| You can always tell a good boot by its stitching. It | | | | bit more detail. First of all the sole. This is probably |
| will be neat and small, and barely noticeable. In | | | | the most important part of the shoe and the part |
| contrast a poorly made boot has big stitching, so | | | | that is under the greatest stain because obviously |
| big it draws your eye away from the style and | | | | our feet are constantly pushing down on it. So it |
| to the ugly criss crosses. | | | | has to be strong. The sole is stitched using |
| But is there is there a real difference. There is a | | | | leather. Leather is obviously a strong material and |
| difference. Poorly stitched footwear will be cheap. | | | | will last probably as long as any other part of the |
| The kind of boot you find at a discount store | | | | boot. |
| emblazoned with a brand name you've never | | | | The toe of a boot should be strong as well. This |
| heard of. You will go for a hike in these boots and | | | | is often the first part to break because of the |
| they may most likely split at the poorly stitched | | | | movement of the foot against the front of the |
| seam. Well stitched boots on the other hand can | | | | boot. Press it at the end. Is the material strong? |
| last years if you look after them well. You can | | | | If it is then you have a good toe. |
| walk up mountains, trek hundreds of miles, and | | | | The heel of a boot is often what gives it its style. |
| though the boots will wear down it will take much | | | | Think of the elegance of cowboy boots or the |
| longer. | | | | fun, quirky look of platforms. For the heel quality |
| So what is quality stitching? Well the general | | | | boots use bits of leather and stack them up until |
| guideline is that is the stitching together of quality | | | | they have the right size. These are necessary not |
| material. Whether this is suede or black leather, if | | | | stitched together or even stitched to the boot; |
| the material is good you are halfway there. So | | | | instead good shoe glue can be used. |
| parts of suede, for example, are stitched | | | | The best thing to remember is that boots don't |
| together using small stitches that will not break | | | | have to be perfect. Of course both pairs have to |
| unless put under great strain. There you have it | | | | fit the same size feet and that fit should be |
| the boot is made. But we're not totally happy with | | | | comfortable and provide support. That is where |
| the work so we have to quickly check if they are | | | | the quality comes from, and if there is a few |
| the same size and shape. A pair obviously has to | | | | minor hitches for example one boot slightly tall |
| match. | | | | than the other as long as the difference isn't big it |
| That was a quick overview so lets look at it in a | | | | only adds character. |