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
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Tecovas The Johnny
Best Overall Cowboy Boot
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Lucchese Tanner Boot
Best Upgrade Cowboy Boot
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Rhodes Roper Boot
Best Affordable Cowboy Boot
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Overland Frank Handcrafted Suede Cowboy Boots
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Chisos No. 5
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Pebble Brown
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Red Wing Traction Tred
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Filson Roper Boots
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Heritage Boot Co. Westerner
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Rios of Mercedes Cowhide Suede Cowboy Boots
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Tony Lama Boots Bay Apache 7902 Boot
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The Roy
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Ariat Ryden Ultra Western Boot
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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.