Self made Barefoot boots

I know many in this sub likely aren’t too fond of barefoot shoes, but after having been exclusively wearing them now for the past 5 years I can no longer tolerate elevated heels and tapered toe-boxes, which means I’ve had to give up wearing traditional style boots for the past few years.

Despite my searching, it seems no barefoot shoe brands are interested in stepping in to produce traditional, heritage style boots. There are a few odd examples, but for the most part nothing existed which matched the PNW heritage styling I was looking for, but with zero-drop and a wide, natural toe-box. So last year I decided to take up cordwaining and make my own, so far I’ve made 5 pairs, all with the intent of using the best materials available and trying to keep an aesthetically appealing profile to them while maintaining zero-drop and a natural toe-box.

All boots are entirely hand stitched using Ritza Tiger thread, 0.6mm for the uppers and 1.2mm for a 360 stitchdown to the midsole and then a second row 270 stitchdown to the outsole. All are lined in the vamp with 2.5-3oz Haas calfskin, have 11-12oz Hermann Oak veg tan insoles, and 9-10 iron J&FJ Baker leather midsoles. Specs for the individual boots are as follows: 1 — 8” height, 6oz Wickett & Craig English Bridle in Medium Brown Roughout with a Vibram Kletterlift sole. 2 — 6” height, 7oz Conceria Walpier Buttero in Natural with a Vibram Kletterlift sole. 3 — 8” height, 7oz Conceria Walpier Buttero in Olive with a Vibram Kletterlift sole. 4 — 7” height, 6oz Horween Waxed Flesh Chromexcel in Dark Brown with a Vibram Kletterlift sole. 5 — 6” height, 7oz SB Foot Dawson Black with a Vibram Dupla sole.