December 14, 2000


Where can I find size 21 boots?

Where can I find size 21 boots? I've been searching for about two years and everyone I contact either laughs or shakes their head and says, "I'm sorry." They're reasonable answers, but my old boots are wearing a little thin.

— Nate Brown Glenmont, New York

Oh come on Nate, get real. Size 21 shoes? You, my friend, are so far off the bell curve you're on ANOTHER bell curve. You think someone is going to fire up an assembly line to make a batch of these boots to accommodate the one or two people on the planet who share that shoe size? Typically, size 14 is about the highest ANY boot maker goes, and many cut it off at 13.

Of course, you say you currently have boots, so my first suggestion is to see if you can look up the company that made them and try calling them up—though my guess is they were custom boots. And custom is about the only route you're going to be able to take. You might, for instance, check in with Tony Cox at Rocky Mountain Resole (www.remresole.com; 800-228-2668). Rocky Mountain repairs boots, but also builds custom boots. Tony says he can whip out a pair of size 21s for you in about three months. Cost: $500 to $700, depending on features such as orthotics and Norwegian welt construction. To get a good fit, you'll need to find a local pedorothist—a shoe-fitting specialist. He or she can make a cast of your feet and make all the key measurements and send it on to Tony.

Another possibility, one perhaps a little closer to home for you, is the Limmer Boot, Inc., in New Hampshire (603-694-2668). I'd look into a pair of Limmer Standards (also $500 to $700 in custom sizes), which is an extremely sturdy pair of boots. Limmer, however, typically has an enormous backlog —- sometimes up to two years.

Good luck. You can find boots for yourself, but it will take some money and a little time.

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