- Big Black Boots is closed - Big Black Boots has been selling boots since 1985 and online since 1995. We were the first boot store on the internet! But after 34 years we have retired. We've closed our web store. But are keeping our web site up to provide you with much more detailed information than available at the manufacturers' web sites. And we also have exhaustive information on sizing and how to measure your feet and legs for tall boots. We've removed pricing info since you can get more up to date prices from the manufacturer's web sites. But we're keeping the prices for the various options here since it's sometimes hard to get that information until you order a custom pair of boots. The options prices may be out of date but they don't change as often or as much as the actual boot prices. We're also keeping the website order forms up because they contain lots of useful information which may not be available on the manufacturer's website. These contain a lot of information which can help when you order directly from Wesco or Dehner. Of course, the order forms no longer accept orders or payments. Our email address at will be kept active so customers can contact us in the future. Our customer lists and records are NOT for sale. Thanks for being such great customers over the years. It's been a pleasure helping you get into great boots that fit well. Ron & Rich Big Black Boots

The Dehner Motor Patrol Boot: This is the definitive Motor Patrol boot worn by officers in highway patrol and police motor patrol units. It's also worn by equestrian units which need a boot that's more sturdy and has a stiffer shaft than standard equestrian boots. We discuss the differences between motor patrol boots and equestrian riding boots towards the bottom of this page. Click here to jump down to that discussion. As you scroll down this page there are many photos which show the details of construction for these custom made boots as well as their optional features. We've also devoted an entire separate page to present more information and detailed photos of each of the features and options. Click on the links to go to specific areas or click here to go browse that page in its entirety. Note that most of the photos you see here were made when these boots were new, fresh from the bootmaker and before they were polished and broken in. Once the boots have been worn and polished, they're appearance will change. See the picture which illustrates storm welting to see a veteran, well cared for, pair of these boots.

Each pair of these boots is custom made to your foot and leg measurements by Dehner's master bootmaker with the options you specify for your boots. The process starts when you fill out our secure order form to specify the configuration and options for your boots, continues when you take measurements and fill out the measure sheet and ends several months later when your custom made boots arrive.

You can choose from several leather types and colors and can specify the type and thickness of the sole as well as the instep type and the configuration of the boot top.

The boot you see here is in our recommended configuration. The boot is made from black Voyager cowhide. This is a tough leather which also takes an excellent shine. The boot shaft is lined in thick, stiff cowhide so the boot shaft keeps its classic shape, but the lining transitions to thick, supple elk-hide at the ankle so the boot will flex comfortably and cleanly at the ankles. The supple elk-hide lining continues through the entire foot. This careful construction detail is missing from most other motor patrol boots.

The price for these custom made boots as shown here is $799. Prices for other variations on this style of boot are shown below along with prices for some optional features.

Features of Motor Patrol Boots as shown:

• Custom made by The Dehner Company in Omaha, Nebraska to your own foot and leg measurements
• Classic fitted shaft with dress boot styling made to fit your legs
• Traditional Laced Instep ( Bal-laced instep ) or plain dress instep
• Built with heavier Voyager cowhide leather which holds up very well in day to day duty wear
• Shaft fully lined with thick, stiff cowhide to keep its shape
• Foot and ankle areas are lined with supple elk hide for comfort and flexibility at the ankles
• Hidden nylon pull straps to help pull boots on
• Standard Nitrene Composition double sole is ½" / 13mm thick. This is about ⅛" / 3mm thicker than equestrian boot soles
• Standard rubber heel is ¾" / 19mm high

Of course, your boots can be customized since they'll be made to your particular measurements and specifications. Here are the available options for the custom Motor Patrol boots.

Options:

• Black "Voyager" Cowhide (as shown)
• Black "Wayfarer" Cowhide
• Black French Calfskin
• Black Voyager leather foot / Majilite Shaft
  (same as "stock" MP boots)
• Cordovan, Dark Brown or Tan French Calfskin
• Brown "Voyager" Cowhide
• Black Dragoon oil tanned leather
• Tan (Dynatan) oil tanned leather

• Top strap and buckle or laced top
• Vibram lug soles
• Leather soles
• Storm welting
• Spur Rests - no charge
  ( spurs not needed on motors but handy for mounted work )
• Shaft height over 21"
• Calf circumference over 21"

Care of Dehner Boots

Our Boot FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page has a section which shows how to train new Dehners and how to care for them. Click here to see this information.

Extras / Accessories:

( can be shipped with boots )

• Boot hooks ( to help pull boots on )
• Matching spur straps - unlined
• Matching spur straps - lined
• Matching butterfly flaps for spur straps over bal-laced insteps

Bal-Laced Instep	Plain Dress Instep

Description:

These custom Motor Patrol boots are available in the bal-laced instep or the plain dress instep, both of which are shown on the right. The traditional bal-laced instep is the most popular configuration for this boot, but some departments, particularly equestrian units, standardize on the dress instep. Click here to see the official specifications for these boots. These may be required by your procurement office.

The bal-laced instep makes it easier to get the boots on and off since it allows the instep to be loosened. But once the boot is on and laced, it fits more snugly than the dress instep boots. The bal-laced instep also allows for some adjustment of the fit when wearing thicker or thinner socks with the boots.

As the name implies, the plain dress instep boots have a more formal, dressier appearance. However, the dress instep boot may not be appropriate for everyone. The reason for this is that the boot strikes a delicate balance in the instep area between being loose enough for your foot to get into the boots but tight enough stay on your feet and to fit snugly. Dehner's master bootmakers are highly skilled in achieving that delicate balance, but the balance can be overcome, in time, if your feet grow larger.

Top Strap	Top Lace

The top of the boots can be customized as well. The standard top has a gusset which is covered by a flap and a strap to adjust the circumference of the boot top up to an inch. Note that the buckle is placed towards the back of the boot and away from the outside of the boot so if won't snag. This is the standard top treatment for the motor patrol boots.

It's also possible to have the top made with lacing to adjust the fit of the boot top. Either method achieves the same result.

Pull Straps	Nitrene Sole / Rubber Heel	Bal-Lace

Motor Patrol Boots versus Equestrian or Riding Boots:

Motor Patrol Boots and equestrian boots are variations on a theme. Both types are used to provide protection to the feet and legs with a touch of style and class but each type is adapted to its intended use.

Equestrian boots typically have:

• A thinner sole for better feel and control of the stirrups
• A shaft which is not as heavy and stiff as motor patrol boots to allow better feel of the horse. Not only is the lining leather thinner, it is often omitted on the side of the boots closest to the horse or omitted entirely so that the boot top is quite thin and flexible.
• A more sweeping Spanish top with greater height in the front and outside than the motor patrol boots
• No top straps (often)
• A slightly slimmer shaft because they are usually worn with lighter weight breeches
• Spur rests on the heel to help keep spurs in place

There are also many style variations. Hunt boots have top cuffs which may be detachable. For rougher conditions where form gives way to function, the equestrian boot of choice is the field boot which is usually laced, but sometimes comes with a 3-buckle top. The field boot is closer in style to the motor patrol boots. Finally, there are Polo boots which have numerous variations and are a class unto themselves.

All of these riding boots are custom made to measure by Dehner.

Motor Patrol boots have:

• Thicker Nitrene soles with a grip tread for better traction. The Motor Patrol Boots are generally more comfortable for walking than equestrian boots because the thicker, oil-resistant composition sole provides more cushion and support.
• Stiffer shafts with heavier weight lining leather to better hold their shape and provide additional protection.
• A "standard" boot top which does not flare as high as the Spanish top and is equipped with either a strap and buckle or with lacing to secure it.
• Supple elk hide lining in the ankles of the Motor Patrol Boots makes the ankle area more flexible. This is known as "wishbone" lining because of the shape of the cut where the leather transitions from stiff upper leather to the supple ankle lining leather.

How to order these custom made to measure Motor Patrol Boots:

Click here to go directly to the Dehner website for more info, pricing and the measure sheet for these custom boots.

Patience is the watch word with these custom boots. It takes a while to gather all your order details, make sure the master bootmaker has all the details and then to custom make your boots to your specifications and measurements.

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