Happy Halloween!

(The folks at Archie McPhee just crack me up.)

You oughta read Cameron Kippen's blog.

Alright, I admit it. I'm a "boot geek"...and as such, I have a "favorite shoe historian."

His name is Cameron Kippen...and I just found his blog, "foot talk," which is a "collection of short anecdotes and funny stories about feet and shoes."

Don't miss out.

Vegetarian Cowboy Boots

Actor Joaquin Phoenix recently caused quite a stir when he insisted on wearing plastic cowboy boots in his upcoming Johnny Cash biopic.

Whether you call them vegetarian, vegan, cruelty-free...or just plain ol' plastic, finding leather look-alike boots often isn't easy.

Boy, not like five years ago...back then it was easy. In their die-hard attempts to reduce production costs, nearly all the large-scale boot manufacturers had increased their use of vinyls, plastics, and cardboard. Many popular name brand boots were being made solely from "man-made materials."

But today there is China...and China changes everything. Now, with cheaper leather supplies and labor costs you can get a Justin brand genuine cow-hide boot for just $59.99.

For faux-leather cowboy boots I recommend you try your local Target store and look for their low-cost Xhilaration® brand...or turn to a dedicated specialty online retailer like Alternative Outfitters or VeganEssentials.com.

For a wider selection of styles ...don't overlook ebay. Try keyword searches like cowboy boots manmade ...then narrow your search for women's or men's styles. Get creative. Even a search with "cowboy boots leather-like" will bring up different pairs to choose from.

If it is important to you to have absolutely no animal products used in your boots -- double check the boot heel, make sure the manufacturer has not used a thin leather vaneer in an attempt to mimic a traditional stacked leather heel.

One more thing to consider in your purchase -- make sure you are happy with the fit of your boots, man-made materials do not have the same give or stretch that leather does.

Bootmakers in the News — Bo Riddle

Just look for flowing inlay, fancy stitching and the Nashville tour buses parked out front of the shop. It doesn't matter who's wearing them —Bo Riddle's cowboy boots always take center stage.

Photo by David Mudd, American Profile.

Texas Traditions

When the Boot & Saddlemaker Round-Up is over, I always have one more thing to look forward to...and that's my visit with Lee and Carrlyn Miller at Texas Traditions in Austin, TX.

My visits have a nice worn-in feeling about them now. Lee asks me if I want coffee and pours it at the same time...because he knows that I always stay for a least two cups. This time a took a little video..."tracing" the origin of a custom fit.

I head back home tomorrow.

Today, I visited bootmakers, Brian Thomas in Abilene and Tex Robin in Coleman, Tx. Then, I drove Hwy 183 back to Austin. I don't know what shocked me more...seeing the herd of zebras in Zephyr...or the drive-tru Starbucks in Brownwood.

Cowboy boot finds...

These orange boots which depict a story of economic wreck and ruin, were designed by Evan Voyles and built custom by Kimmel Boots.

I saw Evan at the Round Top Antiques Week.

What's in his bag? (Click the photo to find out.) Its contents are destined for the hip Austin "boot-ique," Blackmail.

Roadtrip...

This week I'm in Texas. I'm headed to the Boot and Saddlemaker Round-Up in Wichita Falls, TX...but not before a I run off with a band of junk gypsies.

Tomorrow's destination...WARRENTON ANTIquES week...yee HaW!