Crafted in Tradition
The Journey of where HYER Boots are made
Let’s start from the top. Zach Lawless is able to get the trademark for HYER Boots back as a gift for his grandmother, Nana. If you’ve read our story, you know this was no small feat. So what now? Does he relaunch the family brand and resurrect what C.H. Hyer started? What kind of boots would he even make if he did?
Zach has an entrepreneurial mind, with a no-quit spirit. The advice he received early on was to use the heritage of HYER Boots and relaunch a luxury brand at an aspirational price point. Shoot for the stars! Sounds great, right? But that’s not Zach, and he had to make a decision, who did he want to make boots for? After some thought, this small town Kansas guy, who’s dream car is a beat up ‘79 model Ford, set his mind to service the western lifestyle and the consumers that live it every day. To choose authenticity and quality that the consumer could connect with over expensive luxury boots.
And so, HYER Boots is reborn…
And we want to make one thing clear, our mission is to champion the western lifestyle and the western consumer. We're the boots you use to get the job done, whether you're out on the ranch or in the arena. We understand that wearing boots isn't a luxury item that can be priced for an elite few but a tool that most western consumers are willing to pay for based on durability. With that, we set out to be the most durable boot possible at a price that our consumer can afford. In search of this mission, our journey to finding the perfect manufacturing partner hasn't been easy.
We started our search for a manufacturing partner with a goal of bringing our manufacturing back to the USA, but without an inherited factory or the financial resources to build our own, we found it prohibitively expensive to get a premium quality using boot at a price that is accessible to our consumers.
We began our search in El Paso, Texas. We had heard of the great craftsmanship in El Paso and believed that this would be our best shot at finding manufacturing in the United States. However, it turned out that contract manufacturing in El Paso had become exceedingly rare and expensive. The industry has been shrinking for decades and the factories that remain are at full capacity for their own brands, not interested in contract manufacturing for a small brand relaunching. Then the price point for manufacturing there was so high that it would have priced our boots out of reach for the real cowboys and cowgirls which was against our mission. You should never feel like you can't put your boots to work, because the price point is so steep.
Our next visit was to León, Mexico, renowned for its exceptional bootmakers and leather goods. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with open arms, and our visit quickly turned into a lively celebration, and we were instantly engrossed in the culture of true artisan craftsmanship. We were captivated by the passion and dedication of the local bootmakers, who embody the spirit of authenticity and pride in their craft.
As we immersed ourselves in the vibrant culture of León, we realized that our mission aligned perfectly with the values of the local artisans. We didn't want to create boots that were out of reach for the everyday cowboy, or working tradesman. Instead, we aimed to produce functional, high-quality boots that could be worn with pride and used authentically in everyday life. León offered us the opportunity to bring back a brand focused on the consumer, offering products that were not only affordable but also serviced a genuine need.
The history of León as a hub for boot making further solidified our decision to partner with manufacturers in Mexico. We learned that the town has a long-standing tradition of producing some of the finest boots in the world, crafted with meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to excellence. By choosing Mexico as our manufacturing base, we could ensure that our boots upheld this legacy of quality while remaining accessible to our customers.
After an eye-opening experience in León, Zach made a bold decision: to relocate to Mexico and fully immerse himself in the art of boot making. His passion for the culture and dedication to authentic craftsmanship drove him to learn every aspect of the craft, from selecting the finest materials to perfecting intricate stitching patterns. For Zach, HYER Boots isn’t just a brand; it is a commitment to excellence and a celebration of his family’s artisanal heritage.
"You know what, people give us crap for not making our boots in the United States, my goal is to make the best boots for the best price that I possibly can. Not only is that in Mexico, but the people, the culture, and the artisans down there are incredible. And, if we can support that level of commitment to authentic craftsmanship - we'll champion your product anywhere in the world."
Throughout HYER Boots' history, the pursuit of superior craftsmanship has been paramount. In 1875, the workforce consisted of immigrants who brought their skills and dedication to Kansas City. Today, HYER Boots continues this tradition by seeking out the best bootmakers, leading us to Leon, Mexico. Our unwavering commitment to quality and value drives us to explore every avenue in search of unparalleled craftsmanship.
Supporting exceptional artisans is not just a business decision; it's a core value ingrained in our brand's DNA. Whether it's in Kansas City or León, we will go wherever we can to find the best craftsmanship, ensuring that every pair of HYER boots embodies the spirit of authenticity and excellence.
To close out this journey, we invite you to join us in celebrating the culmination of craftsmanship and cultural appreciation that defines HYER Boots. Our commitment to excellence knows no bounds, and we are honored to continue this legacy alongside our valued customers and esteemed artisans. As we look to the future, our passion for authentic craftsmanship will remain unwavering, guiding us as we strive to create boots that not only embody the spirit of the Hyer legacy, but also stand as a testament to the enduring legacy of artisanal heritage.