I don’t know the place you’re studying this or what you’re doing proper now. Perhaps you’re consuming a rooster salad sandwich. Perhaps you’re sitting round a campfire ingesting a Yoo-hoo and taking part in the lute. And perhaps, simply perhaps, you’re wrangling cattle on a ranch in Texas.
Should you’re that final man, keep on. You bought this.
Should you’re these first two guys or actually anybody else, it’s excessive time you bought acquainted with the eight finest cowboy boot manufacturers throughout a variety of classes.
To say nothing of “Yellowstone” and the cowboy-culture frenzy it’s induced during the last handful of years, the elevated ranch hand look doesn’t appear to be going anyplace for the foreseeable future. And from the place I sit, that’s a very good factor. When worn with confidence and teamed up with the fitting outfit, cowboy boots are all swagger.
[don’t say ‘giddyup,’ don’t say ‘giddyup’]
And with out additional ado, let’s giddyup!
[shit]
Key Takeaways
Cowboy boots have been round for the reason that late 1800s, and the very best cowboy boot manufacturers nonetheless honor the heritage and processes of these pioneers. Actually, not solely are a lot of these pioneers nonetheless at it, they make up the vast majority of this checklist.
My high decide and one of many oldest boot manufacturers in existence, Lucchese, is obsessive about high quality, consolation, and sturdiness. As is my funds decide of Justin with its 200-step bootmaking course of and crowd pleasing stitching particulars.
Our Prime Picks
Lucchese
Justin
Frye
Tecovas
Ariat
Tin Haul
Legendary Texas bootmaker Lucchese has been plying its game-changing commerce since 1883, rapidly turning into one of many finest cowboy boot manufacturers on the planet. The heritage footwear firm’s boots have since been worn by celebrities, U.S. presidents, and… properly, common dudes. Common dudes put on them, too.
Lucchese’s obsessive consideration to element, high quality, and craftsmanship shines by way of in every pair of hand-stitched boots it produces. Brass and lemonwood pegs are used within the pegging course of. Leather-based is hand-tooled by grasp artisans. And a seemingly limitless variety of different meticulous steps are taken earlier than a single pair of shoes may be known as full. To sweeten the pot, the model’s vary of merchandise are meant to be worn by anybody from city-dwelling socialites to precise ranch palms.
To not be confused with “cheap” (in any method, like, ever), the development of Justin’s approachably priced cowboy boots stays true to its genuine Texas roots. Based in 1879, a formidable pedigree barely scratches the floor of the model’s choices.
Over 200 steps go into the making of Justin’s boots, and the corporate locations an emphasis on consolation—an unlucky and frequent oversight by lesser producers. The stitching particulars are eye-catching, and also you’ve obtained dozens of kinds to select from. Boots of this high quality provided at Justin’s costs aren’t widespread, additional contributing to the heritage model’s designation as among the finest cowboy boot manufacturers for males.
Tony Lama now operates underneath the Justin boots umbrella, however the model is likely one of the oldest and most revered within the sport. And like Justin’s boots, Tony Lama’s approachably priced, handmade footwear employs high-quality leathers, supplies, and processes.
And as destiny would have it, Amazon has tons of kinds so that you can select from. Funky boots with purple uppers. Basic, understated designs with placing hand-stitched particulars. And, in fact, loads of my favourite versatile kinds, the roper boot. Should you’re searching for a high quality pair of entry-level cowboy boots, that is one other glorious place to begin.
Massachusetts-born boot model Frye has been making tough-as-nails footwear since 1863. You’re seemingly accustomed to Frye’s extra seen choices like Chelsea boots, harness boots, cap-toe lace-ups, and zip-up ankle boots.
However don’t sleep on the model’s small but mighty collection of western boots. The Duke Roper is a brilliant versatile pair of shoes with full-grain leather-based uppers and comfortable leather-based linings. For a extra conventional cowboy boot look, the Weston Roper options Frye’s built-to-last development and a classic look that’s up for the whole lot.
Based mostly in Austin and made in Mexico, Tecovas has rapidly made a reputation for itself within the heritage-heavy bootmaking trade. Based only a few years in the past in 2015, a mix of memorable advertising and basic, meticulous development has put the model on the map and can seemingly hold it there for an extended, very long time.
You’ve seen the adverts. They’ve obtained a Massive Lebowski meets cowboy tattoo meets hipster-country vibe, and so they’re in lockstep with the kind of aesthetic younger boot-wearers need to sidle as much as. However it’s not all optics—each pair of Tecovas boots is handmade and entails over 200 steps to finish.
I’m not a cowboy. I’m simply… I’m not. However I’ve seen cowboys on TV and stuff, so absolutely that makes me certified to talk to their most well-liked footwear.
Proper?
In fact not. However any hardworking man who’s on his ft all day goes to prioritize footwear. Comfy, sturdy, breathable, inexpensive, damn-near-indestructible footwear. Right here with the help is Ariat. Based mostly in California, the model makes use of high quality supplies and methods and integrates athletic footwear know-how into its boots for distinctive consolation.
Based in 1853, Rios of Mercedes is one other pillar of the heritage cowboy boot world. And although placing a “luxury” stamp on the common-or-garden cowboy boot is a tall order, these handmade beauties pull it off flawlessly.
The checklist of impeccable particulars is staggering. Barely scratching the floor are real calfskin tops and leather-based piping, bark-tanned leather-based insoles and outsoles, and complex hand-stitched particulars fawned over by true artisans. That is one other one of many males’s cowboy boot manufacturers that may simply transition from indestructible workhorse to good-looking on a regular basis wardrobe staple.
As our journey by way of the very best cowboy boot manufacturers winds down, it happens to me that should you’re studying an article about cowboy boots in 2023, you most likely have a unusual, distinctive, enjoyable sense of favor. That’s you? Nailed it? Good.
Then you definitely’ll love Tin Haul’s over-the-top-in-all-the-right-ways designs. The standard and sturdiness are there, however so are pictures of oil rigs, pin-up women, and American presidents on the soles. And uppers with a deck of playing cards on them. Lightning bolts touring up the calf: test. Barbed wire and musical-note patterns: naturally. If it’s eye-catching you’re searching for, that is your sweet store.
What To Look For In The Finest Cowboy Boot Manufacturers
Goal & Utility
What you’ll be doing in your cowboy boots ought to dictate each different consideration you give to your buy. Should you’re doing ranch work, prioritize waterproof boots which are snug, sturdy, and breathable. Should you’re making an attempt to make an announcement on the cocktail social gathering, an impeccable pair of costume boots will serve you properly. Stay in a chilly atmosphere? You guessed it—search for boots made to resist winter components.
Model
If that is the primary time you’ve began researching cowboy boots, they could all look the identical to you. However in truth, there are a number of kinds, every with totally different functions and levels of aesthetic enchantment. Western boots, work boots, designer boots, and square- and round-toe boots are only a few examples. Except you propose on filling your closet with all of them, it’s finest to hone in on the fashion you need earlier than selecting a pair.
Measurement & Match
Most boot firms have match guides that may enable you perceive whether or not to dimension up, down, or hold issues on the nostril. Usually talking, boots are likely to run huge, so sizing down is really useful. And whether or not you’ll be pairing your boots with a swimsuit, a good pair of pants, or plan on going full Yellowstone on the ranch, at all times prioritize consolation.
Closing Verdict
No exploration of the very best cowboy boot manufacturers on the market can be full with out honoring the heritage manufacturers and their obsessive consideration to element. My high total decide is the legendary Lucchese, whose boots usually are not solely impossibly good-looking and comfy however constructed with a degree of high quality that ensures they’ll final a lifetime.
FAQ
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Cowboys and ranchers, liable to overgeneralizing, are going to put on boots which are snug, sturdy, breathable, and sensible for the assorted jobs they’re doing. In different phrases, the finest rattling boots they will get their palms on. Just a few fashionable manufacturers that actual cowboys want are Ariat, Justin, Lucchese, and Anderson Bean.
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The waters can get muddy when differentiating between boot kinds through the earliest years of bootmaking. The Hyer Boot Firm, which went on to turn into the Olathe Boot Firm, is claimed to have invented the cowboy boot in 1875.
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