I have been meaning to do a write up on handmade, custom shoes for a while now.
Last spring while back in Sweden I had a pair of black leather Chukka style boots made. I know Sweden is not the first place one thinks of when talking handmade, custom shoes, but keep in mind I have been on the lookout for the perfect pair of chukkas for some time. I found them in Sweden.
The first step was coming to terms with the price. They were not cheap, but also not that expensive considering. I have a pair of handmade, Custom Grade English Church's that were the same price as these custom boots. Its all relative.
I established a bit of a relationship with the shoe maker. You have to. He is making a shoe based on your feet. After some measuring and checking for foot oddities (bunions, etc) he finds a last that works for your foot.
From there he does his thing. He never asked me whether I wanted a Goodyear welt, but this is assumed with high end shoes as it allows the easy replacement of soles over the years. It was actually wild to see how "shitty" the shoes look as the leather is worked and worked over the sole and pinned in place and such. Its almost miraculous the way a shoe turns out after seeing a shoe at this stage.
My boots are for winter so I had a tough decision to make. I love the sound of a solid wood heel and the feel of leather against the cobbles, but for winter its just not practical. So I got him to top the wood on the heel with rubber, and also put on a Toppy.
I almost cried when the silky smooth, mahogany like leather of the sole was scraped away for a Toppy.
When they were done, I went in for a fitting. This was almost just a formality, as they fit perfect from the first moment. I snugged up the laces, bought some Cedar shoes trees, and left the store wearing them. My girl and I walked around all day, and hit the town that night. My feet did not even have the slightest bit of discomfort.
Here we are, 6 months later and the beginning of another winter. These shoes, my first custom pair ever, still put a smile on my face.
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