First, find Pastores on a map... it is just past Jocotenango as you head out to Chimaltenango. It's about 30Q [$4] for an uber from Antigua or 5Q if you grab the bus from the mercado.
Pastores has over 20 boot makers and they don't seem to like each other very much - and they are all in competition so prices won't vary much. There are plenty of shops on the main road ... no need to wander further. One of the first shops as you enter Pastores is Hernandez. All the drivers know this shop because it's one of the biggest and it's a great place to start. You can look at what's on offer and get an idea of how much items cost.
You can wander up and down the street checking out the other shops... If you find what you want you are all set!
If you decide you want a pair custom made I'm going to recommend Lorenzo [card below 5985-4185] at El Rancho. It is one of the tiny shops but he does great work, charges a fair price and will get it right for you. I have high arches so I get him to build support for me. He made the first pair of boots I got and they are sooo comfortable - remember this post?
I've sent some other people to him and they also had a great experience and beautiful boots!
So look for this shop ... and tell him a friend sent you. Lorenzo doesn't have English but I've still been able to get by or bring a friend with better Spanish.
It usually takes around 10 days to get the boots made - but in the past I've always asked for changes so that takes another week. Since there is a La Torre [super fancy grocery store] in Jacotenango I usually combine with a grocery run.
When I finally decided I wanted a pair of boots that incorporate a Guatemalan textile I picked out a used huipil at the NIM POT near the arch in Antigua. [the NIMPOT is a socially responsible business providing artisans from throughout Guatemala access to the tourists and the prices are very good] I love the greens and blues in my huipil but there are hundreds of huipils from 20Q - 100Q stacked along one side. The boot maker used that textile for my boots. The cost for a pair of boots bought off the shelf or made should be around $50.
When I picked up my boots I saw Lorenzo was taking orders for this leather backpack which I loved but thought it was a tad pricy at 650Q [$85].
We didn't find any good spots to eat in Pastores but it's great for a couple of hours of shopping. On one trip I was with my amiga Laura who is a fantastic shopper and she found the shop where the boot makers buy their leather... and of course we both ended up with a half a cow hide. Great for a rug or upholstery, etc. The cost varies but I think it was about $40 for the hide. The owner said the hides come from Huehuetenango.
Most of the shops do close for lunch ... but it seemed like around 2 instead of the usual 1PM. The boot makers don't like people to take pictures so maybe look around online if you have a specific style in mind so you can show a boot maker what you want.
Last note, I don't consider the chicken buses from Chimaltengo to be safe so I usually don't ride that route... I know plenty of people who have ridden that route safely. I'll debate that in another post.
If you go to Pastores for boots leave a comment below so this post stays current and has other feedback.
