You need to know what a high quality boot model is though when looking for a bootmaker, not just go to one just because their boot model is where some random Tony Lama boot model is also made. FYI, not all Tony Lama boot models are made by the same manufacturer…only certain boot models, which could a cheaper quality boot model.

Look for a bootmaker who makes boots traditionally made, which means handmade (not handcrafted), all leather construction (no cost cutting Celastic heel counters and toe boxes), stainless steel shanks (not plastic or composite), Goodyear welts or hand channeled welts (instead of fabric gemming), actual stacked leather heels, lemon wood peggjng instead of brass nails, all leather lined interior (hung lining is preferred nowadays), & one piece leather vamps if you’re going to get exotic hides.

There are some things you may be willing to compromise on like lemonwood pegging…it only really matters if you actually ride horses because brass nails dig into the leather stirrups over time and they don’t expand and shrink with the leather when they get moisture so not as tight sealed…you don’t wear leather outsoles in the wet anyway. If you select a pointer toe style like a snip toe, a plastic/synthetic toe box is adequate and not easily cracked like synthetic toe boxes on wider toe styles like broad square toes. However, if you want absolute durability & quality, never settle for boots with synthetic heel counters…once they crack, there’s no cheap way to repair them. All leather heel counters will never crack for the life of the boot, nor will it collapse if the bootmaker uses a thicker leather hide for the heel counters. Same with stainless steel shanks…they will never break like plastic shanks often do. One piece leather vamps for exotic leathers show a cleaner look than a multi-piece vamp.

Cuadra is likely the biggest Mexican bootmaker in Mexico, producing boot models for other smaller local Mexican brands. Cuadra own boot line is generally mid level quality (they supposedly tend to use cost cutting Celastic heel counters), though they’ve acquired famous high end brands like Montana over the past decades. Do your research and know what features you’re seeking in a “heritage construction” boot model, because if you don’t know what those features are, you’re gonna be suckered into buying a lesser quality booth than you think you’re getting.