Not Your Average Boot, Meet Rios of Mercedes

Boots that look as good as they feel don’t happen by accident.

Rios of Mercedes of Texas is a company that has been crafting boots for people since the 1850s.

When the last of the original Rios boot makers, Zeferino, retired in the 1960s, he sold the family business.

Today the company, under the watchful eyes of Trainor Evans and J.P. Moody as owners, continue the tradition of exceptional boots that wear like iron and fit like gloves.

“There is no secret to producing well-made boots, said Trainor Evans in a telephone interview in transit to his ranch. “That takes the best materials, skilled craftsmanship . . . . and time. That’s exactly what we put into each boot.”

That means art and craft work hand in hand to transform leather, color, and stitching into a work of art to wear – construction takes five times as much longer than a mass-produced boot.

Western stores and outfitters are their clients, as are horse people who work stock, ranchers and professionals with a country background. Customers can pick a pair in stock or create a custom boot to their specifications.

“We are national corporate sponsors of National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), an organization dedicated to the promotion of the reining horse. It serves as the standard setting body for the sport of reining worldwide<' he said. Rios is also the official sponsor of National Cutting Horse Association and National Reined Cow Horse Association professional horse events. "They are extremely loyal, real good customers to us."

Rios of Mercedes endorser Bob Avila is a two-time winner of the “Greatest American Horseman Award.”

“We make and ship about 80,000 boots a year,” said Evans. “Of that, some 200 pair are custom fit. People like individuality.”

Rios is the title sponsor of the National Cutting Horse Association amateur classes with added benefits for contestants.

“Rios of Mercedes realizes the importance of having the best quality equipment available,” said Caroline Gunn, director of corporate sponsorships.

The National Cutting Horse Association has more than 20,000 members from a wide range of backgrounds. Each year more than 2,200 NCHA-approved events are held throughout North America, with more than $43 million in prize money awarded.

“The other person who wears Rios boots is someone with a country background who may be living in town say in Fort Worth or Amarillo but was raised on a ranch and wears boots all the time – to work, in the office,” noted Evans, who points out that “ranch people tend to like the classic kidskin or kangaroo boots and wear them for dress and work.”

“And punchers are cowboys who like the roundtops with lots of fancy stitching and the tall heels for spurs they never take off. They work in feedlots and they spend most of the day on horseback working with cattle. They are not afraid to spend money on a boot they know they will last.”

Boot choices run a kaleidoscope of choices from understated elegant black pairs (with topstitching that must be seen to be believed) or gem-like brilliant colored ones. Then there are the fancy bright colored boots decked out with a pack of cards, six-shooters or two-toned exotic leathers. As in life, each person makes their own choices – there’s a roper, Milan, cutter – or the sharp pointed, kill-a-bug-in-a corner toe to choose from. (See for yourself, here’s a link to their gallery for a look-see. For the art of a custom boot – in a museum – see this story about a collection in New Mexico.)

Editor’s note: First in a series of interviews with legendary companies. Rios of Mercedes lines include Anderson Bean and Olathe boots. Located in Mercedes, Texas, all boots are made in the USA. After years of work and wear, beloved pairs can be sent back restored and reconditioned by the staff; see www.riosofmercedesboots.com for details.