value high-quality craftsmanship, durability, and stylish design, and who are willing to invest in a pair of shoes that will last. They are not the most affordable option, but are considered to be a luxury shoe brand, so they're best suited for those who appreciate a more bespoke and luxurious experience. 

In summary: 

• If you're looking for a more affordable and versatile option with classic American style, Allen Edmonds is a great choice. 

• If you're seeking well-made, durable, and stylish shoes at a relatively affordable price point, you can get a pair of Meermin shoes.

• If you're looking for quality shoes at a reasonable price and appreciate a mix of classic and modern styles, Beckett Simonon is a good choice.

• If you're willing to invest more for a more refined and customizable European-inspired shoe, Carmina is worth considering. 

Read More:

Allen Edmonds vs. Alden vs. Beckett Simonon vs. Carmina: Which Makes the Best Dress Shoes?

Rossi vs. Blundstone vs. Redback vs. Beckett Simonon: Who Wins the Boots Brand Showdown?

Thursday Boots vs. Red Wing vs. Beckett Simonon vs. Tecovas: Who Wins the Boots Brand Showdown?

R.M.Williams vs. Blundstone vs. Allen Edmonds vs. Red Wing: Which Brand is the Best? (Quality, Design & Price)

Cole Haan vs. Allen Edmonds vs. Florsheim vs. Johnston & Murphy: Who Wins the Men's Shoes Brand Showdown?

Wolf & Shepherd vs. Cole Haan vs. Amberjack vs. Allen Edmonds: Which Brand is the Best?

Tecovas vs. Ariat vs. Justin Boots vs. Cody James: Who Wins the Cowboy Boots Brand Showdown?

Danner vs. Thorogood vs. Red Wing vs. Georgia Boot: Whic One Make the Best Boots Brand?

BRUNT vs. Red Wing vs. Thorogood vs. Irish Setter: Which Brand Wins the Work Boots Showdown?

Dr. Martens vs. Blundstone vs. Redback vs. Thursday Boots: Which Brand is the Best?

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