Made to Order

A made-to-order pair is built for you, in Vancouver, on the same lasts we have used since 1946. You choose the boot. We build it.

Nothing here is sitting on a shelf. That is the point of it.

How it works

Choose your style below and whether you would rather pay in full or leave a deposit. Then we talk. One of us will be in touch to work through the specification with you and to get your size and width right — that conversation is part of what you are paying for, and it is not something a drop-down menu does well.

Build time is 14 to 20 weeks. These are made in small numbers by a small shop, and we would rather tell you the real number than a comfortable one.

What you choose

• Size and width
• Leather — veg tan or oil tan, in black or brown
• Shaft height
• Upper stitching colour
• Hardware colour
• Sole thickness and sole type
• Edge finish
• Heel shape

A fourteen-inch mid-calf shaft, an extra midsole, a double sole and special-order leathers are all possible and all carry an upcharge. We will quote it before you commit to anything.

Price

$1,946 before taxes and shipping, whichever boot you choose. Pay in full, or leave a $946 deposit and we invoice the balance when your boots are ready to leave the shop. Free shipping in North America.

The boots

Beauty — The boot most people mean when they say Daytons. Western last, snip nose, a slight heel lift. Banned in bars across the country, which was never the point but has never hurt.

Mini Beauty — The Beauty at a seven-inch shaft. Everything the tall one has, worn under a trouser leg.

Sidekick — Six or eight inches on the Beauty's last. The one to own if you want a Dayton you can wear to work and to dinner.

Rider — Eleven inches, round deep toe box, low heel. Built to sit on a bike and walk home in.

Low Rider — The Rider cut to eight inches. Same last, same roomy toe, less shaft.

Rebel — Square toe, more aggressive line, slight heel lift. The loudest thing we make and it knows it.

Aurora — The 1950 last with a softer finish. Our most-asked-for women's boot, and it fits men who want the square toe without the bulk.

Aurora Round Toe — The Aurora on the military last. Rounded, slightly almond, a standard heel.

Engineer — No laces, two straps, a bump toe that curves up to let your toes move. The original work boot last, unchanged.

Ranger — The lace-up on the same original work last. What a Dayton looked like before anyone was buying them for the look.

Toughie — Short, blunt and hard to hurt. The one you buy when the boots are tools.

Heritage Driver — Built for a foot that spends the day on a pedal. Lower shaft, standard heel, the original work last.

Service Boot — Military inspired, rounded almond toe, standard heel. The most quietly versatile pair in the range.

Parade Boot — A dress boot with a work boot's bones. Goodyear welted, cork filled, and it will outlast the suit you wear it with.

Romeo Wholecut Chelsea — One piece of leather over the military last, elastic at the sides, nothing to fasten. The easiest Dayton to put on.

Ranchero — The Beauty's last in a taller, plainer shaft. Less snip nose, more working cowboy.

In more detail

Four of these have a longer story than a line will hold.

Beauty

The Black Beauty to many Dayton customers is the only choice when they refer to their "Daytons".  This was the boot that got banned in Bars all across western Canada and the Pacific North West and garnered Dayton its infamous reputation.

The Black Beauty was originally commissioned 1961 by Charles "Chunky" Woodward, the owner of the Woodward's Department Stores, for himself and his ranch hands at the Douglas Lake Ranch.  This non-decorative western style boot features a single seam straight shaft designed so that neither the rider nor horse is chafed even on long rides.  Originally made with a traditional leather sole, Dayton added the option for corded and rubber outsoles and the black beauty was quickly adopted by the motorcycle community as the definitive riding boot. It is a distinctively functional boot that can polished up for the office or a night on the town.

The Beauty is made on our 8223 western last in E and EEE widths.

• 6-7.5 ounce full grain upper leathers for fit and durability
• Goodyear welted construction for superior support, weather resistance, durability and easy resoling
• Leather lining, insole and heel counter stiffeners for fit and comfort
• Full length 1/4 inch cork fill for cushioning
• Steel shank for long lasting support

Heritage Driver

The Driver boot has become a Dayton icon, spanning as far back as the 1960's. Strong, resilient, and durable today just as much as it was when it first premiered, you'll soon discover why this model has become an classic. 

Unshakable in its quality, innovative in its timelessness, this boot fits work and play into its agenda. 

Originally designed by the founders’ son for the hardworking milkmen delivery drivers, you'll turn heads while being a part of Dayton history.

Standard features include: 

• black chrome leather and white leather heel
• stock D & EE width
• Goodyear welted construction

Service Boot

The Dayton Service heritage boot is made on our 11377 last based on a vintage Canadian Military design.  Essentially made for the "Everyman" and designed for hard wear and comfortable long use, we offer this in standard E and EEE widths/volumes; more widths are available made-to-order.

Standard Features:

• 6-7.5 ounce full grain upper leathers for fit and durability
• Goodyear welted construction for superior support, weather resistance, durability and easy resoling
• Leather lining, insole and heel counter stiffeners for fit and comfort
• Full length 1/4 inch cork fill for cushioning
• Steel shank for long lasting support
• Bellows tongue for weather resistance

Parade Boot

Crisp, precise stitching makes this elegant urban lace-up boot versatile in its style and fit. Derived from the army Parade boot, this boot innovates a classic pattern with its silhouette and durable craftsmanship. 

With a sole built and tested for the highest level of comfort and a grip that never fails, you'd be hard pressed to find another boot quite like it.

Specifications:

Black, Brown, or Charcoal Nubuck 

Goodyear welted sole

fully lined

Dayton stamp on quarters

Brogue detail on quarters and toe cap

Vibram 430 mini lug outsole

Biltrite full heel

SIZING:

At Dayton Boots SIZE MATTERS. We offer three sizing options; size yourself, remote fitting and in store fitting.

Dayton Boots fit similarly to UK men’s sizing. This typically means one full size down from your standard North American sneaker size. *** IE: NA 8.5 would be a Dayton 7.5.***  Dayton sizing will typically be down 3 full sizes down from a US Women’s sneaker.

If widths options are available, pick a narrow width if you know you have a narrow foot or want a snugger fit.  Or, pick a wider width if you know you have a high instep, wider foot or want a little more room. 

If you already own a pair of Dayton boots or are confident in your size you can size yourself.  Remember your Dayton size is one down from your normal North American sneaker size.  If widths are available, pick a narrow width if you know you have a narrow foot or want a snugger fit.  Or, pick a wider with if you know you have a high instep, wider foot or want a little more room.  Choose: I know my Dayton Size.

If you are unsure of your size but can’t make it to our store we can remotely fit you via our online sizing exercise.  All orders will receive a sizing exercise after purchase.  Choose: I need help with Sizing. (Note $10 service fee)

For in store sizing, place an order by selecting one size down from your normal North American sneaker size and note that you’d like to come into the factory store and have our experienced staff confirm your Dayton size.  Choose: I’ll come into the Original Factory Shop.

Lasts and widths

A width is a measure of volume, not of how wide your foot is across the joint. C and D are narrow, E is standard, EEE is wide. If you have a narrow foot and a high instep you may still want the wide last, and that is not a contradiction — it is the reason we ask rather than guess.

If it is not right

If a pair we built to your specification is not right, we would far rather make it right than take your money back. We exchange it, credit it, or remake the pair, and when we agree a remake we agree a date with you in writing. Our refund policy sets it out in full.

Handcrafted in Vancouver by Wohlford & Company Inc., trading as Dayton Boots, 711 Hastings Street East, Vancouver, British Columbia V6A 1R3. Prices in Canadian dollars before taxes.