My boots took a very long time - 18 months - to be built up and delivered, the owner says they had troubles that contributed to this, and claim troubles now all resolved. The boots finally came, and I am pleased with the fit and trim, and look forward to breaking them in. Despite the delay, I'm glad I went there for a custom fitting. Original post: Fraudulent, stay away from this vendor. Esatto took my money in March 2019, and never came through with boots. They've stopped responding to email or telephone calls. And looking at their FB page, I see I'm not the only one who has been ripped off. I visited their shop in person, and met Aurel and his father. They took all my measurements and we settled on the choice of leather, color, and boot style. I had high hopes. But I never heard from them with updates or pictures. I spoke to Aurel in January 2020, and also corresponded with him by email. He promised boots within a month, but nothing. I'm now taking this to the Washington Department of Consumer Affairs. read more

In November of 2019 (YES 2019) I paid this man over $1300 for custom boots and orthotics. It is now November of 2020. He sent me boots once last year that did not fit. I sent them back. It appears he has done nothing with them since. AVOID doing business with this man. read more

The decision to finally order custom boots came from a hiking trip I took a few months ago. I realized I needed to invest in a better long-term solution that wouldn't further disfigure my feet if I wanted to continue to hike and enjoy the backcountry. I did quite a bit of online research, talked to a few doctors, and narrowed my search down to 4 custom boot-makers in the United States: Esatto, one in Denver, one in Vermont, and one in Texas. I emailed each one to get a feel of their business, of their service, and of their quality. Custom boots are not cheap, and I figured I was entering into a relationship with these makers, so I might as well get to know them a bit before jumping in. Esatto Boots was warm and welcoming from the very beginning. The other boot makers took a long time to get back to me, and when they did, I was left with the impression that they weren't really looking to make new customers - in fact, I'd have to wait 6 months to get a pair of boots. So, I decided to go with Esatto. It took the Esatto team about 6-7 weeks to turn the measurements I took of my feet into a pair of summer boots and orthotics. I've worn them now on a few, multi-day backpacking trips of 15+ miles in the Sierra Mountains. On the very first trip, after hiking only a few miles in, I realized something amazing: I had never worn shoes that fit my feet. It's a strange feeling to say the least. Shoes have always been a little big or a little narrow. I had no idea what it was like to have the support of both shoes fitting my feet (since my feet are two different sizes). After these trips there were no blisters, no hotspots, no rubbing, nothing. It was wonderful. After the second trip, my feet felt even more comfortable in the boots. I'm excited to take these boots on new adventures, to watch them age, and know they will last me. I think this purchase was a smart one for me. It's an investment, and I'd suggest potential customers to do research, talk to potential shoemakers, and decide what's best for them. I wanted to invest in a long-term solution, and I am happy with my choice. read more

I ordered and paid almost $1,200 for custom hiking boots and footbeds in April 2019. I was told that the waiting time was 3-6 months. I figured best case I would receive them early August, worst case late October. It is mid-November and I have not received anything. I have made multiple phone calls to Esatto, and they do not answer the phone and do not return voice mail messages. They have also not responded to multiple email inquiries. I am very concerned that I have been scammed out of my $1,198. I have never dealt with another company that is so unresponsive. read more

Things have changed at Esatto. Got a great pair of boots from Alex maybe seven years ago. There appears to be a new proprietor and things are bad. Looks like multiple people have paid full price and not received the product including myself. Would not recommend doing business with this entity. read more

After too many years of pain after hiking I got a pair of Esatto hiking boots. Buying from Esatto was an easy process. I was impressed by their quality and attention to detail. I'll be a return customer. read more

Don't let the price and wait time keep you from ordering from Esatto. Get started right away. This is my story: Several sports injuries on the same leg and ankle shortened my leg almost an inch leaving me with too many problems to go into, back, knee, hip, all related to my leg being shorter. Eventually, and a few years later, I ended up trying to find someone to make a pair of boots for me. I decided on boots, because I felt I could wear them with skirts, shorts or pants. I found Esatto on line. After speaking with Alex he explained in detail everything you will need to know about the process. I decided to get started and he sent me the measurement kit (overnight delivery). When the kit arrived I was unsure if whether I could do it. You can find a prosthetic med to help you for a nominal fee or find a friend. I found a friend and it was incredibly easier than I thought. I ordered the lightweight hiker. When my boots arrived , I thought, wow these are gorgeous but I must have gotten another customers boots because both shoes looked the same (you can imagine the difference in height right?). They were mine!! Somehow Alex built the shoe up around the shorter one. If you have never had a pair of custom shoes before, you will have a mind blowing experience when you try on your first pair, and second, and third, etc. I get compliments every time I wear them and if I could give them 10 star I absolutely would. And yes, he is making other shoes for me read more

October, 2018. I've just ordered my 3rd pair of Esatto Classic Hikers. I still have and use the 1st and 2nd pair purchased in '07 and 08'. These are stout boots, with traditional Vibram Lug soles. I've resoled each of these boots twice since purchase. Each has had thousands of miles and hundreds of thousands of vertical feet of hiking and climbing the old rock piles in and around Glacier National Park in NW Montana, as well as lots of snow shoeing. NO, JOKE. with my first pair broken in during the previous year, my friend and I climbed 50 different peaks with over 200,000 vertical feet of gain and more than 600 miles from May to end of November in 2008. Seeing some moderate scuffing on the toe box and having worn the toe and sides out of other leather boots, I coated the toe box with Tuff Toe, (good, stuff). The wear is from extensive off trail hiking in abrasive gravel, rock climbing and kicking foot holds into grainy spring snow pack. I had a local shop place a hook on the tongue of the 2nd pair to help keep them centered, (no problems with the first pair since break in, maybe I got lazy with the second pair). I've pulled out 5 or 6 D rings, or rather the rivets holding them pulled out of the leather (total from all 4 boots) over the 10 years. I think I've contributed to this by failing to clean and feed the leather properly. Paying a price for that now for sure. The leather is showing cracks and tears. The first pair now have patches glued and stitched over big cracks. I'm reminded of a conversation with a custom boot maker from back east who said he could build me a boot that would last a life time....I wonder who's life time he was thinking of? Anyway, I know I can get more out of the 3rd pair if I do timely leather treatments with the right products. Me? I hike and climb extensively. Multi day back packing, day hiking and snow shoeing with a 20 pound day pack every week. Peak bagging or trail hiking to stay in shape to bag another later on. 8 to 22 miles a day, hike half the night, sleep in a foil bag when it's to dark and dangerous to go on. In 30 years of looking I cannot find an off the shelf boot that fits. I have need of a wide, square toe box. I wear thin liner socks with a medium weight synthetic hiking sock. I had and still use custom foot beds for high arches and a 2 degree corrective wedge to keep sole wear even. Esatto built the boots to work with that. I purchased mine with a mail order kit and photos while working on the other side of the world. In 2007 Esatto said 6 months to deliver and the two competitors I could find on line were 12 to 24 months out and more money. My worst day wearing Esatto Classic Hikers? I do get a sock balled up or lace up loose and ignore the signs and end up with a minor blister once a year at most and sometimes, usually after fording a creek, I get in a hurry on the top lacing and get them too tight causing tenderness on an ankle bone...cured by lightening up on the lace tension. Maybe do the latter 3 times out of 60 or more days a year. I'll say again, these are stout boots. I consider them more of a mountaineering boot than a hiking boot, but I do LOTS of both with them... Several layers of leather and a thick sole took time to hug my feet the way I wanted for long days in rough terrain. NOTE to those new to leather boots. My experience is that ALL leather boots need a good bit of breaking in. A proper fitting boot should match your foot's volume and width at specific locations, but unless the last was made from a perfect 3 dimensional scan of your foot (my dream), then all the eccentric lumps, bumps, etc. on your foot will have to slowly shape the leather to it's final custom fit. The heavier and stiffer the boot the longer the break in period. I wore my Esatto's around the house and in town for a few hours a day, then half days, stopping to align the tongue and adjust the lace tension or just kick them off for a while. Nothing unexpected to me. I've had to do the same with a pair of leather work boots from White, another pair from Nick's and two pair of medium weight custom hiker's from a local guy that's not in business anymore. I've been using a bee's wax product for leather conditioning and it makes the boots water resistant but not water proof...I've never owned a water proof leather boot, yet. These are pretty stiff soled which is great for the countless sharp edged rocks around here. Not a winter boot for sure, though I use them all the time for it. I'd love to have a pair of the insulated hikers for snow shoeing, someday. Until then, I just keep moving and my feet do okay. A bit warm on the hottest summer days, but hey, they are leather, not cheap disposable fabric and plastic junk. If you hike much at all put your money in good boots first. Happy feet make for happy trails. That's my experience. CW in NW Montana. read more