Review: Westland Side-Laced Boots via Viking Leather Craft

[miscreant]

First and foremost, all communication, from initial inquiry to purchase to shipment, with Frank at Viking Leather Craft was 1st rate, excellent, wonderful.... There aren't enough positive adjectives to describe his customer service.

Since he hadn't ordered a pair of these before I was the test subject and he told me to be honest about these Westland Crafts 'Luxury Side Laced Boots'. Here's the link to them directly on the Westland site: http://www.westlandcrafts.com/index_02.php

I ordered a size 11 in black. Initially the fit was rather snug, seeming to be more like a 10.5. But as I wore them around the house they loosened up a bit and really, fit me like a glove, or rather a sock (otherwise I'd be wearing them on my hand). First rate leather was used on the uppers and the sole is plenty thick so a walk on gravel would not effect your foot at all. With all brand new all leather soles, they are very slick on flat surfaces, but, as with all other similar shoes I've had, they will 'scuff up' enough to offer better traction. The stitching was excellent, tight with nicely finished ends to reduce the chance of it to fray. Long leather laces that are plenty strong, yet soft enough not to dig into your ankle cinch up the side.

Now, the biggest drawback is that they don't have a heel stiffener, so the soft leather tends to slide down and slightly bunch under your heel, and it gives it a look of not fitting correctly (as in the side view picture attached). That, I will add, but even with that, they still fit very, very comfortably. To match the side of the leather sole to the rest of the boot, it 'smells' like they used a permanent marker as that smell overpowers the should be leather scent. That's pretty minor. I'm still trying to figure out the proper way to put them on with the side lacing, but all I can say is that once they are on they are very comfortable. I honestly don't recall what I paid for them, but is was so reasonable I couldn't say no.

Again with the exception of needing a heel stiffener, these boots are excellently made, fit very comfortably, look very much like the 14th century side laced boots in the Museum of London book, Shoes and Pattens, so will truly improve your 14th C portrayal. And working with Frank is a pleasure.

These boots were not made for giving ankle support. If you have weak ankles and plan on using them for WMA or SCA combat, you may want to look for something with more support. But for my use, they are perfect.

[VikingLeather]

Thanks for the feedback Miscreant and I am glad you like the shoes. I kept a pair for myself as well.

I will also pass the feedback along about the heel stiffener. I believe the smell you are smelling is the cement used on the soles. The soles are glued then nailed. It is a bit potent when the first come out of the bags. It goes away eventually.

I am liking the taller Luxury Calf Boots as well. Again a very good comfortable fit and the multiple buckles and straps allow you to custom fit them to your leg. They are fitted with a heel stiffener.

Frank