Paul Bond Boot Company

The Paul Bond Boot Company is located in Nogales, Arizona, U.S. near the Mariposa Port of Entry into Nogales, Sonora, Mexico.  The boots are handcrafted by a series of talented craftsmen.  Most of these men are Mexican-American or Mexican nationals who cross the border to work here every day.  Many speak only Spanish.

This guy asked if I had an email address so he could send me his $5 charge.  He was really funny. His area of expertise is nailing the handmade outer soles perfectly on each boot. Working here is a generational thing.  It isn't unusual for the sons of these talented men to be apprentices, learning the skills they will eventually use as their fathers or others retire.

This is less a "factory" than a place where art is created. Every boot made is itself a unique piece of art. In a good year they make about 2500 pairs of boots.  Another Arizona mass factory will make 2000 a day !  These boots will last for 20 or more years, are guaranteed to fit, and if needed, will be repaired free. Take a look at some of the finished products in the extra.

Paul Bond, whose family still owns and operates it, was a stunt rider, first in rodeos, then as a stuntman in many old cowboy/western movies filmed in Tucson in the 40's and 50's.

Here's a list of about sixty notable names of people who wear (or have worn) them.  It's fascinating. Some have been known to land a helicopter in the field next to the barn-like building to be fit for them in person.