Back in 1999, when I transitioned to being a real-bearded Santa, I also knew that my suit had to be real. Children today are smart! They can tell when something is theatrical or un-real, and when it is real.
The 21st-Century Santa is looked at so closely and constantly by the children. And one of the key elements to making his image true to tradition, are Santa’s Real Boots!
I have had six pairs of Santa boots. One pair was vinyl, two pair were regular boots that were customized, and three were custom, made-from-scratch. And I have to say, the custom boots have been the best and have also lasted the longest. They have more than paid for themselves.
There are many sources for custom boots and even costume Santa Boots. Just search the web.
My favorite pair of boots, seen above, were created by Oscar Navarro, owner of Capri Shoes in Fullerton, CA. These boots are custom leather, hand made to my measurements and with room to tuck my Santa pants into the boot. You cannot see it but there is a full-length zipper in the inside seam of each boot.
The cost for this pair of boots ranges from $550 to $650+ depending on the size. And they may take three months or more to get.
Besides making some of the greatest Santa boots, Oscar is famous for his work creating all of the magical footwear for the Disney theme parks. Yes, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and hundreds of dancers and performers all get their shoes, boots and footwear from Capri.
Additionally, he has created hundreds of shoes and even Santa Boots that accept orthopedic aids and even boots that fit over a prosthetic foot or leg.
There are many ways of finding your ‘real’ boots. Some Santas start with the very reasonable priced vinyl costume boots, with zippers on the inside of the calf. Just Google Santa Boots and you will find these. Prices range from $50 to $75.
Santas have also found ways to use western boots, biker boots, motorcycle police boots, even firemen’s turn-out boots and construction boots with steel toes.
Custom Boots are not cheap. But as I mentioned above, they will last you many, many years.
Below is information on how to measure your feet for ordering custom boots. Once you have these measurements, you can send the original tracings and measurements to your boot maker. In my case it is always Oscar Navarro at Capri Shoes.
For each leg, it is necessary that you trace each foot and supply eight measurements from your toes to your knee.
Start with a tracing of each foot.
Standing on a flat floor, (kitchen, bathroom, or hardwood), stand tall and have someone else trace around your foot, holding the pen or pencil straight up.
Do not angle the pen or pencil. Otherwise, your measurement will be wrong.
It should be easy to know the right foot from the left foot, but I suggest you label each tracing.
Secondly, you need to take eight measurements of each foot and leg.
This set of measurements should be done while wearing your Santa Pants. This is necessary as when you measure, you need to have enough room in your boots to stuff your pants leg.
Start by measuring around your calf. Then around the ankle, the heal and instep, then two measurements around the arch and finally, the ball of your foot.
Your last measurement is the height of the boot.
Measure from the floor to just below the inside bend of your knee. If you are not sure of this last measurement, sit in a chair and measure from the floor up to just inside of your knee. Then subtract 1-inch.
It is important to subtract the 1 inch. If your boots are too tall, when you sit down, the top of the boot will press into the underside of your leg and cut off your circulation.
From the tracings and the measurements, a custom boot maker can select the right shoe forms, which he can build your boots around.
And if you have any foot problems, such as requiring an orthopedic device fit in your boot, a good boot maker can work with you to create exactly what you need.