Blog

• Boot Type Breakdown: Learn how different types of hiking boots match specific terrains and hiking needs.
• Feature Focus: Understand which features impact comfort and durability the most — from materials to midsole support.
• Fit & Longevity Tips: Get practical tips to ensure a perfect fit and long-lasting performance, avoiding common boot-buying mistakes.

At Nicks Boots, we’ve spent decades building a legacy on the foundation of hard work, master craftsmanship, and American grit. Our boots are handmade in Spokane, WA, by skilled bootmakers using premium materials and time-honored techniques. We don't just make boots — we build tools for those who demand performance, durability, and timeless style, whether on the job or on the trail.

When it comes to hiking,

• Purpose-built belts matter: Whether you're at work or in the wild, choosing a belt designed for the task enhances both comfort and performance.
• Material and construction define quality: Full-grain leather, solid brass hardware, and hand-stitched details make a belt last longer and look better.
• Nicks Boots offers a range for every lifestyle: From classic work belts to limited-run heritage styles, there's a handcrafted belt for every occasion.

Why Belts Matter More Than You Think

Belts often get overlooked as mere functional accessories, but they play a much bigger role in your wardrobe than simply holding up your pants. Whether you're dressing up for a meeting, heading out on a weekend adventure, or just running errands, the right belt not only completes

• Built for Hard Work and Everyday Wear: Crafted from full-grain leather, Chukka boots provide long-lasting durability, support, and a fit that adapts to your foot over time.
• Superior to Synthetic and Mass-Produced Boots: Designed with expert craftsmanship, these boots hold up through demanding work environments, offering better longevity, flexibility, and comfort than disposable alternatives.
• Engineered for the Job, Ready for Anything: With options like slip-resistant soles, water-resistant finishes, and rebuildable construction, Chukka boots deliver rugged performance on and off the clock.

Work boots should be dependable, comfortable, and built to last through long hours and rough conditions. Some feel stiff and unforgiving,

Additional Customization options that were frequently requested by special request are now available on Build Your Own models for those wanting them. There is an additional fee for all these choices.

Mismates

If your feet are different sizes and you require two different sized boots. 

Mismates are not eligible for returns or refunds for circumstances other than factory defects.

Custom Uppers

We will contact you for additional upper measurements if you would like the uppers of your boots different than our standard sizing. 

Boots with custom uppers are not eligible for returns or refunds for circumstances other than factory defects.

• How Zero-Drop Boots and Foot Health: Designed for natural movement, barefoot boots encourage proper alignment, strengthen foot muscles, and promote long-term comfort by allowing feet to move as intended.
• Barefoot vs. Traditional Boots: A zero-drop sole and wider toe box set barefoot boots apart, offering balance and flexibility, while full-grain leather molds to the foot for durability and a custom fit.
• Debunking Barefoot Boot Myths: More than a trend, barefoot boots provide lasting resilience, versatility for work and everyday wear, and a classic style built for movement and function.

When you first lace up a pair of barefoot boots, the difference is immediate. Each step reconnects you to the ground beneath you with a

Refers to the height of the shaft of the boot, measured from the top of the heelstack to the collar. 

Boot height is a personal preference unless your profession requires a specific height. Taller boots protect from debris being walked through, but are heavier and can be harder to pull on.

• Match Your Boots to the Job: The right work boots depend on the demands of your trade. Assessing your work environment helps determine the best materials, traction, and support for long shifts on concrete, rugged terrain, or hazardous job sites.
• Prioritize Fit and Construction: Full-grain leather shapes to your foot over time, creating a form-fitting feel that enhances resilience and long-term wear. Key features like arch support, slip-resistant soles, and reinforced shanks keep you steady.
• Choose the Right Boot Style: Logger, moc toe, and pull-on boots cater to different trades and movement patterns. Selecting the right style provides better stability, protection, and endurance, making your shoes a dependable part of the job.

A piece of leather between the sole and the rest of the boot. The color of which is purely an aesthetic choice.

A water-soluble colored dye applied to the edge of the boots. It is available in black, brown, natural, and beeswax. Black, brown, and natural edges

The eyelets and/or hooks used to lace the boots.

• Hardware color is purely an aesthetic choice.
• All hardware color options are made of solid brass and then plated over with different materials.
• Over time all color plating can start to wear out making most look close to

Boot heels are made up of pieces of leather nailed atop one another with the sole on the bottom to form the heelstack. See the last section for heelstack height compatibility. 

Moderate

• A standard height offering comprised of 3-4 leather pieces stacked in the heel.
• 3/8” – ½” leather stack, plus the sole.
• Standard on HNW and ThurmanNW lasts.
• While a classic, high arch last can sometimes take a moderate heelstack, the classic is recommended because of boot balance.

Classic

• A standard height offering comprised of 4-5 leather pieces stacked in the heel.
• 5/8” – 3/4” leather stack, plus the sole.
• Most common,