Van Gorkom
Custom Hiking Boots
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| World-class hiking boots custom made to your feet by Charles Van Gorkom , bootmaker since 1976.
Are you serious about hiking the great outdoors? Don't let your feet hold you back!
Wide hiking boots, narrow hiking boots---narrow heels, hammer toes, bunions, arthritis, high arches---impossible feet---There is nothing like the feel of a pair of top-quality all leather hiking boots custom made to measure by a craftsman to exactly fit your feet---no matter what size or shape they may be!
If you want the comfort and quality of Van Gorkom boots, in a winter muk-luk designed for warmth in serious cold, take a look at Yukon Snow Boots, handcrafted by Charles Van Gorkom.
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How are they made? From your foot measurements, and all by hand! No two feet are exactly alike, and each boot is made to match the foot that will wear it.
I spend 40 hours making each pair of boots. One client per week gets all my concentrated effort at a time.
The upper is all one piece of 5 to 6 oz. top quality full grained rugged chrome-tanned leather. Boot is lined with 3-4 oz deer-tanned calf. The mid-soles and soles are water-proofed, glued, and BRASS RIVITED.
The hiker/vibram sole is designed to be replaced when worn out. It is either the vibram #132 or vibram Olympia #1275. This is determined by the width of the forefoot in each case.
Each boot has a steel shank, extending from the centre of the heel to just behind the ball of the foot.
The orthotic insole is sculpted from different densities of foam, leather covered, hand-sewn,and made expressly for the foot it will support (and correct, if needed). Many consider this the most comfortable footbed available anywhere.
The tongue is leather padded and full bellows.
No extra charge for the exclusive custom hand-made orthotic footbeds, (included with each boot) no extra charge for custom lasts I make to build each boot around.
They come in two popular heights: 15 cm up the leg from the base of your heel, and 18 cm up the leg from the base of your heel.
Who makes them? I do! My name is Charles Van Gorkom. I work out of my small shop beside my home along the shores of the beautiful Bulkley River (famous for steelhead and salmon) in Northern British Columbia, Canada. This is rugged, pristine, remote, and unpopulated hiking boot country as demanding on footwear as any in the world. My reputation since 1976 has been made by the quality of my work.
Using techniques rooted in old European tradition, I make an all leather boot that will "break in" and mold to your foot to become a comfortable, and even life-long friend! I often get letters telling me that they fit like a glove after being broken in, and this is my goal with every pair. I take pride in putting my clients into the most comfortable hiking boots they have ever worn.
Is it waterproof? As waterproof as leather can be. I use a design that presents no seams to leak, and a heavy double tanned leather saturated with waxes and oils.
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| 15 cm boots, most popular height, approx. 1 pound, 12 ounces, depending on size |
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| 18cm Mtn Trekker, same price, same weight as 15cm style |
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| The Mountain Stalker, approx. 10.5 inches high (27cm) orthotic foot bed, same construction as Mountain Trekker, same weight, same leather. Same price. The Mountain Stalkers have moderate ankle support, and you can tuck your pants into if you need to. |
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How can I get a pair of Van Gorkom custom hiking boots made for me? It's simple. E-mail or phone me with your mailing address and I will send you what you need to fill out and send back to me. To make your boots I need your footprints, measurements, and tracings of your feet. I will send you special paper to make the prints on, and a form with a measuring tape, and instructions for measuring your own feet. This system has worked perfectly for 33 years!
How long till I get my boots? Depends how busy I am. Lately the waiting time is 8 months, but I will tell you at time of ordering.
Boots are pre-paid by personal cheque or money order, or by PayPal sent to my e-mail. Details are included with the measuring kit. I will try to be as flexible as possible.
Price? The boots cost either $1,600 Canadian or $1,600 U.S. dollars, which ever is cheaper or more convenient for you. www.paypal.com will allow you to pay in either Canadian or U.S. dollars from your credit card. Note: $1,600 includes all charges: shipping,(to North America) custom last, custom boots, measuring kit, custom orthotic, etc. Shipping costs for clients offshore is on a case by case basis. International money orders and personal cheques are also accepted as prepayment. Canadian clients pay GST.
Guarantees? I guarantee a good fit (limited only by the accuracy of the data you send me in the measuring kit) and quality materials and workmanship. My reputation has been built on pleasing the customer. Please note: These are not fashion boots, casual boots or work boots. These are serious hiking boots for the serious hiker. They are designed by me to fit snugly from the heel to the ball of the foot, then lots of vertical and lateral toe room for maximum comfort over the long haul. The toes tend to be blunt and squarish to allow maximum purchase on ascents with flexibility. My concern is comfort and durability, not fireside fashion!
RUSH ORDERS
Several customers have asked whether I take rush orders on boots, and I do. Currently I will do rush orders for $3,000, otherwise the waiting time for boots is around 8 months. Please email me if you need a measuring kit and let me know if a rush order is necessary to meet your needs.
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Order your free measuring kit today!
PLEASE NOTE. OUR EMAIL ADDRESS HAS CHANGED.
email: vangorkomboots@gmail.com Phone: 1-888-738-3818
Address:
Van Gorkom Custom Boots
Box 3488
Smithers, B.C. Canada, V0J 2N0.
NEW YUKON BOOTS by Van Gorkom...read more about them here.
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