Custom at Temper & Stone means we start with a blank page and build a boot around you — your foot, your fit preferences, your aesthetic, your idea. Not a mass-produced design with your initials stitched on the pull tab. Every element is on the table: the leather, the colour, the last shape, the heel, the toe profile, the hardware, the stitching, the lining, the shaft height, the embellishments. If you can imagine it and we can build it, we'll find a way.

This service exists for people who want something nobody else has — whether that's a perfectly-fitting boot in a hard-to-find calf size, a flamboyant statement piece for the stage, a quiet daily wearer in your favourite shade of olive, or a wedding boot that becomes an heirloom. The process is collaborative from the first email to the final stitch, and you'll see and approve every detail before any leather is cut.

What you can customise

Almost everything. The major variables we'll work through together:

• Leather — we work with a curated range of premium cowhide, calf, lamb, goat, sheep, and buffalo leathers, sourced from trusted tanneries. Available in a wide range of finishes including smooth, pull-up, embossed (our alternative to exotic skins), distressed, and hand-painted.
• Colour — from the classics (black, brown, tan) to bespoke shades. We can dye to match a reference, blend custom colours, or apply hand-finishing for one-of-a-kind tonal effects.
• Last shape and toe profile — pointed, round, square, snip-toe, or a custom last built for unusual fit requirements.
• Heel — Cuban, riding, walking, stacked, block, or fully custom heights and shapes.
• Sole — leather, rubber, Vibram, custom-stamped, or commando.
• Shaft height and calf width — from ankle boot to over-the-knee, in SlimFit, Regular, Wide, or Extra Wide calf sizing for tall styles.
• Hardware — buckles, conchos, eyelets, pulls, zips. Standard or custom-sourced.
• Embellishments — hand-tooling, embossing, inlays, overlays, stitched motifs, embroidery, applique. Subtle or maximalist.
• Lining — leather, fabric, sheepskin, or unlined. Different choices for different climates and uses.
• Footbed — Standard or Wide widths, with arch support and cushioning to your preference.

If you want something not on this list, ask. The answer is usually yes.

The design process

Our custom process moves through seven stages — five collaborative design stages where we work together to get every detail right, and two production stages once the design is locked in. We won't cut leather until you've approved the final renders.

1. Consultation

Everything starts with a conversation. A refundable A$500 deposit secures a consultation slot. During this consultation, we'll talk through:

• What you have in mind — references, sketches, Pinterest boards, vague concepts, fully-formed visions, all welcome
• Your fit considerations — foot length, width, ankle and calf measurements where relevant
• How and where you plan to wear them
• Materials, construction, and embellishment options that suit your project
• A realistic budget range based on what you want

By the end of consultation you'll have a clear estimate of total cost, a timeline, and a sense of what's possible. If we can't bring your vision to life — whether it's a technical limitation, materials we can't source, or a request we won't take on — we'll tell you, and your deposit is refunded in full.

2. Sketching

Once we've agreed your project is one we can build, we move into design. From this point your deposit is non-refundable — we're now working on artwork specifically for you.

The first design pass is sketching: rough drawings exploring the silhouette, proportions, layout of any embellishments, and overall character of the boot. This is the stage where the broad strokes are decided. We'll send sketches for your review and refine until the foundational design feels right.

 

3. Renders from multiple angles

Once the sketch is approved, we move to detailed renders — accurate, scaled drawings of your boot from multiple angles. You'll see:

• The outside view (the side most people will see)
• The inside view (often quieter, but it matters)
• The front and back
• Close-ups of any embellishments, stitching, or hardware

This is where the boot stops being an idea and starts being a real object you can picture in your closet. It's also where any remaining design questions get answered — final colour calls, exact placement of details, precise hardware specifications.

4. Revisions

We expect revisions. Almost every custom project goes through at least one round of changes between initial renders and final approval. We welcome them. This is your chance to push back on anything that isn't quite right — a colour that feels off, proportions you want adjusted, a detail you've changed your mind about, an element you've thought of since last time.

Reasonable revisions are part of the process and included in your custom fee. Substantial redesigns that change the fundamental nature of the project may attract an additional design fee — we'll discuss this with you before any extra charge is incurred.

When the renders feel right, you sign off on the final design, and we issue the second invoice for the balance of the build.

5. Sourcing leather and accessories

Once you've approved the final design and the balance is paid, the real materials work begins. Bootmaking is only as good as what it's made from, and a custom project lives or dies on the quality of its leather. This stage covers:

• Locating the right hide — for some projects we already have suitable leather in our working stock. For others — particularly bespoke colours, finishes, or specialty leathers — we order in from our trusted tanneries specifically for your project. This can take 1–2 weeks depending on origin and availability.
• Hardware sourcing — buckles, conchos, eyelets, zips, and any other metal or hardware components. Standard pieces are usually on hand. Custom-cast or specialty hardware is sourced or commissioned for your project.
• Sole and lining materials — your chosen sole material (leather, rubber, Vibram), lining material (leather, fabric, sheepskin), thread, and any additional finishing materials.
• Quality inspection — every piece of leather and hardware is checked on arrival. If anything doesn't meet our standards, it gets sent back and we re-source. This sometimes adds time, but it's why we don't compromise on this stage.

This sourcing stage typically takes 2–3 weeks. We'll keep you updated as materials come in.

6. Construction

With materials in hand, construction begins. This is the most labour-intensive stage and where most of the 12-week production timeline is spent. Your boots move through:

• Pattern cutting — your approved design is translated into precise patterns sized to your measurements. Each piece is hand-cut from the leather, paying close attention to the natural variations in the hide to ensure the best parts of the leather end up in the most visible places.
• Skiving and preparation — leather edges are thinned (skived) where they need to fold, fit together, or sit flush. Components are prepared for stitching.
• Lasting — the upper is shaped over a last (the wooden or composite form that gives your boot its fit and silhouette). This is where flat pieces of leather start becoming a three-dimensional boot.
• Stitching and welt — the upper is stitched together, and the welt is hand-stitched to the upper and insole. Goodyear welt construction means this stitch can be undone for resoling decades later — it's slower than the alternatives, and it's the reason these boots can last a lifetime.
• Sole attachment — the sole is stitched and bonded to the welt.
• Embellishments and detail work — any hand-tooling, embossing, inlays, overlays, or special detail work is applied. For complex embellishment, this stage can stretch significantly.
• Finishing — burnishing, edge treatment, leather conditioning, polishing, hardware installation, and final assembly.
• Quality control — every pair is inspected before it leaves the workshop. Stitching, finishing, hardware, fit, and overall presentation are all checked.

We'll send updates throughout production and let you know as soon as your boots are finished and ready to ship.

7. Delivery

Finished boots are carefully packed and shipped tracked. We'll send tracking details as soon as they leave the workshop. Transit time depends on your destination — typically 3–7 business days within Australia, 1–2 weeks internationally. International orders are shipped with all customs duties and taxes pre-paid, so they arrive at your door with nothing left to settle.

Pricing

Custom pricing depends on the materials, embellishments, and complexity of the design. The figures below are the starting points for each style — most custom projects land between A$1,800 and A$3,500 depending on what you choose.

Premium leathers, extensive hand-tooling, exotic finishes, custom hardware, and complex multi-piece overlays all push the final price upward. Your consultation includes a full estimate before any design work begins.

All prices in Australian dollars (AUD). International customers — the full landed cost, including any applicable duties and taxes, is calculated and charged at checkout based on your delivery address.

Deposits and payment

Custom projects are paid in two stages:

• A$500 consultation and design deposit at booking. Refundable in full if we can't proceed with your project; non-refundable once design work begins. Applied to the total cost of your boots.
• Balance invoice issued when you approve the final design. Payable in full before sourcing and construction begins.

We accept all major credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Shop Pay. Buy-now-pay-later options including Afterpay are available at checkout where supported.

Timeline

From your initial enquiry to your boots arriving at your door, allow approximately:

• 1–3 weeks for consultation, sketching, and renders
• 1–2 weeks for revisions and final design approval
• 2–3 weeks for sourcing leather and accessories
• Up to 9 weeks for construction
• 1–2 weeks for shipping, depending on your destination

Total: typically 15–20 weeks from first email to delivery.

If you have a wedding, milestone, event, or trip you want your boots for, start the conversation early. We don't generally offer rush production. In exceptional cases we may agree to expedite — additional fees apply, and even expedited timelines are best-effort estimates rather than guarantees.

What we won't do

We're open to almost anything within our craft, but a few things are off the table:

Copy another bootmaker's specific work. We're happy to take inspiration from a style, a silhouette, or a tradition — that's how craft moves forward. But we won't reproduce another maker's specific design. If you've seen a boot you love from another maker, tell us what drew you to it and we'll design something original that captures the same spirit.

Use protected designs or third-party intellectual property. Logos, trademarked motifs, copyrighted artwork — we won't knowingly produce work that infringes on someone else's rights. We do reasonable due diligence on every custom design before production. For your protection as much as ours.

Use exotic skins. Even where exotic leathers (snake, lizard, crocodile, ostrich) are legally permitted, we don't use them. We work with embossed cowhide and calf to achieve the same visual effect without the welfare or sustainability concerns. The result is beautiful, durable, and a much easier object to feel good about owning.

Rush legitimate craft. Some elements of bootmaking can't be hurried without compromising the work — welt stitching, leather conditioning, edge finishing. We'd rather tell you we can't meet a deadline than deliver a boot we're not proud of.

Frequently asked custom questions

Can I come in for a fitting?

Most of our customers work with us remotely — we provide detailed measurement guides and can do video consultations for fit checks. Local Melbourne customers are welcome to arrange an in-person consultation; reach out and we'll find a time.

What if my custom boots don't fit?

Custom boots are made to the measurements and design you've approved, so fit issues caused by incorrect measurements at order time aren't covered by returns. That said, if your boots arrive and there's a clear issue we got wrong — a manufacturing defect, an error against the approved design, sizing that doesn't match the measurements you provided — we'll work with you to repair, adjust, or remake at no cost. See our Terms & Conditions and your rights under Australian Consumer Law for full detail.

Can you match a colour I've seen elsewhere?

In most cases, yes. Send us a reference photo or — even better — a physical swatch. We can dye to match most colours, though some specialty finishes or extreme shades may need testing first. We'll let you know during consultation whether a colour match is feasible.

Can I order matching boots for a group or bridal party?

Yes. Group custom orders are some of our favourite projects. We recommend placing the order together so we can source from a single batch of leather and minimise variation between pairs. Natural leather always carries some variation in grain and tone — we work to match closely, but some difference between pairs is part of the character. Reach out with your group size and timeline and we'll plan it out.

Will you sign an NDA for confidential projects?

Yes. For professional commissions, performers, or anyone working on a project they'd like to keep under wraps, we're happy to sign a reasonable confidentiality agreement before consultation. Mention it in your first email and we'll send paperwork ahead of the meeting.

Can custom boots be repaired or resoled later?

Yes, and we encourage it. Goodyear welt construction is specifically designed for repair — the sole can be replaced multiple times over the life of the boot, and most other issues (worn stitching, scuffed leather, damaged hardware) can be addressed. Get in touch when the time comes and we'll guide you through it.

Start your custom project

Custom Temper & Stone boots begin with a conversation. To get started, email us at howdy@temperandstone.com with:

• A description of what you have in mind — as detailed or as loose as you like
• Any references, sketches, or inspiration images
• The style you're thinking of (shoes, ankle, mid-calf, tall)
• Any timing considerations — events, deadlines, milestones
• Your general location (so we can flag international shipping considerations early)

We'll respond within five business days with next steps. If you're ready to lock in a consultation slot, we'll send through deposit details and a few questions to help us prepare.

We can't wait to hear what you have in mind.