Boot Blues

[batninja]

I'v been searching for almost three months for new size 12/13 boots for faire, looking for black, side-laced button boots. 

House of Andar caught my eye, but they don't have my size (was supposed to get an E-mail about future availability, but never did).  I checked out Regal Boots, but they're out of my size as well, and won't be able to produce them before TRF kicks off in two weeks.  Boots on eBay seem too 'pedestrian' for me, and most look like simple costume boots.  Sandlar's website is down, and the others I've seen (Catskill, NativeEarth, Bald Mountain, etc) are simply out of my $300 price limit.

Anyone have any other options?  Obscure boot-makers that we haven't seen yet?

[isabelladangelo]

Amazon actually has an amazing collection of shoes now.   You might want to try and go commercial there. 

http://www.amazon.com/RJ-Colt-Oscar-Chukka-Medium/dp/B001FB66Z6/ref=sr_1_37?ie=UTF8&s=shoes&qid=1253803795&sr=1-37

[batninja]

I was actually looking for something closer to a knee-high boot, but I'll check Amazon as well.

[Blue66669]

Hey bat, if you want to get in touch with Sandlar, which I HIGHLY recommend doing, you can't go through their site. It's been down for years LOL. You can easily get a hold of them on MySpace though...

[Serenity]

Sandlar's:
http://www.myspace.com/sonofsandlar

Lists the prices and faires they attend.

[isabelladangelo]

http://www.amazon.com/Single-Pirate-Costume-Leather-SIZING/dp/B0019ZUYQK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=shoes&qid=1253806379&sr=1-2

I did a quick search under men's shoes "boots knee high" and got a ton of results on Amazon.   Some are pretty nice and all are well below $300.

[Master James]

I have never actually purchased from here but from those that have I haven't heard anything but good from and they are fairly inexpensive as far as boots go.  http://www.houseofandar.com/

[batninja]

I did a quick search under men's shoes "boots knee high" and got a ton of results on Amazon.   Some are pretty nice and all are well below $300.

I have a pair like that already, was looking for side-lace boots (see first post). 

I have never actually purchased from here but from those that have I haven't heard anything but good from and they are fairly inexpensive as far as boots go.  http://www.houseofandar.com/

Yep, tried them, too (see first post).  

Sandlar's:
http://www.myspace.com/sonofsandlar

Lists the prices and faires they attend.

Will check out Sandlar on Myspace tonight!   (can't access from work.  Dangit.)

[Blue66669]

Oiy, ninja, Sandlars are AWESOME boots. And, even though they are a bit pricier than like, say, Renboots, they are well worth it. I have a friend that had a pair for 8 seasons, and then only replaced them because he wanted something new and different. It's one of the problems with buying faire boots. You get what you pay for, and rule #1 at faire is TAKE CARE OF YOUR FEET!!! I can guarantee you that any good boots you buy from faire (not AMAZON) will pass the test of time and comfort. Oh, and if you get a chance, add some insoles, for that "aaahhhh" feeling.

[shadowcat546]

Hi. Son of Sandlar, I believe, is in our (Holly, Michigan, MIRF) festival.  The round building behind the jail area, around the corner from the bakery and hunker hauser.  Want me to try and take some pics, if I go Sunday?

best of luck.  --Shannon

[batninja]

Hi. Son of Sandlar, I believe, is in our (Holly, Michigan, MIRF) festival.  The round building behind the jail area, around the corner from the bakery and hunker hauser.  Want me to try and take some pics, if I go Sunday?
best of luck.  --Shannon

Absolutely, take some pics!  I'd love to see some more of their work!

I sent an E-mail to them this morning, hoping to hear back soon.  I imagine they're pretty tied up with a faire or two, so if I don't hear back from them, I'll check out their shop at TRF.

[Blue66669]

Your best bet is ALWAYS to buy them directly at the shop if possible. That way, you can get your boots sized properly. And, if something is wrong with the fit, then you can just say thanks and leave the shop! No muss, no fuss!

[ladylissame]

Sandlar is also at OHRF. But definitely go in shop. My rogue will be buying himself a pair of Sandlars tomorrow for our wedding next week.

[Tanyor]

I've had my Sandlar Peasant Boots for 5 years and still love em. Id wait till you get to there store at TRF. They took credit for mine.

[CapnFayeCutler]

I have to brag on Son of Sandlar, too! I LOVE my boots! I have the Israel sole on them so I'm able to tromp through all kinds of mud. When I clean & polish them, the boots looks as good as the day I bought them! Super comfy, too!

[batninja]

Cool beans!  I got a reply from Arik today with Sandlar.  He assures me they'll have something I'll like in my size.  And if not, they'll set up a special order!  Guess I'll have to wear my backups into the festival.

[CapnFayeCutler]

I have a friend who wears a size 15 and he has a pair of Sandlars that they had on hand at ORF a couple of years ago

[batninja]

I thought I'd better tell everyone the 'rest of the story'.   

So I attended TRF this weekend, and went straight to the Sandlar booth.  I saw the boots, they had them in stock, and in my size!  Tried them on, they felt great!

Now...

$460 is alot of money (especially for me since I just bought a truck!) to lay down so early in the festival, so I thought I'd wait until later in the day, to see if my funds held out.  As it happens EVERY time I attend festival, they didn't.  By the end of the day, my budget was pretty thin.  As we were heading toward the gate, we decided to stop in one more leather shop...and there they were.

They had a few pair of 'House of Andar' boots, in black, and in my size!  Since the black 11+ sizes are hard to come by, these were Andar's brown boots that had been 'dyed' black.  Not a big deal for me, as I work with leather from time to time, and could correct any imperfections from the dying process (turns out, all they needed was a good polishing!).

After a little haggling over the price, I was able to get these less than half the cost of the Sandlars!

In summary, although I like the Sandlars and will probably get a pair next time around, I was able to get the correct size and color of Andars I'd been looking for all along!