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Every Bowman's
Wilson Boot is handmade, from start to
finish, by skilled bootmakers. Each hand-finished,
a one-of-a-kind, and bears the workmanship
of each craftsman's individual attention. Inspect
closely the signs of a handmade boot.
Look for stitching
lines that are slightly irregular boot to boot.
Some variation denotes that boot was hand stitched,
not by computer. Look for the marks of hand-trimming
and finishing on the heels. Handmade heels,
like fingerprints, will vary slightly one to
the next; no two set at precisely the same point
in relation to the side seam, because they are
handmade boots.
Turn the boot over
and look at the wood pegs of the instep. Each
is set separately, by hand, with an awl and
hammer. No two boots will have them in exactly
the same spots. Look for these little signs
of imperfection that mean perfection in a handmade
Wilson Boot.
Every Bowman's
Wilson Boot is handmade with the best materials
money can buy. We start with the best prime
leather. Work boots are 5.5 ounce prime cowhide.
Calfskin lining, at 3.5 ounce, is equal thickness
to most outer leathers. Every part of a Wilson
Boot that should be leather is leather.
No manmade products, no plastics or paper products,
are substituted for prime leather in any Wilson
Boot.
Only all leather
boots are strong and comfortable; none are stronger
nor more comfortable than Wilson Boots.
For strength, all
Wilson Boot heels are set ahead of the side
seam. This strengthens support for the arch,
and so the boot properly fits a stirrup. Every
arch is hand-pegged with wood pegs and is supported
inside by an extra long, extra wide indestructible
steel shank.
For durability
and proper spur fit, every Wilson workboot (Solid,
Two/Tone and Bullhide) has a high tongue, high
heel counter and prominent spur shelf.
Our standard Wilson
Boots use pull-holes instead of pull-straps.
Pull-straps can break. Pull-holes never
break and look smoother under pants.
Finally and most
importantly, every Wilson Boot is hand-lasted.
Hand lasting assures the best shaped and best
fitting boot for your comfort.
Caring for your
Wilson Boot
Your Wilson Boots
are the finest you can buy. With proper care,
they will last for years. Protect your investment.
First, your Wilson
Boots should fit correctly. Improper fit can
seriously degrade long boot life, especially
a boot that is, while standing, excessively
tight across the metatarsal (the widest part
just behind your toes). Too tight boots will
stress the leather to eventually split or the
stitching separate at the welt.
Remember that leather
was originally skin, very much like your own.
Leather, no longer alive needs more care than
skin. It should be kept clean and dry; natural
oils must be replenished; avoid excess heat
and avoid cuts and abrasions.
Leather is naturally
porous. Dirt and dust particles in the leather's
pores are abrasive from the inside, eventually
degrading the leather. Noticed how much longer
boot tops last than boot bottoms. The boot shaft
is usually covered by pants, protected from
dirt and continually dusted within the pant
leg.
Clean Your Boots
Often. A stiff brush, sponge and plain water
will reasonably clean your boots. Remove the
worst of dirt or mud using the brush first,
then sponge and water to remove the remaining
dirt. Water in moderate amounts will not hurt
leather.
Occasionally use
saddle soap and water for a better cleaning.
Rinse away all of the saddle soap. It contains
caustic alkaloids, just like hand soap; residual
saddle soap will burn leather, just as
dry soap will to your skin.
While the leather
is still slightly moist after a good cleaning,
apply a leather conditioner to replace the leather's
natural oils. We recommend Lexol conditioner
or any good quality conditioner containing lanolin.
Set your clean and treated boots aside for 24
hours to dry. Later apply boot polish or wax,
and buff to a shine.
The frequency and
interval of cleaning and reconditioning your
boots is dependent upon their use. Bowman's
Wilson Boots recommends the practice of wearing
alternate pairs every other day so 24-hours
drying between each wearing will extend the
life of all your boots.
Sweat is hard on
leather. Boots that are never allowed to dry
completely, the salty perspiration will eventually
rot the leather and the boot will fall apart.
Avoid constant
wading in water. Wear rubber over-boots if possible.
Let your soaked boots dry naturally on their
own; do not artificially heat-dry them.
Replace the soles
and heels regularly to avoid wearing into the
boot foundation. With these precautions, your
Wilson boots should last for years. One pair
of Wilson's were known to have been resoled
sixteen times before they were retired. Remember,
a boot repairman must have a good foundation
to satisfactorily replace worn soles and heals.
Boot repair is
like maintenance on your car or truck. Regular
care, frequent tune-ups, oil changes and lubes
will guarantee lots of extra mileage for your
truck and your boots.
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Care
and Construction [Printable Version]
Livingston, Montana 59047