Southwestern Montana has a slower-paced way of life. Here, you can step back in time and experience the rich Western history that is still an important aspect of life for this part of the state. These rolling plains are home to centuries-old ranches with roots that run deep, and mountains that cradle the land once booming with gold and silver. This picturesque country is where Montana native Nikki Edmundson and her family call home. Her Western heritage is at the heart of everything she does, from ranching to raising a family to designing one-of-a-kind cowboy boots.
While searching for Western-inspired home decor at an antique store, Nikki found her dream pair of eel skin cowboy boots. The shoes fit her foot perfectly, but rubbed uncomfortably along her calf. In an effort to make the boots wearable, she snipped the backs to relieve some of the tightness. Eventually, though, her beloved boots ripped so much that they were unwearable.
“At that point, I had a trashed cowboy boot. So I could either toss them, or try to create something else,” says Nikki.
Not willing to part with them just yet, she folded the top portion of the boot down and secured it with a belt. When she debuted her new boots, she was flooded with unexpected compliments on the unique shoe restoration.
“When I wore them out, everyone was complimenting them. Everybody noticed the boots,” she says.
Nikki never would have thought that the short-profile cowgirl boot that resulted — her last-ditch effort to salvage the shoes — would turn into a Western fashion phenomenon. The inspiration and positive feedback led her to start Canty Boots, her Western brand and small business that has perfected its take on the cowboy boot, and now, she’s cutting and redesigning boots on purpose for customers around the world.
Each boot that is created for Canty is unique, utilizing all kinds of textiles, fabrics and accessories — from consignment store finds to upscale brand items — in order to make a boot that people can’t help but ask about.
She’s since perfected the style of the boot. Originally, Nikki would fold the tops of the boots down — just like she did with her original pair — in order to create the short profile. Now, she’s modified the technique by cutting off the tops and sewing them on upside down. Her specific way of sewing and pinning the boots is now a protected style and can’t be recreated.
“We are the original, so we always get to say that and mean it,” says Nikki.
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“Every boot offers thousands of directions. We can do anything with any boot. There’s no shortage of materials or inspiration, I get it everywhere.” -Nikki
Nikki keeps a close eye on what’s in style, on trend and on the runways, always looking for new inspiration to incorporate into the boots. She utilizes any and all accoutrements she can get her hands on in order to bring a vision to life, from designer patterned denim to premium leathers and furs.
When Nikki first began creating boots, she’d source accessories from thrift and consignment stores, but demand for the shoes grew so much in those first few years that sourcing all of the materials secondhand became impractical. She still has pickers who are always on the hunt for the perfect pieces to adorn the shoes. With her customization service, Nikki also reworks boots sent to her by customers; using materials they select, she’ll refresh the shoes in the signature Canty Boots style. In this way, she’s giving new life to people’s cherished heritage boots.
Cowboy boots are a staple of the American West that have shifted and changed throughout history to reflect the time period, location and use. As a Made in Montana maker, Nikki adapts the familiar icon by incorporating aspects of ranching life into her designs, creating pieces that pay homage to her Montana roots. Including high fashion elements elevates the boots to footwear unlike any other on the market.
One of Nikki’s biggest sources of inspiration is her family’s ranch in Harrison.
The Edmundsons, a Montana family through and through, own and operate the Edmundson Cattle Ranch in southwestern Montana, and the whole crew — Nikki, her husband, Tucker, and their four children — pitches in to help with the work. From taking care of their 4-H animals, to helping out with their own cattle, there’s no shortage of tasks for everyone. There’s also plenty of running around to be done away from the ranch, with kids being shuttled to and from a slew of extra-curriculars. When Nikki’s not helping out with the livestock, or on the move with her children, she’s usually working on boots nearby — Canty’s flagship store is located right on the ranch, a testament to the distinct identity of these shoes as authentically Montana.
“Between boots and cows and kids and sports, it’s a bit chaotic," says Nikki.
From well before sun up to long after sundown, life stays pretty busy for the Edmundsons. With operating the ranch, running Canty Boots and keeping up with the daily grind, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, but this phase of life is one that Nikki’s trying to savor. As her kids get older, she knows life will start to slow down, so she’s making sure to soak in this busy season in the community she calls home. She’s shown her love to the small southwest Montana towns that have shaped her, and they’ve loved her right back.
“Montana is heaven, everyone wants to live here. People are drawn to the beauty of Montana. I love living here because there are no distractions. I can be as busy as I want to be and not be pulled away by the craziness in a city. Montana has wrapped their arms around Canty Boots.” -Nikki
No matter where she goes, the boots always spark a conversation. Whether she’s donning her favorite pair to hit the Pony Bar with her daughter for dinner or showing off her creations at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, these shoes have allowed Nikki to share her love of Montana — and all the things that make up the best parts of it — with the world.
For Nikki, Canty Boots has allowed her to pay homage to the state that raised her, while giving girls around the world the chance to express themselves with a little bit of Montana flair. She feels a certain sense of pride to know that her original boot designs have cemented their place in Western culture, and have been embraced by the Montana community.
The Canty Boots storefront is located in Harrison, Montana, and is open by appointment. Shop the showroom online and learn more about the Edmundson family at cantyboots.com
