The leather I used for mine was from a very thick hide. Bit of overkill, but that's what was closest at hand. Made for the fit to be a little funky around the top.
A thinner hide would work as well & last just as long without that bulkiness at the top where it's stitched back under.
There's actually 2 boots on the factory style. That bulky outer accordian thing, along with an inner that's meamt for weather protection & heat retention.
I re-used the inner.
The boots I make also re-use the factory retainer ring. I allow for extra leather along the bottom portion, so that the boot can be trimmed down with a razor knife after the install. Better too big than too small!
1st pic is in 1st gear, 2nd pic in second.
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I drove stick for the first 4 or 5 years after I got my license.
First time I drove an auto, I nearly put everyone in the car through the windshield at the first stop. (Mom, Dad, Sis, Aunt. Mom's Impala.)
I...ahhh...went to push the clutch in. Hit the brake pedal! Oooops!
It's always been my opinion that people that drive stick are drivers that are more aware of their environment. Not any better than someone that drives auto, just more involved with the driving experience.
Have to be in the right gear at the right time. Hills, corners, stopping & accelerating. Takes a bit more than just mashing a skinny pedal or jumping on the fat one.
Besides that, I'm using all 4 appendages. Texting or sucking back that triple grande 1/2 fat no-foam caramel machiato while driving a stick? It can be done, but those are distractions that just flirt with disaster.
...and a stick is a great anti-theft device. Most millennials don't have a clue, & the crack/meth heads don't want to steal one because shifting gets in the way of firing up the pipe.
