Paul Bond Boots

Me: “It’s been twenty years since I purchased these my boots? No way! You’ve got to be kidding me!”

The guy: “Yes mam, our records show it was 1991 when you purchased this pair and 1995 when you purchased those python ones.”

Holy mother of God…where does the time go?

I’d always wanted a pair of cowboy boots. I mean ones that really fit. Custom fit. Like Paul Bond says…you need a pair of boots you can dance in and put in the stirrups too. So true!

So in need of new souls (yes, souls – it isn’t a typo) a road trip to Paul Bond Boots in Nogales, Arizona was in order. Walking into “the barn” it smelled of leather. Not only does he carry leathers from the U.S., but leathers from England, Africa, Europe, and Australia. You see as a youngster, Mr. Bond started out breaking in horses for the U.S. Calvalry and then followed his passion and started his custom boots business in 1946. In 1955 he moved his business to Nogales, Arizona and into his present location, the barn, in 1979. Wow, I feel like a part of history!

Mr. Bond just turned 95 a couple of weeks ago and was celebrating at his Texas ranch, but the guy who helped me said he still comes to work five days a week when he’s in Arizona. Amazing.

So you’ll have to wait a few weeks to see my new souls, but I’m looking forward to hitting the streets of NYC in all their glory! So stay tuned!

My boots aren’t in this bad of shape, but they do need new souls just like these.

No doubt…it is an art!