Click here to to enter the Western Boot Contest
Here are the rules for the SSIA's Western Boot Contest.
Awards Presented
First, second and third place awards will be presented.
Who is Eligible?
Repair shop owners and their employees are eligible to participate. Entrants or their employers must be members of SSIA.
Click here for SSIA membership information.
Rules and Regulations
This contest is designed to reflect the standard of “re-crafting” or “re-manufacturing” that has been set for today’s shoe/boot repairers. Winning entries should look like they just came out of the box at the boot store.
A repaired boot must be submitted with its unrepaired mate. “Unrepaired” means never before repaired. The judges need an unrepaired boot to judge how well the other shoe has been restored to its original condition. Do not enter new boots.
What to Enter
You must enter one Western Cowboy boot repaired with a half sole and heel.
Repair one boot of a pair of Goodyear welted Western Cowboy boots with a new leather half sole and a new heel. Restore the uppers on the repaired boot as well. All boots must Cowboy boots with Goodyear welts. Others will be disqualified.
The repaired boot must be submitted with its unrepaired mate. “Unrepaired” means never before repaired. Previously-repaired boots will be disqualified. Do not enter new boots. Boots not in need of repair will be disqualified. Uppers should be restored but the color should not be changed. The shape, size and balance of the boot should not be changed.
We discourage blind stitching because this is a category that is judged to see how well the boot is stitched. A blind stitched boot will not be counted as stitched.
How to Enter
Entries are due in SSIA’s office by March 31, 2025.
Ship Entries to:
SSIA Western Boot Contest
Attn: Mitch Lebovic
20 Danada Square West #234
Wheaton, IL 60189
SSIA will keep the winning entries until the conclusion of the 2025 convention so we can display your craftsmanship. No exceptions.
When will awards be announced?
The finalists will be contacted in May 2025 and their names will be announced on the SSIA web site. However, the winners will not be revealed to the public, to the judges, to the SSIA board of directors, or to the winner until the awards presentation at the association's 2025 convention. No exceptions.