The boots. They are done. I had the ankle patches redone, because I didn't like the plain squareness with the hard corners.

( Pics after the cut. )

Alllllmost done. Not quite. They need some sizing at the ankles and insteps, loops put at the back of the ankle to help pull them up, and the anklebone armor patch needs to be a little bigger. They may be ready by next Wednesday.

( Pics after the cut. )

My boots are almost done!

Last Friday, I went to Willie's to mark up the boots where I wanted the armor patches to go before they put on the soles, because putting the armor on after the soles would be a big pain in the ass. I hadn't really internalized that they'd be showing me the boots almost completed, so I wasn't prepared to see them. I'm ( Read more... )

On Sunday, I went to Willie's Shoe Service for my initial appointment to design and make a custom pair of combat boots. I found almost the entire process delightful and fascinating, except for one thing I'll mention later which was my own damn fault ( Read more... )

I ride a motorcycle full-time in Los Angeles, commuting from Reseda to the Pacific Palisades. (I don't own a car. Yes, I know, I'm insane.) One of my requirements for riding a motorcycle is a proper, mid-calf pair of sturdy leather boots, with a rubber sole. After spending 5 years in the USMC, I find that I'm rather used to combat boots, and ( Read more... )