Category Archives: Dehner Boots

Dehner Booted Ride!

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Saturday was a washout with chores to do around the house and some strong thunderstorms punctuating the afternoon with heavy rain and winds. Fortunately, there was no damage around our place, but it confined my activities to indoor stuff. I spent several hours doing genealogy work for my huge family, and updating our family website.

Sunday was another story. We awoke to a bright and sunny morning, and a warm one at that. I pulled on my CHP breeches and tall Dress instep calf leather custom Dehner Boots. I especially like the big Vibram soles, which give me good traction. After preparing home-made waffles for Sunday breakfast for my partner and me, I set off to break in my new Harley-Davidson Road King.

Man, that machine is big, and heavy. It’s quite a bit of work to maneuver at slow speeds and around corners. I’m sure I’ll get used to it. I rode on backroads and byways of my beautiful home State of Maryland. I saw a lot of other bikers out there. And a state cop directing traffic at an intersection where the stoplights were out looked at me, then at the boots and breeches, then back up at my face and gave me a salute! He was cute, and the gesture was unexpected.

I stopped along the way to have some water and just take a break. A Harley group was on a ride, and they stopped at the same place I did. I had a nice conversation with those guys. Several asked me about my boots, where I got them (through Stompers, of course), and how they felt on the bike. If these guys weren’t just beginning their ride, planning to ride for many more hours, I might have joined them. But I was getting tired and a bit sunburned (I forgot the sunscreen). I shook hands goodbye and took a gentle ride home.

I put on about 100 miles on the new bike, learning how it operates and handles. It practically rides itself when on the open road. It is very comfortable. I look forward to many more rides on this beautiful machine, booted all the way. (Hmmm, what boots will be next? Stay tuned…).

Blue Mass Boot Gazing

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The first Tuesday of May is when an event called the Blue Mass is held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Washington, DC. This mass gathers officers from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies along with their supporters, like me, to remember and pray for those who have died in the line of duty in the last year. It’s a classy event. The Archbishop of Washington says the mass with many concelebrants.

I attend the mass because deep down I have tremendous respect for law enforcement officers who take a lot of grief every day in their jobs, dealing with some of society’s worst. They truly care about the communities they serve and work long, hard hours, often without even a thank-you. Well, seriously, THANK YOU to all of the men and women who help all of us be safe where we live, work, and enjoy our freedoms.

I also have to admit, though, being a Bootman, I have a very special fondness for a man in a nice looking uniform and tall, well-shined, black boots. The uniform of the U.S. Secret Service wins hands-down, at least among those who lined up for the Blue Mass. Photo above shows them all decked out in their dress “Class A” uniforms and Dress Instep Dehner Boots with lug soles. My my my, what a nice sight to behold. It’s nice to talk with these officers, to say thank-you, and to learn more about their daily work. Most enjoy speaking with us civilians, because part of their training includes learning how to work with people. They are, after all, in a position to deal with a lot of people!

While waiting for the mass to begin, I snapped some photos and took some video of the procession of honor guards, police leadership, and clergy entering the church. Those photos and video are posted here (this is a link).

Next time you see a cop, instead of saying “uh-oh,” say “Thank You!”

Boot Beauty

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While stock Dehner cop boots are not very good (the quality of the plastic material from which they are made is crap), I still admire how gorgeous they look. I see a pair of talk black beauties like these on a leatheman or a bike cop and just can’t quit staring. I booted up in these tall black stock Dehner boots that have taps on the foot and heels recently, and just admired the view. A few raindrops beading up on the waxed calf, ummmmmm. What a nice sight to behold.

Influence of "CHiPs"

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I have to admit, when I was in my teens and Jon and Ponch on the television show “CHiPs” were riding around on their police Kawasaki motorcycles in their CHP uniforms and Dehner Boots, I was mesmerized. I just loved watching that show, and especially when the boots were featured. Tall, black, shiny cop boots caught my attention. Long before videotape recording was an option, I would watch very closely so I wouldn’t miss the boots in action, especially those shots with the camera behind the boot while Jon was chasing a bad guy.

When I got older and less intimidated by the leather/uniform crowd, I bought my very own CHP replica uniform, without the gun or baton, since they’re not legal where I live (plus, I’m not into guns whatsoever.)

I have worn this uniform a lot, even just around the house, or chasing my partner (that’s always fun), and out while riding my Harley (covering up the patches on the shirt with a biker jacket.)

I just love the look, the feel, and the power of the boots, uniform, and confidence it brings to me. I have since learned that Dehner boots of today are not nearly the quality they once were — stock boots are made of crappy plastic stuff called Dehcord that cracks and doesn’t hold up to even regular wear. But still nothing compares with the feeling of those boots tight on the legs, and the comfort of the uniform.