The paper proposes a new bootstrap approach to the Pesaran, Shin and Smith's bound tests in a conditional equilibrium correction model with the aim to overcome some typical drawbacks of the latter, such as inconclusive inference and distortion in size. The bootstrap tests are worked out under several data generating processes, including degenerate cases. Monte Carlo simulations confirm the better performance of the bootstrap tests with respect to bound ones and to the asymptotic F test on the independent variables of the ARDL model. It is also proved that any inference carried out in misspecified models, such as unconditional ARDLs, may be misleading. Empirical applications highlight the importance of employing the appropriate specification and provide definitive answers to the inconclusive inference of the bound tests when exploring the long-term equilibrium relationship between economic variables.