Design 
Quality of Materials 
Craftsmanship 
Fit & Sizing 
Value for Money Tecovas opened for business in 2015 in Austin, Texas, and in less than a decade, their classic styles, durable boots and affordable prices has put them on the map.
In this Tecovas review, I wore The Earl to find out the good, and the bad, of wearing their flagship Roper Boot as a daily driver.
Tecovas The Earl Overview
Maybe you’re looking to get your first pair of western boots but don’t know where to start. Or maybe you have cowboy boots, but are looking to get Roper Boots to diversify your options.
Either way, this review is for you.
In my opinion, Roper Boots are a more comfortable and less intimidating variation of cowboy boots. They feature a shorter profile up the leg and a shorter heel, making this a versatile footwear option.
Tecovas’ The Earl is built with a 10” tall waist, a 1 ⅛” heel, and an almond-ish round toe.
This boot runs the gamut of mens sizes, from 7 to 15, as well as D and EE width options. There is no lead time when ordering.
The Earl can also be customized to come with Goat leather or Calfskin for the upper, with four shades of brown or black to choose from.
For a top-quality but surprisingly affordable pair of roper boots, the Tecovas Earl is my top recommendation. They’ll be comfortable for a long day on your feet as well as in the saddle, and have the look, feel, and durability that makes them a very smart investment.
My Review of Tecovas The Earl
First Impression
When I asked the people at Tecovas which one of their products they would recommend to someone who doesn’t have a lot of experience with cowboy boots, they suggested The Earl in Scotch-colored Goat leather.
My boots arrived in a Tecovas branded brown box. Inside, each boot was individually encased in plastic wrap for protection.
The first thing I noticed was the smell. The boots had a very pleasing, classic leather aroma that filled the room upon opening.
I pulled out the boots and at first pickup, they were much lighter in my hand than I was expecting.
Still, the construction felt solid, particularly around the Goodyear welt encircling three quarters of the boot.
The leather immediately surprised me. It looked beautifully worn-in from the get-go. This was my first experience with Goat leather, and it felt buttery smooth and soft to the touch.
I could already tell this leather upper was going to build up a lot of character quickly.
I slipped on the Roper Boots with the help of the convenient pull straps, and my heel popped into place. My feet felt snug and secure.
It was obvious from the first step that this boot wasn’t going to take much to break-in.
Leather Quality and Care
The goat leather is already exceeding my expectations.
After a few weeks, the supple leather began to loosen up and develop indents, rolls and individual character along the vamp.
Although I was precious with The Earls the first couple of wears, I realized that this Roper Boot’s leather had more rugged durability than I was giving it credit for.
For example, as I was helping my dad move a large heavy grill out of his truck, I had to stop the grill’s metal wheels from rolling down the driveway by shoving my boot behind them as a backstop.
The goat leather was scratched from the stress of the heavy metal, but in the best way possible. There was no serious damage to the material, and after a few brushings and a couple more weeks of wear, the scratch blended into the upper and added to the leather’s personality.
Sole
The Earl features a tan leather sole stamped with the word Tecovas beneath the ball of the foot.
By nature, leather soles have their pros and cons, depending on usage.
These soles are not going to have the sticking power to help you hike up loose gravel or steep inclines, and they won’t have the best grip in slippery, wet conditions.
In my experience, smooth leather soles make for comfortable walking experiences.
I particularly enjoy how the low-profile sole adds a level of sleek sophistication to an otherwise rugged style.
The ¾ Goodyear Welt is also cleanly tucked within a channel in a sole, so it doesn’t come into direct contact with the ground. This creates a layer of protection to prevent wear on the stitching.
The boot is also designed with a stacked leather heel fitted with a rubber heel cap. The rubber heel adds additional slip resistance and support during everyday walking.
Fit and Sizing
The fit of this boot is one of the most impressive parts of The Earl.
From the get-go and still today, there is no slippage in the heel. The Earl’s have always felt very secure on my feet.
Their D-width boot did feel on the narrow side and was very snug around the toe box on the first wear, but the goat leather loosened up over a week and expanded to give my toes all the room they needed.
Break-in Period
There is not much of any break-in period for The Earls.
Within the first few wears, these boots felt at home on my feet. Even after days when I recorded more than ten-thousand steps on my Apple Fitness app, I never felt the boot was causing pain or stiffness.
As I mentioned before, this is a surprisingly lightweight boot. It doesn’t have a steel shank along the arch, and the leather sole is relatively low-profile, so there isn’t much molding or breaking in necessary on this one.
That spells good news right away, but on the flip-side, I do have concerns about the longevity of the buildout five to ten years down the line.
My Thoughts Overall
What I Like
- These boots are packed full of all the rugged Western style I want, without the bells and whistles. I’m not a big fan of loud, intricate decorations on a boot, so this is right up my alley.
- The Earl is comfortable from the get-go and has fit right in with my weekend outings as well as my daily outfits in the office.
- The goat leather is tough and rugged, yet soft to the touch.
What I Don’t Like
- The buildout utilizes some glue construction and a foam insert, causing some concerns about the boot’s longevity after years of heavy use.
- My wardrobe is full of slim fit and tapered fit pants that don’t fit around the waist of this boot. Make sure you have some classic straight leg jeans on hand if you want to rock this style.
Who is The Earl for?
The Earl not only impressed me, it’s changing the way I dress on a regular basis.
They’re honestly some of the more comfortable boots in my closet, and their understated Western style have garnered more compliments than I was expecting.
You can wear this boot on country roads and city streets. Its versatility makes it a cherished part of my boot collection.
The Verdict
These Tecovas boots are an easy choice.
They look good, feel good, smell good, and walk good.
I also appreciate the fact they are constructed in Leon, Mexico, a region renowned for their expert bootmakers making quality products at affordable prices.
If you are looking for an entry into a new style, or want to replace your daily drivers with an easy to wear slip-on boot, I recommend giving The Earl a shot.
For a top-quality but surprisingly affordable pair of roper boots, the Tecovas Earl is my top recommendation. They’ll be comfortable for a long day on your feet as well as in the saddle, and have the look, feel, and durability that makes them a very smart investment.
