Yearly Archives: 2008

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.

Leather and Wesco Harness Boots

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I’m so glad that conference I attended here in my home town is over. It’s hard to attend a very time consuming conference in the town where you live if you go home at night. Life doesn’t stop. Well, anyway, it’s over, so I’m back to my routine, which includes leatherin’ up and enjoying Wescos.

Every now-and-then, I’ll step outside for a break, and sometimes when I do I’ll set up the camera to take some pics so I can update my website. It really is an avocation of mine and is fun.

Wescos are good quality boots, and since these 19″ Wesco Harness Boots were made custom to fit, they feel great. But I have to admit, they’re not the most comfortable boots I own. But with leather, on the Harley, and when I don’t have to walk or stand too much, then they’re just fine.

Great to be back in the ol’ routine. Lots to catch up on.

Just conferencin’

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I’m just conferencin’ today… dressed as shown (even the same tie). brown leather blazer and Dan Post Brown Ostrich Leg Cowboy Boots. Comfy boots that accommodate thick socks so my feet don’t get sore as I cruise around the conference facility from meeting to meeting. Just another day in my life … conferencin’ and cruisin’ … meeting and greeting, speaking at sessions, and so forth. I’ll be glad to return to my regular routine tomorrow as the conference ends tonight.

They Got the Memo

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I am participating in a conference which began on Saturday and goes through mid-week. There are about 2,000 participants from all over the United States. It is a fairly dressy affair, with most men in suits. And frumpy funny-lookin’ dress shoes.

But not all is lost! I saw several dozen men in cowboy boots, and it seems like a memo was passed around that today’s boot choice was to be black. I swear, all the men in boots today had on black cowboy boots, including myself. I was wearing Dan Post Ostrich Leg Cowboy Boots. They are really good looking boots and comfortable, too.

Hmmm, I wonder what the boot color choice will be tomorrow? I think I will probably go with brown.

Boot comfort

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There are times in my line of work when I have to be on my feet all day long, and dressed in a suit as well. Since I don’t own a pair of shoes, having comfortable boots is a necessity. Over the next several days, I will be at a conference, running up and down hallways, standing at a table providing information, and spending much more time on my feet than I usually do.

Generally speaking, I find cowboy boots are more comfortable than motorcycle boots. Also, there are more styles of “dress” cowboy boots on the market to choose from.

Pictured here is a pair of Ariat cowboy boots that have a rubber tread, so they’ll work well as a motorcycle boot, too. They have a great built-in insole as well. The combination of the insole and the rubber tread, as well as being made of a very soft cowhide, make them quite comfortable. I wore them all day yesterday and I was on my feet or standing for many hours. My feet didn’t hurt a bit.

Of the cowboy boots in my collection, two manufacturers stand out above the crowd: Lucchese and Dan Post. Each of these bootmakers build their boots on quality lasts (forms) and install insoles that are comfortable. Nocona boots aren’t bad, either, but don’t quite have the comfort of Dan Post boots.

What manufacturers make boots that I find to be uncomfortable? Acme by far is the worst, followed by Cowtown and Code West. I’ve discarded any Laredo boots that I had because they’re very uncomfortable and were cheaply made. Unfortunately, I find that Tony Lama, once a premier boot maker, has fallen short in my boot comfort ratings. Justin can be good or not so good, depending on the boot. Justin comfort is inconsistent. Sendras look hot, but to be really fair, they’re not all that comfortable to stand in for a long time. Boots made in Mexico by independent boot makers can really vary. Mezcalero Boots are teriffic, but Rudel and Villano are not. Rios of Mercedes are fair, and Largato are a bit better. You just have to try them on and walk/stand in them a while to see how they feel to you.

Motorcycle boots aren’t ordinarily worn with dress clothes, but I have been spotted from time to time wearing H-D Police Enforcer Boots which by far are the most comfortable tall “bike cop” boots that I own. Far more comfortable that Dehners, IMHO.

Final words: you really have to try on the boots and walk in them. Walk around a store, up and down the aisles, and stand. Just stand in them. Often you can tell after 5 minutes of standing in a pair of boots if they are comfortable to you. Tell the sales guy why you’re doing that — to evaluate how the boots really feel to you. That’s the only way you can tell. If a sales guy doesn’t want you to spend the time doing that, then go somewhere else. And don’t buy the poppycock that “the boots will break in.” The break-in happens in the flex of the sole (for walking) and in the creases at the ankles. It has nothing to do with sole comfort while standing. Don’t let a sales guy tell you any different.

In closing, boot comfort for walking and standing is really measured in the quality of an insole. That makes all the difference. If you like a boot but the insole is not of good quality, you can always buy good quality insoles, like Dr. Sholl’s gel insoles, which are really quite good. (Don’t get the cheap thin foam insoles, which feel good for a few hours then flatten out and aren’t so good any more.)

Life is short. Wear your boots. Stand and be proud while booted.

Why did I create my own web site?

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Some people have asked me why I created my web site, bootedman.com. Well, it’s a simple story, really. I had left a job after almost 20 years to care for an elderly uncle through the winter of his life. At first, I only needed to spend a few hours a week tending to his and his wife’s needs for grocery shopping, transportation for medical visits, sitting and talking with him, and other daily activities. My post-full-time-job consulting “career” also involved learning how to write HTML and update web pages for a non-profit organization, a government, and a political candidate.

Just about the same time, my partner walked into our bedroom and tripped over yet another pair of boots on the floor (he’s the neatnick; I’m not). He was upset, and said that I didn’t really know how many boots I had, where they were, or if even would wear them any more.

So one thing led to the other. I discovered that my ISP offered “free” web hosting, so for a while, I just began to use their HTML editor and post some text and pictures of my boots to inventory my collection and get my partner’s complaints addressed. However, soon I discovered that my ISP’s “free” web space was slow, difficult to use, and wasn’t providing a good “experience” for visitors to my website. Many would drop in and quickly leave because the pages weren’t responsive, slow to load, and (honestly), were ugly.

A few months later, I found that the domain, bootedman.com, was available. I bought it. I asked questions and got a lot of help from people more knowledgeable than me, especially the technical guru behind the website hotboots.com, Bill. He and his partner Larry (hotboots.com webmaster) offered advice and suggestions, comments and constructive criticism, as did a few other guys who I met through hotboots who also know a lot about these things. I sincerely appreciate their help. Bill and Larry both strongly urged me to put my website on a web host, which would improve the speed and was a heck of a lot easier to use. I took their advice (which is always good) and put bootedman.com on Hurricane Electric, which provides superb, virtually uninterrupted highly reliable service and support.

As my uncle’s health was deteriorating and I was spending more time with him, I had learned enough about web building that I didn’t have to (nor have time to) spend as much time on it. I spent time with my uncle until he passed away at the rich old age of 95, with dignity and honor, at home with his loving wife of 64 years nearby. I’ll never regret that experience and the honor of caring for such a wonderful, sweet man.

Soon after squaring away my uncle’s affairs, and with the urging of my partner, I re-entered the full-time job market and was quickly employed. I love my job, but working full-time has its drawbacks in that I don’t have nearly as much time to work on my website as I would like. But when I do, it’s fun. I have learned a lot and thank goodness on how well Google works so I can inquire about certain web techniques and learn from examples of others.

So why did I create my own website? Several reasons, really: to inventory my boot and leather gear collection; to learn HTML and web techniques; to exercise my mind by learning new skills; and to have fun. That’s it — it’s an avocation that is fun. It’s not about me; it’s not an ego thing. It’s just fun.

Suit and Boots

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It was “suit and boots” time again at our state legislature for this civic activist yesterday. I testified before a committee which is considering a bill to repeal our state’s mandatory motorcycle helmet law. I believe the law should be retained. There are far too many head injuries of motorcyclists in other states where the law is not in place. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I hear the opposing arguments about freedom, heat, etc., etc., but I don’t buy it. And I hope the bill dies in committee, which it looks like it will.

I was wearing my Dan Post Brown Ostrich Leg Cowboy Boots and this new brown leather blazer, shirt & tie, etc. A few bikers were there were in traditional “biker” attire — chaps, jeans, boots, and vests with a zillion metal pins on them. What was amusing to me is that the bikers were really holding up the security line, and several of them had to help each other take off the other’s boots. It was interesting viewing for this Bootman!

So there I am, standing behind this huge line of bikers at security, them in the boots and leathers (my customary attire) and me in a suit (not customary attire). The guard looked at me and said, “let me look in your bag and then you can go around.” So I by-passed the show in the building lobby. Imagine, being a boot & leather man and yet having a suit be the reason why I’m given the fast lane. I just laughed all the way to the hearing room.

Since I was on the opposing side of several of the booted bikers in the audience, let’s say they weren’t all that happy with me. As I was leaving, one of them stuck his boot out so that I had to step over his leg or risk tripping. As I was stepping over him, I just smiled and said, “nice Wescos. I have several pairs of those boots myself.” He gave me a puzzled look.

Anyway, as I go about my daily routine, be it at work or as a community and civic activist, I’m booted all the way…. but perhaps not always in leather, as much as I would like to be.

Bartering for Boots

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I once lived in a European economy where much was exchanged on barter, rather than for cash. I could offer a product or service in exchange for another, and ultimately, I would get what I needed and was able to help others.

Bartering isn’t done that much in the U.S. But it can be done if you know when, how, and where to look. For example, I have a buddy who runs a business. He is often overwhelmed with tax questions. While I’m no expert, I’ve been around the block once or twice. So in exchange for advice and consultation, he gave me something from his inventory: a new pair of Chippewa oil-tanned Engineer Boots. While I wasn’t necessarily looking for another pair of boots that I already have, I wouldn’t turn ’em down, either. They are very comfortable boots. They’re unlined, so you can feel the tall boot shaft rubbing gently on the calf (a good feeling!). I am certain that I will put them to good use while riding my motorcycle. I’ll then feel a tad less badly about muckin’ in snud, mud, or other wet stuff in the older pair, which take abuse well and come back for more.

Rattled

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Just computing tax returns today for seniors; then preparing home-made chicken soup later.

I am in my Nocona diamondback rattlesnake cowboy boots this morning. These boots are so comfortable, look great with blue jeans, and make an excellent sound when I walk in them. Someone asked me recently what boots I think are most comfortable, and these are among them.

I’ll switch to some Biker Boots after I return from the seniors’ visits, as someone is coming by to look at my Harley that’s for sale. So the switch to biker attire and boots is needed. I’ll take the Harley for a short ride to warm it up. Thank goodness all evidence of “snud” (posted about yesterday) is gone.