Tag Archives: Custom Boots

Cowboy Boots

Travel: Following the Bootmaker Trail


Hit the road with Western writer Johnny D. Boggs. In his article “Following the Bootmaker Trail” Boggs travels from Guthrie, Oklahoma to Phoenix, Arizona… visiting at least fifteen bootmakers along the way.

This article is full of quotes and stories that showcase the personality of each shop. Don’t overlook the article’s sidebar. It’s loaded with current information about base prices and delivery times.

Collectors can purchase this issue of True West magazine (October 2006), by clicking here.

Photo of Paul Bond courtesy of True West.

Cowboy Boots

Best in Show, Silver Dollar City 2006

Visit Silver Dollar City’s website for the prize winning cowboy boots of the Best of American Bootmakers Competetition 2006.

Park visitors voted for their favorite pairs in five categories: “Novice,” “Work,” “Office,” and “Stage” boots… along with “Best Shop Effort,” a category for larger boot companies where a boot is passed from hand to hand during its construction.

As the newest offering in the Festival of American Music & Crafts …there were nearly 60 pairs of boots entered in the contest and bootmakers demonstrating their craft. I’m making my plans to attend next year’s competition… September 13 through October 27. See you there!

(Use the comments link below to tells us which boots got your vote?)


These Carmack’s Custom Boots won 1st place in the Stage Boot Competition and Best in Show. (Photo courtesy Silver Dollar City. )

Carmack’s Custom Boots

Greg Carmack, Bootmaker

6020 North Hwy 6

Waco, TX 76712
E-mail: bootmaker@prodigy.net

Cowboy Boots

Custom Cowboy Boots in High-Def


Well the “buzz” has already started for Bodacious Boots, an hour-long feature documentary all about cowboy boots.

Bodacious Boots is a high-spirited ode to the cowboy boot and the famous and infamous personalities who make them, wear them, and love them.

Yep. It’s true. The film includes an ever-growing list of boomakers including Pascal, Lee Miller and Stephanie Ferguson …filmed in high-def along side the likes of Lyle Lovett, Kelly LeBrock, Kinky Friedman (and appearing soon, yours truly.)

Click here to view the trailer. Spring 2007 release…for info, contact lneitzel@amspg.com.

Cowboy Boots

Vintage Cowboy Boots with an Eagle Inlay

“Eagle boots” were insanely popular during the early 1950’s. In large part because of the patriotism and prosperity our country felt following World War II, but also because of big western stars like Roy Rogers (remembered for his wide-winged eagle inlays in red, white and blue.)

Pictured here is a great pair of vintage boots. The eagle is made by overlaying leather in two colors, gold and green…on top of the boot’s white vamp. This is the best “eagle toe” I have ever seen. [zoom]

What makes it so great?

  • The cut-outs mimick the shape of the boot’s toe…going from wide to narrow somewhat gradually.
  • The toe design is bold to balance the heavily inlayed top and mule ear* …even without the bird’s head, the overlay makes a great “wing”tip.
  • The eagle’s head sits well above the wrinkles across the vamp at the boot. It’s unfortunate how often wrinkles and folds wreck the detail of the beak and eye.
  • The row of yellow stitiching provides a nice sharp outline. Even after all these years.


Remember! An eagle on a toe of a boot does not need to be an exact match for the eagle on your boot top.

On this pair, the bird on the toe has narrow wings that reach high over his head. The eagle on the top has widespead veined wings, almost like a butterfly.

(* You get to see the entire boot in April 2007 when my book comes out.)

Photos by Jennifer June.

Boots belong to Karen Robinson.