Giving Lathrop & Sons a try

[ceng]

Hello all. I have had several issues getting boots to fit. I'm giving Lathrop and Sons a try. So far they have been very helpful and been working with me and my tight schedule. It seems like a ton of money for an unquantifiable service. They speak about custom footbeds etc, but not sure how actually custom they are. One issue I have which isn't their fault is I don't have a ton of time to try boots on and send them back for adjustment before I leave for Montana which I believe is where part of the $500-$600 above the cost of the actual boots comes in. I just won't have time to send them back and forth. I just have to keep telling myself if the boots work it will be worth it. One question I had before I started is what does the actual boot system encompass, I don't think there's a set thing. But for me it didn't include socks, or gaiters or any of the other add ons shown when ordering boots from them. Just footbeds, fitting and boot dressing. When the boots show up I will let you guys know how it goes. Questions for anyone else who's done this.

Did you have to send your boots or insoles back for adjustment?
How was that process?
Has anybody ordered a second set of boots from them? Was the process easy?
Did you find the service a good value?
Has anybody had boots just not fit? What was the exchange process like?


Thanks,

Jake

 

[PathFinder]

I've never done the custom fit, but my last two pairs of boots came from them, complete with footbeds. I absolutely love the footbeds. Their customer service and communication are outstanding. Both times there was an issue with what I ordered being in stock, and both times they called me within a day of the order and sorted things out ASAP.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[kcm2]

I have two pair of boots from Lathrop and Sons. One pair are Meindles, the Island Pro, and the second pair are Han Wag Mountain Lights. I wear the Han Wags more than anything. Light, comfy, and first rate. Their customer service is outstanding. I wouldn't worry about their role. They'll take good care of you.

 

[ceng]

Thanks. I guess I'm a bit hung up on the extra $600 for a "custom" boot system. When I ask they just seem to keep saying the same thing. Consultations, grinding the insoles etc. but the insoles are molded to a pre made mold, so they only grind the edges to fit the boot right? And then the part about keeping it on file for future purposes, really seems to benefit them as much as me. I have really struggled to get boots to fit and I feel this is sort of a desperation move, but it just seems like I might be paying for their clever marketing. One example is the 3D imprinting which used to be credited against the cost of the boot purchase but isn't now due to increased cost. I did some research and it seems like the imprints would run about $4. Sorry for the rant just trying to make sense of all of this.

 

[BULLBLASTER]

I've done the custom boot system. Boots wee great when they came I never had to send them back for alteration. They did end up going back a year later for a leaking issue. Lathrop was quick to take care of their stuff but gore Tex was slow to warranty them. In the end I got brand new boots. As for a second set I ordered a set of hikers this spring and all I did was call and tell them my name and that I wanted some light hikers for summer and early season. They put me in the Solomon 4d because it would provide what I need and fit well. They did the exact same thing with the footbeds and shipped them out. It was a lot of money but my feet have never liked boots like they like these (both the lowas and the solomons)

 

[cowboy300]

They charge $45 to "custom grind" their insoles, aka trim with scissors, that should tell you something right there. I had a bad experience and won't be going back. They might be worth it for someone with major foot issues.

 

[Hoytman 88]

Save your money!!! I went that route and feel like it was a total joke! Just sayin. The best you can do is order several diff pairs of boots to try and send back the ones you dont want. That said Their foot bed is very Good

 

[wasatchcomm]

i agree with Hoytman and cowboy