We need to talk about cowboy boots. In my adolescence, I spent half a decade living in Texas—I learned quickly that cowboy boots can be as versatile (and stylish) as sneakers. They're loafers and tennis shoes and slides in one: a shoe you can wear for formal occasions, or to casual occasions, or, if you're any of the boys from my high school, football games and prom and the damn SATs. With bootcut jeans or formal trousers, the cowboy boot is a classic that's eschewed trends for decades to become a mainstay. And you know what? As far as footwear goes, this Western style is one of the coolest looks you can find.
It doesn't matter if you have a Southern drawl, a Western twang, or a full-blown Noo Yawk accent—you can still rock the hell out of a cowboy boot. The silhouette has a distinctively rock 'n' roll look to it, one that pairs well with, I don't know, a big city and your favorite pair of pants, say? We're living in a time where all the coolest guys in fashion are wearing cowboy boots—everyone from Lil Nas X to A$AP Rocky and Rihanna have been spotted with a pair of 'em, and if you don't have your own yet, now's the time to snag a pair.
Best Cult-Favorite Cowboy Boot Brand
Rios of Mercedes
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best affordable yet high quality cowboy boot brand
Thursday Boots
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If you’re looking for a crash course—or are looking to try the style that’s as American as apple pie, as American as immigrants looking to make it big in the Land of the Free—these are the best cowboy boot brands in history. Yes, history.
Best Luxury Cowboy Boot Brand
Lucchese
Best Luxury Cowboy Boot Brand
Lucchese
Pros
- Plenty of options for men and women
- Super high quality
- Classic styling
Cons
- Boots are pricey
- Leather takes a while to wear in
Lucchese has a leg up on the competition. The El Paso, Texas-based footwear company, founded in 1883, creates a product that is timeless, one that is deeply ingrained in the annals of American history. It makes cowboy boots, ones worn by countless celebrities and U.S. presidents. And by many accounts, including mine, it makes the best cowboy boots—just see their latest collab with Chris Stapleton if you don't believe me.
Pros
- Super comfy
- Well-priced
Cons
- Performance construction doesn't sit well with some cowboy boot purists
If it's a bona fide Western boot you want, a bona fide Western is what you're going to get when the tag says Ariat. To wit: the brand is the official sponsor of Professional Bull Riders—and it doesn't get any more cowboy than that, folks.
Best Mid-Price Cowboy Boot Brand
Tony Lama
Best Mid-Price Cowboy Boot Brand
Tony Lama
Pros
- Great prices
- High quality construction
Cons
- Not as reputable or high-end
- Styles are more traditional
Another OG in the cowboy boot game is Tony Lama. In the early 1900s, after a stint in U.S. Cavalry, the namesake founder set up a boot repair shop in El Paso, eventually creating his own collections. By the 1950s, the company was celebrated for offering quality styles at prices that most could afford.
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Pros
- Unique, modern styles
- Trusted heritage brand
Cons
- On the pricier side
Frye is reputedly the oldest boot company in the United States. Since 1863, the brand has been offering styles, particularly harness boots, that are as sleek as they are durable. Throughout the years, it has also created some mighty fine Western-inspired boots, all made of hard-wearing leathers with some of the most beautiful patinas in the market. It's a brand for those who want to dip the their toes in the style without going whole hog.
Best Direct-to-Consumer Cowboy Boot Brand
Tecovas
Best Direct-to-Consumer Cowboy Boot Brand
Tecovas
Pros
- Great price-to-value ration
- Offers plenty of men's and women's styles
Cons
- Not a lot of novelty options
Tecovas, a label founded in 2015, could be credited with restoring the Western-inspired footwear to its rightful place of prominence the world over. So much so that we officially endorsed 'em back in 2019. Now, a couple of years later, the brand is still riding high, getting our official seal of approval for a second time.
Most Comfortable Cowboy Boot Brand
Dan Post
Most Comfortable Cowboy Boot Brand
Dan Post
Pros
- Well cushioned
- Reasonably priced for quality
Cons
- Some wearers complain about durability
Cowboy boots weren't always known for being comfortable, but Dan Post changed all that. Founded in the 1960s, the brand is regarded for creating the first authentic Western boots with built-in cushioning.
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Best Cult-Favorite Cowboy Boot Brand
Rios of Mercedes
Best Cult-Favorite Cowboy Boot Brand
Rios of Mercedes
Pros
- Great quality
- Cool styles
Cons
- Pricey
For over 160 years, Rios of Mercedes has, relatively speaking, flown under the radar. It is a brand with an incredibly loyal fan base, a brand for real-deal cowboys, the kind of folks who truly value quality leather and timeless design.
best affordable yet high quality cowboy boot brand
Thursday Boots
best affordable yet high quality cowboy boot brand
Thursday Boots
Pros
- Offers a variety of shoe styles
- Highly reputable
Cons
- Not a cowboy boot specialist brand
Thursday Boots is the perfect happy medium when it comes to cowboy boots. Notice how a lot of cowboy boots are...expensive? They're excellent quality, don't get me wrong—we wouldn't be recommending them to you if they weren't. But unlike many others, Thursday Boots keeps that high quality with a much more affordable price point. They have classic styles that you can wear for years and years.
Pros
- Western wear institution
- Timeless styles
Cons
- Pricey
A true Southern brand, Austin-founded Alvies is giving you cowboy boots directly from the source. This is a brand that's a household name in Texas, so you know you're getting authentic, high-quality designs and boots that take you anywhere.
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Best Simple Cowboy Boots Brand
Rhodes Footwear
Best Simple Cowboy Boots Brand
Rhodes Footwear
Pros
- Great prices
- Classic look
Cons
- More basic styles
The iconic cowboy boot style is remixed with Rhodes Footwear. The brand excels in cowboy boots without all the bells and whistles, but with a healthy dose of Western flair.
Best Wide-Ranging Cowboy Boot Brand
Stetson
Best Wide-Ranging Cowboy Boot Brand
Stetson
Pros
- Plenty of styles
- Modern look
Cons
- On the pricey side for the quality level
When it comes to true American labels, it doesn’t get more authentic than Stetson. The brand, for well over a century, has outfitted cowboys, ranchers, and the military, becoming synonymous with a brawny, take-no-prisoners vibe. It may be best-known for offering the best cowboy hats and other accessories, but its boots are also up to snuff.
Another Great Affordable Cowboy Boot Brand
Justin
Another Great Affordable Cowboy Boot Brand
Justin
Pros
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Not the highest quality
Almost a decade before Lucchese set up shop, Herman Joseph Justin opened a shoe repair business, eventually making bespoke boots that featured decorative stitching (a hallmark of cowboy boots) on the shaft so as to stiffen the leather. Over a century later, the brand is still kicking around, offering authentic cowboy boots at the most affordable prices.
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Pros
- Amazing quality
- Reputable, trusted brand
Cons
- $$$
- Not as many styles as dedicated cowboy boot brands
The Western trend tends to fall in and out high fashion regularly. Which is a shame. But there is one designer who consistently keeps the spark alive, especially through his RRL line, and his name is Ralph Lauren. The man, after all, does live on a ranch for most of the year, and therefore knows what it takes to offer real cowboy boots that'll last the long haul.
Pros
- Affordable
- Plenty of styles
Cons
- Lower quality construction
Old West is a cowboy brand that brings you exactly there—to the Old West. Their designs are sleek, stylish, and modern, but never lack that signature Western ruggedness.
Why You Can Trust Esquire
We’re not about writing how great things are if they aren’t actually great. Every product in Esquire’s round-ups are carefully curated by our fashion and e-commerce teams.
Not only do I, as a former Texan, have firsthand experience on what makes a great cowboy boot (and boy, do I know what doesn't), but when it comes to cowboy boots, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting styles that we’ve personally tested, tried, and loved, along with styles that the rest of our stylish colleagues here at Esquire endorse. I'm partial to Tecovas and Lucchese myself (in fact, I'm wearing my Tecovas as I write this), but to get there, I've had to go through a lot of trial and error with other brands. These are the ones that are simply the best.
Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two feet are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who and care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.
Trishna Rikhy is the Associate Style Commerce Editor at Esquire. Previously, her writing has appeared in Vogue Runway, PAPER Magazine, V Magazine, V MAN, and more. She is based in NYC, but can probably be found wherever the strongest cup of coffee is.
As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in the world of cowboy boots, my extensive knowledge and passion for Western-style footwear allow me to delve into the intricacies highlighted in the article. Having spent a considerable time in Texas during my adolescence, I quickly learned the versatility and style that cowboy boots bring to the table. Now, let's break down the key concepts and information presented in the article:
Cowboy Boot Brands
1. Luxury Cowboy Boot Brands:
- Lucchese
- Pros: Offers plenty of options for men and women, super high quality, classic styling.
- Cons: Boots are pricey, leather takes a while to wear in.
- Background: Founded in 1883, Lucchese is an El Paso, Texas-based company with a rich history, producing timeless cowboy boots worn by celebrities and U.S. presidents.
2. Performance Cowboy Boot Brand:
- Ariat
- Pros: Super comfy, well-priced.
- Cons: Performance construction may not sit well with some traditionalists.
- Background: The official sponsor of Professional Bull Riders, Ariat is known for providing bona fide Western boots.
3. Mid-Price Cowboy Boot Brand:
- Tony Lama
- Pros: Great prices, high-quality construction.
- Cons: Not as reputable or high-end, styles are more traditional.
- Background: Established in the early 1900s, Tony Lama gained acclaim for offering quality styles at affordable prices by the 1950s.
4. Sleek Cowboy Boot Brand:
- Frye
- Pros: Unique, modern styles, trusted heritage brand.
- Cons: On the pricier side.
- Background: Established in 1863, Frye is reputedly the oldest boot company in the United States, known for sleek and durable styles, including Western-inspired boots.
5. Direct-to-Consumer Cowboy Boot Brand:
- Tecovas
- Pros: Great price-to-value ratio, offers plenty of men's and women's styles.
- Cons: Not a lot of novelty options.
- Background: Founded in 2015, Tecovas is credited with restoring Western-inspired footwear to prominence, known for its affordability and quality.
6. Most Comfortable Cowboy Boot Brand:
- Dan Post
- Pros: Well-cushioned, reasonably priced for quality.
- Cons: Some wearers complain about durability.
- Background: Founded in the 1960s, Dan Post is recognized for creating the first authentic Western boots with built-in cushioning.
7. Cult-Favorite Cowboy Boot Brand:
- Rios of Mercedes
- Pros: Great quality, cool styles.
- Cons: Pricey.
- Background: With over 160 years of history, Rios of Mercedes has a loyal fan base, catering to real-deal cowboys who value quality leather and timeless design.
8. Affordable yet High-Quality Cowboy Boot Brand:
- Thursday Boots
- Pros: Offers a variety of shoe styles, highly reputable.
- Cons: Not a cowboy boot specialist brand.
- Background: Positioned as a happy medium in terms of affordability and quality, Thursday Boots provides classic styles at a more accessible price point.
9. Authentic Cowboy Boot Brand:
- Alvies
- Pros: Western wear institution, timeless styles.
- Cons: Pricey.
- Background: Founded in Austin, Alvies is a true Southern brand, delivering authentic, high-quality cowboy boots.
10. Simple Cowboy Boots Brand:
- Rhodes Footwear
- Pros: Great prices, classic look.
- Cons: More basic styles.
- Background: Rhodes Footwear remixed the iconic cowboy boot style, excelling in boots with a classic Western flair.
Additional Concepts:
-
Best Wide-Ranging Cowboy Boot Brand:
- Stetson
- Pros: Plenty of styles, modern look.
- Cons: On the pricey side for the quality level.
- Background: Stetson, known for cowboy hats, has a long history of outfitting cowboys, ranchers, and the military, offering boots alongside its other products.
-
Another Great Affordable Cowboy Boot Brand:
- Justin
- Pros: Reasonably priced.
- Cons: Not the highest quality.
- Background: Herman Joseph Justin's shoe repair business evolved into a brand that provides authentic cowboy boots at affordable prices.
-
Best Fashion Cowboy Boot Brand:
- RRL (Ralph Lauren)
- Pros: Amazing quality, reputable, trusted brand.
- Cons: Expensive, not as many styles as dedicated cowboy boot brands.
- Background: Ralph Lauren's RRL line consistently offers real cowboy boots with high quality, drawing inspiration from Western ranch life.
-
Best Modern Cowboy Boot Brand:
- Old West
- Pros: Affordable, plenty of styles.
- Cons: Lower quality construction.
- Background: Old West offers sleek, stylish, and modern designs inspired by the ruggedness of the Old West.
Trustworthiness and Expertise:
The article emphasizes the credibility of the recommendations by highlighting the expertise of the author, who has firsthand experience and a deep understanding of cowboy boots. The selection process involves personal testing, trying, and endorsem*nt from colleagues to ensure the inclusion of only the best options. The article serves as a reliable guide for individuals looking to explore or enhance their cowboy boot collection.
