Larry Haftl.com
PRODUCT REVIEW: White's Boots
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If the words "excellence" and "boots" ever come up in a discussion, the name White's Boots will probably not be far behind. For decades White's boots have been the standard against which all other boots are measured, and inevitably the other boots suffer in comparison. At a time when some other American boot manufacturers are going bankrupt or being moved offshore to lower production costs. White's Boots is prospering.
White's makes three different lines of boots. Their highest quality boots carry the White's name. Nine years ago a competitor, Buffalo Boots in Seattle, was going bankrupt. White's bought them out and continues to make the Buffalo line. Buffalo boots are also all leather, handmade and rebuild- able, but have a different fit and sell for approximately 20 percent less than White's.
About the same time White's bought Buffalo Boots, they also bought another company in Bangor, Maine, called Hathorn. Hathorn was one of the last American manufacturers of the spikes used in loggers' caulk boots, and White's bought them to ensure continued access to quality components. "We're not going into plastics or synthetics," said Gary March, vice president of White's. " Quality components are getting harder and harder to find, so we buy up these component companies. That assures us that we are going to continue to have the quality parts we need, and continue to produce the quality product we have always produced."
March has been with White's for 25 years. "We've been making our boots the same way since 1950," said March. "All leather, hand-stitched, hand-made, and using only top quality materials."
This attention to quality means that White's boots can be rebuilt. With use, all boots wear out. But when White's boots wear out, the owner can have them restored to like-new condition by the factory at moderate cost. Arches are reshaped, and worn out insoles, midsoles, outsoles and portions of the leather tops can be replaced.
While White's continues to use the same techniques they have for decades, they also continue to develop new boots. One example is a newly released Underwriters Laboratories approved chain saw-proof boot. The new boot is based on the traditional Logger-Smokejumper boot, but has a built-in sheath that prevents chain saw penetration. The sheath is part of the boot, but can be unbuckled to make it easier to apply boot dressing. White's has re- tail stores in Spokane, Wash., and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. They also distribute through 125 dealers in the 11 Western states. Buffalo and Hathorn dealers bring the total up to 500 nationwide.
Current Contact Information:
White's Boot Company
4002 E. Ferry
Spokane, WA 99202
(800) 541-3786
www.whitesboots.com
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