Design
Quality of Materials
Craftsmanship 
Fit & Sizing
Value for MoneyIf you go to the horse races on Sunday, that’s where people go all out on their boots and belt-buckles.
I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of folks were wearing Cuadras.
This unique looking western boot from Mexico has been getting more attention in the States lately, so I picked up a pair to see what they’re all about. Here’s my thoughts.
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Cuadra Boots Overview
Cuadra was founded in Mexico in 1991 as an exotic leather bootmaker. Within a few years, the brand was exporting Leon, Mexico-made western boots around the world.
As the brand started to grow, they added in apparel—jeans, jackets, wallets, belts. And their presence in the US continued to expand, with stores in Chicago and Las Vegas.
Cuadra’s are still made in Leon, Mexico, and they’ve been pushing their online sales more now, especially in the United States.
But what drew me to this review is that there’s not a lot of information out there on these boots, so I had to put them to the test for myself.
The Cuadra Engraved Boot has a distinct style, and you either love it or you don’t. Personally, I prefer a more traditional western boot style, but I can see the appeal of a more flashy design. One thing I like about the Cuadra is that the zipper on the side allows for a more narrow shaft, while still staying comfortable throughout the entire boot.
Cuadra Cowboy Boots Review
First Impression
I’ll say this upfront: the style of Cuadra isn’t for me. I like a more traditional cowboy boot. That said, everyone has different taste, and you might love the unique style.
So I won’t dwell on the fashion-aspects of the boot, and will stick with the objective things like material and construction quality.
The boots arrived nicely packaged and ready to wear. Sometimes you get boots that haven’t been conditioned in a while and need some TLC before their debut, but that’s not the case here.
This is a zip-up boot, and Cuadra keeps the shaft more narrow, which I really like. Pull on boots often have to keep the shaft wider so you can actually put them on, but once they’re on, it’s hard to fit your pant leg over them.
But with the zip, the shaft can be closer to your shin and calf, which makes it easier to wear dressier style pants with these boots.
Leather Quality and Care
There’s a few different types of leather on this boot. The vamp (the toe through the instep) is a beautiful rich brown smooth leather.
This smooth leather is dyed in an interesting way that gives it a bit of a stylistic patina, and that shows through more as you wear the boots in.
The center of the vamp is lighter, and the edges have a bit more dye on them so they stay relatively darker. It gives a bit of a “sunburst” effect, which a lot of folks really love.
The ankle and shaft of the boot use a bovine pebbled leather, which seems a bit lighter in weight and more flexible than the smooth leather vamp.
It’s the same color, but the texture is a bit different. There’s no practical difference—it’s for style.
There’s a natural leather lining through the shaft of the boot, and I was a bit disappointed on two fronts with the lining. First, the top of the boot has a rolled edge. For most boots, the rolled edge is a way of “wrapping up” the lining and the exterior leather. But Cuadra left the raw, unburnished edge of the lining exposed, which makes the rolled edge kinda pointless.
Also, the leather lining stops at the toe, and a fabric lining takes over through the toe box. That’s where you want the leather lining the most, as it’s where your toe is going to rub a lot, and can often be the first part of a boot to break down.
Sole
The sole is rock solid on these Cuadra boots. They’re made with the traditional Goodyear welt construction, and underneath the high density foam insert is a nice veg-tanned insole, clinch nails and all (i.e. pretty classic cowboy boot construction).
I also like that Cuadra adds a rubber embed to the outsole, as that gives a lot of traction on concrete and sidewalks. Traction and stability is one of the downsides for a lot of cowboy boot brands, but the rubber embed Cuadra uses really helps that issue a lot.
This boot has a leather stacked heel with a gentle taper. It’s not the full cowboy boot angle—just a subtle angle that works really well with the style of the boot.
And the arch support on this boot is excellent—there’s no information on the internal construction components, but if I had to guess, I’d say there’s a steel shank that’s also built up a bit—perhaps with a piece of leather on it. They give a lot of support, even without the foam insert added.
The Cuadra Engraved Boot has a distinct style, and you either love it or you don’t. Personally, I prefer a more traditional western boot style, but I can see the appeal of a more flashy design. One thing I like about the Cuadra is that the zipper on the side allows for a more narrow shaft, while still staying comfortable throughout the entire boot.
Fit and Sizing
I found these Cuadra’s to be very comfortable. I ordered a half-size smaller than I usually do for my sneakers and the fit is perfect (including the foam insert).
I’ve struggled in the past to find the right fit for cowboy boots, as they can often be quite snug on the instep.
One thing that’s important to know is that you don’t have to wear the foam insert. You can take it out and still wear your boots comfortably. Sometimes folks get weirded out seeing the nails at the bottom of the boot, but that’s part of traditional cowboy bootmaking and you won’t feel them at all when wearing the boots.
Still, I find the Cuadra fits best on me with the insert, and when I sized a half-size down from my sneaker size. So I normally wear a size 10.5 in sneakers and I picked up a size 10 in my Cuadra boots.
Break-in Period
There’s basically no break in period with these boots. They’re comfortable right away and stay that way.
The biggest change you’ll have in these boots as you wear them the first 5-6 times is in the color of the upper leather. It’s got that dyed-patina effect, which comes out a bit more as you wear them.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
There’s not a ton of reviews online for Cuadra. Generally, reviewers mention the comfort they get with the boots. Folks who buy usually like the unique style of the boots, so make sure you’re ready for that flashier look.
My Thoughts Overall On Cuadra
What I Like
Unlike a lot of western boots, the fit on the Cuadra is snug and overall very comfortable.
The embedded rubber insert on the sole is excellent for modern every-day wear—this is a nice update from more classic western boots.
While it’s got a flashy design, the basics are all there—Goodyear welt construction, leather insole, clinch nails throughout, and excellent arch support.
What I Don’t Like
The style is very distinct, and a significant departure from classic western style—either you love it or you hate it.
The toe lining is fabric, and for a boot this price, I expect to see a full leather lining.
Who is Cuadra Cowboy Boots for?
Cuadra boots are nice if you want the silhouette of a western boot, but also want something a little more distinct with a character of it’s own.
The Verdict
The sole of the Cuadra boot was the most impressive aspect to me. I liked the Goodyear welt construction, the arch support, and I think the rubber embed into the outsole is a great move to give the wearer more traction and support.
The upper leather was also solid.
The lining was a let down, particularly at the top of the shaft, where it’s left unfinished right next to the “roll.” What’s the point of the rolled edge, then? And the lining only goes to the vamp, where a fabric lining takes over. That fabric lining just isn’t going to hold up as well as a leather lining would.
There are boots that cost less that have a full leather lining throughout.
If you’re drawn to the style of Cuadra, the construction and quality is decent, so you won’t be let down.
The Cuadra Engraved Boot has a distinct style, and you either love it or you don’t. Personally, I prefer a more traditional western boot style, but I can see the appeal of a more flashy design. One thing I like about the Cuadra is that the zipper on the side allows for a more narrow shaft, while still staying comfortable throughout the entire boot.
