These boots say you play hockey

From their helmets and jerseys to their gloves and their skates, everything a hockey player wears during a game tells a story about their sport.

But what the hockey community may have been lacking was off-ice gear made to do the same. Tony DeBellis, owner of The Hockey Shop on Upper Front Street in Binghamton, took that matter into his own hands when he started the Bari Boot Company.

"What we wanted to do is build something unique," DeBellis said. "When you put it on, it's definitely unmistakable that you're a hockey player. It has similar characteristics to a skate, which no other footwear does. We're actually working to build the name and brand awareness to associate Bari with the hockey industry."

Designed to mimic the appearance of a hockey skate boot, the Bari Boot is slightly different in its construction. The boots are made with Vibram soles and rubber-covered toe caps, and insulated with Thinsulate. But the look accomplishes what it was meant to do, complete with hockey skate laces.

"Really, what we did, was just fill a niche," DeBellis said. "It seems that the other sports have footwear that identifies to them, but I think that we filled a void that wasn't being filled. It was pretty simple, just footwear -- off-ice footwear -- that appealed to hockey players, that would give them an identity.

"If you were a hockey player, and you're wearing the Air Jordan sneaker, naturally everyone assumes you're a basketball player. That's really what it was. There was never a footwear that someone could wear off the ice and just be associated with hockey, and say, 'Hey, that guy's a hockey player,' and strike up conversation."

Production of the boots began with the first pair in September 2010. Within a few weeks, the idea took off.

"We brought it to some trade shows, and it got some unbelievable response," DeBellis said. "Retailers began contacting us, and at this point, we have dealers from the East Coast all the way to Alaska, all through Canada, and we've done very, very well with it."

In addition to being sold by five online dealers and in locations across North America, the Bari Boot will be making its way to Europe by next year.

"The original age group was that 6-14 year-old hockey player, but it's expanded well beyond that," DeBellis said. "We've definitely hit and exceeded our goals."

Coaches, parents and grandparents are among those who now wear the boots, which are popular with local youth players.

Bari Boots are available in Rookie, Rookie White and Prostock models, with more than 40 different lace options. They range in price from $99.99 to $149.99 depending on style, size and retailer.