Custom bootmaker: Eastside, NorCal or Northern Nevada

[simonov]

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



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

[maverick]

http://www.limmercustomboot.com/cgi-bin ... t/index.pl
http://www.danner.com/men
http://www.esatto.biz/

[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

[simonov]

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.

[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.

[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... .

[rlown]

Unfortunately, he didn't call back, so he might have retired. sigh.

[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/

[mrphil]

If finding the customs doesn't work out, I highly recommend Zamberlans for both fit and durability. Vioz and Guide.

[nunatak]

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:

28940022 by jan nikolajsen, on Flickr