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The Best Cowboy Boots for the Ranch or the Road

Whether it’s your first rodeo or you’re a fledgling collector, our guide has the right boot for you.

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By John Zientek, Evan Malachosky, and Beau Hayhoe

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Like many wardrobe staples of Americana, cowboy boots have an iconic style and are rooted in function. Pull them on, wear them hard, use them for years. They look equally at home on the ranch and in the city and they’re built to take a beating. From Lucchese and Tony Lama to Tecovas and Heritage Boot Co., cowboy boots span heritage makers and fresh competition. So stop obsessing over Chelsea boots and embrace a domestic classic: the pull-on cowboy boot.

Products in the Guide

How Should Cowboy Boots Fit?

Breaking in your cowboy boots is a bit like breaking in any other boot, but you’ll know when you’ve found the right fit, says Tecovas District Manager Bob Reiff.

“For the most part, the boots will tell you,” Reiff says. The vamp of the shoe should fit comfortably but close, and the toe box should offer some wiggle room. When first stepping into the boots, you might feel a gap between your heel and the footbed, but the footbed will adjust to your foot over time. Since your feet might swell throughout the day, Reiff recommends a pair of boot socks to aid in compression and all-day comfort.

How to Break in Cowboy Boots

Breaking in cowboy boots functions in much the same manner as any other pair of sturdy leather boots, but with a few key caveats, Reiff noted. It all starts with fit and construction (see: How Should Cowboy Boots Fit?), but material is equally important in the world of cowboy boots.

Crucially, Reiff says that “high-quality leathers and a genuine cork footbed will become your second skin.” Don’t be afraid to really wear your boots either, starting with the first time you take them out of the box, Reiff says.

“As with any leather-soled footwear option, you’ll want to scuff up the bottom of your boots on the pavement a bit before your first wear,” he noted. Like any pair of boots, with cowboy boots, the more you wear them, the better they’ll get – current fashion trends would seem to echo that sentiment.

How to Clean Cowboy Boots

Depending on how down and dirty you get your cowboy boots, they’ll need a good cleaning now and again. Plus, taking care of fine leather is just good form, no matter how old or new your boots might be. The choice sometimes comes down to the customer, our expert says.

“We really appreciate the individual expression a pair of boots provides and value the end-use of each of our customers. For some, nicks and scratches are part of the journey. Others want to retain that mirror finish.”

To give your new favorite cowboy boots a proper cleaning, he recommends using a horsehair brush to knock off any dirt before applying a thin layer of leather conditioner evenly. Look for a quality, wax-based polish to amp up the protection on your boots. For boots made from exotic leathers, Reiff recommends cleaning your boots several times a year to keep the material in tip-top shape.

How to Style Cowboy Boots

Now that you’ve got your new favorite cowboy boots unboxed and ready to go (or refreshed and ready to be rocked again), you’re undoubtedly faced with a crucial question – how should I wear my cowboy boots? The answer is a bit more simple than you might think.

Cowboy boots, typically with a higher, stacked heel and a distinctive profile, are well-suited to pair with cotton denim jeans and rugged complementary pieces in just about any color, be it a henley or a flannel or chambray shirt. You can them with a spectrum of bottoms, too — from boot-cut jeans to slim or slim-straight-cut denim. Cowboy boots, when worn with the right pair of relatively tailored chinos, can even function as a replacement for Chelsea boots in some circumstances (just be sure your pants of choice aren’t too slim – that way, they’ll still fit your boots nicely and create a clean, tailored finish).

It’s a matter of preference, Reiff says, but the best cowboy boots offer the chance for originality. “The right pair of boots will make you feel like you own the room,” he says, whether at a tailgate or a honky-tonk. “They’re as much at home with a beat-up pair of jeans as they are at your wedding.”

Above all else, cowboy boots demand you don’t let the boots “wear you,” as the saying goes. “As long as you’re wearing them confidently, you’re wearing them correctly,” Reiff says.

Pros

  • The price is highly agreeable and the water-resistant suede is a nice design touch

Cons

  • Despite being water-resistant, suede can still prove difficult to clean and care for over the years

Direct-to-consumer brand Tecovas has been on the radar of many a cowboy boot fan thanks to its balance of quality details and affordable prices. Its Johnny boot comes with a water-resistant suede, a leather stacked heel, and 3/4 Goodyear welt construction.

Pros

  • These boots are heritage-quality, extremely well-built by a trusted bootmaker and certainly made to last

Cons

  • The price point on these cowboy boots is high if you’re buying them for the first time

Lucchese multi-generational boot tradition is revered the world over and its roper-style Tanner Boot is a standout. Featuring a premium goat leather upper that’s full of patina and character off the bat, the Tanner is a shorter cowboy boot that’s built in Texas using a resolable welted construction.

Pros

  • These boots are an affordable entry point if you’re looking to try out cowboy boots for the first time

Cons

  • They come from a brand that doesn’t have an extensive history of making cowboy boots

Rhodes isn’t revered for its Cowboy Boots. But, the young brand’s Roper Boot is a solid entry to category — at a halfway decent price. (You won’t find many cowboy boots below $200.) These are made in Léon, Mexico from waxed cowhide uppers, a resoleable leather outsole, and pigskin liners.

Pros

  • The washed cowhide leather is luxurious and well-crafted

Cons

  • The leather might not stand up to harsh conditions over time, and the unlined heel offers less stability and support

The Overland brand, known for its luxurious yet surprisingly rugged leather outerwear – often adorned with super-warm shearling – has done quite the number when it comes to making a run for the rest of your wardrobe. Witness these attractive cowboy boots, done up in rich suede cowhide leather in a wear-with-anything shade of dark brown. These hand-lasted boots feature a Western snip toe and a shaft that’s slightly shorter than other classic cowboy boot options, plus an unlined heel for easy-on, easy-off access.

Pros

  • Channel welt will stand up better over time

Cons

  • Not made in the US

Made in Guanajuato but based in Texas, Chisos (named after mountains in West Texas) makes its boots using fine leather and roughout leather uppers and durable leather outsoles, which are meant to last between 12 and 18 months. They’ll need replaced after that, but the Channel Welt, which is where the welt is stitched directly to the leather insole.

Pros

  • They’re priced more than fairly for an entry-level pair of cowboy boots

Cons

  • The toe is relatively plain and isn’t as distinctive in terms of style or design

It can be difficult to find a pair of quality cowboy boots under $200, but that’s what Justin Boots offers up here. If you’re in search of classic cowboy boot detailing, like the ornate Western upper, plus a no-nonsense shade of brown leather, the sub-$170 Chet Boots could fit the bill nicely. Plus, they feature orthotic insoles for a smooth ride.

Pros

  • They bridge the gap between workwear boots and Western boots with rugged design

Cons

  • They don’t feature the characteristic stacked heel of cowboy boots

Although Red Wing’s Traction Tred boots are a bit like Engineer ones, these totally pass for Western wear. They have a similar shape, are pull-ons, and will offer all of the same functionality. If you want to dip your toe into the world of cowboy boots without going all-out, these harken back to classic Red Wing work boots, with rich tan leather that gets better with age. Plus, the lug-pattern sole doesn’t pick up mud and should offer some nice comfort, traction and spring in your step.

Pros

  • These boots are impossibly well-built, featuring sturdy leather that gets better over time

Cons

  • The brand notes these boots tend to run a bit large

If ever you’ve tried out one of Filson’s legendary waxed jackets or tough-yet-soft flannel shirts, you know the brand bridges the gap between classic, rugged style and modern performance quite readily. The same can be said of the Roper Boots, which are made with an oiled, thick leather to stand up to grueling conditions. The Vibram sole provides steady traction, too.

Pros

  • These boots, with their eye-catching stitching, are among the most unique and stylish on this list

Cons

  • The Westerner Boots will set you back nearly a grand full-price

Heritage Boot Co. has a vast array of cowboy offerings from the basic entry-level styles to boots with the exotic leather and hand-tooled designs. The Westerner features a luscious black leather for the upper which is then decorated with western stitching. The combination of the riding heel and the chiseled toe make it one of the most covetable boots on this list.

The ornate stitching and striking, arrow and “X” design throughout is a major highlight. You might say these are the rare pair of cowboy boots to deliver a bit of “punk rock” edge, which could make them fitting to pair with black jeans and a black moto jacket for a seriously distinctive look.

Pros

  • The distressed roughout leather is a visually appealing touch that stands apart from other cowboy boots

Cons

  • Pre-distressing might dissuade true cowboys

Rios of Mercedes gets exclusive with this pair produced exclusively for Pinto Ranch and boasting the features to match. Those include handsome, rugged roughout tan leather and raw, unfinished leather boot tops, plus a distressed wide snip toe. The 12-inch shaft height falls in line with other classic cowboy boots, and even the hybrid leather and neoprene sole is distressed on the exterior. These boots once again combine a touch of modern edge with classic cowboy boot specs.

Pros

  • They’re priced remarkably well and come in a wide range of wide and narrow sizes

Cons

  • If you prefer boots that don’t show scuffs or marks readily, the dark brown leather might not be your best bet

Tony Lama’s Bay Apache Boot is made in the US from 100-percent leather. They have a classic look to them afforded by hand-stitching, but modern details like a cushioned insole, rounded toe, and a slim but not tight footbed. The classic hallmarks of cowboy boots are all present, from the heightened 12-inch shaft to a reinforced front vamp and ornate Western stitching.

The deep brown shade of leather is especially appealing, with the potential to break in quite nicely over time (don’t forget the leather conditioner recommended by Tecovas, though).

Pros

  • These boots offer a nice middle ground between cowboy boots and dress boots, and feature water-resistant suede

Cons

  • If you’re searching for cowboy boots with ornate stitching and a higher shaft, these don’t quite fit the bil

Hear us out on this: Just like the Red Wing Traction Boots we recommended earlier, there’s a way to bridge the gap between more commonly found boots and cowboy boots, if that’s what you need in your footwear rotation.

Tecovas serves up just what you need with the handsome Roy Suede Zip Boots – yes, they feature a side zip, more commonly found on dress boots, and the shaft height is certainly shorter at 8 inches, but they still feature a sturdy stacked heel and a profile that calls to mind iconic Tecovas cowboy boots. Plus, the suede is water-resistant, just for good measure.

Pros

  • The Western stitching stands out, no matter how you style these boots, and the lightweight sole is a comfortable performance touch

Cons

  • The full-grain leather upper requires more care and upkeep if you wear them for work-minded pursuits frequently

Ariat’s Ryden Boot is one of the shorter options on this list. It comes with a traditional upper, square toe, and the brand’s proprietary, performance-oriented Bantamweight sole.

Ariat’s roots in the world of Western boots run deep, so count them among brands you can trust. For good measure, the Western stitching on the shaft itself is among the more visually appealing among our picks for the best cowboy boots – think of these like durable, well-made yet fairly priced cowboy boots you could absolutely wear on the ranch if needed. If not, keep them well-oiled to wear around town to grab a cold beer and a nice sidecar of whiskey.

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