Guest
Jake Houston
Houston Boot Company
What You'll Hear
Jake's journey from professional musician to full-time cowboy bootmaker
Learning bootmaking through repair work and independent study
Why stingray leather sparked the entire business
Working with kangaroo, horsehide, elephant, alligator, and crocodile
Understanding CITES regulations and state-by-state restrictions
Material costs and sourcing premium exotic leathers
How cowboy boot sizing differs from sneakers
Why arch length matters more than shoe size
Choosing and modifying lasts for bespoke footwear
Traditional cowboy boot construction and quality indicators
Leather insoles, welts, stacked heels, and wood pegs
Why custom boot fitting is far more involved than off-the-shelf sizing
How Houston Boot Company Started
Jake explains how leather carving began as a hobby while he was performing as a country musician. After searching unsuccessfully for a custom pair of stingray cowboy boots, he decided to learn bootmaking himself, eventually opening Houston Boot Company after studying repair work and traditional construction methods.
Choosing Leather for Cowboy Boots
The conversation compares several premium leathers, including kangaroo for its strength-to-weight ratio, horsehide for its appearance, elephant for durability, and the unique challenges of working with stingray and alligator. Material selection depends not only on appearance but also on workability, longevity, and intended use.
Sizing Custom Boots
Jake explains why proper cowboy boot fitting begins with arch length instead of overall foot length. The discussion covers Brannock measurements, width sizing, custom lasts, heel height, and how bespoke boots are built around an individual's foot rather than forcing the wearer into a standard size.
Inside a Handmade Cowboy Boot
From leather insoles and welt construction to stacked leather heels and wood-pegged shanks, Jake walks through many of the details that distinguish handmade boots from mass-produced footwear and explains why those traditional construction methods continue to matter today.
Find out more about our guest on his Website
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