I ordered a pair of supposedly custom cowboy boots at the DSC convention in January.

Even though I was measured by the bootmaker and I wrote up a very detailed spec, they still screwed up up the boots. The foot (vamp) is too big and the shaft is too small in circumference. I told them what it was suppose to be and they still couldn't get it right.

Delivery times of custom bootmakers varies from several months to several years. I would hate to wait months again, or years, and have to pay big bucks to another custom bootmaker that doesn't know what day it is!

Has anyone here done the custom boot thing? If so could you share your experiences, and make a recommendation for a good bootmaker?

I have had bad experience, too.

They insist on fitting extra tight, claiming that "real" cowboy boots are fitted that way and then mold to your feet. BS. Never worked for me.

Just buy a pair of nice Luccheses or for work, Justins off the rack.

Bill--Go to --ALBERTA BOOT-- in Calgary, they will get it right.

Don Hertz

I had great luck with Paul Bond boots out of Nogales Az. Their shark skin boots were great. The fit was perfect. It has been several years since I have ordered any and can't say how the quality or wait time is now.

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Any good maker should rebuild at no cost and make them fit! I were boots from FW Stockyards store that uses a crew from SA Angelo and have been very happy with fit and quality. 18 months I order a new pair when a pair arrives pricey yes but my feet are worth it.

i will put a plug in for my bootmakers--rios of mercedes texas and cavazos in the same town. both do excellent work

quote:

Originally posted by ztreh:
Bill--Go to --ALBERTA BOOT-- in Calgary, they will get it right.

Don Hertz

Thanks. I ordered a pr of off the shelf boots from Alberta today. We'll see what they're like for fit & quality before I go the custom route (made to order anyway, I'm not sure that makes them a custom boot).

Thank for the help.

I had the same experience with loveless out of oklahoma city, drove up got fitted, had a set of alligators made, they came in and didnt fit, the belt I ordered didnt fit either, they re did them for me, and gave me a new belt.... However they just never seemed to fit quite "right" will try a diferent maker next time.... they were also $$$$

Yeah, some makers fit and some don't. Lucchese boots probably fit me better than most of the rest. Just hard to get 17" boots from Lucchese!

I like the Lucchese boots myself.

I don't know about today but several years ago, the Paul Bond Custom Boots Co., Nogales, Arizona, were the best one could buy.

L.W.

I haven't bought any recently-but me and my family have worn M L Leddy boots for 60 years. they always made good if boots didn't fit.

http://leddys.com/


I love their cutting saddles also

Ive had the same problem with custom boots I got a pair of stingray luchesse's and havent looked back. Very waterproof, no break in period the were super comfortable from day 1 and everyday sense as long as you take care of them. Also I'll condition new boots asap unless they're exotics.

I had the same luck with Loveless boots. First pair had to be re-made and the second (what was I thinking) just never fit right.

Several years ago, Nocona had a trailer come thru and spend the day at the local Boot store.

In the trailer, the Nocona salesman had one of every size and style of boots. I tried on several until I found a great fit. We then selected the leather, and color and he wrote it up. Went inside the store and paid( got a 20% discount for buying while the trailer was there) and 6 weeks later the boots arrived. For me they have been the best pair of boots I've ever bought.

Bill,
I have been wearing Mercer Boots, San Angelo, Texas for years and they are bloody expensive...

For my everyday work boots I have been wearing Anderson Bean boots that I get from National Ropers Supply (NRSworld.com), I like the broad square toes on the Bean boots, they only recently came back in style again and they are plumb comfortable..Bean boots are not expensive and they last

I just bought a pair of 16" Rios of Mercedes. They seem fairly well made, and are of traditional pegged sole construction, using real leather except for that plastic layer on top of the heel. Why that plastic layer is there I have not figured out yet but every boot manufacturer has them except for Whites, that I know of.

I have a pair of 16" Anderson Bean's ordered with a vibram sole (I assume the small ribbed cowboy sole) but with those ugly square toes. They are for mucking around. Considering all the AB's I've seen have "Liquid leather" heels, fake leather soles (oxbow sole), they seem over-priced. Add in the work is done by Mexican day labor and they're getting iffy. But then so are Rios of Mercedes made with day labor.

I bought a pair of Alberta Boots from Calgary. They were all leather ropers (except for that heel plastic layer!) and the plastic welt. They fit and are pretty comfortable and not too bad for the price, but can only get them in 14" heights. They're made there in Calgary by Chinese labor. Oh my aching butt. They'll make me 17" boots but then they get expensive for what they are, which have the "liquid leather" heels.

The problem with Mercer and guys like him is that the demand is so high they won't make basic boots anymore, and just keep jacking up prices to discourage more orders but that doesn't seem to matter. They still are backed up and have long delivery times. He told me he doesn't make ropers any more.

Okay, they're made in Mexico, and just got bought out by corporate bean counters (Miller brands (cinch, etc.)) but as of my last pair, Rod Patrick boots are as good as Lucchese's and can get them in 16" height. If you want to order some particular style they have a 4 to 5 month wait though. They're hard to find in 16" boots but I am always on the look out in my present state of "boot obsession"! In fit and finish they are the best in my opinion for an off-the-shelf boot.

I just got another pair of 17" JB Hill boots. I'll see how they fit and wear. The problem with "custom" boots is that every pair in the same size is a different size, being made by different Mexican day workers even though they may be made on the same lasts.

But then I refuse to wear Chinese cowboy boots like ariat, etc.

More info than anyone probably wants!

9D Tony Lama elephant hide boots for me. I usually wear out the original soles inside of a year and then resole with Vibram every few years after that. I have one pair that is on year 10 and still looks great.

The best custom made boots I have seen in recent years are the ones my brother and I gave my father this year. They were made by Armando Duarte Rios (956-689-3521) of the famous Rios boot making family (not to be confused with Rios of Mercedes, which uses the famous family name but is run by a bunch of white guys). I believe the cost was $1,100 for full quill ostrich, and they beat the hell out of Lucchese, Tony Lama, and all other good store brands. Turnaround was about 6 months.

I have a pair of anteater boots made by Nacho Martinez of El Vaquero Boots, also from the Rio Grande Valley and also a former Rios Boots guy (all of the custom bootmakers in South Texas used to work for the old Rios company). They're very nice, but the ones made by Armando are even better. For what it's worth, a friend of mine from a famous South Texas ranching family uses Armando for all of his boot needs and even gives gift certificates to friends every year, so they can have their own pair.

My friend Bill Shanor is now retired and just teaching bootmaking at www.shoemaking.com.
He is turning the custom work over to this young man, who already has an outstanding reputation:
Tim Alden, www.r6leather.com.

Paul Bonds

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Originally posted by ElCaballero:
Paul Bonds

Is that still true now that he's dead?

Did you show up personally or use the measuring kit?

Thanks

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Originally posted by Will:

quote:

Originally posted by ElCaballero:
Paul Bonds

Is that still true now that he's dead?

Did you show up personally or use the measuring kit?

Thanks

The last pair I got was just before his passing. My wife always measured my feet accordign to their instructions. I have never been disappointed with fit or quality. I wear shoes except for when I'm horseback. I do ride for a living, and spend a fair amount of time everyday in the saddle. However I couldn't tell you how they hold up walking in them daily. The ones I have probably wouldn't do to well as they aren't made for walking!

quote:

Originally posted by mikem0553:
I had great luck with Paul Bond boots out of Nogales Az. Their shark skin boots were great. The fit was perfect. It has been several years since I have ordered any and can't say how the quality or wait time is now.

Agree about Paul Bond boots. They are the only custom boots my wife or I have and the fit is perfect. We went to the shop to be measured and to pick styles. The wait was about six months when we purchased two years ago.

Crl

quote:

Originally posted by crl:

quote:

Originally posted by mikem0553:
I had great luck with Paul Bond boots out of Nogales Az. Their shark skin boots were great. The fit was perfect. It has been several years since I have ordered any and can't say how the quality or wait time is now.

Agree about Paul Bond boots. They are the only custom boots my wife or I have and the fit is perfect. We went to the shop to be measured and to pick styles. The wait was about six months when we purchased two years ago.

Crl

Like John Wayne in True Grit, "I'm figgerin' expenses."

Airline to Tuscon - $800 R/T +/-
Car Rental to Nogales - 3 days - $180 +/-
Motel - 2 days - $250 +/-
Paul Bond boots - Minimum $1,000
Food, gas etc. - $250

About $2500 and six months wait.

I guess I'd just better shoot myself.

Or, sell the saddle and shoot the mule!

Bill

Check out M.L.Leddy Ft. Worth.

They do both custom and a shelf boot that I understand is made like their customs.
http://www.leddys.com/

Reyes in Arizona. I got two pair about ten years ago, and they still look good, and fit better. I need to dig out the address. At that time they made a wooden last for each foot.

Beck boots from Amarillo build custom and off the shelf boots. They use a 40 penny nail for a shank. Google them...

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Originally posted by E. Gonzales:
Beck boots from Amarillo build custom and off the shelf boots. They use a 40 penny nail for a shank. Google them...

I called the Beck guys and asked for a fitting kit, their wait for custom built is about 3 months.

I'll post photos when the boots come in

Nocona boots were the best but NAFTA did them in. I could buy them off the shelf at the plant and did not have to break them in. They made some of mule hide that were the best work boots ever made. Ariat boots are not the only ones made in China; some of the name brand boots are Chinese made.

quote:

Originally posted by ztreh:
Bill--Go to --ALBERTA BOOT-- in Calgary, they will get it right.

Don Hertz

Always love it when someone recommends a local outfit. They have a good reputation.

Grizz

Billy, my good friend, old curmudgeons like your need to change with the times, THE BROAD SQUARE TOE IS IN Tthey are comfortable and if you have to walk home when that mule dumps you then you too will become a fan! I've had my Anderson Beans resoled three times with their version of crepe, they have lasted for 5 years in snow and wet horse s--t, been to a thousand ropings and walked the rimrocks looking for a shootable buck..They are a good work boot. They sell the ones made in Mexico and the others are made in the USA..The Mexico boots are cheaper but do not wear nearly as well.

I still keep a pair of Mercers around and it takes a year to get them, and they are not quite as good as they used to be and they are higher n,a cats back..I have a pair just like new that I bought in the 1950s but they are a tad too small for me, what size do you wear, I'll send them too you if they will fit.

I recently purchased a pair of Olathe boots at a local Western Store, for years they have only made custom boots, but I guess they have had to get into merchandising to pay for Obama care for their workers or sump'en...Anyway I really like them.

Oh btw, my Olathe have broad square toes and 13 inch tops, but I think they have any toe you want..

Anyone familiar with this co?

http://lugusmercury.com/index.html

quote:

Originally posted by sandyhunter:
The best custom made boots I have seen in recent years are the ones my brother and I gave my father this year. They were made by Armando Duarte Rios (956-689-3521) of the famous Rios boot making family (not to be confused with Rios of Mercedes, which uses the famous family name but is run by a bunch of white guys). I believe the cost was $1,100 for full quill ostrich, and they beat the hell out of Lucchese, Tony Lama, and all other good store brands. Turnaround was about 6 months.

I have a pair of anteater boots made by Nacho Martinez of El Vaquero Boots, also from the Rio Grande Valley and also a former Rios Boots guy (all of the custom bootmakers in South Texas used to work for the old Rios company). They're very nice, but the ones made by Armando are even better. For what it's worth, a friend of mine from a famous South Texas ranching family uses Armando for all of his boot needs and even gives gift certificates to friends every year, so they can have their own pair.

Sandyhunter is right. I'm his father and my boots are comfortable, perfectly fitted, and beautiful. I have only praise for Armando Duarte Rios and his boots.

Billy,
Today your chasing the Holy Grail, The great boots of yesterday made by Mercer, Leddy, Blanchard, and a precious few others no longer exist, the demand is no longer there, it is no longer a status symbol, so much the shame..One person in 10,000 even know what a real boot is anymore, umpteen jillion think they do..

Bottom line, the old boot makers are not even a dieing breed, they are all died...I keep my 1950 Mercers, that I outgrew, that are like new, have 25 rows of stitching, just as a reminder..

As a kid growing up in Marfa and Marathon, Texas where kids spent their hard earned money made from digging post holes in rock, breaking colts, and even herding hair goats all summer, jobs that paid poorly, they bought the best boots available to start the school year and the contest was on!

I don't know who does my boot's I just give order's/ boots to resole to a mexican friend on the border and he sneaks over to Mexico and has anything done i need for CHEAP!!!! Full-resole...$30 and does a far better job than any bootmaker at 5x the price in the states! I don't know if that's any help but PM me and I'll help you out if you'd like.

There are some good bootmakers in Mexico,just don't use their leather, its mostly piss tanned, take your good US leather to them..Juarez used to be a good place to have boots made...Tony Lama uses Juarez bootmakers, but don't think he owns up to it these days! But I like Tony Lama boots...

I used to be a boot freak, but today and at my age I have mellowed and wear Anderson Bean, they fit and they last, but hey Billie they will give you any toe you want...usually about $290 for a pair..