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I’ve owned several pairs of Rios of Mercedes boots over the years, and they’ve become one of those brands I keep coming back to. In this review I’ll walk you through the pairs I’ve actually worn, how they fit, how they’ve held up, and whether I think they’re worth the money, along with the Rios boots Pinto Ranch has in stock right now.
Rios of Mercedes has been making handmade cowboy boots for generations, and every pair is still hand-lasted and hand-pegged in Mercedes, Texas. That craftsmanship is a big part of why these boots feel, fit and age the way they do.
My Rios of Mercedes Boots: What I’ve Worn and How They’ve Held Up
A few of my favorites from Pinto Ranch have been the Cape Buffalo, the Buckwheat Kudu Antelope and the Chocolate Sueded Elephant. I’ve also worn the Distressed Sahara Cowhide Suede, which has a completely different personality from the exotics. Here’s how each one has worked out for me.
Cape Buffalo: The Pair I’ve Worn the Most
The Cape Buffalo pair has probably gotten the most wear of any Rios boots I own. The leather is soft and comfortable but still feels substantial, and they’ve held up extremely well.
The Rios of Mercedes Cape Buffalo Cowboy Boots in Tan at Pinto Ranch have a snip toe, a 1 3/8″ heel, an 11″ black shaft with a six-row stitch pattern, and a leather sole with lemonwood pegs. They run about $795.
Buckwheat Kudu Antelope: My All-Day-on-My-Feet Boot
The Kudu boots are a little more casual and rugged, and the Dainite sole makes them a great pair when I know I’m going to be on my feet most of the day.
The Rios of Mercedes Kudu Antelope Cowboy Boots in Buckwheat are exclusive to Pinto Ranch. They have a round toe, a lower 1 1/8″ heel, a waxed 11″ shaft with a deep scallop, full welt construction and that Dainite rubber outsole. They run about $695.
Chocolate Sueded Elephant: My Dress-Up Pair
The Chocolate Sueded Elephant boots are at the other end of the spectrum. They’re probably the pair I reach for most when I’m dressed up, although they still look great with jeans.
Pinto Ranch doesn’t have the Chocolate Sueded Elephant in stock right now. If you want Rios elephant, the closest current options are the Safari Gray Elephant boots in Granite (square toe, 13″ shaft) and the Granite Elephant Milan boots, both around $995.
Distressed Sahara Cowhide Suede: The Pair I Don’t Have to Baby
The Distressed Sahara has more of a broken-in, old-school Western look right out of the box. It’s an easy everyday boot that I don’t feel like I have to baby.
The Rios of Mercedes Distressed Sahara Cowhide Suede Boots have a snip toe, a 12″ shaft with chocolate piping, distressed soles and a hybrid leather and neoprene outsole. They run about $595, which makes them one of the more affordable ways into Rios.
Are Rios of Mercedes Good Boots?
Yes. What keeps me coming back to Rios is the combination of comfort, construction and how well the boots age. They aren’t inexpensive, but when I compare pairs I’ve worn regularly with cheaper boots I’ve owned, the difference becomes pretty obvious after a year or two. The stitching, leather and overall shape hold up, and most of mine actually look better after they’ve been worn awhile.
I’ve bought enough boots over the years to know that price alone doesn’t guarantee a good boot, but Rios of Mercedes is one of the few brands where I feel like I’m actually getting what I’m paying for. Every pair is handmade and built to be resoled, using full-grain cowhide and exotic leathers like kudu, elephant, buffalo and python.
What Is the History Behind Rios of Mercedes Boots?
The Rios of Mercedes boot company traces its roots back to 1853, when the Rios family began crafting durable cavalry boots in General Terán, Nuevo León, Mexico. By 1901, they had relocated to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, honing their skills in boot-making for hardworking cowboys. In 1969, after Zeferino Rios retired, the company was sold to Joe and Trainor Evans, who modernized production in 1975 while preserving traditional hand-stitching techniques. Today, every pair of Rios of Mercedes boots is hand-lasted, hand-pegged and hand-finished in Mercedes, Texas.
Rios of Mercedes Boots at Pinto Ranch Right Now
Pinto Ranch carries some Rios makeups you don’t see everywhere, which is usually where I look first when I’m ready for another pair. At the time of writing, their Rios lineup runs from about $595 to $1,195 and includes:
- Cape Buffalo Cowboy Boots – Tan (about $795): snip toe, leather sole, 11″ shaft. My most-worn pair.
- Kudu Antelope Cowboy Boots – Buckwheat (about $695): round toe, Dainite rubber sole, Pinto Ranch exclusive. Great for long days on your feet.
- Cowhide Suede Cowboy Boots – Distressed Sahara (about $595): snip toe, hybrid sole, broken-in look from day one.
- Elk Bottom Roper Boots – Sand (about $595): elk leather, roper toe and a low 1″ roper heel. A comfortable, practical everyday roper.
- Safari Gray Elephant Cowboy Boots – Granite (about $995): elephant and calf, square toe, 13″ shaft. A dressier exotic.
Pinto Ranch also has Rios in hippo, caiman belly, python and goat. You can see all of their Rios of Mercedes men’s boots here.
What About Rios of Mercedes Boots for Women?
Rios of Mercedes has made some beautiful women’s boots over the years, including bold full-quill ostrich and python cowgirl styles. Right now, though, Pinto Ranch’s Rios selection is all men’s styles. If you’re shopping for a handmade women’s pair today, take a look at Pinto Ranch’s women’s cowboy boots, where you’ll find handmade makers like Old Gringo and Stallion.
How Do Rios of Mercedes Boots Fit?
Fit has been remarkably consistent across the Rios boots I’ve worn, although I’ve found that going up about a half size works best for me. They start out snug across the instep, which is what I want in a cowboy boot, and after some wear they really conform to the shape of your foot.
Your feet may be different from mine, so here’s how to get the fit right:
- Expect a snug instep. A new pair should hug the top of your foot firmly without pinching. The all-leather construction will relax and mold to you.
- Allow a little heel slip. About a quarter to half an inch of slip is normal in new boots and goes away as the sole flexes.
- Check the width. Many Rios styles at Pinto Ranch come in both D (standard) and EE (wide).
- Measure at the end of the day, when your feet are at their largest, and compare against the size chart on the product page.
- If you’re between sizes, going up a half size has worked better for me than going down.
Breaking In Your Rios Boots
Give a new pair a few wears around the house before a long day. Wear a decent pair of boot socks, keep them dry while the leather is still stiff, and they’ll settle in and start feeling like they were made for you.
Why Choose Rios of Mercedes Over Other Cowboy Boot Brands?
Rios stands apart from big-name brands that rely more on machine production. Every pair is handmade with all-leather construction by experienced bootmakers, so the boots breathe, stretch naturally over the ball of your foot and can be resoled instead of thrown away. Compared with other premium handmade brands, Rios hits a sweet spot of traditional Texas styling, great exotic leathers and fair pricing for the level of handwork. If you’re weighing Rios against other names, my Tecovas vs Lucchese comparison and ostrich boot comparison are worth a read.
Are Rios of Mercedes Boots Worth the Money?
For me, yes. Rios boots cost more up front than mass-produced boots, but pairs I’ve worn for years still look good, and in some cases better than when they were new. A boot that can be resoled and keeps its shape is cheaper in the long run than replacing a cheaper pair every couple of years.
Where Can You Buy Authentic Rios of Mercedes Boots?
Pinto Ranch is where I buy mine. They carry exclusive Rios makeups, like the Buckwheat Kudu, that you won’t find at most stores. The Rios of Mercedes website also lists authorized retailers. Avoid unknown marketplace sellers so you know you’re getting the real thing.
Final Thoughts: Should You Buy Rios of Mercedes Boots?
If you want a handmade cowboy boot that’s comfortable, built to last and gets better with age, Rios of Mercedes is one of the few brands I can recommend from years of wearing them. Start with the pair that fits how you’ll wear it: the Cape Buffalo for an everyday boot you’ll never want to take off, the Kudu for long days on your feet, an elephant pair for dressing up, or the Distressed Sahara if you want something you don’t have to baby.
Looking for more Rios? See my picks for the best Rios of Mercedes ostrich boots and my guide to Rios elk hide cowboy boots.
