Bespoke Footwear.
 

Hi all, I know this is the second time I've asked but the need is great. I am searching online and asking everyone I can think of to find a person who can make a pair of boots for me suitable for protection on a bike and also to walk in. Altberg have just e-mailed me to contact them again in six months, after waiting 2 years and three months already. With a badly broken ankle through using inadequate boots and now only able to use trainers I am desperate. I need bespoke footwear, that is, hand made to fit my feet and absolutely not off the shelf. I'm going to contact Frey Daytona, Scarpa, Meindl, Raichle, Lowa, Salamon and Berghaus. But there must be skilled people in, for instance India, who could copy a pair of Lowa combat boots which I have but which cripple my feet due to being simply too narrow. Any ideas at all please? Lindsay.

A difficult one Linzi, without having that experience. My only caution about India is that there are undoubtedly skilled craftsmen there but you'd have to wade through a lot of bluffers to find them. And how to do it at a distance?

Palace 15 is also a traveller in India and maybe he could comment on that. Morocco has a leather working tradition - but you'd have to go there and watch the price closely. Ryanair and Easyjet fly there.

I don't know the nature of your feet problem, but is it possible to do some serious bootstretching with the right equipment? On a standard pair I mean. Or "Cut and Shut" - ie make a cut and close it with a neat patch at the right dimension?

How about going to the orthopedic dept in a hospital. If they cant do it they may point you in the right direction?

A Pressing Problem.
 

Hi, I'd meant to travel out to India with a pair of boots to be cut up to analyze the construction and copy that. Basically my feet are very, very wide. Altberg refused to modify a pair as my feet, being wider than the sole, would press out and overlap. I had two pairs of mountaineering boots made at age 20, many years ago. Since then my feet have been compressed and widened even more. I have size 42 or US 9, but 6E wide. E wide is the normally stocked widest size. In Sussex my feet were measured at a mountaineering specialists' and they said my feet obliterated the width calibrations. No wonder I used to be so fast swimming!!! I've asked the NHS but there are people with smashed feet, feet missing etc and I'm seen as not having a problem...the NHS is simply out of cash. I attacked a pair of Lowa combat boots with a craft knife but the boot needs the sides intact to maintain any integrity and as Altberg said, my feet still hurt. At the moment I've got to judge whether riding with soft trainers is a risk worth taking. I don't think so. Rats. Lindsay.

I don't think that such big companies would get into that, so you'd need something to a smaller scale.

Wouldn't it be easier to ADAPT those Lowa boots, rather than make them from new?? As Caminando pointed, what about orthopaedic deparments? (although I guess you've tried that already).

In Spain we've had a long tradition of high quality shoemaking -which is now suffering due to cheap chinese competition, as every field-, so I wonder if that could be done by Spanish craftsmen more easily, and plenty of flights (Mallorca has been the core of that tradition, actually, EasyJet+boots+holidays package, sounds too good).

There is a company with a long tradition which has modernized into modern hiking boots/shoes in La Rioja. Inicio - Chiruca I don't know if they would do that jov, but know someone who has contacts there and he could point me into the right direction.

Best luck,

Esteban

A late thought - some ski boots are fitted by inserting your foot in a shell and then a polystyrene foam stuff is pumped in to make a perfect fit.

Maybe not much use, but......

And yes, Spain has very fine shoemakers. And the Spanish people all seem to have perfect footwear.

You could try Viberg boots in Canada . They are very well made boots that last a long time .They are made in English sizes and have wide fittings as well . One of the "lace to toe" designs might work .
I use Vibergs for work and riding the bike.
My feet are 4E and also I find SIDI discovery boots fit well .

A quick search for custom makers revealed ;
Custom and Hand Made Hiking Boots

How To Order

Redwing boots are available in wide sizes ,not sure if you can get them in UK .
Northamptonshire is the traditional area for boot making and when I lived in the UK , I would get very good handmade boots from one of the makers , can't remember which one though . So it might be a good idea to do a search there .

Good luck .

You could try Wesco in the States.

Thanks.
 

Hi, great thanks to each who has offered help. I'll immediately follow up on those links. Firstly, my feet are simply wider than the soles of the wide version of Lowas. Years ago I tried on a plastic ski boot without the inner and my foot pressed against the shell at the little toe's base joint. That's why I've skied only once, in New Zealand, and my feet hurt for several months afterwards.
No, it has to be bespoke. My two pairs of mountaineering boots were hand made in the Alps somewhere. They were made in a very out of date method of internal wooden pegs around the inner edge of the boot. After wearing those perfect fitting boots for a couple of days the pegs would protrude into the boot and "sir", or his batman, would then sand paper the pegs back....Love!
I'll admit to using public transport to get to Ripley as I don't want to compress my feet again with the Lowas after getting rid of all the inflammation and pain. I am not prepared to ride that distance in trainers and so I put off the job of fixing my bike's carb problem.

Wide feet? It seems that playing cowboys and indians in the woods near Vancouver, I was always an indian brave, widened my feet as I was bare foot till aged seven. (Oh the glory days of childhood.) My feet spread and are wide far back, not just at the toes. In addition I have high arches, so the upper material is always simply too tight to make it up, over, round and down again. It's akin to having a car with a sloping roof. You can't get two adults into the back seats without a lot of cramping and stooping. You just have to get a bigger car.

Thanks again for the tips. Incidentally, it just struck me that India would not be good surely? They're Hindu, so what are their shoes made of? Pakistan would be better. I think when I've scraped together some money, my trip is not going to be an adventure bike trip but an adventure all the same..to get a pair of boots! Lindsay.

Hi Lindsay, for further research try here
http://www.bespokeorthopaedicfootwear.co.uk/

and here
http://www.fashion.arts.ac.uk/about/cordwainers/

If you like you might PM me with your particulars (feet) as I regularly visit workshops in which one is a boot maker. I can but ask.

Socks

Yep, Yep.
 

Hi Socks, thanks but I am after what most people already have, a pair of boots for tourning with a motorcycle and walking miles while on tour, off road mostly. I've spent the last couple of decades hacking up German army boots but my feet were getting hammered. It's time to get a real pair of fitting boots. Altbergs would be perfect but it seems that mass murderers of arabs get priority with them. I just contacted Daytona to ask but their boots are a bit too bike oriented for me. I'd prefer a dual use boot. Also Daytona only officially make their top of the range race boot to one off measurements. It's a carbon fibre sock with a leather outer boot, two in one really. They would be sweaty to use all day. Certainly I'll pm you, thanks a lot. Finally I know the UK has lots of bespoke makers but alas they cater for people with massive salaries, homes, private schooling etc. It's not a case of what I'm prepared to pay, it's a case of what I can scrape together. Lindsay.

boot maker uk
 

hi linzi have you tried this maker Extra extra wide fitting shoes from DB Shoes Ltd ,they might be up to the challenge of making a pair or two of bike/walking boots ,i use a pair of pro boots ,water proof, breathable and look good on or off the bike, you cold use them as a base design, hope this helps steve

more boots?
 

hi again linzi have a look at these Wide Fitting Shoes, Wide Footwear, Extra Wide, Shoes For Swollen Feet, Large Shoes have a couple of hiking boots at £120 and £240 and they do a extra wide 6e safety boot at £150 maybe not perfect but might do to to get by untill some more suited comes along steve

Thanks.
 

Hi, and thanks for taking the trouble. I bought two pairs of 6E width trainers from widefitshoes.co.uk and that is the first time in my life that I've had no cramping, twisting or scafing in shoes. No blood either. My feet are now pain free. I broke my ankle and will now only ride a bike with a fairly high boot. I'm waiting for a catalog from the company Socks recommended. They came back with that offer when I enquired about bike/walking boots so I'm hopeful. Daytona insisted that I deal through their UK dealer and he's not answered yet but I doubt they do a suitable boot. It looks like its between Altberg and Socks' contact. What ever I get will have to be insured and fitted with an alarm! Lindsay.

Hiya

Is it worth going for a visit to Altberg anyway? Mine are described as XWide, so I don't know how many E's that is, maybe not as many as you need. But from what I remember some would be better than others for wider feet, so you can have a look, I wonder if you could sidestep the wait?

Jason

:)

Waiting.
 

Hi Grizzly, I have tried every avenue I can think of. With Altberg the only thing left would be to put forward an argument why I might be served sooner. I just checked their site and Dec is when I've to ask where in the list I then lie with many months still from foot measurement to supply. July next year is soonest. Socks' link would come out a couple of months sooner without the 2 year wait but would cost £1,200 or even £1,400.
I've had no answer from the UK dealer for Daytona as I had none two years ago as well. I shall call Daytona in Germany and ask them again what models they make to measure and inform them that I shall only deal direct with them. No third chances for the UK dealer and, anyway, foot measurements ought to be made by the craftsperson to do the work not bike rider.
It might be that I'd decide on a pair of Daytonas as they seem to give the maximum protection. I've had osteoporosis before and broken a hip despite looking like a brick out house at the time. I now have osteopedia which is a little less than oteoporosis but I want the best chance of avoiding catastrophic injury in a crash. I aim to avoid a crash but I tumbled off the bike in a carpark at walking speed and my fibula snapped due to overextension of ankle inside a combat boot. The weakened bones seem mostly due to lack of load bearing exercise, ie walking. I HAVE to be in perfectly fitting footwear from now on. My toe nails are now reshaped from overly tight footwear and some bones are thickened to strengthen against the pressure. No compromises anymore. I stopped carrying a collapsible walking stick a couple of weeks ago but tried my Lowas again just sitting. It's no good. My feet are less swollen than a few months ago after using 6e wide shoes but the Lowas are a little uncomfortable sitting. I managed to kick start my TTR600 but the Lowas hurt my feet within 20 minutes of normal use. It's a problem but I always remind myself that it's nothing compared with an amputation or other real problem. Thanks for all the interest, concern and tips. Lindsay.

Daytona
 

Try Daytona of Germany

Lilian

Done.
 

Hi Lilian, I had both times contacted Daytona.de and they referred me to local dealers. I just got a polite and friendly reply from Daytona.de and they say it's OK to deal direct and visit them for measurement by the craftsperson who'll make them. Also bespoke costs 30% more and takes about six weeks. That is what I intend to do. I'll have the protection on bike that I want and have to sort out walking boots later. I doubt it, but the podiatrist whom I shall visit soon might have some ideas about help with costs but I must remember that I am OK for daily activities so mountain walking and camping are extras. Can but try. My ankle tendons and ligaments won't be healthy enough for hill walking for,I guess, about a year anyway. Don't push the limits, Lindsay.

Hi Linzi,

this place has a good selection of walking boots Army Navy Store i've had good online service, reliable and helpful.

Dave

Hi Lindsay , if you are worried about injuring your feet and legs whilst riding , why not consider a sidecar ?
I finally got round to fitting mine this year and haven't had as much fun for years , plus the dog gets to come along as well !
You have no idea how much attention a dog wearing goggles will attract , especially from women , it's quite miraculous !!!!!!:thumbup1:

Plus you can carry more beer and the thing won't fall over !bier

Side issues.
 

Hi Dodger, yep, I'd noticed how enthusiastic Austin Vince is now about side cars. I'm sure they're an absolute hoot. However I have a back problem which means that I really shouldn't be riding at all according to the rheumatologist but I don't believe in rolling up and dying. Ankylosing Spondylitis for anyone interested in Greek. Stiffening of the spine, due to lack of stretching and/or vibrations. I even worry about the rock hard springs on my Le Mans. I'll be interested to see how I get on with it in a few months when it's back in one big piece. I'm rather fragile now rather than the prop forward and general adventurer I used to be. Sadly I rule out side cars as being bad for my back, as tumbling off a traillie would be too! Damn! though. A chick magnet!!! Next time I see one I'll loiter around for a while. A red Le Mans is sadly only and oldish man magnet, no use or interest to me at all. Grin. Lindsay.

Army boots.
 

Hi Dave thanks. I've tried all military boots I've come across. I even asked a soldier in Colombia about his boots! His sergeant promptly offered to acquire some from the stores! I wonder if that could stretch to rifles etc? I suspect some boots in, as someone suggested, the pacific area, would be wide enough but I need the sole to be wide enough, it's no use stretching the uppers. At the moment I'm just happy that I can get some Daytonas. They'll offer massive foot, ankle and shin protection. Ciao, Lindsay.

Any good news?

Lots of new contacts (or homework to do!:smartass:), so I cross fingers that someone will come with a positive answer!

Esteban

Hm.
 

Er, I just got my new orthotic insoles from the NHS. I can use my old Lowas a day at a time as my feet are smaller, not swollen anymore, than six months ago but they offer inadequate bike protection. I can stand around in them but not walk more than about 400 meters at a time. They were sort of OK at Ripley then I switched to trainers.
Daytona will make me a pair of epic quality track boots for £1,100 which is about 30% more than off the shelf. I can then get a pair of wide enough hill walking boots from the US for about £200. Altberg would maybe supply boots in September next year but maybe later. Cost about £850 and very versatile boots. The other UK company could make copies of Altbergs by June next year for £1,400.
I still haven't found any super cheap makers in undeveloped countries but there must surely be many. In the meantime I really need to avoid the temptation to ride the TTR600. I am taking a real risk with footwear and my ankle isn't up to the kick start effort. I'll get it MOT'd and use it to go to Austin Vince's film festival and after that park it up. I'm busy selling bike parts to finance the boots. My grandfather was a GP and said that the two areas of physical development that were problems for humans were feet and backs. We're still half way to being tree climbers. Well I have bad problems with both feet and back. Must be the missing link! Lindsay.

Ouch, not cheap, but it sounds much better than the previous posts, good to cope with your current needs. And good that your feet are getting better, so future looks more "confy". :clap:

In my limited experience, the rain and dirt of riding in bad weather may clog the breathability of Gore-Tex membrane of trekking boots if you do not take very good care of them. I'm sure that you'll give daily TLC to your new boots though... ;)

Just a thought but what about alpinestars motocross boots. My tech 8's have a bootee within the main boot that has a reasonable amount of padding in it. Perhaps just wearing the main boot with an insole and a thick pair of socks would be a reasonable fit for you. Not a great boot for walking in but you won't get more protection for riding.

Hope you get something sorted soon

Stewart

Hi Linzi,
I'm a ski specialist and there is a valley in Italy called Montebelluna that is the center of specialist mountain footwear (ski boots, mountaineering boots and hiking boots) for nearly the whole planet.
I think it would be worth making some inquiries.
Good luck,
Denis :rolleyes2:

Merci.
 

Hi Denis, thanks for that. It could be that the two pairs of mountaineering boots I had made when in my 20's (long ago!) were made there. Sir Edmund Hillary, the other guy to first ascend Everest, had his monstrously long, narrow boots measured by Robert Lawrie of Marble Arch as Had I. I shall certainly research it. Lindsay.

I am surprised Altberg take so long, I ordered a pair of made to order hiking boots a fortnight ago and they told me I should have them in about a month.

Its a long shot but some mountaineers have had their toes frozen and amputated but they still climb in specially made boots, so there are someone out there that could make them to order.

Old topic but I stumbled across another source of Custom made motorcycle boots in Italy, Vendramini Looking at the pages you can get some decent custom boots for not very much compared to other companies.
Might be helpful if someone is finding it hard to get custom boots made for Motorcycles.