Custom bootmaker: Eastside, NorCal or Northern Nevada

Share your advice and personal experiences, post a gear review or ask any questions you may have pertaining to outdoor gear and equipment.
User avatar
simonov
Topix Novice
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Jul 26, 2017 8:10 am
Experience: Level 3 Backpacker
Location: Reno, NV
Contact:

Custom bootmaker: Eastside, NorCal or Northern Nevada

Post by simonov »

My twice resoled Vasque Cascades purchased in 1982 finally have a hole in the uppers:

Image

I have experimented with modern off-the-shelf boots and haven't found anything that fit or worked as well as my old Vasques. I figure it might make sense to get a pair of custom-made boots that will last the rest of my life. I remember hearing some years ago about a bootmaker in the Bishop area. Does anyone know or recommend any old time craftsmen around here who do this work?

Maybe this belongs in Outdoor Gear Topix.

Thanks,

Mitch
Nunc est bibendum.
User avatar
maverick
Forums Moderator
Forums Moderator
Posts: 11823
Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:54 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Custom bootmaker: Eastside, NorCal or Northern Nevada

Post by maverick »

Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
User avatar
rlown
Topix Docent
Posts: 8225
Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2007 5:00 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Wilton, CA

Re: Custom bootmaker: Eastside, NorCal or Northern Nevada

Post by rlown »

not even the newest Vasque boots?

http://www.vasque.com/USD/mens-footwear

or something from the zamberlan selection?

http://www.zamberlanusa.com/catalog/?la ... at&idcat=2
User avatar
simonov
Topix Novice
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Jul 26, 2017 8:10 am
Experience: Level 3 Backpacker
Location: Reno, NV
Contact:

Re: Custom bootmaker: Eastside, NorCal or Northern Nevada

Post by simonov »

rlown wrote:not even the newest Vasque boots?

http://www.vasque.com/USD/mens-footwear
Complete crap with cemented soles that fall off in five years whether you use them or not.

I was hoping to find someone local. I know there used to be a guy in Bishop or Lone Pine, but that was a few years ago.
Nunc est bibendum.
User avatar
rlown
Topix Docent
Posts: 8225
Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2007 5:00 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Wilton, CA

Re: Custom bootmaker: Eastside, NorCal or Northern Nevada

Post by rlown »

Found this guy in Bishop: http://dansboots.homestead.com/contact.html

Don't have any experience with him but he is in Bishop. Give him a ring and see if he is even still in business. The map looks correct but the directions are for somewhere in the bay area; weird. Let us know, please.

Russ

EDIT: Tried to submit a question, and the site is broken. Email didn't work, so I called the number and left a message. Now I wait.
User avatar
gdurkee
Founding Member
Posts: 774
Joined: Tue Nov 08, 2005 8:20 pm
Experience: N/A

Re: Custom bootmaker: Eastside, NorCal or Northern Nevada

Post by gdurkee »

Dan Asay. He's great. My wife had a pair made 10+ years ago. Two resoles and they're still in excellent shape. Never a blister. They're expensive but he custom measures your foot; does an impression of your sole. They're like the old Pivetta 5 or Muir Trail, both of which were great boots. I haven't talked to him in a few years. His shop was in Bishop across from the supermarket (The Rubber Room) but maybe he moved... .
User avatar
rlown
Topix Docent
Posts: 8225
Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2007 5:00 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Wilton, CA

Re: Custom bootmaker: Eastside, NorCal or Northern Nevada

Post by rlown »

Unfortunately, he didn't call back, so he might have retired. sigh.
User avatar
gdurkee
Founding Member
Posts: 774
Joined: Tue Nov 08, 2005 8:20 pm
Experience: N/A

Re: Custom bootmaker: Eastside, NorCal or Northern Nevada

Post by gdurkee »

Bummer. If I can track him down, I'll send you a note. (though, that said, I can see where he might take a week to get back to you...).

There used to be a guy in Colorado but I forgot his name. That was 20 years ago and more, so he might have moved on also.

EDIT: Looks like The Rubber Room is still in business. Give them a call. That's where he used to work out of:
https://www.rubberroomresoles.com/
User avatar
mrphil
Topix Regular
Posts: 309
Joined: Sat Jun 10, 2017 12:04 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Custom bootmaker: Eastside, NorCal or Northern Nevada

Post by mrphil »

If finding the customs doesn't work out, I highly recommend Zamberlans for both fit and durability. Vioz and Guide.
User avatar
nunatak
Topix Acquainted
Posts: 22
Joined: Sun Mar 12, 2017 10:14 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Custom bootmaker: Eastside, NorCal or Northern Nevada

Post by nunatak »

gdurkee wrote:Dan Asay. He's great. My wife had a pair made 10+ years ago. Two resoles and they're still in excellent shape. Never a blister. They're expensive but he custom measures your foot; does an impression of your sole. They're like the old Pivetta 5 or Muir Trail, both of which were great boots. I haven't talked to him in a few years. His shop was in Bishop across from the supermarket (The Rubber Room) but maybe he moved... .
I know Dan, but lost contact unfortunately. Amazing guy, long history in the mountains, the Valley and greater ranges. He was with Galen Rowell in the Karakorum, climbed El Cap with Beverly Johnson, etc.

Here we are, doing something or another above South Lake in 2001. Off course he's wearing climbing shoes of his own design:

Image28940022 by jan nikolajsen, on Flickr
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 51 guests