Cowboy boots

[tmg]

I've been thinking about those myself, but can't find anywhere in the UK that sells them, and it's too much of a gamble to just buy from a US site without having ever tried on a pair of cowboy boots, let alone these particular ones. May need to wait until the family trip to Disney World next year

Are there any restrictions importing ostrich skin boots into the UK?

[Chris]

None that I know of, but I'm not an expert.  Ostrich isn't an endangered species and most hides come from commercially farmed birds, so it should be fine.

[tmg]

@Chris:

None that I know of, but I'm not an expert.  Ostrich isn't an endangered species and most hides come from commercially farmed birds, so it should be fine.

Thanks Chris, that confirms what I thought.

I'm sure I can find a reason to get a work trip out to the US this year, know of any good boot shops in New Orleans?

[Chris]

Sorry, but no.  I haven't been to New Orleans in years, and have close to zero knowledge of the city.  I used to know a guy from Louisiana who bought all his boots in Texas and Arizona, which makes me think the options in his own state are pretty poor.

I'll check around and see if I can find something useful for you, though.

[gbougard]

@tmg:

.
I'm sure I can find a reason to get a work trip out to the US this year, know of any good boot shops in New Orleans?

First checkout the Lucchese website, And http://www.grapevinehill.com/
then go to http://www.dimlights.com/ and peruse through June's site for bootmakers names and links if you want custom made boots. She also has a fb page
In NO, check out if they have a Cavenders store
Try and see if there is a cowboy boot store in your area to try on and get a feel for sizing. It was really helpful for me when i bought a pair of luccheses.

[illumin8em]

Hey folks, I am selling two great pair of Red Wing Cowboy boots if anyone is interested

[tmg]

Yep, and I've just sent you a pm

[michaeljcr]

Bought the Lucchese Mad Dog Ropers. Not the most adventurous choice, but I like 'em.

[gbougard]

@michaeljcr:

Bought the Lucchese Mad Dog Ropers. Not the most adventurous choice, but I like 'em.

Ropers dont have the same sole and heel construction as cowboy boots, and will feel more like shoes than boots. But their line of ropers are very nice. I have one in ostrich which I rarely wear because I'm too busy wearing boots.

Next week, I'm supposed to receive a custom made pair made by Little Boots in San Antonio. Cant wait…
And this coming August, I'll be back in Texas and I have this nasty feeling I'll order another custom made pair...
Check this boot porn

http://www.davelittleboots.com/cust.html

[astrogoji]

Hey gbougard, how did those littles turn out?  Elephant is like the anvil of leathers, tough as nails (not that people here shy away from that sort of thing   Bullhide also wears pretty tough but then starts to develop a really great patina, these are mine after years of service:

I'm in the market for my first custom pair myself and would be awesome to hear your thoughts/experiences/reccomendations with any custom bootmakers you've dealt with.  Lee Miller's stuff is incredible but I read that lee miller's wait list is now up to 4 years for new customers and he isn't taking any ATM.  Ever checked out Tres Outlaws' customs over at http://www.falconhead.com ?  some lovely bootporn

Also, maybe I can pick your brain on leather choices for a day to day dress type boot that will look better over time…kangaroo seems like an awesome choice because it's tough but also breaks in pretty soft.  read a lot about water buffalo...python or cobra look pretty badass and i love the texture but have no idea how they'd wear over time.

[gbougard]

The elephant boots are fucking amazing. Very stiff, almost like
Lee miller is indeed not taking new customers. You might want to try Little's in San Antonio, thats the company who made my elephant boots, and they are top quality. http://www.davelittleboots.com/
Very nice people, too
Tres Outlaws? I for one dont think so, way too much "hollywood" in what I see
If you do a search for 25 best bootmakers in texas, you'll find a great article and then follow the links (or search them, too)? Here it is http://www.joenickp.com/texas/bootmakers.html

Im totally droooling on stallion
http://www.stallionboots.com/index.html

And leddy

Your boots are very nice, by the way. Love that patina

[Chris]

Elephant isn't much heavier or stiffer than bullhide.  In fact, depending on the tanning process, elephant can be really supple from the very start.  I have a couple of pairs that have never given me a moment's trouble.  I highly recommend elephant hide as a boot leather choice.

On the other hand, if you're looking for something for regular everyday wear, I wouldn't recommend water buffalo or any reptile hide.  Water buffalo is pretty light and needs a backing leather to be strong enough for boots.  It also scuffs really easily, in my experience.  All reptile hides, whether snake, lizard, alligator or crocodile, tend to split between the scales.  You'll have to be really careful with keeping them clean and conditioned.  Snake is also pretty thin and needs a backing leather to work in boots.

Strong, good looking leather for dressier boots would be kangaroo, ostrich (you can get either full quill or smooth) or a simple calf skin.  Depending on the rest of the details, you can make a pretty dressy boot with elephant or shark, despite the texture.  Talking with your bootmaker will help narrow down the best choice for your needs.

Be careful with that Top 25 list, too.  It's from 2002 and much of the information is out of date.  Tex Coleman is semi-retired and has moved to Abilene, Maida's has either relocated or closed, J.L. Mercer died and the shop closed, Rusty Franklin retired and sold his shop to Robert Brest (who makes great quality boots, by the way), M.L. Leddy only has their factory in San Angelo and runs all their sales out of the Ft. Worth store, and there are probably more changes that I don't know about right off the top of my head.

[gbougard]

Chris is 100% right

I just stumbled upon this  in the cowboy boot forum. Check out the pix on Duck Menzie. Way cool.

http://www.quicktopic.com/25/H/8BcDPHgDYXz6/p

also, I had put together a small spreadsheet last year when I visited Texas, hope it helps

City Name Address Website Tel

Houston Wheeler 4115 Willowbend (713) 665-0224
Abilene Tex Robin 2081 Sayles bld, 79605 (325) 691 5700
Austin Capitol Saddlery
Abilene Brian Thomas 325-672-2344.
Bowie Mike Vaughn
Vernon Dew Westover
Houston RJ’s Boot Company 3321 Ella Blvd, Houston, Texas 77018
Saint Jo C.T. Chappell Boot Shop 105 S. Main (940) 995-2901
Houston Palace Boot Shop
Austin Heritage Boot 117 West 8th Street (512) 326-8577
Mercedes Rios of Mercedes
San Antonio Little's Boots 110 Division Ave, San Antonio, Texas 78214 (210) 923-2221
Stonewall 830 - 372 4470
Richard Cook 9150 FM 1101 Seguin TX 78155 830 - 456 9411
Austin Lee Miller

I didnt get to visit them all, my wife and kids would have killed me.

last, https://www.facebook.com/dimlights.cowboy.boots this page belongs to a woman who has written books and has a website, but this is more current

[astrogoji]

Thanks for the suggestions and that awesome list   It's absolutely batty how many boot artisans are concentrated in Texas.  Been reading about a lot of them and its been a challenge trying to find a prospective bootmaker.  Some have retired as Chris mentioned, some have passed away (Paul Bond passed away this past February), and others understandably can't take on any new customers.

Stallion boots are pretty wild in their use of rare stuff like this salt water gator:

amazing boots but like Chris pointed out, not practical in the slightest haha.  I pretty much thought all reptile skins had to have backing leather til I saw the inside of a pair of python boots at the Buffalo Exchange in NYC.  They looked and felt like a sheet of sushi seaweed, distressingly thin, crispy dry and the scales had all curled up…for shame.

I am really leaning toward ostrich or kangaroo.  Would like to compare the texture of the two in person as it appears that the roo is pretty smooth where the full quill ostrich has that phenomenal texture...Can't argue with what Lee Miller did with this full quill:

smooth ostrich looks incredible as well:

[gbougard]

Here is the cowboy boots forum
http://www.quicktopic.com/25/H/8BcDPHgDYXz6/p

And some websites

http://www.paulbondboots.com/
http://www.davelittleboots.com/catalog.html
http://www.rjboots.com/boots/pictures.html
http://www.maidas.com/boots.php
http://www.stallionboots.com/flashintro.html
http://www.heritageboot.com/
http://www.blucherboots.com/catalog.html
http://www.dorwartcowboyboots.com/index.html
http://www.customboots.net/Sorrell_Custom_Boots/Portfolio.html
http://www.kimmelbootcompany.com/Boot_Gallery.html
http://www.paulbondboots.com/
http://www.richardcookcustomboots.com/
http://www.stephanieferguson.com/
http://beckboots.com/Beck%20Custom.htm
http://olsenstelzerboots.com/docs/OlsenStelzerBootExamples.pdf

[astrogoji]

thanks for the links gb   leaning toward little's or kimmel boot co since they appear as authentic and as well made as you can get.

saw this awesome video about little's boot co:

[Chris]

Either would be a fine choice.  If you can, you should go to San Antonio just to check out the Little shop.  One of the biggest and nicest display collections of boots I've ever seen.  I've heard nothing but goods things Eddie and Kathy Kimmel, though I've never meet them personally.  Comanche is a bit out of the way for me.  I believe Eddie does most of the work himself, whereas Little runs a small team of a half dozen or so craftsmen.  Not sure if that matters to you, but some care about things like that.

[astrogoji]

I actually do like the idea of it being the product of a single person.  The video from the Little's shop shows the boots being put together by hand by Little's team who no doubt are incredible artisans themselves but there is something uniquely wonderful about a singular master of the craft putting together something just for you.

Will be driving into TX to do the deal once I make up my mind.  would love to visit most of those shops but the state is just unforgivably big

what do you say to deer skin boots?  love the color!

[Chris]

Just to clarify, I'm not sure that Eddie Kimmel works alone.  Lots of makers have someone sew the tops for them, which allows them to focus on the more technical construction aspects.  Plus, some of the older guys just hate sewing tops…

Deerskin is supposed to be really soft and comfortable; not sure of its durability, though.  I agree, the color on those is sweet.  I need (well, want) some boots in lighter leather.  Might be able to get a similar color in another hide type, if you change your mind about the deer.

Those boots are beautiful- I love Lee Miller's work.  His attention to detail and eye for graceful lines is amazing.  Someday I'll have to try and talk him into making a pair for me.

[astrogoji]

Big fan of lighter colors at the moment and trying to see how they look with different hides.  Love the lighter tan on this full quill by tres outlaws: