The History of Stewart Boot
“Orthotics are a temporary solution to a permanent problem.”
These words from Ronny Stewart, an accomplished orthotics designer and the visionary behind Stewart Boot, define our philosophy. While standard orthotics force your foot to fit a shoe, Stewart designed a boot that fits your foot.
A Legacy of Craftsmanship
In 1940, Stewart partnered with the Romero Boot Company—the premier bootmakers of the era. Together, they pioneered patterns and procedures that account for every nuance of the human foot, addressing the conditions that lead to chronic pain.
Following a period in Los Angeles on Temple Street during the Korean War, the company found its permanent home in 1955. Love brought Ronny Stewart to Tucson, Arizona, and we have been proud members of the Tucson community ever since.
Over the decades, Stewart Boot has earned the trust of some of the world’s most discerning clients. Our boots have been purchased and worn by legends such as Diane Keaton, Kevin Costner, Clint Eastwood, Barbra Streisand, Robert Wagner, Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Dean, and Billy Crystal.
Evolution and Innovation
In 1970, Victor Borg took the helm of Stewart Boot, continuing the mission to advance corrective footwear. His innovations include specialized solutions for Plantar Fasciitis and biomechanical alignment. Drawing inspiration from the precision of farriers, Borg developed methods to correct knee, hip, and lower back pain caused by uneven heel wear—a common issue often noticed when walking downhill.
We apply these specialized corrections only when a client’s unique anatomy dictates. While not everyone requires corrective adjustment, very few people have perfectly symmetrical feet.
The Stewart Standard: 44 Points of Precision
Standard footwear relies on only two measurements: Length and Width. At Stewart Boot, we begin with four core measurements: Throat, Arch, Forefoot, and Heel. If these are inaccurate, comfort is impossible. At Stewart Boot, we take 40 additional measurements to achieve that "walking on clouds" sensation.
Whether you struggle with bunions, hammertoes, neuromas, or what we call "duck feet" (a large forefoot with a narrow heel), it is our heritage to accommodate these differences. We continue to build boots the way we have for decades:
- Top-quality leather—never plastic.
- Full leather liners—never paper.
- Hand-cut leather heels—tailored to your ideal shape and height for perfect posture.
The Stewart Difference
When you choose Stewart Boot, you aren’t restricted by the heights and designs of mass manufacturers. You are an active participant in the design.
"Custom" means choosing your boot height, toe shape, and color. "Made-to-measure" means engineering a boot to fit every nuance of your foot. We are beyond custom. Your feet will love us.