IT Professional Launches Business Creating Custom Cowboy Boots in NH

Andres Lara with some of his custom-made cowboy boots. (Christine Carignan)

Andres Lara’s boot journey kicked off during the early months of the pandemic. Lara, who grew up in South Texas, always loved cowboy boots but says he could never afford a good pair as a kid and young adult. Today, Lara owns Lara Custom Boots and Leather, making customized cowboy boots and selling custom-fitted hats in Raymond.

Lara says he was introduced to custom cowboy boots when he was 23 years old following an injury that led him to order a pair from Texas. “Ever since then I’ve been obsessed with custom boots because of the way they feel and the comfort,” he says. “There’s a big difference between custom boots and commercial off-the-shelf boots.”

Commercial boots, Lara explains, can often be either too tight or too big. “With the wider widths of commercial off-the-shelf boots, you’re often dealing with a boot that’s too big, and then you get into issues with blisters.”

Anyone who believes cowboy boots are uncomfortable couldn’t be further from the truth, Lara says. “I actually walk miles in my boots pretty much every day with my dog.”

Lara, whose primary job is in IT, says when he decided to get into the business of boot making at the beginning of the pandemic, he called the person who made his boots—Armonda Rios in Raymondville, Texas—for advice. “Armonda said the best way to learn how to make boots is to learn how to do repair,” Lara says, explaining he quickly got in touch with a cobbler in Manchester. “He took me on and I kind of interned there. He would show me things, and I’d pay him a fee. He was great.”

After learning how to use the machinery, Lara then attended a two-week “Boot Camp” seminar outside of Dallas. Lara, who was in the military for many years, says that boot camp was harder than the one he experienced during basic training. “It was pretty intense,” he says. “We started every morning at seven and we didn’t finish until eight o’clock at night.”

So far, Lara has made eight pairs of boots. The starting price is $2,500 and goes north from there depending on the quality and type of leather being used. Lara takes about 10 measurements for each foot, and a finished pair of boots can take from 40 to 60 hours to make.

Lara sources his insoles from Keystone Leather in Pennsylvania, and the rawhide for boots comes from all over the world through several Texas distributors. Ostrich typically comes from South Africa and kangaroo comes from Australia or New Zealand, Lara says. “There is also some demand for elephant,” he says. “When that comes on the market, I try to get that. It holds up really well to New England weather.”

Lara says while custom boots come with a higher price tag, it’s an investment that can last a lifetime, or close to it. He has a six-month waiting list for a pair of boots. His goal, he says, is to one day open a small western retail store. But he wants it to be authentic, “and not gimmicky.”

Lara says he has realized how hard it can be for small businesses to get ahead. “You can have all the can-do attitude and gumption but when it comes down to it, it costs money to start a business and keep it thriving,” he says, adding he feels fortunate to have the support of his wife, who he refers to as “his rock,” and his two young children. “I’m not really making a lot of money right now; it’s just paying the taxes,” he says. “But my primary job helps supplement things. It’s a hobby, turned into business, and I see a market here.” For more information, visit laracustomboots.com.