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Tecovas Stockton Review: Are Tecovas Work Boots Worth It?

William Barton
Expertise:

Boots, Leather, Heritage Fashion, Denim, Workwear

William founded BootSpy in 2020 with a simple mission: test and review popular men’s boots and give a real, honest opinion. Since then, we've welcomed over 5 million readers on our boot reviews and boot care guides. Reach out to him for your own personalized boot recommendation at william@bootspy.com. Or join 50,000+ subscribers on the BootSpy YouTube channel, or send him a message on the BootSpy Instagram. Read full bio.


Last Updated: Nov 22, 2024
9 min read

Tecovas has some great looking cowboy boots, but does that make them qualified to make a work boot? And how do they stack up against other more established work wear brands?

In this Tecovas Stockton review, I’m going to dive into the pros and cons of this boot, plus my experience wearing them so you can decide if they’re right for you.

Review Feature Image/Icon Image Source: Tecovas
Tecovas Stockton
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Bottom line: The Tecovas Stockton is difficult to put on, but besides that, it’s a tough, rugged boot at a fantastic price given the material quality. It’s my favorite western work boot. I just wish it wasn’t so hard to put on and get off.

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Pros:
  • The Vibram rubber sole offers a lot of traction, comfort, and durability
  • Had a high density leather-topped PU insole that adds a lot of comfort (and allows you to add your own custom insole if needed
  • 270-degree Goodyear welt construction and oiled leather means these boots are durable and weather resistant
Cons:
  • Nearly impossible to put on (at least with the Bison leather)
  • Runs small if you choose to use the embedded polyurethane footbed.

Have you ever put in work, just to have it all taken away?

I stained my back deck and a surprise rain storm came in and washed all the stain away. 

I wasn’t looking forward to re-doing the project. Especially because my work boots were a total pain to wear. To ease the pain (both physically and emotionally) I decided I’d get a new work boot. 

After a great experience with Tecovas with their Cartwright cowboy boot, I decided to give a Tecovas work boot a try: the Stockton

After testing this boot out, here’s what I think. 

Tecovas Stockton Overview

Tecovas stockton bison leather

The Tecovas Stockton is the brand’s work-specific roper boot. Tecovas also offers the Bandera, which has more of the traditional cowboy boot styling: a 12” shaft and Cuban heel. 

But the Stockton is a roper style, so it doesn’t have the same decorative stitching on the upper, the shaft is 10” tall, and the heel is flat.

The Stockton comes in four different leather options at the time of writing: two oiled bovine leathers and two bison leathers. These leathers are less aesthetically pleasing than some of Tecovas’ full grain leathers they use on their traditional cowboy boots, but the leather is made for toughness and weather resistance. 

View this post on Instagram

The Stockton is decked out with a leather stacked heel, a Vibram rubber sole, and also has a removable high density polyurethane insole so you also have the option to add your own orthotic.

One thing I like about the Tecovas Stockton compared to the Ariat work boots I’ve tried is that they’re made with a 270-degree Goodyear welt, which is a stronger construction method than the usual cemented construction that Ariat uses. 

Tecovas Stockton

While the Tecovas Stockton is a bit difficult to put on, it’s a tough, rugged boot at a fantastic price, given the material quality. I can easily say It's my favorite western work boot.

Check Price

Things to Consider Before Buying

Tecovas stockton bison shaft details

If you’re torn between the Stockton and the Bandera, I say it depends mainly on the kind of work you’re doing. 

Tecovas Bandera

The Bandera is Tecovas' work-friendly cowboy boot. Rather than the traditional leather sole found on most cowboy boots, the Bandera is loaded with a heavy rubber lug sole that'll give you maximum traction on the job site.

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The Cuban heel of the Bandera is designed for stirrups and also works well if riding a quad or a 4×4 is a major part of your work day. 

But if you’re mainly on your feet and don’t need to do any riding, then the flat heel of the Stockton is a better way to go. 

Tecovas also has the Knox, which is extremely similar in construction and style to the Stockton, but has a wedge sole instead. 

View this post on Instagram

Personally, I think wedge soles are ugly. But they’re also extremely comfortable. I’ve head a lot of guys with bad knee and back problems say that switching to wedge soles helped them. Wedge soles offer complete foot support, so if you don’t have strong arches, they can make a huge difference in your day-to-day comfort.

If you struggle with knee or back pain, I recommend the Knox because of that wedge sole. 

My Hands-On Review

First Impression

author wearing Tecovas stockton work boots

For a work boot, I have to say that the Stockton is still pretty stylish. It’s not nearly as chunky and large as some of the other western work boots I’ve tried in the past. 

The Stockton has a rounded toe, which is a departure from a lot of the square toe boots that are on the market. 

I prefer the rounded toe to the square toe—I find with square toe boots that I end up kicking everything and it’s annoying.

Tecovas stockton profile view

I picked up my Stocktons in Cognac Bison. They arrived lighter than I expected based on the pictures on Tecovas’ site, but I still think the color is great for working conditions

The shaft of the boot is fairly narrow, so you don’t need boot-cut jeans to fit over the shaft here—a simple pair of straight cut jeans (or even slim straight if that’s your best fit) does the trick.

One thing I noticed is that these boots are so difficult to put on. The leather stretches a decent amount in the first several wears, but I had to stretch the shaft by hand to get my feet in these boots the first time. 

Tecovas stockton on white background

It’s not that they fit small—once my foot is in, it’s nice and spacious inside. But it was a major trial getting my feet in. 

The big issue is with how soft and pliable the bison leather is: when my heel goes into the boot, the leather wants to fold under, which makes it really hard to get to the heel counter and push down with my foot. 

I recommend getting a beefy stand-up shoe horn and a boot jack if you’re getting these boots: you’ll save your back. 

Leather Quality and Care

Tecovas stockton bison leather detail

As I said, I picked up the Cognac Bison leather—it’s my first boot with bison leather and I love the texture. 

Bison leather has a much rougher grain with a lot more distinction in it compared to calf or bovine leathers. The hides Tecovas uses seem to be treated and softened, which makes for a fantastically easy break in period

I also like that their bison leather is a bit thicker and as an oil-tanned leather, it really doesn’t need much care.

When caring for this leather, I’m just going to brush it with a horsehair brush, and maybe wipe it down with a wet rag if it gets any mud caked on it. 

Because the bison leather has some subtle knap to it, I don’t think mink oil or any other leather conditioner would be appropriate for it. Perhaps in a year or two, I’ll use a spray conditioner like Saphir, but this leather is packed with its own natural oils and waxes, so they’re resilient as is. 

Saphir Renovateur Suede Conditioning Spray

I love keeping a can of Saphir Medaille Dor Spray on hand to keep my suede boots protected and looking new all season.

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Sole

Tecovas stockton sole detail with grit

The sole is really what makes the Tecovas Stockton special. I’ll start with the insole.

For their work line, Tecovas uses a two-part insole system that allows for a lot of variability. They add a leather topped high density polyurethane insert into each boot, which adds a lot of shock absorption.

You can choose to remove that insole, and that’ll give you a little more room in the boot. You can also add your own custom orthotic if you have special arch support needs. 

Tecovas stockton removable insert for insole

Or you can do what I do, and just take out the insert and wear the boot with the standard insole, which is a high density foam, hard board, leather heel lining, and a cork filler. 

I find this insole to be plenty comfortable and I like having the extra room, so I go without the insert. 

The Stockton is made with a 270-degree Goodyear welt, which is sort of the gold-standard for boots. That’s something I really like about this boot. 

Tecovas stockton sole detail on white background

The outsole is a Vibram rubber sole with a design that reminds me a lot of the Vibram Tigam 700 (aka the v-bar outsole). 

This design is fantastic for mud—you get a lot of contact with the ground, but the channels in the rubber make it so nothing gets “caked” into the sole. 

Overall, there’s a lot of shock absorption in the sole, and the leather stacked heel and 9mm toplift (heel cap), plus the Vibram rubber compound are the best of both worlds in terms of comfort and durability. 

Tecovas Stockton

While the Tecovas Stockton is a bit difficult to put on, it’s a tough, rugged boot at a fantastic price, given the material quality. I can easily say It's my favorite western work boot.

Check Price

Fit and Sizing

Tecovas stockton bison leather grain details

Tecovas sizes their boots similarly to how brands size sneakers and dress shoes. Whatever size you wear most often, you should get that in your new Tecovas boots

I’m a size 10.5 in my running shoes and dress shoes, and I got the 10.5 in the Stockton—they fit perfectly.

I’m a size 10 in my Red Wings, Wolverines, and most other American heritage boots—so note that Tecovas fits smaller than most boot brands—they’re more in line with common US sizing today. 

If you’re considering getting these boots, read my detailed Tecovas sizing guide

The Stockton is available in EE widths, too, so if you have wider feet, you can find the right fit with this boot. 

Break-in Period

Tecovas stockton shaft and jeans

There was no break in period to speak of. Tecovas uses treated hides that are already quite soft and pliable, so the leather was a total breeze to break in. 

I will say that the leather stretches a bit as you wear your boots, so even if they’re a touch snug to begin with, they’ll relax and get more comfortable. 

But the high density foam in the insole and the soft leather combine for a comfortable experience right out of the box. 

What Do Other Reviewers Say?

View this post on Instagram

The Tecovas Stockton is rocking over 2,500 reviews on their site at the time of writing and the reviews are quite similar to my experience. 

Reviewers seem to love the boots, but so many mention how difficult they are to put on, mostly with the first 5-10 wears. It’s mentioned in so many reviews, I think it’s at the point where Tecovas should do something about it. 

My Thoughts Overall

What I Like

  • I love the tough and rugged leather options, plus that they’re oil-tanned so they don’t require much care throughout their lifetime. 

  • They have a removable high density foam insert which gives these boots a lot of customizability depending on what kind of arch support you need. 

  • The Stockton is built with a 270-degree Goodyear welt, which is surprisingly uncommon for western work boots, but the construction makes these weather resistant and I’m not worried about the sole coming unglued.  

What I Don’t Like

  • They’re really hard to put on, especially the first 5-10 wears. 

  • With the PU insert, I think they fit a bit on the small side. 

Who is the Tecovas Stockton for?

If you need a pair of western work boots, and you want something classic looking but tough, the Stockton is the boot for you

The Verdict

Of all the western work boots I’ve tried, the Tecovas Stockton is my favorite. 

Well, once I actually got my foot in the boot, then it became my favorite. 

Yes, it’s extremely difficult to put on for the first 5-10 wears, but I like how simple the boot looks and how much attention to detail Tecovas put into making a rugged work boot.

The bison leather is thick, rugged, and durable, but it’s still soft and flexible so it’s never uncomfortable. 

I’ve had a lot of experience with Vibram outsoles with several different brands, and while Tecovas could’ve done a custom sole, they chose the best of the best. The outsole has a lot of traction in mud and with last a long time. 

Lastly, I like that Tecovas added a removable insert for the insole—a lot of guys need custom orthotics for all-day working conditions, and you have that option here. But even if you just wear the boots as is, they have a lot of shock absorption and arch support. 

Overall, the Tecovas Stockton is a fantastic work boot, but I definitely recommend getting a standing shoe horn and a boot jack along with it. 

Tecovas Stockton

While the Tecovas Stockton is a bit difficult to put on, it’s a tough, rugged boot at a fantastic price, given the material quality. I can easily say It's my favorite western work boot.

Check Price

FAQs

Can you wear Tecovas every day?

Yes, you can wear Tecovas boots every day. If you want your boots to last longer, I recommend alternating between two pairs, and that’s true for any brand. Resting your boots the day after you wear them helps allow the leather to release moisture and will result in a longer life.

Does Tecovas use real leather?

Yes, absolutely. Tecovas boots use several types of real leathers, including calf, cow, goat, bison, ostrich, and even lizard.

Can I wear my Tecovas in the rain?

Yes, you can wear Tecovas boots in the rain. If your cowboy boots have a leather sole, you shouldn’t stay out in the rain for too long as the water can soften the leather sole and then the abrasiveness of the ground can wear away at the leather faster. But with a rubber sole boot there’s no issue.

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