[1] Interested in custom boots made from high quality materials?  Check out boots from [2] West Coast Shoe Company.  The quality of materials is second to none and make my boots made by Harley Davidson look like, well, cheap imports.  They are made by hand, and have been for a couple generations.   You have the option of customizing the boots and/or customizing the fit.  Their online site allows you to step through the options and pricing for each of their boot models, selecting the sole, leather, color, height, hardware, etc.

I’ve always liked extra tall black boots with serious, slanted heels ever since I was a teenager stomping around the corral.  That’s not the big seller, however, so finding a place that would make exactly what I wanted is nirvana.

The boots I ordered were the “Jobmaster” lace ups, 16″ high with nickel harware, black stitching and laces, and the waterproof, heavy duty leather of the fire fighter boot.  Because of the heavy leather, I didn’t get the full liner and I’m glad I didn’t because I probably wouldn’t have been able to bend my ankle!  Wesco boots are known to have a longer than typical break-in period due to the heavier materials.

Now I want to get their “Boss” boot, a classical motorcycle pull-on boot.  I’m thinkng 18″ high this time…

If you know of a comparable boot company, please post a comment.  As much as I like Wesco’s boots, I’d like to check out their competition, but so far haven’t been able to find any other company that compares.  Someone else has to be out there.  In particular, I’m looking for a company that accomodates a padded insole.

Are there some things I think could be still improved in Wesco boots?  Well, yes (I am a demanding guy, after all).  I their stitching and eyelet placement could use a little more consistency, although I’m sure some would argue that is the price of one-off hand made boots.  I would also like to see their custom fit be a truly custom fit.  They take very exacting measurements (I went to their factory for a fitting) but when the boot is made,  I learned the measurements are a guide to general sizes.  For instance, they will add or subtract in half inch increments to the calf sizes, not cut the tops precisely to fit your exact measurements.  However, based on my previous experience with prior custom boots, that seems to be typical of “custom” boot fittings.  I’m thinking a custom boot should be made to the custom fit standards of custom fit taylored clothes, but maybe I’m unreasonable - or at least I haven’t found anyone that is willing to do that degree of precision.

Speaking of my prior experience, a few years ago I had a pair of custom western boots made from Stingray by the Outlaw Boot Company.  First, don’t make boots from Stingray, at least not the entire boot.  While it makes for a totally unique look, not only does it NEVER break in, it actually isn’t as tough as you think it is.  The surface is indeed extremely hard and long wearing, but it actually wears at the very tips of the bumps, leaving a slightly whitened look and there isn’t a way to fix that.  In fact, a few of those little bumps will break off, particuarly around crease areas like the ankles.  They told me they had never done a pair that was all stingray, usually doing the tips of the toe or the lower portion.  And, yes, they did warn me that it was very stiff and indeed it is so stiff that it still rubs my ankles.  At the least, I should have had the uppers a lighter “normal” leather.

The other problem I had was the company didn’t make the boot exactly as I requested, deciding that I needed pulls when I specifically asked for no pulls.  I had them remove the pulls, but that left stitching holes and they refused to remake the boots.  At least Wesco remade the boots when they didn’t fit quite right the first time.

Also, I’m also sure they follow the same method as Wesco of fitting to the nearest stock size as opposed to cutting the boot exactly to fit.

Such is the joy of the journey of custom made.  You don’t know exactly what you are getting until it arrives, but I really like having something totally unique and, in spite of the foibles along the way, I indeed enjoy the journey.  After all, the the journey makes for good stories… All I have to do is pull off those tall all-stingray boots in an airport line or lace up the Jobmaster boots outside my pants, and someone is sure to comment or ask a question.  That’s what makes life fun in my books.