Boots are Back! (Cat's Paws)

New York,

Cat's Paw Rubber Company had been in existence in the early part of the 20th century, and was quite the thing in the 30s and 40s.  Cat's Paws advertised "non-slip grip," which was well received in an era when most shoes had leather soles. Amelia Earhart is rumored to have been wearing shoes with Cat's Paw soles during her last days. In 1947, a Cat's Paw logo was designed by Lucian Bernhard, who also designed the Bernhard Gothic font.

 

Cat's Paw soles were phased out, then finally discontinued. Cat's Paw Rubber Company was bought out first by Biltrite in the 60's, then Vibram. If you ask most shoe repair shops about Cat's Paw soles, they either have never heard of them, or tell you that they have long been discontinued. (Actually Cat's Paw soles have been made in ever smaller numbers up until just 5 years ago.)

Lone Wolf Boots in Japan (a label of Toyo Enterprises, who also sell great replica-vintage Americana from lines such as Buzz Rickson and Sugar Cane) have been selling replica American work boots of different types with Cat's Paw soles. They are now rockin round the streets of New York worn with shorts by and collared shorts for a dapper yet daring look and of course are still stylish with denims.

 

A friend had put Cat's Paws on his White's Semi Dress boots. So I thought, why not Indies? It wasn't easy finding a shoe repair shop with both the Cat's Paw soles and the heels. And then, it has to be a shop that knows how to fuse rubber onto a leather sole so that it doesn't peel off. I found two shops, one in California, and one in New York, that had been in business over 50 years each. *They* knew right away what I was talking about!

 

They removed the Indy boot's neoprene rubber sole, replaced it with an oiled, stained leather sole, then put the Cat's Paw half sole and heel on top. The boots are pretty stiff, but of course will break in just fine. I have a pair of White's Semi Dress getting done with matching white dot soles. More later! For now, here are the Cat's Paw Indies.  This is one great way to save yourself about $1,000 off retail for these babies, so grab some Indy boots, get yourself some Cat's Paws and head to your oldest neighborhood cobbler!

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