July 9, 2010 Charlie,  I had expectations that these boots would be flawless and they exceed expectations.  The fit is spot-on.  You are indeed a miracle craftsman. I have about 200 miles in the boots so far and they just keep getting better.  Absolutely no issues at all.   Thank you so very much for a fine product. Kinds regards,  Joel King Sn. Antonio Charlie, Your boots fit like a glove:-) (in a good way..)They feel/fit better than any other boot I have ever owned.... You mentioned a break in period... Let me tell you, your boots will be a "walk in the park"  compared to other brands.... especially the ________.....Just awesome. One more thought, I don't give out too many "Attaboys"... You definitely earned mine.  :-) Best, Randy  (from CA) Hello Charlie,   The boots arrived today. I need only one word: perfect. The fit could not have been any better. I seriously doubt that any breaking-in to speak of will be necessary. Snow is falling and skiing season is approaching, so some months have to pass before I can put them into heavy service.   Again: PERFECT! December, 2009 Dear Charlie, As I mentioned in my last e-mail some months ago, boot break-in was progressing gradually, and I planned to wear the boots through a series of hikes of escalating difficulty.  I won't bore you with the day-to-day details, but I would like to share the end result.  In September, my daughter and I spent some time together backpacking in the White Mountains in New Hampshire.  We experienced all kinds of weather, and all kinds of terrain.  Through it all, the boots performed perfectly:  comfortable, supportive, and reliable.  I've attached some photos, I hope you're not too busy to enjoy them. When I was much younger, I had the reserves to compensate for equipment deficiencies, and to overcome major obstacles on the trail.  Now, as I approach 60, I find those reserves are waning.  Furthermore, I have a lifetime of experience from which to evaluate equipment, and I am much more aware of the flaws in most items.  Not only do my Van Gorkom boots place no additional burden on my limited reserves, I think they actually augment my strength and confidence on the trail.  I wonder, sometimes, how much longer I'll be able to remain active in the outdoors, and what will be the cause when I finally must stop.  If you had asked me a year ago, I would have predicted that my feet would make me stop, but no longer.  My feet, in your boots, feel decades younger.  The failure, when it comes, will be somewhere else. Thank you again, for you wonderful craftsmanship, your advice and support during break-in, and your dedication to making every pair of boots the best that it can be. Sincerely, Mike Spalding Hi Charlie, Sorry I have not gotten back to you about the boots. They are fantastic!!! I am finally back from Africa (three great trips). I have worn the boots the last three days off and on and even joged with them. The left boot fits much better and is great!!! You did a super job. Thanks a lot and I will keep you posted. I think they have solved my problem on the left foot when I hike and carry heavy camera gear. I hope you and your family have a great fall. Thank you for your good work. Doug --  Doug Cheeseman Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris 20800 Kittredge Rd. Saratoga, CA 95070 USA 1-800-527-5330 http://www.cheesemans.com Hi Charlie, Thank you for your great boots. It has help me survive trips to Africa, Antarcica and now Chile.All the best and more later when I get home. Doug Cheeseman Hello Charles, I gave my new Van Gorkom boots a good work out shortly after I got them. One week on a hunt in Limpopo South Africa. Lots of walking. ( and crawling) Your boots are wonderful! Perfect fit for the first time in my life! What a luxury. Perfect side hill control and great climbing and descending. Also I had to do some quiet stalking and they were very good in that application as well. I'm the old guy who is usually stumbling over every rock and stick. These boots helped me be more nimble as well. Your product and service is outstanding. Thank you for your craftsmanship and integrity. Brian Gallup Kamloops BC www.fastcutcnc.com Steven L writes: "Here's the latest locale your boots visited with me, Matterhorn, Switzerland." BOOTS ARRIVED THURSDAY MORNING.(YESTERDAY) I'VE PUT ABOUT SEVEN MILES ON PLUS WEARING THEM EVERYWHERE BUT IN BED. YOU MAKE A GREAT BOOT CHARLIE! THE INSERTS YOU MADE FOR ME FEEL BETTER THAN THE ONES I GOT MADE ON PERSCRIPTION. I REALLY WANT TO THANK YOU VERY MUCH AS I'M SURE THEY WILL BE FINE FOR MY SPRING BREAK HIKE. I'M THE HAPPIEST GUY IN MANITOBA. I WOULD LOVE TO FIND OUT IF IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO GET A COUPLE MORE PAIR OF THE INSERTS. I KNOW HOW BUSY YOU ARE. I THOUGHT IT BEST TO ASK WHILE YOU STILL HAVE ALL MY MEASUREMENTS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THAT COULD BE DONE AND THE ADDITIONAL COST. AGAIN , THANKYOU SO MUCH. DICK TUNNY STARBUCK, MANITOBA Just got back from Sonora, Mexico - the reason I got your boots in the first place- Had them on 8 hours a day, for 9 days (travel as well as hunting) and the boots met my expectations, completely. I thought I was going to at least have a few problems, but they were perfect. Awesome.   Dad and I love the boots. We wore them while traveling, because we couldn't afford to take the risk that they'd be lost in our baggage (which showed up a day late on the way down).  I didn't get to break them in quite as much as I wanted, due to some unfortunate circumstances this past few months when I had wanted to "train" for the hunt. I had worn them enough obviously, but now they're getting awesome. When my friend was trying to take his boots off at any possible chance yesterday on the 14 hours home, I was happier with my boots on. Very happy, very satisfied, thanks Charlie. Keep making the boots. I'll need another pair for a backup before you retire, be sure to let me know. My only "criticism" is that I like the boots so much, Dad and I put duct tape on the toes, so we didn't hack them up too badly, because we want to be able to wear them in "dressy" situations in the future.  John Charles I had a great time in Namibia, and as you can see I had a great pair of boots to go along. Thank You Mark Ellnor Hello Mr. Van Gorkom, Have now been wearing your boots for over a year and they are nothing short of exceptional. Giving serious thought to a second pair. Thank you for all your hard work. Lonnie Totman Hello Charles I thought that you might like to see some Van Gorkoms' in the pre-alps. The town in the background is Luzern, and the mountain is called Pilatus. The fit of the boots are absolutely fabulous - my feet are just so comfortable in the boots, such that even after a long walk, I feel no need to take the boots off (except to drive the car that is). Thanks once again Charles. Kind regards Martin Martin on top of Mount Pilatus. Taking a closer look at the Van Gorkom Custom Hiking Boots. Hey Charlie:   I got home last night at 10 pm - much too late to get my boots from my neighbor (who kindly signed for them).  First thing this morning, she was still in PJ's, I knocked on her door and picked them up.   Can't tell you how excited and happy I was to actually hold those boots in my hands.  I read everything you sent BEFORE I put them on.  How do they fit?   I've no words to describe my joy.  Here's the only way I can put it: These boots have become my kids.  I love them and will protect them against all harm.  I will pamper them and tend to their every need.  I've worn these boots all day today and I have to tell you, it was actually invigorating.  Though I've not gotten to hike with them yet, I did walk the dog and work in the yard all day (the snow is gone, the day was mild, so I took advantage).  They are the most wonderful pieces of leather I've ever had on my feet.   I'm going to sing your praises to all my hiking friends - and I have alot.   You're the greatest Charlie.  The only thing missing from your boots is your actual signature (in indelible ink) on the inside of the boot!!  But, hey, I'll wear them anyway.   Best regards. Lynna Russell in his Van Gorkom custom boots on the summit of Mt Whitney, over 14,400 ft. Hello again, Mr. Van Gorkom. July 22 has come and gone and I'm standing here with ten toenails and no blisters and I marvel how well my Van Gorkoms performed on this year's Mt. Whitney hike!  They got beat up, dirty, wet, twisted and scuffed and through it all, for hours without end, my feet remained unscathed.  Thank you, thank you.  And my concern with weight was unfounded.  Yes, the Van Gorkoms are heavy by any standard but not once in seventeen hours was I conscious of the weight of my boots (that's not to say that it wasn't great taking them off at the end of the day!).  These boots are going with me wherever the trails take me from now on.  Well done, Mr. Van Gorkom. Keep up the good work! Russell   Charles,       I recieved my boots today and they are awsome.   You were right, when I put them on my feet they felt a bit strange. The left more so than the right. But after I gathered the courage to stand and walk around the house I was in awe.   I thank you for such a wonderful job. I will keep you posted on break in.   I know this note finds you on holiday and I hope you are having the time of your life. You deserve it!   Thanks from the the bottom of my heart and the botom of my feet!   Ken Jennifer in her Van Gorkoms, and friends on the edge atop Mt. Garibaldi near Whistler, B.C. Photo by Skull Hi Charlie,          .....I recommend you on every trip already. People I climb with have various problems too, but they live with the pain.  My boots fit!  That can be a tough order to fill and in this day and age!  ...The leather on my brown boots is awesome...they have such a "luxury" feel.       ....As I've said before, you have saved my climbing career! I think very very highly of my new boots, the workmanship & the care and pride you put into building them. They are almost perfect for my applications.  And happily, I freely repeat this, I hope you keep making me boots for the next 20 years! Jennifer Charles, I have worn the boots all day and its the first time I have ever felt so comfortable in a pair of shoes. I think I could wear them all the time! The custom orthotics are so wonderful, I put them in another pair of shoes and they made my walking shoes so much more comfortable. You have a very satisfied customer, I have told all my friends about my new boots today. Now I know I can hike again without all the shoe problems, opening up all kinds of new possibilities for me. Sanaya Roman "I Love The Boots!" Dear Charlie,      I LOVE THE BOOTS!  I've had a busy summer hiking in both Minnesota (on the Superior Hiking Trail) & in South Carolina.  The boots have been fabulous!  I have NEVER had such happy feet on hikes.  I am spreading the word when opportunities present themselves about your work.  You have high quality worksmanship, great public relation skills & you just seem like a "good guy"......            Thanks again!  Diana Hi Charlie:  The boots have really proved themselves.We went Elk hunting again and this time I knew there was a lot of water to contend with. The first round out I wore a pair of Gore-Tex boots because of all the water.Well they leak!! So much for technology. Out came your boots and off we went again. We hiked thru 10 miles of  bush swamp and muskeg.At least 3 miles of the terrain was ankle deep with water and tall grass. Terrible going, but the boots took it in stride. They were pretty heavy by the days end from all the water we went thru but I stayed dry.This is incredible for an all leather boot.My legs are burning and my back is sore but my feet are great. This was the second real hard workout the boots have endured with flying colors.They just seem to fit better and better as the times out go by. Pete Ward