Athletic Insole Inserts are required for you to be comfortable in your boots or shoes as they are flat with no support on the inside.  It is best to put insoles in after the boots are broken in a little.  When you order custom footwear they come cut to fit your boots.  When ordering them separately, you may have to trim the insoles  yourself.  Sof Sole Airr are $20.

Kiwi® Camp Dry® Beeswax Waterproofer

Care and Feeding

I want you to enjoy your new footwear, have it fit comfortably, and for you to be happy! Like all other quality leather products, your boots or shoes need to be taken care of. Your footwear needs minor attention for comfort, reliability and longevity. If you do not follow the Care and Feeding instructions, you will void the Service Guarantee.

 After your footwear has been broken in, follow these instructions:

• Every two months apply a coat of Kiwi, Camp Dry, Beeswax Waterproofer. I sell Camp Dry and you can also purchase it at Wal-Mart.  This product will maintain your footwear and clean up any non-staining dirt and waterproof them. Read and follow the Camp Dry instructions. Following this instruction will prevent staining dirt from sticking to the leather, keep your feet dry, and keep the leather from getting damaged increasing the longevity and reliability of your footwear. Snow Seal is an alternative product that is acceptable.
  
• If your boots get staining dirt on them or show signs of damage from the elements, clean them with Saddle Soap.  Read and follow the instructions on the Saddle Soap. After the Saddle Soap dries, apply Kiwi, Camp Dry.
  
• If you have neglected your boots and notice the leather is damaged or dry, use Kiwi Mink Oil.

 Things to avoid:

• Never use Neatsfoot oil.
• Never put your footwear in any situation that the heat is over 120°.  The glue that affixes the sole is UV and heat activated, also much direct sunlight or heat can cause the glue fail.  Never pack away or fold your footwear wet.  Once dry, it will want to stay in this shape.
• Never store items like wallets, beer cans or bottles, in your boots as you walk around.  This will cause your boots to “fall” and sag.
• You paid a good deal of money for your boots, don’t do bad things to them!
• Do not put oil or snow seal on the suede lining of your boot.  Use scotch guard or other suede protectant on the suede.  It is acceptable to put oil and snow seal on the outside of the boot where the suede is attached.
  

Fitting

            Your boots should fit snuggly. Put them on with no socks or inserts the first several times.  Depending on the leather I selected for you, your boots could fit snuggly to very tightly. If they are very tight the first time, it may take about 5 minutes of intense struggle to get them on and someone may have to help you pull.  Once on, they should be tight across the top of the foot and toes.  You may only be able to stand wearing them for a few minutes to a few hours at first.  This is normal. As you wear the boots over a few weeks, they will stretch to fit your foot based on the tracing and measurements.  The heelpiece is designed to form a cup or pocket and will move about 3/8 of an inch back moving your toes back too.

 Having Troubles with fitting? If the first boot does not fit, try the second anyway.  A trick is to put a plastic bag, like the ones the give at the grocery store, over your foot to reduce friction and try again.  Once the boot is on wear it around as long as you can.  The next time you wear them, put hot water in the boots, get them good and wet, pour out the water, put them on and walk around.

            Some people’s feet temporarily swell for many different reasons. Is it possible your feet have swollen?  If your feet are not swollen and the boots do not fit, then please contact me.  I may ask you to send the boots back to me.  I have stretchers that I can use to stretch some of the areas.

Insoles: All the footwear is designed to be worn with insole inserts.  I use “Sof Airr” which retails for about $18.  Inserts give you a heel cushion and arch support.  There is no arch support otherwise.  You can get inserts from me or go to your local store and get some.  I fit them for custom footwear for $20. On this page I also sell them to ship out immediately for $15. 

For footwear with Ankle Laces: If you ordered Ankle Laces on your footwear, tie your laces tight during the break in process. This will help form the heel pocket and move your toes away from the toe seams. Not following this instruction early on will cause the heel pocket not to form and for the footwear to seem to be to short.  You should never be able to remove or put your boots or shoes on with the laces tied. Not following this instruction later on will make cause your boots or shoes to get over stretched and give you a sloppy fit and your toes will get jammed into the toe of the boot or shoe; very uncomfortably.

 For footwear with Buckles: If you ordered Buckles on your footwear, keep the buckle strap tight during the break in process. This will help form the heel pocket and move your toes away from the toe seams. Not following this instruction early on will cause the heel pocket not to form and for the boots or shoes to seem to be to short.  You should never be able to remove or put your boots or shoes on with the buckle done.  Not following this instruction later on will make cause your boots or shoes to get over stretched and give you a sloppy fit and your toes will get jammed into the toe of the boot or shoe.  If the holes will not allow you to make your boots tighter, use a round punch and add holes.

 For footwear with Toggles: If you ordered toggles on your footwear, keep the toggle tight always. Not following this instruction early on will cause the boots or shoes to seem to be to short.  You should never be able to remove or put your boots or shoes on with the toggles done.  Not following on will make cause your boots or shoes to get over stretched and give you a sloppy fit and your toes will get jammed into the toe of the boot or shoe.  You will need to be constantly vigilant about adjusting your knots on the toggles to keep them tight.

 Signs of Ware / Time to Repair:  The soles of the boots will ware out over time.  Normal wear is about 3 years.  If you, walk on the inside or outside of your foot, this could happen very quickly in about 3 to 6 months. Look closely at sole your boots from the side. There are four layers; the top layer is your boot leather, the thin middle layer is the mid-sole, thicker bottom layer is the sole which is either smooth crepe or a lugged tread sole, the fourth layer is optional on a crepe sole and is the hard rubber heel. 

Once you ware the smooth crepe or the lugged tread sole down to 1/8^th of an inch, it is time to replace the soles.  If you have a heel on crepe, if has worn down to ½ of the thickness, it is time to replace it.  If your foot is starting to walk of the heel of the boot either to the inside or outside because the sole material is worn down unevenly, then it is time to get the sole replaced before the footwear is ruined. 

Repairs and Modifications: I will be happy to repair footwear damaged under any of the circumstances described in the above Signs of Ware or modify an item per your request. I charge for all repairs and modifications. Fees will include shipping, materials and labor. I usually require that the boots or shoes be sent to me for evaluation before I can make a formal quote. Also, your footwear is constructed in such a way that it can be taken to any shoe repair shop for repairs locally.

Bohemond

Michael J. Fine