Old school

Nick's Custom Boots, made in the Peoples Republic of Spokanistan (term of endearment for Spokane, WA) are the epitome of old school. Not like Adidas Shell Toes on Run DMC but truly made by traditional craftsman with tried and true methods: all leather, exclusive of the outsole, with heavy three sole stitch down (Norwegian Welt) construction. And these certainly will never be a fashion statement, no fashionista is tough enough to wear these big bad boots. If you are fighting fire in the sticks of the Northwest, these are the boots you wear. There are very few people out there still making shoes anything like this. As far as I can tell, the few left are all in the Northwest: Viberg in Victoria, B.C., White's (includes Hathorn and Buffalo) also in Spokane, and Wesco in Scapoose, OR. This is, I assume, due to their proximity to the forests and roots in logging boot manufacturing. Nick's is the cream of the cream of the crop though. Concentrating ONLY on boots, you won't find a fishing rod or camo clothing at Nick's boots. Stiff, hard, and miserable to break in, but once they are there, you know it, the comfort that can only come from leather being pummeled into submission by hours on your feet, truly a boot made for the long haul. By the way, I'd love to know about any other regional footwear types, send 'em HERE.