10 years ago, if you told me I’d be rocking a pair of cowboy boots, I’d have called you crazy.
Time changes us all, right?
Now I own many pairs of cowboy boots, and I love everything about them—the stitching along the shaft, the lemonwood pegs, the Goodyear welt. A great pair of western boots is a beautiful thing.
Whether you’re looking for your first pair of western cowboy boots, or if you’re a seasoned ranch-hand looking to add another boot to your collection, you’re going to want to know these brands.
These are the best cowboy boot brands right now.
How Did I Come Up With My List?
I’ve tried a lot of cowboy boots in my day, and there are plenty of brands I left off the list. I own a pair of boots from each of these brands and can personally attest to the quality and overall experience with each.
The only exception is Lucchese. I’m still saving up to get a pair, but I figured they had to be on this list because they’ve been such an iconic brand and even John Wayne wore Lucchese’s. That’s gotta count for something.
But otherwise, I’ve put each of these brands to the test and seen how they age, too. Even if a cowboy boot looks good and feels comfortable right out of the box, it doesn’t mean they’re going to last more than a year. So durability is a big factor for me, too.
What Else Should I Wear with Cowboy Boots?
If you’re getting a pair of the best western boots, then you might some of the extra gear that goes along side them. I also put together some resources for the accoutrement:
- 5 Best Cowboy Boot Socks
- 8 Best Jeans with Cowboy Boots
- How Should Cowboy Boots Fit?
- Can Cowboy Boots be Resoled?
My Recommendations
Best Cowboy Boot Brand Overall: Tecovas
If I could shop with only one cowboy boot brand, it’d be Tecovas. To me, they offer the best value for money in the cowboy boot game.
I have three pairs of boots from them: the Cartwright (my review), the Johnny, and the Stockton.
I love that Tecovas uses traditional boot-making methods like the Goodyear welt, stacked leather heel, leather sole, and driven lemonwood pegs.
I’m a bit torn between the Cartwright and the Johnny—they’re basically the same boot but one is in full grain leather and the other is roughout.
In any case, I think Tecovas offers the best quality for a sub-$300 cowboy boot, so if you’re looking for your first cowboy boot, I’d go with them.
What I Like
Tecovas has a lot of different options, from multiple full grain leathers to roughout leathers—plus you can get leather sole and rubber soled versions depending on what you like.
Great customer service and an easy return policy.
Their boots are traditionally made, simple, and classic looking.
Tons of wide EE sizes available.
What I Don’t Like
Their selection covers the basics really well, but they don’t offer a lot of “one-of-a-kind” boots.
What Other Reviewers Say
There are thousands of reviews to read through if you’re interested in buying a pair of Tecovas. The Cartwright alone has over 10,000 at the time of writing, which average out to over 4.8-stars.
There seem to be a pretty even split of reviewers getting their first cowboy boots with Tecovas and people who’ve been buying cowboy boots their whole life. There’s also an even split between folks who are getting them for dressy occasions (like a wedding) and for everyday wear.
The Verdict
A few years ago, after hours and hours of research, I picked up the Tecovas Cartwright as my first cowboy boot. I got them for a wedding I was going to, and I thought that would be it. But now they’re everyday boots for me.
Tecovas lit a fire for cowboy boots in me, and since trying about 10 other brands, I still think they’re the best value-for-money pick you can get if you’re looking for a high quality, classic pair of cowboy boots.
I recommend the Cartwright if you’re just getting one pair.
Best Value-for-Money (High End) Cowboy Boot Brand: Chisos
Designed in Austin, this boot brand is Texas through and through. With inspiration from Big Bend National Park and a commitment to quality, Chisos is a young brand that's worth following.
Chisos is a relatively new brand, but they’re quickly making a name for themselves in the cowboy boot space.
I still think Tecovas offers the best value-for-money overall, but if your budget is a little higher ($500-$600), then Chisos is the way to go.
Their boots all have removable insoles, so you can add your own inserts if you’d like, but the insoles they use are already comfortable as is.
What I Like
The unique stitching designs on the shaft are some of the coolest I’ve ever seen.
Chisos has a nice mix of styles, from snip toe, almond toe, to squared toe—even with a limited line, you can still find something you’ll love.
The leather outsole is thicker than on most boots, so it’ll last a lot longer than most other leather-soled boots.
What I Don’t Like
There are very few wide sizes available.
What Other Reviewers Say
The one thing I keep reading in nearly every Chisos review is how comfortable their boots are. And it’s true: the padded removable insole is a step up from the leather insole you find in most cowboy boots.
The Verdict
You may never have heard of Chisos boots because they’re relatively new, but if you’re searching for a high end cowboy boot, you should definitely have them on your radar.
Choose one of their more adventurous boots, like the Chisos No.1 or the No.5. While their No.6 Roper is a great boot, I think skipping the intricate shaft stitching design sort of defeats the best thing about Chisos boots: that they look completely different than anything most people have seen. And that unique design is part of why people are drawn to western boots in the first place.
Designed in Austin, this boot brand is Texas through and through. With inspiration from Big Bend National Park and a commitment to quality, Chisos is a young brand that's worth following.
Most Variety for a Cowboy Boot Brand: Ariat
I’ll always have a soft-spot in my heart for Ariat boots—when I was in high school working odd handy-man jobs during the summers, a lot of the guys I worked with wore Ariats.
Ariat has the largest variety of cowboy boots by a good margin. I’d steer toward Ariat more for their work line if you want a cowboy boot you won’t mind getting muddy in.
If you’re into flashier “dress” western boots, you can find a lot with Ariat. Personally, I like the understated designs more, so bright multicolored shaft designs don’t quite do it for me, but I do see the appeal.
One thing about Ariat: they’re boots are incredibly comfortable and usually easy to put on. Sometimes that comes at the expense of longevity, but can absolutely be worth it—especially if your back or knees are sore often from working and having all-day comfort is a must.
What I Like
Ariat has a huge catalog, with many dress cowboy boots, more “flashy” designs, work boots, Chelsea boots—pretty much any kind of western boot you want: Ariat will have something.
Ariat boots use a lot of shock-absorbing materials through the insole, so they’re very comfortable.
They have a decent range of “statement” boots (like the American-flag shaft boot).
What I Don’t Like
Because Ariat relies more on modern bootmaking technologies than traditional methods, their boots don’t have the same longevity and durability as boots made with leather midsoles and Goodyear welts.
What Other Reviewers Say
There are a lot of people who only wear Ariat from head to toe. Reading through their reviews, many people mention comfort, which is important. On the negative side, many folks found that their boots didn’t last much beyond a year or 18 months of regular wear (from their less expensive Ariat boots).
The Verdict
Ariat boots are a cowboy boot staple, and they’re definitely worth checking out when you’re getting your next pair.
Personally, next time I get Ariats, I’m probably going to stick with their work boots. While I like their more standard cowboy boots, I just prefer the simplicity and traditional construction offered by Tecovas and Chisos more.
But for pull on work boots, Ariat’s comfort-first designs and relatively low price are hard to beat.
On select footwear, you can get up to 30% off. I like the Ariat WorkHog for that kind of deal.
Best Exotic Cowboy Boot Brand: Lucchese
Lucchese is the mack-daddy of cowboy boots. They’re John Wayne’s boot of choice. So how can you beat that?
I think Lucchese is still the best brand to shop with when you’re ready to ball-out on an exotic leather boot in the $1,000 range.
Chisos beats out their “low end” line ($500-$600) in terms of style and material quality. And I think if those sort of numbers send a shiver down your spine, then Tecovas is the way.
For example, the Lucchese Charles is a $900 boot made with Caiman leather and it’s the best looking Caiman boot I’ve ever seen. Nobody picks exotic leathers like Lucchese.
So while brands like Tecovas and Chisos are scooping up the “everyday boot” market, Lucchese is still the best brand if you like premium leathers and you’re ready to buy everyone a steak dinner, kick up your feet, and show the world who’s its daddy.
What I Like
Lucchese has long had the best access to exotic leathers for their boots.
They offer a really impressive array of boots, including a lot of size and width options, and many different heel heights and toe types.
What I Don’t Like
The ~$1,000 price range isn’t for everyone.
What Other Reviewers Say
In the years I’ve spent reviewing boots, I’ve found that people who spend north of $700 almost never write bad reviews. The stakes are too high. So you’re mostly only going to find positivity around Lucchese, which is fair because they’re great. But also, John Wayne only wore Lucchese boots, and, like, how do you do better than that?
The Verdict
I know we shouldn’t be chasing status, but if that’s a race you want to immediately win, get a fatty pair of exotic leather Lucchese boots.
The downside is that everyone will expect you to pay the dinner tab from now on. The upside is that the world will implicitly know you ball hard.
Best for Western Style Boots Beyond Cowboy: Frye
Frye is one of the biggest names in the boot-business. And for good reason, too. From western-style boots to classic lace-ups, Frye has a huge selection of stylish boots that are actually built to last.
Ok, so I know this is all about cowboy boot brands, but there are a lot of “western-style” boots that aren’t cowboy boots and I still think they deserve a mention.
I’m talking about engineer boots, Chelsea boots, zip-ups—the kind of stuff that’s not a traditional cowboy boot but would still look good on you.
I like checking out Frye every once in a while to see what sort of boots they carry—I like their Harness 12R a lot and their Campus boot is the only 14” boot I know of that even exists for guys.
What I Like
Frye is made in the USA and they use a Goodyear welted construction method.
The leather they use is solid—very thick, so it’s great if you’re doing a high-impact activity like motorcycle riding.
What I Don’t Like
When I shopped with Frye, I needed to condition the leather right away because my boots arrived pretty dried out.
What Other Reviewers Say
A lot of reviewers get the Harness boots for riding and say they’re some of the best boots they’ve ever had for that application. I’m not a rider myself, so I can’t confirm, but I read that multiple times in different reviews, which has got to count for something.
The Verdict
You already know my top picks if you’re looking for a traditional cowboy boot, but if you’re looking for a cowboy-adjacent boot (I don’t even think that’s a thing), then Frye is the way to go. Specifically, check out their Harness and Campus boots for something that’s like a cowboy boot, but a little more toned down so anyone can rock them.
Frye is one of the biggest names in the boot-business. And for good reason, too. From western-style boots to classic lace-ups, Frye has a huge selection of stylish boots that are actually built to last.
Most Unique Cowboy Boot Brand: Ranch Road
Ranch Road makes some bodacious western boots. If you want a one-of-a-kind modern cowboy boot, Ranch Road is the ticket.
Ranch Road boots is an interesting brand and their cowboy boots are the most unique in my opinion.
They’re made in Spain, which is pretty unusual (almost every other brand on this list beside Frye makes their boots in Mexico), and the result is that you get a less traditional, but slightly more “dressy” version of a cowboy boot.
They have some great designs, but my favorite is the Apache. I love the yellow stitching in the shaft and can practically guarantee that it’ll turn some heads.
What I Like
Ranch Road uses all natural materials through the insole so they’re quite durable over many years.
The rubber heel cap is thick so you won’t need to get a new heel put on within the first few years.
They use all Spanish full grain and suede leathers, which are really nice a buttery smooth.
What I Don’t Like
They have a limited range and limited sizing options—no wide widths.
What Other Reviewers Say
Most reviewers picked Ranch Road for their style, and a few reviewers loved that the heel wasn’t so high on this boot, which can be the reason for minor back pain for other folks.
The Verdict
Ranch Road boots isn’t the first brand I’d look at for cowboy boots because they don’t have many styles available for men, but the few versions they do have are awesome.
I have their engineer boot and absolutely love the rich full grain leather they use. These are cowboy boots with a little more of a European sensibility to them, which is quite interesting and definitely worth checking out.
Ranch Road makes some bodacious western boots. If you want a one-of-a-kind modern cowboy boot, Ranch Road is the ticket.
Best Square Toe Cowboy Boot Brand: Capitan
Capitan boots are good quality and fairly priced. These boots are crafted with a Goodyear welt, butyl-leather sole, lemonwood pegs, and a whole lot of leather in the heel and insole. Personally, I like Tecovas better for a few reasons, but if you love the wide square toe, the quality is fair for the price with Capitan.
Capitan boots have a certain look to them, which while it’s not my favorite, it may be the exact kind of boot you’re looking for.
Capitan boots is an offshoot of the famous Lane boots, which is one of the biggest companies for women’s cowboy boots. Capitan even runs the factory that their boots are made in, so they’re truly direct to consumer.
This brand uses a lot of intentionally distressed leathers, which I’m not a huge fan of. But when I showed a friend of mine my new Capitan’s he basically went weak in the knees over the look. So I gave them to him and they’re his favorite boots.
I understand not everyone has the same sense of style I do, and when it comes to quality, Capitan does a great job.
So if you like the style, you’ll be pleased with the quality.
What I Like
Capitan has a core focus and a core look that really appeals to a certain kind of guy.
You can easily pick up a few because they’re fairly priced.
What I Don’t Like
When I tried Capitan boots, they had some minor visual QC issues, but nothing that was structurally wrong.
What Other Reviewers Say
Capitan boots are a lot of reviewers favorite boots. Some guys absolutely swear by the style and the comfort. They all have a broad square toe, so it’s important that you enjoy that look before you go buying a pair for yourself.
The Verdict
Capitan boots aren’t for everyone. But if you like the broad square toe style and the distressed leather with flashier colors, then Capitan is the ticket.
Capitan boots are good quality and fairly priced. These boots are crafted with a Goodyear welt, butyl-leather sole, lemonwood pegs, and a whole lot of leather in the heel and insole. Personally, I like Tecovas better for a few reasons, but if you love the wide square toe, the quality is fair for the price with Capitan.
11 More American Made Cowboy Boot Brands
So what if you want some cowboy boots that were made in the USA? Well, those are harder to find.
A lot of cowboy boot brands based in the USA are really just a few craftsmen building custom boots. I stand by my picks up above, but if you want a list of USA-made cowboy boot brands, here’s what I’ve gathered:
- Abilene
- Anderson Bean
- Ballard
- Beck Boots
- Frommer
- Double-H Boots
- Espinoza Boots
- Houston Custom Boots
- Little’s Boot Company
- Maidas
- Mercedes Boot Co
- Wheeler Boot Company
There are dozens of other small bootmakers hand crafting western style boots as well, but these are the biggest.
Saddle Up
If you’ve got $200-$300 to spend, get a pair of Tecovas. They’re beautiful, simple, well-crafted, and comfortable. If I could only recommend one cowboy boot brand, it’d be Tecovas.
Made with beautiful full grain leather, this boot is a stunner. And it's built with classic boot-making techniques so it'll last you many, many years.
If you’ve got a little more to spend, like $500-$600, get a pair of Chisos boots. People will notice them and ask where you got them, because they look rich and unique. They’re excellent all the way through.
The boot that started it all. The No. 1 is crafted from Chisos heritage cowhide, they’re super comfortable (great for the dance floor), and they’ll last a long time.
If you have under $200, you’re not going to find anything mind-blowing, but a pair of Ariat’s will get you through.
The Ariat Groundbreaker is our top entry-level work boot recommendation. If you’re on a budget or won’t be using your work boot too often or too seriously, this is your boot.
And even if you’re willing to spend more than that, brands like Frye, Ranch Road, and Lucchese make fantastic boots, but I’m not going to lie and tell you you’re getting a phenomenal deal on these boots (in terms of material and construction quality relative to their price).
Still, sometimes it’s worth spending an extra $100 or so to get the exact style you want—I’ve done that plenty of times myself. And those brands I mentioned above are good go-to’s if you’re struggling to find something that feels like you.
FAQs
How expensive are real cowboy boots?
A good pair of cowboy boots will cost anywhere between $250-$600. Usually for boots beyond $600, you’re paying for a certain type of leather like an exotic, which may be worthwhile depending on your budget.
Is it ok to wear cowboy boots everyday?
Yes, it’s absolutely ok to wear cowboy boots everyday. You may want a “work” pair of cowboy boots and a “dress” pair of cowboy boots so that you’re not going out with shabby boots when it’s date night, though.
What is the toughest cowboy boot leather?
The toughest leather you can get is kangaroo leather. You can find some cowboy boots with kangaroo leather, but it’s less common. Another very tough leather is bison leather, which is much more common in cowboy boots.
