@deviantollam my dad had a pair of dress shoes that a cobbler made for him in London in the 70s and they kept molds of his feet. When we went there as a family in 1988, he had contacted them ahead of time so he could pick up another pair that they made from his forms/molds because they had them on hand. That's all I know, but yes, it (used to) be a thing.

Edit: How close is r/goodyearwelt to what you're looking for?

@deviantollam yes, these exist

I can't recommend any because I didn't mark them down when I saw them, but it's a reasonable search

@deviantollam

I don't know any bespoke cobblers to suggest but I'm given to understand that Solovair bought up a lot of the old DM lasts.

P.S. Nothing bourgeois about boots you plan to use until the leather itself gives up.

@deviantollam there are, one example is Tricker’s: https://trickers.com/pages/bespoke-shoes

Which has a royal warrant, but there are quite a few to choose from.

@deviantollam there are a couple in the North West that used to specialize in lumber boots but I think have branched out (I want to say Nicks and Whites (sp?)). I've also been recommended a video about bespoke hand crafted hiking boots in Japan but never watched.

Also Wohlford (Dayton) out of Vancouver - but I think they went VC and did a lot of fuckery?

@deviantollam check out Gasolina: https://gasolinaboots.com/

They got my weird shaped feet right on the first try, and they have a few models that are the doc marten neighborhood.

@deviantollam
I've only ever heard of the eyewateringly expensive ones that were favoured by (then) Prince Charles because I saw a TV segment on them.

I think it was these guys, the custom ones are over £4k apparently:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tricker%27s
https://trickers.com/pages/bespoke-shoes

I think I was once told that cobblers technically only repair but I don't know if the remaining ones make the shoemaker/cobbler distinction anymore.

@deviantollam: it looks like there's several options out there-- these limmer guys sound really good but you'll have to wait (2-3yrs) and go for an in-person fitting in NH. Limmer will do fittings remotely but then they don't guarantee the fit.
https://limmerboots.com/collections/shop-peter-limmer-sons-custom-and-stock-boots
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I've heard 2/3 of these names before (nicks & whites), the third also seems legit (baker):

https://whitesboots.com/custom-boots/
https://nicksboots.com/shop/custom-boots/
https://bakershoe.com/collections/custom-boots
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also, it looks like the vibram 2661 ripple sole is what you're used to?

@deviantollam cobblers are absolutely a thing. I’ve often seen them on military bases, so military-related stores may be able to point you the right direction.

There’s also Renn Faire boot makers, but I suspect that’s not quite the fashion you’re going for.

@deviantollam Do you want a clone of the Zachary, or are you willing to go with a slightly different design that is going to last you a lifetime?

Whites and Wesco are two brands that are *extremely* well regarded, and they will both do customizations on their existing lines. I am aware of one person who had a custom purple leather hide tanned just so she could get purple Wescos.

Stay away from Danner, their QA isn’t the best.

@deviantollam renfaire, SCA and motorcycle groups sometimes get cobblers who'll make custom boots and shoes

I've known of people who do that due to significantly different sized feet

@deviantollam A guy at our building was recommending Jim Green barefoot boots to me the other day, after noting my #minimalistshoes. These aren't bespoke, but you can do a custom order and spec things out in fair detail, without getting into bespoke prices. Looks like around $300.

https://jimgreenfootwear.com/custom/