Looking for the perfect cowboy boots for your next adventure? You’ve come to the right place!
We’ll walk you through the best brands of cowboy boots and help you find the perfect fit. Make sure to get a pair that offers superior quality, comfort, and durability – all without breaking the bank!
Introduction
Cowboy boots have experienced a surge in popularity in recent years as men and women alike have embraced the classic western style of this iconic footwear. Although many shoe manufacturers offer their own version of the classic cowboy boot, some brands stand out when it comes to quality, craftsmanship, and overall style. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the best cowboy boot brands on the market today.
Whether you’re looking for a timeless classic or something more cutting-edge and modern, there’s sure to be a cowboy boot out there that fits your personal style. Quality brands like Lucchese, Old Gringo, and Corral Boots are sure to provide you with the perfect pair of boots that you can enjoy for years to come. We’ll cover each of these great brands in detail below so you can find your perfect fit!
History of Cowboy Boots
Cowboy boots have a long and interesting history, dating back to the 1800s. Traditionally, they were made from cowhide leather, but today they can be made from a variety of materials including suede and exotic skins. The original cowboy boots provided sturdy protection while riding horses and they remain popular with modern-day country music stars as well as rodeo competitors.
The first cowboy boots originated in Texas during the early 1800s and were handmade by Mexican bootmakers and American craftsmen. They were typically low-heeled and made with a pointed toe so that a cowboy could fit his foot into the stirrup more easily. Typically, western boots had distinctive features like high tops, fancy stitching around the ankle area, pull straps on the sides for easier wearing, and colorful leather overlays for decoration.
As these boots gained widespread popularity in the early 20th century, more shoe companies began to specialize in making them and some are still popular today. While there are many brands available on the market today, Lucchese is an iconic choice that has been in existence since 1883 with stores across North America that have earned their name by catering to traditional western styles while also keeping up with modern trends.
Benefits of Cowboy Boots
Cowboy boots are a type of footwear that has been popular for work, fashion, and recreational activities. They have an enduring appeal because of the combination of style and function. They can offer superior foot protection and support compared to regular shoes or sneakers.
Cowboy boots are made from quality materials such as leather, suede, and rubber which provide durability and water resistance. They often feature a pointed toe which provides comfort when riding a horse or walking on uneven terrain. Cowboy boots also feature treads on their soles which give traction when walking in mud or slippery surfaces.
The unique design of cowboy boots gives them a place not only in western culture but also in modern fashion trends. Furthermore, the craftsmanship that goes into making cowboy boots gives them an added character that expresses their wearer’s unique style.
Types of Cowboy Boots
Cowboy boots are both a fashion statement and a practical choice to protect your feet while riding or walking. They are traditionally made of leather, but modern cowboy boots can also use fabrics such as canvas, synthetic materials, and even rubber. There are many types of cowboy boots available with different toe shapes, heel heights, and shaft heights. It is important to understand the differences between these styles before purchasing so that you find a boot that is both comfortable and stylish for all occasions.
Western/Cowboy Boots
These boots feature a classic western style with a curved, pointed toe and low heel. They usually have pull straps and come in various heel heights from 1 1/2″ up to 2 1/2″, with the most common being two-inch heels. The shafts on these boots typically rise up to 8″ from the arch.
Roper Boots
Roper Boots offer more coverage because of their shorter height non-bending shafts that usually only come up 4″ from the arch of your foot. Also featuring pointed toes similar to western boots, they generally have low flat heels at 0″-1″. Ropers are often made out of suede instead of leather, making them lighter in weight than traditional cowboy shoes.
Riding Boots
Used by many horse riders because they offer support and keep the rider’s ankle secure in their stirrups. Riding boots feature slightly wider round toes than Western or Cowboy Boot styles (although still within an acceptable range). They also have higher heels (up to 2″ – 2 ½”) which provide additional traction while riding horses or working outdoors in barns or on ranches where mud can be present on uneven surfaces. Additionally, riding boot shafts tend to be longer than roper boots coming up 10-13 inches from the arch of your foot for added support when gripping stirrups or operating farm machinery like tractors or combines for extended periods of time.
Engineer Boots
An iconic style usually associated with bikers – engineer boot features buckles around their shaft which adds some flair along with added ankle support for riding motorcycles! Commonly featuring rounded toes at 1-3 inches in height with a slight upright shape rising 3-4 inches from the arch of your foot – although rare, most engineers come in other configurations including flat interior heels off zero height steel toe caps (which protect an individual’s feet when working around heavy machinery).
Popular Cowboy Boot Brands
Cowboy boots are a timeless fashion piece that adds personality to any outfit. Choosing the perfect cowboy boot brand can seem like a daunting task due to the number of options available. Luckily, there are several well-known and dependable brands on the market that offer quality materials and great craftsmanship. Knowing which brands are most popular with cowboys and cowgirls can help narrow down your choices.
Best Cowboy Boot Brands
Ariat
Ariat has been producing boots since 1993 with an emphasis on comfort and performance for all activities, including riding, working or just going out for the night. Their product range includes traditional cowboy shapes made with both leather and fabric materials plus modern designs created with metal accents or colorful accents.
Lucchese
Founded by three brothers in San Antonio in 1883, Lucchese has become a leader in cowboy boots worldwide while still holding true to their original western spirit roots. With styles made from traditional leathers or daring exotic skins, each boot is handmade using only the finest materials available so you can be sure your pair will last a lifetime.
Old Gringo
Old Gringo makes both classic designs as well as fashion-forward designs for those looking for something unique yet still very much authentically western in feel. Each pair is handcrafted from high-quality leather resulting in truly wearable art pieces that will last you through adventures everywhere from sunrise to sunset!
Corral Boots
Established in 1999, Corral Boots was designed with an international crowd of fashionable boot lovers in mind – exclusive artwork styles combine unparalleled craftsmanship and distinctive styling patterns handcrafted on genuine leathers making these some of the most sought-after boots today!
Tecovas
Tecovas is a direct-to-consumer men’s and women’s cowboy boot line that was founded in 2015 but founded by two men whose families have quite literally been working with leather since 1848 – so they know their stuff when it comes to crafting quality handmade western merchandise at unbeatable prices!
How to Choose the Right Cowboy Boot
When it comes to choosing the right cowboy boot, there is more to consider than style and fit. Manufacturers vary and different materials, construction methods, and styling treatments have a noticeable effect on the fit, wear, and longevity of cowboy boots. Here are some important factors to consider when looking for the perfect pair of western boots:
Leather Construction
Robust leathers like cowhide or bison are usually used in western boots, as they’re extremely versatile for various terrains and natural effects. Premium leathers also offer superior wear characteristics and will look beautiful for years.
Design & Craftsmanship
Highly experienced craftspeople use special techniques such as painstakingly stitching the upper together using a combination of waxed linen thread, cutting down the leather with antique tools to make intricate patterns on the foot, and natural dyes that give an old-world feel. This attention to detail is essential as it ensures that your boots look sharp no matter where you go.
Outsole & Heel
The ruggedness of outdoor activities like horseback riding or ranch work necessitates well-crafted outsoles with good traction in any environment while also having enough suppleness so they don’t crack or tear apart before their time is up. Heels should have good stability with thick rubber insets providing grip while maintaining suppleness in all conditions.
Choosing a Bootmaker
It’s important that you trust your bootmaker to produce quality footwear in a timely manner; knowledge of product offerings is key here when browsing online or visiting stores in person look for repeat customer reviews that detail experiences with social media presence as these can be useful indicators of satisfaction levels from previous clients. Building this relationship will help ensure years of enjoyment from your chosen pair of boots!
Conclusion
Choosing the right cowboy boot is essential, whether you’re using them for work or fashion. After considering all the factors, we recommend that you go with one of the following brands, as they consistently offer good quality and comfort: Ariat International, Corral Boots, Lucchese Classic, Old Gringo, and Tecovas.
No matter which of these brands you choose for your cowboy boots, be assured that you are getting a product that will last for a long time and stand up to rough conditions.