— Sundance Gold —
Rios of Mercedes, a custom bootmaker founded in 1853.
Based in Mercedes, Texas, its factory continues to craft boots one pair at a time while preserving traditional methods.
Rios boots feature a distinctive construction that uses fabric in place of the cork commonly used in a shoe’s insole.
As a result, the sole flexes easily, providing a softness underfoot despite their solid western-boot appearance.
Another defining feature is the upward curve of the toe.
It is slightly raised from the moment the boots are new, but as they are worn, the sole settles in and the curve gradually becomes more pronounced. Rios’s signature “spring toe” is not a finished shape from the outset; it develops through walking.
Sundance Gold.
Quiet and reserved. But draw the gun, and the situation changes in an instant.
This pair was made with the legendary gunslinger Sundance Kid in mind.
The color is SUNDANCE GOLD, somewhere between camel and mustard.
Roughout suede and smooth leather are combined, layering different textures within the same color.
The suede softly absorbs light, while the smooth leather reflects it with a muted sheen.
Their appearance shifts with every step, creating a contrast reminiscent of the intense western sun and the shadows it casts below.
The toe is finished in the ROPER style, retaining the character of a western boot while remaining easy to wear every day.
Paired with a stable heel, it achieves a balanced shape that feels natural even when walking for long periods.
The stitching is “LUNA,” inspired by the moon.
Double stitching in GOLD thread runs across the upper, adding another layer of tonal depth to the SUNDANCE GOLD.
The sole is leather.
Traditional lemonwood pegs are used, while the bottom is intentionally left less refined than a half-crow finish, retaining the rugged character of the ROPER.
Perforations are added to the tongue, though they may not be included depending on the size.
The bright GOLD of the new boots will gradually deepen as they acquire marks and creases.
The suede’s nap will become tousled, the smooth leather will develop more shine, and the spring toe will grow increasingly pronounced.
Rather than making the new boots the finished form, the time spent wearing them becomes their character.
Sundance Gold, made for walking through Tokyo rather than the wilderness.
※ Boots made in the American workshop may vary slightly from pair to pair. Please enjoy the natural marks and variations in tone characteristic of genuine leather, as well as the differences in appearance created by handwork, as part of these boots.
We have written a BLOG about Rios of Mercedes. Please take a look.
・“The Rios of Mercedes Genre”
・Cassidy Red / Sundance Gold — The Last Rios of Mercedes
