Cordobes Handcrafted Boots

Cordobes operates with a small team producing approximately 70 boots per month, including one clicker/upper preparer, two closers, one finisher, and founder Alfonso Cortes. The company addresses the challenge of undervalued artisan work in San Mateo Atenco by creating boots that showcase traditional craftsmanship while maintaining accessible pricing.

Cordobes Handcrafted Boots was established in April 2023 by Alfonso Ignacio Cortes, who previously operated a small studio called Cordobanes. The company was born in a workshop in San Mateo Atenco, a town in the State of Mexico located on the outskirts of Mexico City, which has maintained a strong artisan shoemaking tradition for generations.

San Mateo Atenco is home to highly skilled artisans with the ability to produce exceptional footwear. However, increasing competition and economic pressures drove many artisans to lower their prices and compromise quality to support their families. Cortes founded Cordobes to address this issue by creating a sustainable business model that values artisan skills appropriately while producing boots that demonstrate the high level of craftsmanship possible in the region.

The company's mission centers on highlighting local craftsmen's abilities and bringing deserved attention to San Mateo Atenco's footwear production. By maintaining traditional construction methods while implementing modern business practices and ecological considerations, Cordobes works to preserve and elevate the town's shoemaking heritage.

Cordobes employs stitchdown construction, a durable method associated with water resistance and longevity. This construction technique is relatively rare in the boot market compared to Goodyear welt or Blake construction methods.

Construction Features:

Construction Specifications:

The stitchdown construction method provides excellent water resistance while allowing for resoling when the outsole wears down, contributing to the boots' longevity and value.

Cordobes prioritizes material quality while incorporating ecological considerations throughout the production process.

Leather Selection:

Ecological Approach:

The company's commitment to ecological materials demonstrates that sustainability and quality craftsmanship can coexist in boot production.

Cordobes produces several boot styles, each featuring the same stitchdown construction and attention to detail while varying in design to suit different preferences and applications.

Service Boot:

Engineer Boot:

Cap-Toe Boot:

Jodhpur Boot:

All models feature hand-sewn stitchdown construction, heavy-weight leather components, and EcoRubber outsoles, ensuring consistent quality across the entire product lineup.

Cordobes provides sizing guidance to ensure proper fit for customers ordering handcrafted boots. The stitchdown construction and substantial leather components require appropriate break-in to achieve optimal comfort.

Fit Considerations:

The substantial leather thicknesses and stitchdown construction mean Cordobes boots will conform to the wearer's foot over time, developing a custom fit with regular wear.

Proper care extends the life of Cordobes boots and maintains their appearance. The stitchdown construction and heavy-weight leather materials respond well to regular maintenance.

Regular Maintenance:

Leather Care:

Resoling:

The stitchdown construction enables professional resoling when the EcoRubber outsole wears down. Qualified cobblers familiar with stitchdown construction can replace worn outsoles while preserving the upper leather and overall boot structure, significantly extending the boot's lifespan and making Cordobes boots a worthwhile long-term investment.