I don’t know the place you’re studying this or what you’re doing proper now. Possibly you’re consuming a hen salad sandwich. Possibly you’re sitting round a campfire consuming a Yoo-hoo and enjoying the lute. And perhaps, simply perhaps, you’re wrangling cattle on a ranch in Texas.
If you happen to’re that final man, keep on. You bought this.
If you happen to’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 over the past handful of years, the elevated ranch hand look doesn’t appear to be going wherever for the foreseeable future. And from the place I sit, that’s factor. When worn with confidence and teamed up with the proper 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. The truth is, not solely are a lot of these pioneers nonetheless at it, they make up nearly all of this listing.
My prime decide and one of many oldest boot manufacturers in existence, Lucchese, is obsessive about high quality, consolation, and sturdiness. As is my price range decide of Justin with its 200-step bootmaking course of and crowd pleasing stitching particulars.
Our High Picks
Lucchese
Justin
Frye
Tecovas
Ariat
Tin Haul
Legendary Texas bootmaker Lucchese has been plying its game-changing commerce since 1883, shortly turning into one of many finest cowboy boot manufacturers on the earth. 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 trainers could be referred to 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 means, 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 types 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 probably the greatest cowboy boot manufacturers for males.
Tony Lama now operates beneath the Justin boots umbrella, however the model is among 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 types so that you can select from. Funky boots with purple uppers. Traditional, understated designs with hanging hand-stitched particulars. And, after all, loads of my favourite versatile types, the roper boot. If you happen to’re searching for a high quality pair of entry-level cowboy boots, that is one other glorious place to start out.
Massachusetts-born boot model Frye has been making tough-as-nails footwear since 1863. You’re doubtless aware of 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 number of western boots. The Duke Roper is a brilliant versatile pair of trainers 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 building and a classic look that’s up for every thing.
Primarily based in Austin and made in Mexico, Tecovas has shortly made a reputation for itself within the heritage-heavy bootmaking business. Based just some years in the past in 2015, a mix of memorable advertising and marketing and traditional, meticulous building has put the model on the map and can doubtless preserve it there for an extended, very long time.
You’ve seen the advertisements. They’ve obtained a Huge Lebowski meets cowboy tattoo meets hipster-country vibe, and so they’re in lockstep with the kind of aesthetic younger boot-wearers wish to sidle as much as. However it’s not all optics—each pair of Tecovas boots is handmade and includes 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 certainly that makes me certified to talk to their most popular footwear.
Proper?
In fact not. However any hardworking man who’s on his ft all day goes to prioritize footwear. Snug, sturdy, breathable, inexpensive, damn-near-indestructible footwear. Right here with the help is Ariat. Primarily based 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 listing 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 for those who’re studying an article about cowboy boots in 2023, you most likely have a unusual, distinctive, enjoyable sense of fashion. That’s you? Nailed it? Good.
You then’ll love Tin Haul’s over-the-top-in-all-the-right-ways designs. The standard and sturdiness are there, however so are photos 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: verify. 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
Objective & Utility
What you’ll be doing in your cowboy boots ought to dictate each different consideration you give to your buy. If you happen to’re doing ranch work, prioritize waterproof boots which might be comfy, sturdy, and breathable. If you happen to’re making an attempt to make a press release on the cocktail occasion, an impeccable pair of gown boots will serve you properly. Stay in a chilly atmosphere? You guessed it—search for boots made to resist winter components.
Type
If that is the primary time you’ve began researching cowboy boots, they could all look the identical to you. However actually, there are a number of types, every with totally different functions and levels of aesthetic attraction. Western boots, work boots, designer boots, and square- and round-toe boots are just some examples. Until you intend on filling your closet with all of them, it’s finest to hone in on the model you need earlier than selecting a pair.
Measurement & Match
Most boot firms have match guides that may allow you to perceive whether or not to dimension up, down, or preserve issues on the nostril. Typically talking, boots are likely to run large, so sizing down is really useful. And whether or not you’ll be pairing your boots with a go well with, a good pair of pants, or plan on going full Yellowstone on the ranch, at all times prioritize consolation.
Last Verdict
No exploration of the very best cowboy boot manufacturers on the market could be full with out honoring the heritage manufacturers and their obsessive consideration to element. My prime total decide is the legendary Lucchese, whose boots aren’t 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, vulnerable to overgeneralizing, are going to put on boots which might be comfy, sturdy, breathable, and sensible for the assorted jobs they’re doing. In different phrases, the finest rattling boots they’ll get their palms on. A couple of standard manufacturers that actual cowboys favor are Ariat, Justin, Lucchese, and Anderson Bean.
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The waters can get muddy when differentiating between boot types in the course of the earliest years of bootmaking. The Hyer Boot Firm, which went on to change into the Olathe Boot Firm, is alleged to have invented the cowboy boot in 1875.
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