The ‘Boots Reitzel heel’ – It’s high, tho’ not enough to cause nosebleed–
and it’s cut at a greater ‘back’ angle, creating an even more undershot heel than the Bond traditional. This creates slightly smaller heel-to-earth contact area, but it moves your body center of gravity slightly forward as you walk–no feeling of bein’ tipped forward, and a safer and more comfortable ‘feel’ to the boot.
(See above photo, in the word of Mr. Boots Reitzel, TucsonBoot.net)
I just got an email telling me my friend, Boots Reitzel has died. Usually, I wait until I’m done crying before I blog about someone or something, but this time I don’t care.
Boots and I were friends for more than ten years and met in person only once. I admired Boots. I considered him to be the perfect blend of humility and bravery. I would poke at him, shaking my head and telling him he oughta charge more for all the TLC and heel dressing he was giving away on his consignment boots, pair after pair. Then, I would cover my eyes and read between my fingers when one of his Boot Talks would tell me and the whole-world-wide-web the exact moment when his favorite bootmaker’s work had turned to crap.
I remember sitting at Boot’s kitchen counter… smiling with every new cowboy boot tattoo I spotted on Boot’s arms. We talked about boots, his and everyone else’s… hardly anything else. I remember when he walked me to my car after my visit, just so I didn’t step on a rattlesnake.
I HATED TO HEAR OF HIS DEATH!I LOVED GOING TO HIS SITE AND READING HIS BOOT TALKS! ITS A LOSS FOR ALL BOOT LOVERS!
The gentleman had great integrity and a great love for boots. Sorry to learn that he has left us.
A few years ago I ordered a pair of custom boots through him. They didn't really come out as I expected. It was my fault as I made some mistakes when I ordered. I was willing to pay for them anyways, but he refused to take a cent. I still feel badly about it, but now he's in a place where every pair comes out right. I'm happy in new boots that came today, but sad that one of the great bootmen has moved on.
Hey June,
A former NorCal BootMan here (CAL Enginnering @ UC Berzerkely!) Do you know, if by chance, who will keep his site going? Boots had a GREAT Selection of boots to chose from and really cool to order from. Osuna being the best!!
Hi June, Boots made comment about some health issues and he said he was in recovery. What happened? He will be missed!
Boots Reitzel was the epitomy of the "Man wearing his boots: anytime; anywhere". He was not afraid or ashamed to call out "plastic, common, assembly line, cheap made but high dollar boot makers". He viewed and had a love for life (the simple things)that only a real "worked on the ranch" cowboy could do and lived it to the fullest. He will leave behind a trail that will not wash away by rain nor have the dust cover it up for a long time. He will be sorely missed.
Just saw this. What a shame. We'll all miss Boots. I only knew him through his site, buying some boots from him, and some e-mail correspondence. But what a great guy, funny, helpful, honorable, old school in the best sort of way. RIP.
I received a pair of Paul Bonds shortly after Boots passed away and still think of him occasionally when I wear them. Boots had given me the history on these new Buckaroo boots specially designed by Spider just be for he died. Sure miss reading his advice and stories, haven’t found anyone else with such a passion for what he presented.
Rest assured that Boots left this world with his dignity in place and his generousity secured towards those in need.
Scooter
http://tucsonboot.net/reitzelheadstone.bmp