Tony Lama Bootcamp
Learn about what makes up your Tony Lama boot.
Anatomy of A Boot
Tony Lama boots are crafted with authenticity and dedication. Each part of the boot comes together to form a complete and beautiful boot.
- Beading:
Double stitched between the lining and outer leather, this intricate border provides additional support and contrast to the top leather. - Scallop:
Contour tops that emphasize decorative beading and accommodate different leg sizes. - Pull Strap:
All leather and lock stitched for extra strength. - Lining:
Soft glove-tanned leathers are cemented to the boot parts and stitched inside; linings are specially tanned for subtleness and made to resist the effects of wearing. - Front Quarter:
Upper front of the boots, which showcases quality leather and beautiful topstitching. - Back Quarter:
The upper back of the boots is reinforced from the inside by a sound backstay for additional support. - Side Welt:
Seams that are beveled, trimmed close, moistened, and pressed flat for maximum comfort and unbridled style. - Top stitch:
A leader in beautiful and intricate stitch patterns. The multi-row color-coordinated stitching provides strength and beauty to the boot tops. - Vamp Fitting Stitch:
Multi-row stitching (vamps to tops) using sturdy and beautiful nylon thread for superior strength and durability. - Vamp:
The front part of the boot that covers the toes and instep. - Toe Box:
For perfect shape and protection, the toe area is contoured to the shape of the last. - Counter:
The counter is the stiff piece of leather inside the boot that provides shape and conjure to the heel area. - Goodyear Welt:
A quality Goodyear leather welt is sewn to the vamp leather and flattened thus providing a very strong interlocking stitch to the outsole. - Heel Cap:
We use quality rubber heels for strength durability and confident footing.
What is behind the comfort and durability of Tony Lama...
Insole:
Our leather insoles are made of strong high-quality leather for maximum durability and comfort.
Orthotic Insert:
Provides healthy cushioning comfort and arch support for a perfect fit.
Steel Shank:
We utilize a strong steel shank shape for the exact fit of the arch; this shank provides the important arch support that makes a Tony Lama boot so comfortable.
Rand:
A layer of material between the insole and outsole, which provides a clean edge for the base of the heel.
Outsole:
Our leather outsoles are hydraulically shaped and pre-formed for a perfect fit.
Outsole Stitching:
The outsole is stitched to the insole via the Goodyear welt using a strong 4-cord nylon braid.
Lemonwood Pegs:
The tradition of wooden pegging is recognized as a mark of quality and distinction. One row of lemonwood pegs and one row of solid brass nails firmly lock the shank area providing superior strength and comfort.
Heel Base:
Layered leather heels are positioned on the outsole and nailed from the inside. They are then carefully shaped and sanded to perfection.
Heel Cap:
We uses quality rubber heels for strength durability and confident footing.
Heel Pad:
A fine leather pad protects the wearer’s heel inside the boot and is designed for comfort and moisture absorption.
Comfort Feature:
Tony Lama boots come with orthotic inserts that provide varying degrees of comfort resulting in a close-to-custom fit.
Distinct Tony Lama Branding:
The Tony Lama logo print on the heel surface is the mark of superior artistry, worthy of the family name.
The Bootmaking Process
From beginning to end, our skilled artisans use time-honored techniques to guarantee each pair of Tony Lama boots is well made. The over 130 steps in the bootmaking process can be condensed into a few crucial categories.
Selecting and Matching Skins
Behind every pair of quality boots, is a set of high-quality skins and an artisan who knew exactly how to pair them. These skins require careful attention to detail and a keen eye for matching the unique markings and patterns of each skin. It takes two to create one perfectly matched pair of boots, so our Tony Lama bootmakers study them intently to find the best match.
Our Leathers
Careful Attention to Crocodile
When it comes to crocodile leather, matching color is crucial as the skins cannot be dyed or tanned again once they arrive at the factory. Unlike ostrich leather, crocodile leather is not porous and therefore cannot absorb additional color.
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Creating Specifically-Sized Patterns
Once the last has been designed and built, patterns must be made for each size of the boot to fit our variety of customers. The pattern serves as a guide for leather needed to properly stretch over the boot last, which means the patternmaker must consider all variables in play. They carefully inspect the leather, align markings, and use steel dies to cut patterns for each component before piecing them together like a complex puzzle.
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Precise Cutting and Color Dyeing
Steel dies are crucial to the bootmaking process, as they allow for precise and consistent cutting of leather. These dies come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are carefully selected to match the desired design of the boot.
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Stitching Detailed Designs
Our Tony Lama artisans expertly create beautiful stitch patterns that serve as an additional mark of the craftsmanship Tony Lama cowboy boots are known for. We take great pride in our stitched boots, which are a testament to the exacting skill of our artisans.
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Lasting: Where a Boot Gets It Fit
The lasting process is a critical step in the creation of a Tony Lama boot, ensuring a perfect fit for each customer. Our skilled artisans take great care in this process, which involves securing the upper to the sole by hand.
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Pegging: The Finishing Touch
At Tony Lama, we use both brass and wood pegs to attach the outsole to the rest of the boot, depending on the style. Pegging offers several advantages. It helps to maintain the integrity of the lasted instep's fit, ensuring a comfortable fit for each customer. Additionally, pegging allows us to resole the boot when you dance or ride through them, giving the boots a longer life.
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