If You’ve Never Worn Handmade Boots Before...

Here are a few things to consider!

Proper Fit

Never buy boots that are too tight. First and foremost, these boots should be comfortable. The boots will stretch a little and over time will adapt to your footprint, but they should be comfortable the first time you put them on. They'll become even MORE comfortable the more you wear them! We like to say they should feel like a firm handshake.

Toe Positioning

Your toes should not be pushed up into the tip of the boot. They should sit comfortably and not be overlapping or pinched. Sometimes a finger width from the toe of the boot to your toe. Make sure the widest part of the ball of your foot rests on the widest part of the boot's outsole.

Breaking In

With a hand carved heel counter (the hard part on the inside of the heel), it is natural to at first feel a slip in the heel. The heat and moisture of your foot from just walking around will cause the heel to contract and that slip, or looseness will gradually disappear.

If it isn't painful, it is fine for your boot to feel a little snug around the instep.

First Wear Tips

• Allow the leather sole to season. Don't let the first time you don your boots to be when it's wet out, score your soles first on dry pavement.
• When putting on the boot, you might hear a slight "pop" as your foot slides into place, indicating a good fit. This slip is necessary and means you have a good fit.
• Try on your boots with the socks you plan to wear with them.
• If you prefer a thin insole, try the boot on with them first.

Putting On Your Boots

If you have trouble getting the boot on you may have a high instep. If so, the first thing you want to do when fitting a new pair of boots is to insert your foot into the boot's shaft and firmly grasp the pulls.

• The shaft is the upper portion of the boot where your calf and shin will rest.
• The tabs on the top of the boot are called Boot pulls - put your finger in the pulls.
• If you feel resistance, stand up while pulling on the pull tabs (you may need to wiggle your heel back and forth).