Colin Wintz is a bootmaker, mixed media artist, and costume breakdown artist based in Calgary, Alberta.  

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Raised in Eastern Washington and Idaho and influenced by the rugged landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, Colin developed an early appreciation for craftsmanship and well-made footwear. His path into bootmaking began through costume construction and 2D pattern drafting during his graduate studies, where he became interested in how clothing - and especially footwear shapes character and identity.

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In 2019, Colin was introduced to handmade shoemaking during a practicum at the Banff Centre. That experience marked a turning point and led him to pursue traditional bootmaking more seriously. He later took a Western Bootmaking course with D.W. Frommer II in Oregon, where he learned to fundamentals of traditional construction methods, fit, and material integrity.

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Today, Colin builds fully custom boots by hand in his Calgary workshop. His work blends traditional techniques with artistic exploration, informed by his background in costume and visual art. Each pair is made to measure and designed with care - built not only for durability and repairability, but to carry meaning for the wearer.

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Through Wintz Boots, Colin is committed to sustaining the evolving the craft of handmade bootmaking in Canada, honoring its history while contributing to the future of shoemaking in Canada.