Mike Purves (Klamath Falls) is a shoe repairer and custom bootmaker who owns and operates a shoe repair shop in Klamath Falls. Having trained with Randy Merrell, founder of the Merrell Shoe Company, Purves focuses primarily on shoe repair, but also creates custom cowboy boots made from local materials.
Bio
Mike Purves is a shoe repairer and custom bootmaker. He owns and operates a shoe repair shop in Klamath Falls. Growing up, Purves learned shoe sales and repair from his father, who owned a shop in Tulelake, California. After working for many years in the logging business, an injury brought him back to the custom shoe trade. In 1990, Purves apprenticed with master boot maker Randy Merrell (Utah), founder of the Merrell Shoe Company, and then settled in Oregon to open a shop of his own. While Purves focuses primarily on shoe repair, he also builds custom cowboy boots to customers’ exact specifications, and he does so with local materials. Purves notes that the nature of shoe repair requires much trial and error and long hours. He finds the effort worthwhile, because of the strong attachment his customers have for a beloved pair of shoes. Purves, who enjoys making custom shoes for his family, is teaching his grandson the art of boot making, making sure that this family tradition continues.
