Alberta Boot Company profile

Alberta Boot Company Celebrates 35 Years

By John Hardy

T

o say that loyal customers in Alberta, B.C. and around the world as well as the RCMP, the Calgary, Vancouver, Dallas and some New Jersey police “get a kick” out of the Alberta Boot Company would be factually accurate but ... much too corny.

“Of course it’s flattering and a thrill,” says Ben Gerwing, the personable thirdgeneration owner and operator of the legendary Calgary company that handmakes more than 3,500 leather western boots each year. “Two years ago we made boots for newlyweds William and Kate when they were on their 2011 royal tour through Canada.”

Most of all, Gerwing has tremendous The team at Alberta Boot Company. Photo by Bookstrucker Photography. pride about his family’s remarkable For 35 years, Alberta Boot Company has slipped the fabufabu tradition and the meticulous and uncomlously comfortable western boots on the feet and calves of promised high standards of boot-artistry involved in the 200 celebrities, athletes, public figures and even religious lead leadstages of hand-crafting each and every boot in the busy ers but most importantly, as Gerwing points out, ordinary southwest Calgary factory.

With our deep client relationships and multi-disciplinar y approach to service, we really get to know our clients both personally and professionally.

As a trusted advisor to our friends at The Alberta Boot Company for over 30 years, we are thrilled to see you reach this milestone of 35 years in business.

We thank you for allowing us to share in your journey and we look forward to being part of your continued success.

thecatalystgroup.ca Alberta Boot Company | 35 Years

www.albertaboot.com people from across Canada and literally all over the world who wanted to experience the legend and the mystique of authentic, quality western boots.

Aside from the glamour and excitement of the wonderwonder ful Calgary tradition, the Alberta Boot Company’s reputation and tremendous success is hard-earned by its uncompromised commitment to quality, durability and the special comfort that comes only from the unique and proper fit of a western boot.

Only those who have never worn a pair of handmade, all-leather Alberta Boot Company boots mistakenly think that (give or take) all leather boots are pretty similar. Simply and grossly wrong!

Gerwing paid (and is still paying) his dues in every aspect of the wonderful family business. “I started learning from my grandfather (who’s now 93 and still wearing boots) by doing odd jobs, including sweeping floors, when I was still in junior high school. These days I’m either in the store explaining about boots to customers or I’m working with our cobblers in the shop.”

His passion for the company and the world-famous CalCal gary product is a pleasure to sense.

“The boots we have sold the most are still the most popular,” he explains. “The dark brown Crazy Horse, an oil-tanned cowcow hide. The western walking heel is a favourite but so is the lower roper heel. They both make for comfortable walking.”

Either sharing his passion with an amused blue-jeaned visitor from Scotland or any time, anywhere at the drop of a (cowboy) hat, Gerwing glows and gushes whenever he talks about his company, the tradition and all the details about handmade boots.

About the crucial importance of leather care and products like oil-tan and mink oil cream (“it’s like a hand lotion”) important to keep boot leather from drying out and, almost like a boot

professor, he carefully lectures about the importance of the fit.

Contrary to city slicker stereotypes, new western boots should feel comfortably snug. The ball of the foot should be right in the widest part of the boot, indicating proper arch length and adequate toe room and the toes should sit flat and free. The boot should be snug over the instep (boot jargon for the top of the foot) since there are no laces or buckles.

Finally, there should be about a half-inch lift in the heel when walking but don’t worry, the ‘lift’ will subside as the sole starts to flex. If a boot is too tight it’s not good and there will be hardly any lift. If the boot is too big it’s also not good because the heel will annoyingly slip.

Since proper fit is essential for the enjoyment of wearing a genuine western boot, the Alberta Boot Company is convinced that an uninformed western boot wearer will be hooked on wearing leather western boots and, the www. albertaboot.com website has various consumer tips, including a helpful do-it-yourself foot measurement chart for determining the key aspects of a proper fit.

Gerwing admits that some people who think good boots are just like good shoes are surprised that, if the authentic Albert Boot Company boots are properly cared for, they can easily last 10-15 years or longer.

Alberta Boot customers can return their favourite boots when it’s time to resole them. First, the boot is placed on the original sized last (the mould they were made on) and then the heel, outsole, steel shank and leather welts are removed.

The boots then go back into the original assembly process where new welts, shanks, the cork filler, outsoles, heels and lifts are attached.

Gerwing knows authentic, proper-fitting, all-leather western boots. “And like a best friend, our boots are hard to give up.” •

Congratulations to Alberta Boot Company and the Gerwing family for 35 years of being such an integral part of Calgary and the Stampede.

Helping Calgarians, visitors, and cowboys to Walk Tall in Comfort.

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Alberta Boot Company | 35 Years