Al’s Handmade Boots

Al, is there any challenge you can’t handle? This is the third out-​of-​the-​ordinary request we’ve made of you and each time, we’ve received our finished product 1) right 2) fast 3) for a very good value. Plus, your shop is always fun to look around — once again, thank you!

Wow!!! The proof is in the pudding… or the BOOTS!! Two pair of snakeskin boots that were TRASHED!!! Now are like NEW!! Simply the BEST!!!

Shoe repair at its finest.
I can’t speak to Al’s handmade boots (yet), but I can tell you he does a fantastic job on resoling and refinishing all manner of dress shoes.
I have taken a total of 6 different pairs of leather shoes to him, all in various states of disarray. One had the heel coming off, another had a giant hole in the sole, others were just in need of some resoling or general TLC. I got each of them back, and they were like new. I could tell he and his crew took care with each pair, and they all looked excellent (they reconditioned and shined the heck out of them too). I have a pair of Italian leather shoes whose name I won’t drop, but I would only trust him with these. Got them back on Saturday, and they’re arguably better than when I first bought them.
The shop is small and a bit of a hole in the wall, but don’t let that intimidate or discourage you. Al is friendly (if a bit busy) and will get to your things quickly. Two pairs of shoes fully resoled took him only 1 week. Pricing varies based on the shoe and the work done, but it is comparable to other shoe repair places I’ve seen around town.

This business is the gold standard for custom made boots and all other types of boot and shoe repair! Al and his team are the most talented craftsman found anywhere in the country. Their work is impeccable and done right the first time. I brought two pair of Ostrich ropers in for conditioning and polishing and their work was nothing short of amazing. I am currently having two matching belts made and I have no doubt they will be beautiful and well made. I will refer this business from now on! Thanks Al and Albert! You guys are the best!

Al is the best. He fixed my belt in one hour and even walked me to my car since it was getting dark. Thank you Al.

Great quality service for a really reasonable price. I can highly recommend this place.

Went in to have a pair of boots repaired and seen the beautiful boots he makes by hand. Wile I was in Houston a few years ago I ended up buying 7 pairs. And he replaced the soles over night and was done perfect ! Every time I’m it Houston I make a point it stopping in and looking at the boots and matching belts…
Ps the boots are so good I can were the all day and never hurt my feet legs back … Like some other factory made junk. Take some time and stop by tell him the heartland bus driver sent you !!!

Old school cobbler/​bootmaker.
Good service, low prices, repairs cheaper than in Rice village.
Old building in an unreconstructed block of Midtown, don’t worry, everything’s cool.
Smell the leather.

I dropped a pair of boots off to get re-​soled. When I picked them up, I though Al did such a great job, I swapped them for the ones on my feet and left those to be redone as well. I’ve had two pairs of boots re-​soled and cleaned up in the last couple months at Al’s and both pair look and feel like brand new.
He exceeded my expectations on craftsmanship and quality, he completed the work in the time he said it would be completed, and the price was very fair.
I would highly recommend Al’s.

This place is a gem. I have been coming here since 2012, which is when I moved to Texas from NYC. Al, is amazing and his whole staff as well. It’s a five generation family owned business and it shows. This is not a typical shoe spa/​repair. Al creates custom made boots. Beautiful leather of any kind and color. You dream it, he creates it. Great, great job!!! Very affordable and efficient service.

I found Al’s Handmade Boots, based on a Unilocal search. I am so glad I did, I took my boots and good leather shoes in for some work and a shine. (I drove in from Sealy, about an hour drive) I received personal service from Al, and he made me feel as if I had been a customer for years. Two days later I picked up my shoes and boots and they looked fantastic. His price was very fair, and the workman ship is as good as it gets. I will be a very long time customer of Al’s. Thank you.

Signed up with Unilocal just to be able to leave this review. Alvaro and his team do incredible work and are very meticulous. He resized a set of alligator belly boots and they fit perfectly and look brand new. He knows everyone in the boot industry. I will recommend him and his pricing is reasonable. Because of this, he is super busy so give him a little time. He is fast becoming a Houston legendary boot maker, if he is not already.

The quality of work is great. Would have given 5 stars for the work and price no problem.
I was given a week as a expected finish time After 13 days I called to check on them and was told that they would be ready at 4 pm that day. I said ok and that I would pick them up in the morning. I got there at about 1030 to find out that they were not ready yet. So I wasted about 30 min. Disappointing Will I use him again? Maybe. Maybe not. I will make sure they are done before I take the time to drive over there.
It is just a few blocks from the greyhound so pay attention.

This place is a total gem! I’ll never take my boots anywhere else. Al is so friendly and their work is truly top notch!

You will not find a better pair of custom handmade boots anywhere in Texas (and by definition, that means anywhere else in the world)! If you are looking for any style/​type of new boots, or repair/​refurbishment of old boots, Alvaro Rivera is the man you want to see.

Like the other reviewers, I have nothing but praise for this business. They have resoled boots for me and performed other, similar repair services. The craftsmanship was clear, but the price was dirt cheap. Can’t recommend this business enough!

I took my crocodile tail Lucchese boots to Al’s for a heel repair and basic restoration. These are my favorite boots so did some research and Al’s had the best ratings.
My boots look like new and have been cleaned and restored, the new heel looks great. Al is helpful and friendly. I have no price reference to other stores, but it seemed very reasonable to me. I will be bringing all of my repairs here in future.

Incredible work! They reworked a pair of Old Gringo’s for me. Completely changed the front toe of the boots from a pointed toe to a snub toe boot. They’ve also done re-​soles for me as well on other boots. Great place. Hands down the best work I’ve seen around.

Al is great! He does a very good job and is extremely thorough with every aspect of the shoe repair. I have brought him many heels and boots that I thought were done for and he has made them look as good as new! He is also very quick and can have your shoes looking like new by the next day, He will text or call you when your shoes are ready to be picked up and he responds if you ever want to ask him a question. I will always go to Al and will keep telling all my friends to do the same.

Highly recommend this shop to anyone looking to repair or resole a pair of boots. I brought in a pair of lucchese boots that looked ready for the dumpster with torn up soles, ratty leather and a worn down heal. The owner/​operator made them better than ever. The sole and heal are first class and the leather looks amazing. I paid what I feel was a very reasonable 80 $ and got the boots back in two days.