When it comes to a good pair of cowboy boots, it's important to know that there are two types: functional cowboy boots and decorative cowboy boots. Decorative boots, of course, look great when you're out on the town, going to concerts, attending a western-themed wedding, and participating in other events where folks want to look cool. But real cowboys and cowgirls that spend time on horseback moving cows prioritize functional cowboy boots as part of their wardrobe. There are a few key features to look for when shopping for quality cowboy boots. Dan Strausbaugh, the range rider for the West Elks cattle permit in western Colorado, has shared a few features he loves and avoids when getting a new pair of boots, and we wanted to pass them on to you. In fact, he has one anecdote that helps set the stage for his advice.
"Anytime you have to get off the back of a horse in a hurry, it's probably an extreme circumstance. Earlier this summer, I was trailering three cow-calf pairs with a horse that had been hooked in the past," said Dan. When a horse has been "hooked," that means he's been charged by a cow before and he doesn't like squeezing cattle into confined spaces anymore.
"I nearly had the cows corralled, but one cow was starting to get flighty and tried to escape. In my attempt to get her to go into the corral, my horse got frightened and started rearing up. Then, he reared up higher and he lost his footing on the sandy ground. I knew he was going to flip over onto me, so I made the decision to eject from the saddle and kick my feet free from the stirrups." Dan landed on the ground behind his horse and had to roll out of the way to not get crushed.
"Had I been wearing poor-quality boots, I might not have made it off in time," he said.
Whether you ride often, are planning a horseback hunting trip, or just want to look like real cow folk, here's what to look for in a quality cowboy boot.
Real Leather
Gabriela Zalumbide
This is the most important thing to look for when it comes to boot shopping. Synthetic materials just don't belong on good cowboy boots. Boots that are made out of real leather will last longer and be more comfortable to wear on the range. Cowboys need to be ready for all kinds of inclement conditions like rain, sleet, snow, high winds, cold temperatures, hot temperatures, and more. Real leather boots help keep your feet safe when your horse inevitably scratches your legs up against brush and trees, too.
"You can apply snow seal or other quality leather waterproofing products to boots made out of real leather, too," said Dan. Other materials commonly found in cowboy boots include plastic and and faux leather. These materials can't stand up to the elements as well as real leather, so don't be tempted by their low price point or wide availability if you really need a high-quality working boot.
Made in America
Gabriela Zalumbide
American-made cowboy boots are the best you can get. Boots made in the U.S. guarantee quality leather, stitching, and soles, but they can come at a steep price. Boots constructed in other countries like China or India won't last as long as American-made ones. Seams will come apart, leather will wear out, and the soles will fall off before long, usually with less than one season's worth of wear and tear. Shopping for USA-made cowboy boots ensures quality and supports stateside leather shops. Brands like Lucchese and Justin are good examples. If you can't find boots that were made in the U.S., several companies out of Mexico make a great leather cowboy boot, and those made in that country could be considered second in line in terms of quality.
"Countries besides the U.S. and Mexico use low-quality materials and craftsmanship," said Dan, "Countries that work cattle on horseback generally make the best boots. American cowboy traditions are heavily influenced by Mexican vaqueros. They've been doing it longer than we have and therefore make an excellent boot."
Smooth Soles
Gabriela Zalumbide
Cowboy boots come with all sorts of soles, but folks who ride often shop for boots with smooth soles. Although grippy and textured soles that resemble hiking boots or trail runners seem useful when you're not riding, they can be legitimately dangerous when you are riding. Reflecting on that story from earlier, Dan may not have made it out of his saddle in time had he been wearing rubber-soled boots earlier this summer.
Smooth soles allow riders to quickly remove their feet from a saddle's stirrups. When you can't get your feet out quickly and safely, it's easy to get hung up, and you could subsequently wind up getting dragged around by your horse. This is a potentially life-threatening situation that can be avoided with smooth-soled shoes. Instead of getting boots with grippy soles, I just stick a lightweight pair of hiking shoes into my saddlebags when I ride in case I need to swap out shoes for a feet-on-the-ground excursion. This pro-tip can be handy when you're fencing, riding into a hunting spot, doing trail maintenance, or just traveling into a beautiful place where you want to hike around for a bit.
More Than 6 Inches of Upper Boot
Gabriela Zalumbide
Although those short-top cowboy boots are really cute, they're not very functional when it comes to cowboying or horseback riding. Having a tall upper portion of your boot makes it easy to pull your jeans down over it. This is essential when riding through brushy terrain. If the tops of your boots aren't covered, be prepared to have them fill with things like pine needles, twigs, leaves, grass, seeds, and other debris. Having footwear full of pokey things is really uncomfortable, and you can expect to have to empty out your boots often.
Good Overall Fit
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Just like any shoe, you want your cowboy boots to feel good. They should fit your foot well and not pinch your toes or squeeze your feet. You should be able to slip in and out of them easily without having to yank on them a whole bunch. Additionally, I like to wear thicker socks with my cowboy boots, so remember to bring the socks you prefer to wear along with you to the shoe store.
The moment you realize you need functional cowboy boots, keep these tips in mind. Not only will you be more comfortable, but you'll be safer, too. When the shoe fits, you'll know it.
