Flavors Traveler Sara Stevens Stehl – Stop #24

Filed Under: All Posts, Winsome on July 26, 2010

From the Flavors of Nebraska Brochure – This one-man shop is a full service boot company specializing in handmade, custom footwear of unsurpassed quality, using many tried and true century-old techniques.

What sort of books do you like to read? I would like to say I’m always reading a book that broadens my intellect, but usually by the end of the day when I have time to read before I go to sleep I’m ready for a great novel. As a matter of fact, one of these days I plan to write my own novel where the tradition of Southern literature – characters who are, frankly, characters – meets the Great Plains.

When I write that novel, one of the characters I will weave into my narrative somewhere is Kyle Rosfeld of the Sandhills Boot Company. I believe he maybe should have lived a century ago, where the techniques he uses to build hand-made boots originated.

From the dramatic moustache to his high-top boots that would stop any rattlesnake out on the dusty cow trail, Kyle is pure cowboy. He left work on a ranch to establish his company that now boasts custom-made cowboy boots in eight states and one foreign country. When a recent client who called him from San Francisco insisted they didn’t need to use a mold to get his boots right, Kyle argued that the point of custom boots is, well, the custom fit.

“I’m a straight 9D. I just want the quality.”

So, if you’re looking for a quality pair of footwear, you might want to make the trip to Valentine to meet Kyle in person. He’ll have a great story to tell you, and you’ll leave Valentine knowing you just dealt with one of the nicest guys you’ll find on any dusty trail – or smooth highway.

I’ll keep working on that novel – how about if you send me a description of some of the characters you’ve encountered? I’m open to suggestions!

225 North Cherry Street
Valentine, NE 69201
(402)376-5960 | sandhillsboots.com
Mon-Fri: 9am to 12pm or by appointment