M.L. Leddy's

Zephan Parker, Houston, TX

James Leddy Boots in Abilene. They've been making my boots for years. In fact, I just picked up a new pair of full quill ostrich from them today.

Al Dos Santos is the owner and bootmaker. He bought the business from James Leddy's widow. Al is an ex-pat from Zimbabwe and a great guy.

If I knew how to post a picture I'd show my new boots off to everyone.

https://imgur.com/a/DwzoTps

CactusThomas said:

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Zephan Parker, Houston, TX

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The search starts and ends here, IMO. Zephan is a GREAT guy. He learned the trade from a boot maker in Lampasas. He has made boots for famous politicians and celebrities. I killed a gator and he made awesome boots for me. aTm logo on the uppers, custom leather work, custom stitching, initials, Texas flag, etc...

He can supply the leather for you, or you can bring your own like I did with the gator. I had the hide tanned and dyed black at American Tanning & Leather, and brought to him for boots, belt and a wallet. It's pretty special knowing I killed the gator and now wear boots to remember that hunt with my son. He killed one and had boots made as well...

My boots, for church on Sunday and everyday, are made by one of my best friends, Armando Duarte, Jr. The same hands that trace your foot are usually the same ones that make your boots. It doesn't get more custom than that.

Beck Boots in Amarillo. They mail you a fit kit, you answer a series of questions, do impressions of your feet, make some measurements, and mail the kit back. Cowdoc put me on to them, just finished my fit kit this weekend.

dr_boogs said:

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Beck Boots in Amarillo. They mail you a fit kit, you answer a series of questions, do impressions of your feet, make some measurements, and mail the kit back. Cowdoc put me on to them, just finished my fit kit this weekend.

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I've been wanting to try Becks. One day.

ETA they are very affordable

How much are customs these days?

I recently had a pair made at Little's Boot Company here in SA. Family owned operation since 1915. I have used other custom boot makers and this one will be where I go from now on.

2nd on Littles Boot Company. Lots of Texas law enforcement folks have been using them for decades.

I also want to say, because it's been mentioned a couple times- I don't care at all which famous people a boot maker has made boots for. I trust any one of you degenerates more than their so called endorsement

My experience with ML Leddy was a disaster. The boots were a gift so it added a lot of pressure to the situation because I didn't want to disappoint the giver. I want to say they were like $2,800 or something.

The wait is insane and I don't live in the metroplex so it took a long time to get back up there for pick up, and then adjustments cause they were too small, and then more adjustments cause the arch was painful, and then more adjustments cause they were still to small. After about 4 years of stress I just put them in the top of my closet and called it a loss. They just don't fit.

If I had it to over again I would have been more adamant with them at the first fitting that they were too small but I figured it was just me not knowing how a custom boot should feel.

My uncle has several pair and he loves them but I won't ever do it again.

Doc Hayworth said:

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In all honesty, having custom boots, they aren't worth the extra money. I've been wearing boots daily for right around 50 years. I don't see any difference in a properly fitted brand name boot from custom made to justify 2k difference in cost.

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That's because you probably have normal feet, not all of us are so blessed. Not saying I'll pay $2k, but it's pretty difficult to find a really good fit off the shelf.