James Leddy safari boots

[YancyW]

Al did my rhino boots for $300. Sorry you can’t beat that and they are custom. Courtney does not make custom.

I can not believe that price, that is just outstanding for custom. If I wasn't 750 miles away, I would get them started on a pair for sure.

 

[WAB]

That I dont know (yet)...

Leddy uses Vibram.. which is inherently soft and quiet, and is (IMO) one of the best soles money can buy.. every military boot, hiking boot, and hunting boot I have every had with a vibram sole has been very comfortable to walk on and very quiet in the field.

But so far I've only walked around town and around a local park with these new boots... they seem quiet.. but theyve only been on pavement and grass at this point..

Ill get them into the bushveld next month and let you know how they perform..

I will be very interested to hear what you find. IMO the Courteney lug sole is much softer and quieter than the boots I have with vibrant soles but I am always open to new ideas!

 

[jpr9954]

I just got my rhino boots from Al! I could not be happier. They are beautiful and fit perfectly. Here we are with my rhino skin.
There is nothing like custom made boots. These were completed in 2 months and about a third of what I thought it would cost.

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I love the color on those boots. They really make your boots the ultimate in custom.

 

[Tanks]

I just got my rhino boots from Al! I could not be happier. They are beautiful and fit perfectly. Here we are with my rhino skin.
There is nothing like custom made boots. These were completed in 2 months and about a third of what I thought it would cost.

Wow, they look great and I love the color. I'll have to stop by there next time I am passing by.

 

[Philip Glass]

Sure they do. I have 5 pairs of custom courteneys.
No Sir. I was there at the factory in Bulawayo and they do not measure and make custom boots. Sure you can choose soles and leather but that’s it.

 

[Spearhead]

Finally something I can contribute that might help
I use Loveless custom boots in Oklahoma City. The owner does custom orthotics and is an avid hunter too . I’m in Louisiana and hunt Alligator from time to time. I’ve attached pics of two pairs he did for me from my hides. I also had belts and wallets made buy a custom guy in Slidell, LA that is well known (CrescentBelts) and the prices are outstanding. The boots are custom made. He sends a kit and you measure and step into foam for a foot mold. They are easy to work with and affordable.

 

[mdwest]

Finally something I can contribute that might help
I use Loveless custom boots in Oklahoma City. The owner does custom orthotics and is an avid hunter too . I’m in Louisiana and hunt Alligator from time to time. I’ve attached pics of two pairs he did for me from my hides. I also had belts and wallets made buy a custom guy in Slidell, LA that is well known (CrescentBelts) and the prices are outstanding. The boots are custom made. He sends a kit and you measure and step into foam for a foot mold. They are easy to work with and affordable.

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Very Nice!

Im going to be in NOLA in a couple of weeks... I might have to take a quick trip across the lake into Slidell to check out Crescent Belts while I am there!

 

[K-man]

Finally something I can contribute that might help
I use Loveless custom boots in Oklahoma City. The owner does custom orthotics and is an avid hunter too . I’m in Louisiana and hunt Alligator from time to time. I’ve attached pics of two pairs he did for me from my hides. I also had belts and wallets made buy a custom guy in Slidell, LA that is well known (CrescentBelts) and the prices are outstanding. The boots are custom made. He sends a kit and you measure and step into foam for a foot mold. They are easy to work with and affordable.

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Very nice! If you don't mind me asking, what is the price for the custom boots from Loveless if you supply the leather?

 

[Dwight Beagle]

Finally something I can contribute that might help
I use Loveless custom boots in Oklahoma City. The owner does custom orthotics and is an avid hunter too . I’m in Louisiana and hunt Alligator from time to time. I’ve attached pics of two pairs he did for me from my hides. I also had belts and wallets made buy a custom guy in Slidell, LA that is well known (CrescentBelts) and the prices are outstanding. The boots are custom made. He sends a kit and you measure and step into foam for a foot mold. They are easy to work with and affordable.

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I have a pair of Caiman boots-second from the right. I like the looks of alligator quite a bit better though. I’ll definitely be giving your guy a call in the not too distant future.

 

[mdwest]

As an update...

Its been a little over a year since I picked up the western boots and safari boots previously mentioned..

The western boots were regularly worn (maybe twice weekly) all through the fall, winter, and early spring.. they show zero sign of wear other than the natural scuffing that would occur with any other boot on the soles.. They became even more comfortable as they broke in a bit.. and are every bit as comfortable as an athletic shoe at this point.. simply wonderful boots.. worth every penny..

and the safari boots are equally great.. They spent a little more than a week last summer in South Africa, and were taken into the woods on a couple of occasions in TX to chase deer and hogs.. They didn't get worn much during the colder months.. but now that its warmed up a bit they are getting worn about once a week just as "casual" shoes for kicking around town.. They'll be going back to South Africa again in July.. and will also be the boots I take with me for dove hunting in Argentina and deer hunting in Ireland later this year.. perfectly comfortable, very quiet to walk in, plenty of ankle support, etc..

I couldn't be more pleased..

 

[jasyblood]

I had Leddy's make me a pair of safari boots last October and like them so much, I'm having another pair(different sole) and a belt made from my buffalo hide. They're supposed to be ready next week. I will post pics when I get them home.

 

[mdwest]

I had Leddy's make me a pair of safari boots last October and like them so much, I'm having another pair(different sole) and a belt made from my buffalo hide. They're supposed to be ready next week. I will post pics when I get them home.

Ostrich is on the menu next month when I head back over.. Assuming I have a successful hunt, I'll be headed back over to see Al again to have another set of western boots made from the skin.. Im contemplating another set of safari boots as well.. maybe with some of the kudu hide Ive got left..

Definitely post pics of the belt and boots! Im already anxious to see them!

 

[Sika98k]

As an update...

Its been a little over a year since I picked up the western boots and safari boots previously mentioned..

The western boots were regularly worn (maybe twice weekly) all through the fall, winter, and early spring.. they show zero sign of wear other than the natural scuffing that would occur with any other boot on the soles.. They became even more comfortable as they broke in a bit.. and are every bit as comfortable as an athletic shoe at this point.. simply wonderful boots.. worth every penny..

and the safari boots are equally great.. They spent a little more than a week last summer in South Africa, and were taken into the woods on a couple of occasions in TX to chase deer and hogs.. They didn't get worn much during the colder months.. but now that its warmed up a bit they are getting worn about once a week just as "casual" shoes for kicking around town.. They'll be going back to South Africa again in July.. and will also be the boots I take with me for dove hunting in Argentina and deer hunting in Ireland later this year.. perfectly comfortable, very quiet to walk in, plenty of ankle support, etc..

I couldn't be more pleased..

Deer hunting in Ireland? I might buy you a pint when you are here.
However as an owner of some Courteney boots they are not really suitable for hunting here. A pair of ankle high ,at least, Goretex boots is preferable.

 

[mdwest]

Deer hunting in Ireland? I might buy you a pint when you are here.
However as an owner of some Courteney boots they are not really suitable for hunting here. A pair of ankle high ,at least, Goretex boots is preferable.

Will definitely take that into account @Sika98k ... thanks! I've also got a pair of Goretex XPRT 6" heavy hikers that I use in the US most of the time when wet or cold weather is what is being dealt with.. Maybe they are best for the sika deer hunt we have planned..

Will shoot you a PM.. we're going to be spending a day in Dublin before we head out on the hunt.. would be great to link up with another AH'er for a pint or two if you're available.. (then spending a couple of days out in County Cork after the hunt to see a bit of the countryside before heading home)..

 

[Sika98k]

Will definitely take that into account @Sika98k ... thanks! I've also got a pair of Goretex XPRT 6" heavy hikers that I use in the US most of the time when wet or cold weather is what is being dealt with.. Maybe they are best for the sika deer hunt we have planned..

Will shoot you a PM.. we're going to be spending a day in Dublin before we head out on the hunt.. would be great to link up with another AH'er for a pint or two if you're available.. (then spending a couple of days out in County Cork after the hunt to see a bit of the countryside before heading home)..

Sounds like a plan

 

[jpr9954]

My wife and I just finished our road trip to Texas. One of our stops was in Abilene at James Leddy's. After reading everything here, I was determined to have a custom made pair of safari boots. So this past Friday morning, we visited with Al Dos Santos at his store.

After a bit of chat, it was off to the measuring throne.

There Al took multiple measurements of my feet. Turns out they are different sized. He also noticed I was having issues with pressure on the ball of my right foot even though I had my orthotics in. He is going to make new insoles that will relieve that pressure.

Al also mentioned that the actor Kevin Costner was in a couple of weeks earlier to get new boots made because he was having pressure issues with his feet. While Costner is not in the same category as MD West or Philip Glass, he is pretty well known.

Since I didn't have skins to bring him, we then went to pick through the many hides he had. It came down to buffalo and what we originally thought was calfskin. It was actually kudu in a nice russet brown. Finally, I picked the soles (Vibram with heel), cap or no cap on toe (no), and ankle collar (double rib).

It wasn't cheap but I'm really happy with my decision to buy custom boots. They are my retirement present to myself. Much better than a gold watch! I will have about a six week wait on the boots and they will be shipped to me in North Carolina. My cost was $480 as I didn't have my own hide.

Chatting with Al I found out he had lived in Rhodesia for many years and left sometime after Mugabe took over. He is now a very proud naturalized American citizen.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I’m still in the Peacocke camp on this subject

 

[jpr9954]

I’m still in the Peacocke camp on this subject

I tried the Courtney boots at the SCI Convention. There was something about the way they were made that irritated my foot. The Leddy boots may be similar to Courtneys but they are not direct copies. Moreover, given I picked out the features I wanted as well as the exact piece of leather, there will never be another pair exactly like mine.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

My wife and I just finished our road trip to Texas. One of our stops was in Abilene at James Leddy's. After reading everything here, I was determined to have a custom made pair of safari boots. So this past Friday morning, we visited with Al Dos Santos at his store.

After a bit of chat, it was off to the measuring throne.

View attachment 494134


There Al took multiple measurements of my feet. Turns out they are different sized. He also noticed I was having issues with pressure on the ball of my right foot even though I had my orthotics in. He is going to make new insoles that will relieve that pressure.

Al also mentioned that the actor Kevin Costner was in a couple of weeks earlier to get new boots made because he was having pressure issues with his feet. While Costner is not in the same category as MD West or Philip Glass, he is pretty well known.

View attachment 494132

Since I didn't have skins to bring him, we then went to pick through the many hides he had. It came down to buffalo and what we originally thought was calfskin. It was actually kudu in a nice russet brown. Finally, I picked the soles (Vibram with heel), cap or no cap on toe (no), and ankle collar (double rib).

It wasn't cheap but I'm really happy with my decision to buy custom boots. They are my retirement present to myself. Much better than a gold watch! I will have about a six week wait on the boots and they will be shipped to me in North Carolina. My cost was $480 as I didn't have my own hide.

Chatting with Al I found out he had lived in Rhodesia for many years and left sometime after Mugabe took over. He is now a very proud naturalized American citizen.

View attachment 494133

Another ex Rhodesian who left and made it good, they are all over the world and generally they all did well. I have a theory as to why. Firstly, education standard in Rhodesia was one of the highest in the world, right across the population. Secondly, we all went to the army, it was war, we were fighting for our very existance. Finally, the music was good.

 

[mdwest]

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know 3 former Rhodesians over the years that have become US Citizens… all have had good careers and done well…

One became a “campus cop” at a university in Tennessee… he ended up with a masters degree in geology while working at the university and left to work in the oil and gas business a few years later… another owned a very nice restaurant that stayed busy… I’m not sure where he is in life now… and then Al… he and his wife seem to be loving life and enjoying their boot business…

A common trait among them all… very driven and hard working… and genuinely friendly, likable people…