Last updated: March 13, 2024
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Discover the top cowboy boots of 2023 for style, comfort, and durability. My comprehensive guide highlights the best picks across categories, including everyday wear, work, and fashion.
Leading the pack are Tecovas ‘The Doc,’ Chisos ‘Number 2,’ and Ariat ‘Amos’ for daily use; Ariat Workhogs and Justin Ropers for work; and Lucchese for fashion-forward choices. Other notable brands include Dan Post Boots, Tony Lama, and Rocketbuster.
Originally designed for working cowboys, these boots combine practicality with style, featuring high-quality leather, high heels, and pointed toes, and are often adorned with intricate stitching or metal embellishments. Whether you’re an experienced cowboy boot wearer or exploring this iconic footwear for the first time, our top 10 picks for 2023 offer the perfect blend of form and function.
Today, cowboy boots are worn by people from all walks of life, both cowboy and non-cowboy. Whether you’re looking for a stylish addition to your wardrobe or a functional pair of boots for work or play, cowboy boots are a great option.
If you’re wondering which cowboy boots to try this year, look no further than the ones I provide below. I give a thorough rundown and discuss why they are my favorites. Are you ready? Let`s dive right in.
Tecovas: The Doc
Tecovas “The Doc’s” are the best cowboy boots I own, and you’ll have a hard time finding a better pair of cowboy boots than this. They are comfortable for all-day wear, fashionable with any outfit you put on, and made from high-quality material.
Tecovas’ handmade, high-quality western boots are comfortable out of the box. Founded only in 2015, the brand’s cowboy boots have garnered immense popularity quickly. Although young, their designs stand for tradition and confidence.
To date, it takes Tecovas artisans (located in Leon, Mexico) nearly 200 steps to make a single boot by hand. The steps include selecting the finest leather, hand-laying the cording, and placing lemonwood pegs.
Tecovas has the highest comfort, fit, quality, and style standards. They also sell directly to their customer- no middlemen. (If you want a list of top American-made cowboy boots, please check out this guide).
I own a pair of Tecovas The Doc, and it is hands-down the best, most comfortable pair I have ever worn. The Doc features a broad square toe with signature toe stitching, a robust, double-stitched Goodyear welt, a stacked leather heel with a rubber end cap, and a contrasting stitch pattern along the shaft.
You can choose from materials like bovine, goat, bison, or roughout suede. The genuinely traditional cowboy boot features a broad square shape. You can dress it up or down, and its slight spur ledge is ideal for jeans stacking.
Ariat:- Amos
After buying a pair of Ariat Amos boots, I quickly fell in love with their comfort and versatility. They are beautifully designed and engineered boots that provide unparalleled comfort. I have worn these boots all day on multiple occasions without pain or discomfort, making them perfect for my needs.
Beth Cross, CEO and Founder of Ariat branded the company as the New Breed of the Boot. The Company takes its name from Secretariat, the legendary racehorse and Triple Crown winner of 1973.
Today, Ariat is the world leader in developing footwear using advanced technologies. It even partners with world-class biomechanical research groups and testing labs to continuously improve product durability and performance. They use modern materials that are lighter, cooler, and longer lasting than traditionally used materials.
Many of Ariat’s boots go through 150 steps during construction. The brand is even the official sponsor of Professional Bull Riders.
Chisos– #2
I can’t help but love the comfort, style, and color of my Chisos #2 cowboy boots. The design goes with almost anything – I occasionally wear them to work in a more formal setting and pair them with my favorite jeans for everyday use.
When you put on a pair of Chisos, your feet can feel the difference between them and other brands. These boots are high-quality and made with care; they’re durable and exceptionally comfortable.
Chisos embodies the Texas spirit – pride of craftsmanship, friendship, and service. And to acknowledge its roots, Chisos is named after the enchanting mountains in far West Texas,
Will Stringer, the founder of Chisos, obsessed over the details of boot-making, so much so that he traveled to Mexico to learn the craft himself. Equipped with the knowledge, he developed Chisos heritage leathers and channel-welt veg-tanned insoles.
Stringer’s efforts are evident in the quality of Chisos cowboy boots – With Chisos boots, you are guaranteed unparalleled comfort and durability. The boots are elegant and fit well, and their dedicated customers repeatedly return to the brand.
Check Out: Best Men’s Cowboy Boots Under 200
Lucchese: Classic
The Lucchese cowboy boots in my picture are over 20 years old. They still look good and are just as comfortable as many of the new cowboy boots I own. If you want a fine pair of cowboy boots and are willing to spend on the best, look no further than Lucchese Boots.
Founded in 1883 in San Antonio by an Italian immigrant, Samuel Lucchese, the Lucchese Boot Company has been backed by several years of boot business experience. Samuel Lucchese even built boots for the US Army and Cavalry.
Today, the Lucchese brand is renowned worldwide for its elegant and comfortable boots you can wear all day long. Lucchese cowboy boots are still handmade, and the manufacturers use the finest leather.
You can even choose from exotic leathers like ringtail lizards, anteaters, sawfish, etc. (Lucchese even makes matching belts for cowboy boots). In short, Lucchese is a boot we are willing to bet our boots on!
Also, Check Out Best Cowboy Boots for Guys with Big Calves and Wide Feet
Justin Cowboy Boots: Roper
Justin Ropers are my favorite western riding boots. They are comfortable and functional. The low heel is easy to walk around on and perfectly fits a saddle stirrup. I also like the short shaft, which is ideal for hot weather.
Justin Boots’s story dates back almost 140 years. Founder H.J.Justin started handcrafting western footwear in 1879 and soon created the world’s leading handcrafted footwear brand. They added more intricate stitching, hand tooling, colorful leathers and thread, silver conchos, and unique illustrations to their cowboy boots.
The iconic Roper boot is also a Justin Boots’ creation. The brand has even designed boots for several American presidents and movie stars. Justin Boots is even accredited with the innovative idea of sewing rows of stitching across the boot tops to stiffen the leather so that the boots do not fold and wear down to the ankle.
The brand takes pride in its craftsmanship and uses the finest materials to handcraft its boots. Making a pair of Justin cowboy boots takes about six weeks, and each hand-lasted boot requires nearly 200 steps.
Tony Lama: Black Stallion
Tony Lama’s Black Stallion cowboy boots are perfect to wear at the office. They are comfortable and have nice heels and leather soles. The shaft is 12 inches, and the vamp is easy to keep clean. You won’t go wrong with these cowboy boots.
Tony Lama claims to be the world’s most recognized Western boot brand. The brand came into existence in 1911 in El Paso, Texas, but the founder, Anthony “Tony” Lama, was making boots since the tender age of 11!
By 1933, Tony Lama was producing 40 handmade boots a day. Custom bootmaking became the way of life for the family, and Tony even taught his six children the art of bootmaking. In 1948, Tony’s son Bert Lama presented President Truman with a pair of Kangaroo skin boots. Today, Tony’s legacy lives on, with even his grandchildren playing various roles for the iconic Company.
Each pair of Tony Lama boots is a work of art – meticulously built by hand. To ensure that every pair of Tony Lama cowboy boots is authentic, skilled artisans put in more than 130 steps like hand-cutting and lasting, etc., and to ensure the highest quality, the Lama family members regularly meet with exclusive leather and material vendors.
Dan Post Boots: Milwaukee Round Toe Boots
The Milwaukee round-toe boots are traditional cowboy boots. They have a high shaft that reaches your mid-calf and leather soles, which make it easy to get in and out of a stirrup.
I like these boots but don’t love them, not because there is anything wrong with them, it’s just that I like boots with a lower heel and shorter shaft. With that said, if you’re in the market for traditional cowboy boots, these should be high on your list.
They’re made of high-quality leather, and the craftsmanship is exemplary. Dan Post’s boots will last. The company began in the 1960s and soon became synonymous with “handcrafted cushion comfort.” Their boots are crafted with the most delicate exotic skins and premium leather.
To date, the iconic western boot brand handcrafts each boot with artistry and comfort in mind. Dan Post boots undergo almost 160 steps of the handcrafting process to ensure the highest level of quality. No wonder their boots are synonymous with superior fit, innovative design, and handcrafted cushion comfort.
Frye: Veronica Short Boots
Frye makes various styles of high-quality boots. I particularly like their short-shaft boots, such as the Women’s Billy Inside Zip Bootie and Veronica Short Boot.
Frey Boots has been around since 1863, and while the company has entered partnerships recently, they still stays true to its original values and longstanding history.
John A. Frye opened the doors to the first Frye showroom in Marlboro, MA, in 1863. Soon they adopted the Goodyear Welt construction method that allows boots to be resoled. In 1940, they created the first cowboy boots.
The Rancher – which started the western trend for the brand. Today, the iconic American heritage brand is seen worldwide and regularly featured in GQ, Elle, Sports Illustrated, and Vogue.
Rios of Mercedes: Redwood Mirage
Wouldn’t you just love to hold a cowboy boot made by a craftsman with 20, 30, 40, or even 50 years of experience? You get that when you own a pair of Rios of Mercedes boots.
With over 160 years of experience in bootmaking, Rios of Mercedes is all about the finest leather and exquisite craftsmanship. “No Rios boots leave the workshop unless they are worthy.”
No wonder the brand has been endorsed by performance-horse greats, famous musicians, and everyday horse riders.
Rocketbuster: Custom Boots
Custom boots from Rocketbuster are special. Each pair is handmade to order. They produce high-quality cowboy boots that fit your feet like gloves, but expect to spend big.
“We do it by hand the old-fashioned way” is the motto behind Rocketbuster cowboy boots. All Rocketbuster boots are designed, cut, carved, stitched, and hand-assembled in their El Paso warehouse.
Today, ROCKETBUSTER boots are world-renowned for their design and craftsmanship. The Company still only makes about 400 pairs of boots a year with a 4 to 8 months wait. Their customers are a growing family of celebrities, C.E.O.s, and people who appreciate something handmade and unique and don’t mind waiting for it!
What Are the Most Comfortable Cowboy Boots?
I have personally worn Tecovas The Doc because of their comfort. These wide-toe boots are a blessing for men like me who have broad feet in the toe region. Regular boots tend to cramp our feet and cause pain and intense discomfort. With Tecovas The Doc, I can wear the boots all day long and not experience discomfort.
Many experts also believe Dan Post Boots are exceptionally comfortable because of the in-built cushioning. Ariat cowboy boots are also known for their comfortable footwear. They have comfy cushioned outsoles, and this, combined with the soft leather uppers, square toe design, mid-calf shaft, and advanced technologies, engulfs your feet in soft comfort.
Chisos boots also belong in the list of most comfortable cowboy boots – the brand stands by its motto – DAMN COMFORTABLE COWBOY BOOTS. They feature removable insoles and ready-to-wear ergonomics that make the boots easy on the feet.
What to look for when choosing Cowboy Boots
Cowboy boots come in various styles, including pointy toe, round toe, and square toe. Cowboy boots are also available in various shaft and heel heights, materials, and soles. But the most important things to consider when selecting cowboy boots are comfort and fit.
Cowboy boots should be snug but not too tight and comfortable to wear all day. When selecting cowboy boots, choosing a boot appropriate for the activity you will be participating in is also essential.
For example, if you are riding a horse, you will want to select cowboy boots with an appropriately sized heel so your foot does not slip through the stirrup. If you are working in the barn or doing other chores around the ranch, you want to select durable cowboy boots.
However, if you want a pair of cowboy boots to wear with slack or a suit, you want cowboy boots that are comfortable with a shine. No matter what your needs are, there is a pair of cowboy boots out there that is perfect for you.
What is the Most Popular Brand of Cowboy Boots?
Lucchese, Justin Boots, and Ariat are some of the most popular brands of cowboy boots today. Lucchese’s popularity can be attributed to its use of the highest leather quality and a history dating back to 1883. This luxury brand is also the choice of celebrities.
Justin Boots products are considered one of the most reliable in the market. The brand is even the choice of movie stars, and their cowboy boots are among the longest-lasting in the market. ARIAT brand is popular due to its use of innovative technologies. Ariat offers unparalleled comfort, craftsmanship, durability, and affordability.
If you want to learn more about the best cowboy boots of 2022, view the video on YouTube below.
Conclusion – Best Cowboy Boots
A cowboy’s gear is incomplete without reliable, comfortable cowboy boots. Cowboy boots protect cowboys from rattlesnakes, mesquite thorns, cacti, inclement weather, and saddle chafing and are a means to hold up a pair of working spurs.
There are several top brands of cowboy boots, but the ones we keep returning to are Lucchese, Tecovas, Justin Boots, Ariat, Frye, Tony Lama, and Dan Post. We also love Rocketbuster, Chisos, and Rios of Mercedes. (Don’t forget to let me know your favorite cowboy boot brand in the comments below.)
FAQs – Best Cowboy Boots of 2023
What is the most affordable cowboy boots brand?
Tecovas, Ariat, and Justin are affordable cowboy boot brands that offer quality products. However, cheaper cowboy boot brands like Soda, Roper, and Charles Albert exist.
What brand of cowboy boots lasts the longest?
Justin Boots cowboy boots are known for their durability. However, the longevity of any pair of boots depends on their usage and how much care you put into them. Most quality pairs can last for 3-5 years.
What boots do real working cowboys wear?
Real cowboys primarily wear ropers when working. Popular working cowboy boot brands are Justin’s, ARIATs, and Twisted X.
What kind of boots does Matthew McConaughey wear?
In the November 2016 issues of Esquire, Matthew McConaughey wore Lucchese cowboy boots.
What kind of boots does Kevin Costner wear in Yellowstone?
Since Yellowstone wanted to bring the true essence of the Western lifestyle, they partnered with Justin Boots to bring Yellowstone to life.