Everything You Need to Know About Tecovas’ Boots

Tecovas has only been around since 2014, but the brand’s become must-know. Here’s why.

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Once you spot them, they’re nearly impossible to miss. We’re talking about Western boots, a surging footwear trend (and simultaneous staple) among guys everywhere. Perhaps you’ve noticed cowboy boots at hip coffee shops or on city streets, not to mention their intended place of use: the Western United States.

Western boots are now an industry worth billions globally, if you can believe it, and your favorite retailers have probably embraced the trend with Western shirting, accessories and, although more rare, hard-working Western boots. If you want to dip your toes into the style, we’re big fans of brands that literally walk the walk: Tecovas is a standout source for all things Western. Saddle up and take the ride with us.

About Tecovas

Others have likened the brand to consumer product start-ups like Warby Parker and Allbirds.

Tecovas is young as far as Western boot brands go. (Brands like Lucchese and Rio of Mercedes are much older.) It was founded in 2014 by boot lover Paul Hedrick. Texas-born Hedrick brought his love of boots to his Connecticut private-equity gig years ago, rocking the sturdy footwear in place of commonplace penny loafers. His “eureka” moment came when he looked down at his feet during a meeting one day, the story goes.

Tecovas launched not long thereafter, and now counts 20 retail stores from Arizona to Virginia, each stocked with Western boots made from exotic and non-exotic leathers, shirts, accessories and outerwear. The business has expanded by approaching consumers directly, cutting out middlemen and the associated shipping and production costs. You’ll see a “traditional retail” price alongside every Tecovas price, proving you’re getting a hell of a boot for a bargain.

Why We Like Them

They’re a young company that centers the modern cowboy boot wearer.

Tecovas checks the right boxes as far as quality footwear is concerned, let alone Western boots. As it should be with the other boots in your collection, handmade craftsmanship is paramount. Master crafters in footwear hubs like Leon, Mexico (plus Texas) fashion each of Tecovas pair using 200-plus steps.

Tecovas also offers remarkable leather variety, as you might expect from a brand built on boots. (Hedrick used to favor Ostrich leather boots himself.) Traditionalists looking for the real thing will love Tecovas, too: These styles, from side-zip boots to ranch-ready roper boots, are built with authenticity in mind.

And in terms of construction, they’re built to last (at the right price): They feature a resoleable Goodyear welt for a sturdy finish and premium quality. And it gets better: Tecovas boots start at $235, while similar pairs from other brands can regularly top $400.

It’s an ethos – proper quality at the right price, with accessibility in mind – that the brand believes in to its core, said Tecovas founder Paul Hendrick.

“I’m not here to save money,” Hedrick told Gear Patrol in our Tecovas Boots review. “I’m here to build good boots.” Tecovas is also all about putting in the hours to find a better way to build boots, another centerpiece of the brand upon its founding in 2014. “Let’s find the hard way,” Hedrick said of working to craft a better-quality pair of boots.

At every level, Tecovas delivers: Newbies to the world of cowboy boots will find traditional square-toe designs, while style aficionados can blend the worlds of “downtown cool” and Western workwear through understated zip boots. They even make a pair of uniquely sturdy Chelsea boots. Work boots, or rather, cowboy boots with a hybrid work boot edge, are also a Tecovas staple.Whether you’re just getting started on your journey into the world of cowboy boots or have saddled up for a long time now, you’ll find something for your wardrobe at Tecovas.

How to Pick the Right Pair

Take note of the differences in heel, shaft, sole and toe between pairs.

In short, look for boots that fit best with your lifestyle and how you see yourself wearing them (probably more casually, with jeans, chinos or canvas work pants, yet plenty of Tecovas styles skew dressy and sleek). With their Western boots of all sorts, the leather will be durable and tough yet supple, made to break in over time.

A sturdy heel and sole design goes a long way towards the longevity of your boots. Tecovas uses ¾ Goodyear welt construction and various stacked heel designs. Take a close look, too, at the variety offered. You’ll find wedge roper boots, studded ostrich boots and a plain-toe Chelsea boot, for instance.

All of these boots have different shaft heights for more or less coverage. Your typical Tecovas cowboy boots will feature a 12-inch shaft height, plus different heel designs. Cowboy boot heels use an angled design, and they vary in height by decimal points.


It’s hard to beat the classics, and “classic” is an apt phrase for the Cartwright Cowboy Boots. The build includes an angled heel, like cowboy boots of days gone by, and we’re big fans of the rich Bourbon Calfskin leather. They’re finished off with toe stitching that’s a trademark of most cowboy boot brands. If you’re looking for a starter pair of Western boots, make it these.

Material: Calfskin
Colors: 4
Shaft: 12 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.5 inches

Roper boots first served a practical use out West in the 1950s, and they’re just as sturdy a footwear choice today. The heel is shorter than a pair of cowboy boots, and roper boots also forgo the toe stitching. They’re practical, tough and made with soft calfskin leather that gets better with age. They’re fit for riding on horseback or grabbing a cold Shiner Bock.

Material: Goat, calfskin and bovine
Colors: 5
Shaft: 10 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.125 inches

Look, it’s the cowboy boots look you’ve been eyeing, but weather-proofed in a distinctly modern way. Tecovas amps up its cowboy silhouette with water-resistant bovine leather and then stacks it all on a Vibram rubber outsole — not unlike your favorite hiking boots. The treatment makes these boots even more ready for work in the garage or at a cabin getaway.

Material: Bovine
Colors: 2
Shaft: 12 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.5 inches

Want to step into Western boots that have slightly less flair than cowboy boots? These more understated zip boots, with a lower shaft height (8 inches versus 12 inches) could be just what you need. The shaft is also cut more slim, making for a better pairing with slim jeans, and the side zip helps you step into and out of these handsome boots with ease.

Material: Goat, calfskin and bovine
Colors: 5
Shaft: 8 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.25 inches

The cowboy boot gets the traditional workwear treatment here, blending a characteristic 12-inch shaft height with your pick of two oiled leathers for weather-ready performance. A sturdy Vibram rubber outsole provides grip in slippery situations, while removable insoles offer another measure of shock-absorbing comfort.

Material: Bison
Colors: 2
Shaft: 12 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.75 inches

What’s the first thing you notice about cowboy boots? It’s probably the ornate toe stitching, plus the authoritative toe shape itself, right? These broad square toe boots nod to old-school cowboy boots in the best way possible, with a dressier look thanks to the taller stacked heel. All you need now is an ornate Western shirt.

Material: Bovine, goat, bison
Colors: 5
Shaft: 12 inches
Toe: Broad square
Heel: 1.5 inches

The Stockton is another answer from Tecovas to the question, “What the heck am I going to wear in this weather?” Made for winter slush and spring rain, the durable Stockton Boots are designed for work, made with oiled leather and built on a hard-working, non-slip Vibram rubber outsole. The Clay Bovine leather adds some style points, though.

Material: Oiled Bovine, bison
Colors: 2
Shaft: 10 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.5 inches

Perhaps you already own a pair of black plain-toe boots, but why not consider incorporating some sleek edge with a pair of cowboy boots? Better still, these water-resistant bovine leather roper boots (with a 10-inch shaft height) boast a thinly treaded Vibram rubber outsole for traction on slick city streets.

Material: Bovine
Colors: 2
Shaft: 10 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.125 inches

If you’re new to cowboy boots, why not have a bit of fun with the style? Choose from leather options like rich hickory bison or even sand shark with these two-tone boots, featuring two pull-on openings and a taller shaft (13 ½ inches). If you do want to go off-trail, these are perfect for horseback riding.

Material: Bison
Colors: 2
Shaft: 13.5 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 2 inches

Roper boots are plenty capable when it comes to handling wear and tear, but if it’s possible to improve upon a style, Tecovas does it. So, the roper style is finished off with a dependable Vibram wedge outsole, another design touch shared with, say, your moc toe leather boots. Full-grain wheat bovine leather offers long-term toughness, too.

Material: Bovine
Colors: 3
Shaft: 10 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1 inch Vibram wedge

Chelsea boots are sometimes the domain of brands focused purely on fashion, but Tecovas offers up a pair to compete with the best of them. Ideal for dressy situations, they feature a 6-inch shaft height and slimmer profile, plus a supple leather exterior. They’re even dressy enough to wear with a navy wool suit. (Trust me, I’ve done it.)

Material: Calfskin
Colors: 2
Shaft: 6 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.25 inches

Suede can be a tricky proposition when used for a pair of boots. It’s prone to showing signs of weather and water, after all. Tecovas took aim at that conundrum by using water-resistant suede for this timeless cowboy boot silhouette. If you feel so inclined, you could wear these with black jeans and a chambray shirt for a night out.

Material: Water-Resistant suede
Colors: 2
Shaft: 12 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.5 inches

Like a Chelsea boot, a suede zip boot has more in common with modern rock stars than the Wild West. And yet, Tecovas stands proudly at the ready with a handsomely appointed pair of rich, water-resistant suede boots, complete with an easy-access side zip and a surprisingly refined profile.

Material: Water-Resistant suede
Colors: 2
Shaft: 8 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.25 inches

If you really want to make a splash when wearing Western boots, Ostrich leather is surely one way to do it. This exotic “full-quill ostrich leather” yields a higher price tag, naturally, with plenty of distinct style points to boot (pun intended). The roper style features a 10-inch shaft height and a straight heel.

Material: Full-quill ostrich
Colors: 3
Shaft: 10 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.125 inches

Since the roper style is designed to get work done, it might not make sense to craft it from a sharp granite suede. But when that suede is water-resistant, it makes a lot more sense. Note the subtle white contrast stitching and that unique shade of suede for day-to-night wearability, in the field or back in town.

Material: Water-resistant suede
Colors: 2
Shaft: 10 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.125 inches

Spin the wheel, so to speak, if you want flashy yet incredibly well-crafted boots, and you just might land on this eye-catching pair from Tecovas. They’re another take on visually striking ostrich leather, available in a beautiful shade of Mahogany. They stand out from the Duke Ostrich Boots thanks to the hand-corded calfskin shaft.

Material: Full-quill ostrich
Colors: 3
Shaft: 12 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.5 inches

Blend the slimmer profile of the brand’s zip-up boots with the bold design of ostrich leather, and the result is these. The height is more low-profile than the brand’s cowboy boots, but these should still stand out nicely beneath blue jeans (Tecovas makes those, too) and a crisp white tee to let the boots do the talking.

Material: Ostrich
Colors: 2
Shaft: 8 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.25inches

The beauty of buying boots from Tecovas lies in the fact that they can blend so many disparate parts together to create one incredible pair of boots. Take the Emmitt Boots: They feature a broad square toe design, a hand-corded 12-inch shaft (like other cowboy boots), and stunning ostrich leather. Put it all together, and they’re worth the nearly $500 price tag.

Material: Full-quill ostrich
Colors: 2
Shaft: 12 inches
Toe: Broad square
Heel: 1.5 inches

If you thought it couldn’t get more exotic than ostrich leather, think again. The hide of the Asian Water Monitor is what goes into these luxurious roper boots, the kind made more for visually interesting formal wear than getting down and dirty. The Midnight shade (with a calfskin shaft) could become your go-to pair of black leather dress boots.

Material: Lizard
Colors: 2
Shaft: 10 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.125 inches

Cowboy boots turn into so much more than standard leather boots in the skilled hands of Tecovas craftspeople. Take the use of Bourbon Lizard leather in the Nolan Boots, merging the reliability of the 12-inch cowboy boot with a leather you’re not apt to find anywhere else.

Material: Lizard
Colors: 2
Shaft: 12 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.5 inches

Caiman leather, from a reptile in the alligator family, is quite the way to shake up the traditional roper boot. This intricately patterned, textured leather offers a stark contrast to the smooth calfskin shaft design. And yet, like any other trusted pair of boots you own, they’re built on a Goodyear welt for maximum durability. Classic boot construction meets insanely cool leather.

Material: Caiman belly
Colors: 3
Shaft: 10 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.125 inches

Wearing cowboy boots is already a bold, yet on-trend style move, so why not go all-in by stepping into an exotic leather pair? The hand-corded calfskin shaft is intriguing enough in its own right, but the rich Pecan Caiman leather bottom sweetens the deal.

Material: Caiman belly
Colors: 3
Shaft: 12 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.5 inches

Alligator leather cowboy boots might sound like a luxury splurge rather than a pair of boots you can actually buy, but that’s just the Tecovas way. Named for the brand’s home base of Austin, Texas, these are billed as the brand’s flagship cowboy boots when it comes to exotic leather. You’ll make quite the entrance at your favorite watering hole.

Material: American alligator
Colors: 2
Shaft: 12 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.5 inches

The characteristics of the roper boot you know and love, from the slightly shorter shaft height to the cleanly designed round toe and stacked heel, are all present. The difference, of course, is otherworldly American Alligator leather, especially in surprisingly elegant Midnight. When you want to switch things up from your stale black dress shoes, step into this pair.

Material: American alligator
Colors: 2
Shaft: 10 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.125 inches

Tecovas keeps finding ways to outdo itself as far as cowboy boots are concerned. The Marshall Boots looks like a collection-worthy artifact, and they’re priced accordingly. As such, Tecovas calls them “the finest boot we’ve ever made,” and I can’t help but agree.

Material: Nile crocodile
Colors: 1
Shaft: 12 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.5 inches

If you’re not quite ready to take the plunge into a pair of boots built from toe-to-top with Nile Crocodile leather, consider the slightly toned down yet no less stylish Cooper Boots. They blend Black Cherry calfskin with limited-edition crocodile leather for a style that exudes a blend of edgy-meets-Western cool. The more you wear them, the more the finely crafted leather will age.

Material: Nile crocodile
Colors: 1
Shaft: 12 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.5 inches

Cowboy boots are boots of action, worn throughout the decades by ranchers, riders and ropers. They’re made to be put through the ringer, and the Cody Boots harness that sentiment with a textured, worn-in look right out of the box (at least with the Chocolate Bison option).

They’re crafted from water-resistant leather and boast a Vibram outsole for added traction out in the field or back at the ranch, and the two-tone design is a stylish, rugged touch.

Material: Bison, sandstone roughout leather
Colors: 2
Shaft: 13.5 inches
Toe: Square
Heel: 2 inches

Cowboy boots, like we said, are boots of action, but the great thing about Tecovas is the way the brand throws in unexpected bells and whistles. Take the addition of a sleek side zip design to this cowboy boot, which also boasts a shorter 8-inch shaft.

The entire profile is more streamlined and dressier than other Tecovas boots, yet these can also take a few punches. Seams are weatherproofed, each of the bovine or roughout options are water-resistant, and the entire boot is outfitted with a grippy Vibram outsole, too.

Material: Bovine, roughout leather
Colors: 2
Shaft: 8 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.25 inches

Country rocker Thomas Rhett has long been a fan of Tecovas, and he recently turned that fandom into a full-on boot and apparel collection with one of his favorite brands. Rhett and Tecovas drew inspiration for this particular pair from Rhett’s father-in-law, Steve Gregory, himself a former roughneck that knows a thing or two about cowboy boots. These blend surprisingly elegant contrast stitching with handsome suede and a classic cowboy boot shaft height.

Material: Suede
Colors: 1
Shaft: 12 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.5 inches

The partnership between Tecovas and Thomas Rhett didn’t exactly yield all that many pairs of standard cowboy boots (not that Tecovas makes boring cowboy boots to begin with). Take this pair of exotic lizard cowboy boots, which Rhett and Tecovas dreamed up in a nod to his stepfather (another Rhett family member who loves a fine pair of Western boots). The Cutter toe is another Tecovas signature that gives these boots a touch of dressy flair.

Material: Lizard
Colors: 1
Shaft: 12 inches
Toe: Cutter
Heel: 1.5 inches

Thomas Rhett himself calls the Akins his personal favorite of the entire offering, and it’s hard not to appreciate such a memorable pair of cowboy boots. Full-quill ostrich leather provides an exotic look and feel, complemented nicely by a goat leather shaft that should develop a handsome patina with frequent wear. Unlike other Tecovas boots, this pair features a full sole Goodyear welt (other Tecovas boots feature a ¾”-length Goodyear welt). To hear Tecovas tell it, quantities are limited, so this boot very well might sell out.

Material: Full-quill ostrich
Colors: 1
Shaft: 10 inches
Toe: Cutter
Heel: 1.125 inches

Things tend to come full-circle for Tecovas – this boot blends a number of recognizable design elements from the bootmaker, from the side-zip to the use of exotic leather. Unsurprisingly, it all makes for a heck of a nice boot. The Rhett (no relation to Thomas) was the company’s first short-run zip boot, and it now joins the permanent lineup. It’s not hard to see why: The boot features instantly eye-catching Black Cherry leather designed to fade away and reveal more of the croc leather texture over time.

Material: Nile crocodile
Colors: 1
Shaft: 8 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.25 inches

Ostrich leather is one of the more distinctive options on the market, especially the smooth variety that gives the Wade its rugged-meets-refined attitude. Taken together with the goat leather shaft, it’s a two-tone match made in heaven, the kind that would stand out subtly but stylishly beneath a pair of dark blue Tecovas jeans (and yes, Tecovas does jeans now). A touch of ornate stitching on the shaft finishes these boots off nicely.

Material: Russet ostrich
Colors: 1
Shaft: 10 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.125 inches

If you’re searching for ostrich leather boots with a bit of edgy attitude, the Weston Boots are a solid change of pace from other Tecovas ostrich boots. The difference lies in the shaft here, which gets an intricate update via contrast stitching. The shaft is also taller than, say, the Wade ostrich boot, so it offers more coverage and durability. And the fact that no two pairs of smooth ostrich boots are exactly alike is just icing on the cake in terms of unique personal style.

Material: Smooth ostrich
Colors: 1
Shaft: 12 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.5 inches

Tecovas never seems to settle when it comes to ever-more intriguing leather selections, like the use of python leather for this limited-edition boot. It’s the second time Tecovas has sold the Brady, and the first release sold out quickly. The dark tan python leather matches up well with a contrasting shaft, while the round toe is a nod to throwback cowboy boots (not to mention a staple in the Tecovas line).

Material: Python
Colors: 1
Shaft: 12 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.5 inches

Remember what we said about Tecovas constantly raising the bar in terms of using innovative leather and precise craftsmanship? That approach certainly holds true with the Quintin, which uses none other than sharkskin to develop some of the most visually appealing boots in the entire Tecovas line. The blue bovine shaft plays well with the tan, textured shark leather, and the overall effect is instantly memorable and practically one-of-a-kind in the world of cowboy boots.

Material: Shark
Colors: 1
Shaft: 12 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.5 inches

Variety is the name of the game at Tecovas, as the brand now delves into the footwear market beyond just covetable Western boots. These boots are both a hard-wearing Chelse boot and a wedge-sole work boot, a first for Tecovas. They can be scooped up in either a richly crafted Cognac Bovine leather or a hard-wearing roughout option. Design features like a shock-absorbing dual footbed make them truly job site-ready, day after day.

Material: Bovine, roughout
Colors: 2
Shaft: 6 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1-inch Vibram

You might say that if you’re going to wear cowboy boots, you might as well turn the volume up to 11 and have a little fun with it, right? That’s the idea behind the Hank, with plenty of character built right in thanks to the use of exotic Varanus salvator lizard leather. The hand-corded bovine shaft offers classic Western contrast to the textured lizard leather, and the entire combination rests nicely above a clean snip toe.

Material: Lizard
Colors: 1
Shaft: 12 inches
Toe: Snip
Heel: 1.5 inches

The Nick steps into the Tecovas line with authority, from the sharp side-zip design to the blend of both exotic lizard leather and a stylish bovine shaft. Tecovas says these boots have a “hybrid feel,” and that’s not too far off the mark: The lizard leather is an edgy, rock n’roll-esque touch, but the round toe is a tried-and-true cowboy boot feature.

Material: Lizard
Colors: 1
Shaft: 8 inches
Toe: Round
Heel: 1.25 inches

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