Best Cowboy Boots with Zippers on the Side & Why You Need Them

When I tried zipper cowboy boots for the first time, I wasn’t sure what set them apart from regular boots. However, after putting them on a few times, I noticed several things that I loved about them. So I decided to share my thoughts on these boots and pick a few favorites for both men and women.

The best cowboy boots with zippers on the side are Soto Ropers H4003. They are comfortable, easy to get on and off, and have the look and feel of traditional cowboy boots. Cowboy boots with zippers ensure a comfortable and consistent fit.

If you’ve been wearing pull-on or lace-up boots your whole cowboy life, it is worth trying your feet in zippered ones just for their ease of use. However, zippers can serve many other purposes that pull-on and laces simply can’t.

Why buy cowboy boots with zippers?

First and foremost, zippers make it easy to get your boots on and off. But before we dive into all the benefits, let’s look at the fundamentals and history of zippers.

The unique thing about zippers is that they make taking the boots on and off effortless, and people with high insteps or wide feet significantly benefit from zippers.

A zipper is used to fully or partially open or close parts of clothing, bags, or boots by merely pulling it. The zipper, or the “clasp locker,” as it was first called, came to be in 1891.

It’s said that the Chicago inventor who came up with the idea of zippers made them for his friend who had a stiff back and couldn’t comfortably tie his laces. They’re still helpful for these problems today.

The modern and practically successful version of the zipper was invented in 1913 by Swedish engineer Gideon Sundback.

However, the fashion industry wasn’t easily convinced to manufacture something so mechanical, so it took over 20 years after its creation for the zipper to become fashionable.

Below, I’ve put together some practical benefits I noticed when wearing cowboy boots with zippers.

Cowboy boots with zippers save time.

Zippers make putting on and pulling off your boots much faster. When you walk around in boots daily, tying and untying them can seem like a chore.

I often wear boots to the gym, and taking off and putting on boots without zippers is time-consuming. They’re tough to pull on after a run when my feet are swollen. With zippers, though, all you need is one quick pull, and your boots are all set.

And during other times, when I am wearing zipper boots instead of pull-on ones, I am much more willing to take off or change the boots in situations where I should – like before entering my house or workplace when my boots are muddy.

Cowboy boots with zippers provide a more consistent fit.

When you have pull-on or lace-up boots, you have to be careful not to make them too tight or too loose. Or worse, you try not to make one boot tighter than the other.

That little effort is not necessary with zippers. Once you’ve chosen a pair of zipper cowboy boots that fit you perfectly, all you need to do to make them sit properly on your feet is fasten the zipper.

The zipper makes putting them on regularly much more straightforward, and your boots stay in place and give your feet firm, consistent support throughout your arch.

Are Cowboy Boots with Zippers Comfortable?

Many people avoid zipper cowboy boots because they might not be comfortable. However, cowboy boots with zippers feel just as pleasant on your feet as regular boots, if not more.

Just as with feet, back, or knee pains, if you don’t feel at home in zippered boots, the problem almost certainly lies with the fitting rather than the zippers.

Finding a perfect match for your feet size when shopping for cowboy boots can be very tricky, and wearing the wrong fit on a long-term basis can cause many problems.

For instance, it’s necessary to know how tight your boots should be at the heels. Zipper cowboy boots are generally made of soft leather or flexible materials and are extraordinarily comfortable.

Compared to regular cowboy boots, they don’t cause poor blood flow problems and fit smoothly around your legs, especially for men wearing straight-legged jeans. For people with back problems, putting them on is easy.

Standard cowboy boots are made roomy at the ankles to help your feet get inside easier. However, the downside of this is that you can’t get a perfect fit for your ankles, even with customs.

Zipper cowboy boots don’t have this issue, thanks to their flexible design and a generally higher throat line (i.e., they have less free space at the ankles).

Because they fit your ankles, you can enjoy the better movement of your feet and ankles, plus they look slender, which is unique to zipper boots.

Check out our cowboy boots recommendations for men with big calves and wide feet or women with high insteps.

Best Zip Cowboy Boots

Below are my favorite cowboy boots with zippers. I included an alternative style with a short shaft if you don’t like boot shafts’ standard height.

Soto Men’s Roper Cowboy Boots

Price: Under $150

Customer reviews: 48 customers rated gave these boots a rating of 4.3/5.

My top pick for cowboy boots with side zippers is Soto’s hand-crafted Roper Cowboy Boots. The boots are ideal for both casual and going out on the town.

The Soto ropers look like standard cowboy boots with the comfort and ease of zipper boots. It’s the best of both styles, which is why they’re my favorite zipper boots.

The 11 inches tall shaft has a graceful styling that gives the boot an overall sophisticated rather than a rough look. The tried and trusted Goodyear welt construction technique ensures strong durability.

The boots have cushioned insoles and leather lining to make them feel like they’re part of your feet and keep them snug even when worn for a full day. They also have a smooth sole which makes them ideal for sliding in and out of stirrups but they are a bit slippery for walking, especially over slick surfaces.

Abilene Western Wingtip Zipper Boots

Price: Under $145

Customer reviews: A modest amount of customers rated these 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Abilene’s Western Wingtip Zipper Boots are our second favorite side zip boots. The boots have a small shaft of 6 inches, yet their design perfectly captures the classic cowboy spirit.

They have narrow rounded toes and noticeable heels. The boots are made of pure leather, giving them extra comfort and fitting around your legs and feet properly.

The side zipper makes getting your foot in or out very easy. Their glossy texture and punched wingtip pattern will stand out in formal settings.

However, it doesn’t go well with water since it’s leather. To know more about waterproof boots, take a look at this article.

Enzo Romeo Western Boots Side Zipper

Price: Under $50

Customer reviews: Consumers rated these boots 4 out of 5.

I love these zipper boots for the price; currently, they sell for $35.00 on Amazon, but prices often change, so click the link below to find out the prices today. Like other zipper boots, they are easy to get on and off and are comfortable to wear.

However, they are made entirely of synthetic materials. Enzo Romeo zipper boots come in black or brown and have a pointy toe, short shaft, and decorative strap.

The style would be appropriate footwear to match with jeans or slacks. However, one issue is that the soles leave scuff marks on some floors. These are the best boots with zippers on the market for the price.

Women’s cowboy boots with zippers

Frye’s Inside Zip Tall Western Boots

Price: $110 – $386

Made entirely of leather, Frye’s cowboy boots are my personal favorite for women. I gave these boots as a present to my daughter on Christmas this year, and she loved them.

Their shaft almost reaches the knee, and there is a full zip on the inside of the boots. They are made of pull-up leather, meaning they have a soft feel and vibrant color.

The boots have a Goodyear welt, making them more durable and waterproof.

Customer reviews: Customers rated these 4.1 out of 5 stars. You can check out customer reviews by clicking the link.

I recommend these boots because not only are they comfortable, but they also have a very classic feel. They are available in shades of black and caramel in different sizes.

Frye’s Billy Inside Zip Bootie Western Boots

Price: $94 – $298

These boots’ shaft is only ankle-high, so these will be perfect for you if you like wearing cowboy boots but don’t have big calves or don’t like the feel of leather on your legs.

These boots come in eight colors, from red and pink to cognac and rosemary.

They have a short, practical heel, a comfortable leather sole, and a zipper on the side. If you struggle to find cowboy boots that fit, try these. Their medium width and side zipper make them a perfect fit.

Customer reviews: A decent rating of 4.5 out of 5 by 87 for customer reviews

Now you can make the ultimate fashion statement by wearing Frye’s western-style boots.

Below is a YouTube video about Tony Lama’s cowboy boots with zippers.

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