A Boot Collector Feature

Old Gringo

A relatively young Western label built on bold color, heavy embroidery, and distressed leather — a deliberate break from the classic, understated boot.

Founded2000

ByErnie Tarut & Yan Ferry

Made inLeón, Mexico

HQFort Worth, TX (since 2022)

The Story

Old Gringo is a comparatively recent arrival in a field full of century-old names, founded in 2000 by Ernie Tarut and Yan Ferry. Rather than compete on heritage, the brand built its identity around a distinctive look: saturated color combinations, heavy decorative embroidery, and distressed, worn-in leather finishes that stand apart from the classic, restrained boots much of the Western market was built on.

Boots are manufactured in León, Guanajuato — one of the world's premier shoemaking regions — while the brand itself operated as an American company headquartered in San Diego for most of its history. In 2022, Old Gringo relocated its U.S. headquarters to Fort Worth, Texas, and opened its first flagship retail store in the Fort Worth Stockyards, putting the brand in one of the country's most visible Western-wear districts.

What They're Known For

Fashion-forward, statement-making boots rather than understated working boots — the kind of pair built to be noticed across a room. That positioning has made Old Gringo a familiar name at Western retailers that carry both heritage brands and more contemporary, design-driven labels side by side, and has led to cross-promotions with similarly fashion-forward names like Double D Ranch.

Labels & Markings

Markings from pairs in the TW Collection. Select a photo to see it full size.

Old Gringo Benchmark Hand Made box — Box for Old Gringo’s Benchmark Hand Made line.

Old Gringo Benchmark sole stamp — “Old Gringo Benchmark” stamped into a sole.

Old Gringo Benchmark heel cap — A Benchmark heel cap, patterned all over with the Old Gringo name.

Traditions by Old Gringo sole stamp — “Traditions by Old Gringo,” another line, stamped into a sole.

Double D Ranch by Old Gringo insole — Old Gringo also made boots for Double D Ranch; the insole reads “Double D Ranch by Old Gringo.”

Tooled Work

Tooled pairs from the TW Collection, also featured in our tooled boot gallery.

Floral carving colored in turquoise and tan, with braided trim.

Dark tooled overlay on a cream base, seen from the back.

Lacy white tooled overlay with tan flowers and braided trim.

Twenty-five years young in a field of century-old names, and still building its identity on color and craft rather than nostalgia.

Shop Old Gringo at Boot Collector See more at oldgringoboots.com Find pairs for sale online