How Our Boots Are Made
The Craft Behind Our Premium Boots
The boots in our premium boot range are produced in León, Mexico, by a highly experienced manufacturer with more than 50 years and 3 generations of boot making expertise. Skilled artisans combine traditional craftsmanship with established manufacturing techniques to produce quality boots designed for durability, comfort and long-term wear. Look for the premium badge.
The process involves more than 100 individual steps, from carefully selecting and cutting the leather through to hand lasting, Goodyear welt construction, sole attachment and final finishing.
The images below follow the making of our Kununurra boot as an example of this process, with the same traditional construction methods applied across our premium Mexican-made boot range. Combined with premium materials and proper care, this considered approach to construction creates boots made to perform and develop character
through years of wear.
From Hide to Upper
1. Leather Selection & Inspection
The process begins with carefully selected A-grade, full-grain leather chosen for its quality, character and suitability for boot making. Each hide is inspected for consistency and natural characteristics before production begins.
2. Hide Qualities
Quality leather is the foundation of a quality boot. Our carefully selected hides provide the durability and stability needed for long-term wear, while retaining the flexibility and natural characteristics that contribute to comfort and fit.
3. Single Piece Leather Upper
The leather is carefully cut into matching single-piece uppers, with the natural characteristics of each hide considered during cutting. This creates a clean, strong upper while making the best use of the leather.
4. Boot Lining
The internal lining is prepared and layered to support the structure of the upper. Each layer contributes to the boot's stability, strength and comfort.
Quality Materials, Chosen for the Job
The right leather plays an important role in how a boot looks, feels and performs. Our boots use quality materials including premium full-grain cow leather, genuine bull shoulder leather, Crazy Horse full-grain leather, suede and nubuck, with each selected to suit the design and intended use of the boot.
A-grade full-grain leather retains the natural grain of the hide, creating a strong, durable surface that develops character and patina with wear. Crazy Horse leather is treated to create its distinctive rich, worn-in appearance, while suede and nubuck provide a softer feel and textured finish.
Shaping the Boot
5. Pull Tab Preparation
Reinforced pull tabs are positioned and secured using a distinctive V-tack stitch. Designed for practical use, they provide leverage when pulling the boots on while remaining securely integrated into the upper.
6. Upper Assembly & Stitching
The individual components of the upper are assembled and twin-stitched together to create strong, secure seams. Reinforced stitching works alongside engineered elastic panels to support the fit and durability of the boot.
7. Hand Lasting
The completed upper is carefully drawn over a shaped last that replicates the form of the foot. The leather is tensioned and shaped by hand to establish the boot's final shape, fit and profile.
8. Goodyear Welt Construction
The boot is constructed using the traditional Goodyear welt method. A welt is secured around the perimeter, creating a durable connection between the upper, insole and outsole. This construction provides stability and allows the boots to be resoled.
Goodyear Welt Construction
Goodyear welt construction is a traditional boot making method valued for its strength, durability and ability to be maintained over time. A strip of material called a welt runs around the edge of the boot, with one row of stitching securing the upper and insole to the welt and a second row attaching the outsole.
Unlike construction methods where the sole is bonded directly to the boot, the welt creates a separate connection between the upper and outsole. This provides stability and helps protect the construction through everyday wear.
One of the key advantages of Goodyear welt construction is that the boots can be resoled when required, extending their useful life and making them easier to maintain over time. The result is a time-tested construction method suited to boots designed to be worn hard and kept going.
Bringing It All Together
9. Outsole & Heel Construction
The outsole is secured and stitched onto the Goodyear welt, creating a strong connection. The heel is then fitted and secured to provide the correct balance, support and finished profile.
10. Sole & Heel Shaping
Specialist finishing machinery is used to carefully shape the sole and heel. Excess material is removed and the edges refined to create a precise, consistent profile that follows the shape of the boot.
11. Edge Finishing
The welt and sole edges undergo a final finishing process, refining the profile and creating a clean, defined finish.
12. Final Inspection & Polishing
Every finished pair undergoes a final quality inspection. The leather, stitching, welt, sole, heel, shape and overall finish are checked before the boots are cleaned and polished. Once they meet the required standard, they are ready to wear.
