About BootsnAll

You might be wondering what BootsnAll.com means (nope, nothing to do with making or selling boots) and where the name came from. Well...

The Trip

Perhaps not surprisingly, around drinks in an Aussie pub in 1994 a plan originated, leading to four lads (3 Aussies and one rotund Yank) going on a trip to the European Football Championships in May '96. As these 4 excited boyz gathered in Chicago in preparation for the trip, they discussed in depth the proper naming of this journey.

The Name

Names such as "Footy 96", "Euro 96" and other unattractive terms were tossed around. But, as they prepared for the trip, a search for the ultimate boot began. A boot that could be worn on a hike up Kilimanjaro or laced up for a game of footy on the Commons, but was also presentable enough for a night on the town. As this search intensified, so did the name for the trip. Somehow "BootsnAll" (pronounced "boots 'n' all") was decided on.

BootsnAll was born.

BootsnAll: The Definition

"Boots" meaning the search for the ultimate Boot.

"nAll" for everything else that independent travel is and should be to an individual.

What Happened Next?

After having both done extensive travel through Europe and Asia, Chris Heidrich and Sean Keener, 2 of the original 4, met back in Chicago in June '97 for some travel around the States. The original Code of Conduct was discussed and written on a hike in Yellowstone National Park.

The 2 travelers' idea was to share their love of travel and somehow help independent travellers connect with each other. The dream stayed with them even after they went their separate ways again.

Chris and Sean met back in Chicago again in December '98 and discussed how "fun" it would be to put up a web site about BootsnAll. On March 1, 1999, they threw up a basic web site, sharing their "Code of Conduct" and a way for travellers to share current travel information. People applied in such a rush to be part of this network of online, open-minded travellers, that the lads knew they were on to something. Online Travel Guides were quickly published, and the site grew into its current state and size, as a resource for independent travellers.

Sean and Chris continue to receive hundreds of e-mails from people wanting to write for and be part of the site. Since then, their travels and BootsnAll.com have put Sean and Chris in touch with thousands of people, 3 of who, Nick O'Neill and Jessica Spiegel, and Donovan Pacholl are now members of the BootsnAll staff. If you want to put faces to names here are the staff profiles.

And the rest of the BootsnAll story?

It is still being written today.

So, that's it. The BootsnAll Story. Think you might like to become a member of this community of travellers?

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