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Hello! I'm planning on starting a business making custom cowboy boots, but from talking to a few older bootmakers, I've learned that there are now legal issues associated with making and selling custom footwear. What do I need to watch out for if I'm marketing my boots as custom-made? I'm not licensed in podiatry and I do not intend to advertise myself as any kind of medical professional, but I do think it's important for people to know that a properly-fitting boot is a lot better for your foot that a poorly-fitting one. Feet are important.

So I guess it comes down to three questions: Do I need some kind of license to say my boots will fit customers properly? If I want to advertise any benefits of custom boots beyond comfort and looks, will I need to employ a licensed podiatrist? And would I be able to find a licensed podiatrist who would be interested in a job overseeing boot fit?

 

l cant see what country your from so lets pretend your in Australia.....read on

Yes you do need a license, please send the cheque to me, made out to Charlie Ash, no thats too long just use my initial, so thats "Cash" and l will send you one:D

Who has told you that, someone that does not want you making boots in there area as they see you as a threat?

If it medical and your clients want a rebate here in Australia you need to be a C.Ped.CM.

For just custom made footwear there is no license that l know of other than an ABN that any business needs to operate with here in Australia.

As for a this comment
"....if I want to advertise any benefits of custom boots beyond comfort and looks,.."

So what are the benefits that go beyond comfort and looks.......medical?
.

 

Hiya,

There are very few podiatrists who could help you with this - it's not really a podiatry skill. Your question might be better addressed to orthotists or prosthetists.

Another source of advice if UK based could be the Society of Shoefitters.

Good luck with the enterprise.

 

If you are going to market a custom footwear,this would entail you taking an impression of your client's feet, are you trained in this area? also you have to be licensed in some states to provide this service. If you are serious, you need to partner with a credential Pedorthist.

Good luck
Vbpedorthist

 

Hi CSPB

I'm not sure what you mean by custom. You could take a size ten boot last and make a boot on it to a size ten client's own design and it could be called custom. If you are talking made-to-measure then the last needs to be made to the foot and ankle measures of the client. That's an ancient skill that goes back centuries in both the US and Europe and nobody can claim to licence such an established skill.
Some people make a distinction between accommodative and corrective footwear and I think that distinction is valid. Accommodative is straight forward made-to-measure whereas with corrective you're also seeking to change the Client's gait with the footwear. That may be what your older friends are talking about. That's a further skill and developing a relationship with a podiatrist who can advise you on the prescription could be very helpful. Better still, get the podiatrist to make the orthotics and make the boots to support their function. Let me know if you want some help in last design and alteration. Bill Bird

 

Sounds interesting . Good luck with that venture. I haven't seen cowboy boots for a while.
They've never looked that comfortable to me.

 

Hi - I know some companies who make and export cowboy shoes to US & Italy from India - Pls let me know if could be of any help . Mukesh

 

If you want to make a high quality upscale custom cowboy boot, you will have to take a cast of the foot as well as take measurements of the lower leg. You will need to make a custom last for each customer. Upscale leather cowboy boots were $1000 plus when I was recently in Texas, USA, custom made would be a lot more. Good luck getting customers.