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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