Custom Shoes, Leeds, Wetherby, West Yorkshire

Do you want bespoke footwear that keeps the old traditions alive using the finest leather and a bygone process which dates back to Napoleonic times? At Tony Slinger Footwear you get a personal service that provides you with the ultimate in bespoke footwear. Tony Slinger started in the shoemaking industry at the age of 14 learning the trade from generations of Shoemakers using ancient traditions.

Working for HW Poole and Sons established in 1888, he had the opportunity to exploit 100 years of knowledge and experience. He excelled during his apprenticeship and showed real skill during a further two years on the bench by learning each exacting detail of the processes required, developing a keen eye for the highest quality and a drive for perfection.

In 1987, Tony was instrumental in the acquisition of the contract to supply the Queens Household Cavalry. He volunteered to hand make some guardsman boot samples following the original Napoleonic blueprint. These were then inspected to the exacting standards of the MOD on behalf of the Palace.

Each boot was cut in half and exhaustively inspected to ensure only the highest standards were attained. This included the counting of every individual hand stitch. Once satisfied, the contract was awarded. Each pair of boots were inspected and awarded the military stamp of approval. Tony commenced the production of over 50 pairs for the first order and it is to his credit that after only six pairs, Tony was assigned his own quality stamp and self inspected all the subsequent pairs he produced.

Showing a great aptitude, Tony challenged himself further moving into the orthopaedic shoes in Yorkshire area of the business. His ambition drove him to master the most complex processes including cast work, the production of cradle corks, false feet and O'Connor extensions. In 1994 Tony was head hunted by another Orthopaedic specialist who sought his key skills and experience and he continued to work there until he started his own business in 2009.