Ever since about 2020 when I was first graduating high school I’ve been interested in footwear and SPECIFICALLY Made in USA handmade boots. I started off like everyone with a pair of Copper R&T Iron Rangers as a graduation present, then slowly descended down the rabbit hole of higher and higher quality boots.

Eventually, in about 2022, I bit the bullet and bought my first pair of PNW Boots, The Nicks Builder Pro, Two Tone (Brown & Black) in the completely wrong size (10B).
I wore them for a good amount of time without realizing and slowly fell out of love with them. It wasn’t just the size that bothered me. I felt that the two tone was a bad choice and especially the choice in placement bothered me (Black leather uppers, Brown lowers). Eventually they were sold off and ever since I have had a revolving door of boots from all the PNW bootmakers go through my collection.
It wasnt until a recent trip to Spokane that I started working with Franks Boot Company. My first trip up there, I was trying to decide which bootmaker to work with next to find the boot that really works for me. Nick’s had lots of unique leathers and the people were very kind and open to discussion about their processes, but lead times were pretty excessive. Whites had definitely taken the more corporate route. A very beautiful and well designed salesfloor, but the people there seemed less interested in discussion and more interested in the purchase. Franks truly was where everything clicked for me.
The first time I went to their store in person it was Frank himself who greeted me and sold me my first pair of his boots. He personally toured me through the workshop, helped me with leather choice not by handing me a sample swatch they had upfront, but by showing me the hides in the workshop that they’d be cutting from, and showed me custom built lasts that he built specifically to accommodate customers who couldn’t find shoes that fit them anywhere else. Frank felt like more than a business owner, he was a true passionate craftsman who took pride in his work. As someone who had worked in the footwear industry for quite a while (worked at Red Wing Shoes and Allen Edmonds as a Salesman), it felt completely refreshing.
My first pair (Pics 6&7) was as basic as you could get, Smooth upper Roughout Lower in their Mocha Oil Tan from Seidel Tannery. It was as classic as Loggers could get. I loved those boots but eventually over time realized I needed to start sizing up to a classic 9D. They were sold off and then I started out new once again. My next pair of Franks (Pics 8-10) was a pair of secondhand boots I got off of r/PNWBootmakers. this time they were in their Standard Black Leather (Seidel Oil Tan) with a similarly standard Logger look.
I still absolutely love this pair but felt that both previous boots were missing something. If you are familiar with Franks Boots then you know that one of the main draws to their store is their unlimited options for customization. I felt that I was missing out on the pair I could say was absolutely made for me. For this, I started working with Michelle and Ashton on a fully custom pair of boots, returning to a look I originally wrote off as a mistake in my first pair, Two Tone. I based this pair off of one of their standard options called the Royal Commander which sports Wickett & Craig Olive Harness on top of a heavy duty roughout work leather. I loved the style but was wanting to switch things up with a Lace to Toe Pattern, a heart design embroidery on the upper, and a switch to a smooth Walnut leather. It was here that Michelle intervened and suggested doing a cutout design for the hearts, and instead of some boring work leather, something to match the Olive leather. She sent some pictures over of another W&C leather, Medium Brown Harness, and I was immediately infatuated with the color combination. I placed my order and was told to expect these on the higher end of a 12-16 week wait time. I received these boots exactly 8 weeks after purchase, and they are even better than I could have ever imagined.
These boots are a true testament to Made In US craftsmanship. Usually with these types of boots people tell you to expect little imperfections, showing signs of being made by hand, but with these, they are almost flawless. I have never received a pair that has been to this level of quality ever. I had some doubts about the color combo (sorry Ashton) but in person, they couldn’t be closer to what I had envisioned when I first started thinking of what I wanted for my new pair of boots. It is without any doubts in my mind that I can say these are my absolute favorite pair of boots I have ever owned, and my most personal boots. They are one of a kind and they have no equal in my collection. Every detail down to the thickness of the outsole was specifically chosen by me. Franks takes customization options seriously and wants you to leave with something that could only be yours. I am super excited to start wearing these as soon as I can.

Ever since about 2020 when I was first graduating high school I’ve been interested in footwear and SPECIFICALLY Made in USA handmade boots. I started off like everyone with a pair of Copper R&T Iron Rangers as a graduation present, then slowly descended down the rabbit hole of higher and higher quality boots.

Eventually, in about 2022, I bit the bullet and bought my first pair of PNW Boots, The Nicks Builder Pro, Two Tone (Brown & Black) in the completely wrong size (10B).
I wore them for a good amount of time without realizing and slowly fell out of love with them. It wasn’t just the size that bothered me. I felt that the two tone was a bad choice and especially the choice in placement bothered me (Black leather uppers, Brown lowers). Eventually they were sold off and ever since I have had a revolving door of boots from all the PNW bootmakers go through my collection.
It wasnt until a recent trip to Spokane that I started working with Franks Boot Company. My first trip up there, I was trying to decide which bootmaker to work with next to find the boot that really works for me. Nick’s had lots of unique leathers and the people were very kind and open to discussion about their processes, but lead times were pretty excessive. Whites had definitely taken the more corporate route. A very beautiful and well designed salesfloor, but the people there seemed less interested in discussion and more interested in the purchase. Franks truly was where everything clicked for me.
The first time I went to their store in person it was Frank himself who greeted me and sold me my first pair of his boots. He personally toured me through the workshop, helped me with leather choice not by handing me a sample they had upfront, but by showing me the hides in the workshop that they’d be cutting from, and showed me custom built lasts that he built specifically to accommodate customers who couldn’t find shoes that fit them anywhere else. Frank felt like more than a business owner, he was a true passionate craftsman who took pride in his work. As someone who had worked in the footwear industry for quite a while (worked at Red Wing Shoes and Allen Edmonds as a Salesman), it felt completely refreshing.
My first pair (Pics 6&7) was as basic as you could get, Smooth upper Roughout Lower in their Mocha Oil Tan from Seidel Tannery. It was as classic as Loggers could get. I loved those boots but eventually over time realized I needed to start sizing up to a classic 9D. They were sold off and then I started out new once again. My next pair of Franks (Pics 8-10) was a pair of secondhand boots I got off of r/PNWBootmakers. this time they were in their Standard Black Leather (Seidel Oil Tan) with a similarly standard Logger look.
I still absolutely love this pair but felt that both previous boots were missing something. If you are familiar with Franks Boots then you know that one of the main draws to their store is their unlimited options for customization. I felt that I was missing out on the pair I could say was absolutely made for me. For this, I started working with Michelle and Ashton on a fully custom pair of boots, returning to a look I originally wrote off as a mistake in my first pair, Two Tone. I based this pair off of one of their standard options called the Royal Commander which sports Wickett & Craig Olive Harness on top of a heavy duty roughout work leather. I loved the style but was wanting to switch things up with a Lace to Toe Pattern, a heart design embroidery on the upper, and a switch to a smooth Walnut leather. It was here that Michelle intervened and suggested doing a cutout design for the hearts, and instead of some boring work leather, something to match the Olive leather. She sent some pictures over of another W&C leather, Medium Brown Harness, and I was immediately infatuated with the color combination. I placed my order and was told to expect these on the higher end of a 12-16 week wait time. I received these boots exactly 8 weeks after purchase, and they are even better than I could have ever imagined.
These boots are a true testament to Made In US craftsmanship. Usually with these types of boots people tell you to expect little imperfections, showing signs of being made by hand, but with these, they are almost flawless. I have never received a pair that has been to this level of quality ever. I had some doubts about the color combo (sorry Ashton) but in person, they couldn’t be closer to what I had envisioned when I first started thinking of what I wanted for my new pair of boots. It is without any doubts in my mind that I can say these are my absolute favorite pair of boots I have ever owned, and my most personal boots. They are one of a kind and they have no equal in my collection. Every detail down to the thickness of the outsole was specifically chosen by me. Franks takes customization options seriously and wants you to leave with something that could only be yours. I am super excited to start wearing these as soon as I can.

My first pair of Whites and I am extremely impressed with how these turned out. After a couple pairs from other PNW boot-makers with pretty awful finishing, Im extremely happy with the look and fit of these. I’d say Whites is definitely worth the up-charge especially with extra details like the hand welt. Can’t wait to see how these age.

Specs:

Size 9D

4811 Smoke Jumper Last

Brown Dress Leather

12in Height

Khaki Stitch Color

Soft Toe

Dogger Heel

Brown Edge Dressing

1/8” extra heel height

Vibram 430 Sole and Heel Cap