13 Best Cowboy Boot Brands for Men in 2024
</p><p class=”body-text”> They’re <a href=” target=”_blank”>loafers</a> and <a href=” target=”_blank”>tennis shoes </a>and slides in one: a shoe you can wear for formal occasions or casual occasions. With <a href=” target=”_blank”>bootcut jeans </a>or <a href=” target=”_blank”>formal trousers</a>, the cowboy boot is a classic that’s eschewed trends for decades to become a mainstay. And you know what? As far as footwear goes, this Western style is seriously one of the coolest looks you can find. <br></p><p class=”body-text”>So let me say once and for all, it doesn’t matter if you have a Southern drawl, a Western twang, or a full-blown <em>Noo Yawk </em>accent—you can still wear the hell out of a cowboy boot. We’re living in a time where the style is more abstract than ever—even the coolest folks in fashion, like A$AP Rocky, Rihanna, and Lil Nas X, are wearing them. And if you’re looking for a crash course, these are the 13 best cowboy boot brands in history. Yes, history.</p>”/>
Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links.
Best Direct-to-Consumer Cowboy Boot Brand
Tecovas
Pros
- Great price-to-value ration
- Offers plenty of men’s and women’s styles
Cons
- Not a lot of novelty options
Tecovas, a label founded in 2015, could be credited with restoring Western-inspired footwear to its rightful place of prominence the world over. So much so that we officially endorsed ’em back in 2019. Now, a couple of years later, the brand is still riding high, getting our official seal of approval for a second time.
But don’t just take my word for it, our Associate Style Editor, Trishna Rikhy, has spent her lifetime loving Tecovas: “Tecovas is the only cowboy boot brand I keep going back to—and that’s high praise, coming from a Texan. But why wouldn’t I, when no one is doing it like them in terms of contemporary styles that still feel timeless? These boots are endlessly comfortable and durable, and every time I wear ’em on the streets of NYC, I feel the Austin-based craftsmanship that makes them so damn authentic.”
Best Luxury Cowboy Boot Brand
Lucchese
Lucchese has a leg up on the competition. The El Paso, Texas-based footwear company, founded in 1883, creates a product that is timeless, one that is deeply ingrained in the annals of American history. And by many accounts, including mine, it makes the best damn cowboy boots out there—just see their latest collab with Chris Stapleton if you don’t believe me.
Not to mention, Luke Guillory, Esquire’s Commerce Editor, also happens to be a diehard fan: “The best personal praise I can give Lucchese is that these boots pictured are at least a decade older than I am, and I wear them multiple times a week. I scored these made in San Antonio Lucchese’s for $200 on eBay a few months ago. The San Antonio tag means they were made no later than 1986 since that’s when the company moved to El Paso. (Coincidentally, Chris Stapleton revived this style in his 2023 capsule collection under the name San Antonio.) My other pair is a rockstar-inspired buffalo leather Collins in black with a snip toe, pictured in this article’s lead image. Between the two, I’m in Lucchese more often than anything else. They’re my most comfortable, most reliable footwear. There’s an aura about Lucchese’s that some people think is stuck up. For lack of a better term, it’s the old-money boot of western wear. They’re frequently worn by celebrities and politicians, and in Cormac McCarthy’s No Country for Old Men Lucchese boots are used as a differentiator between have and have not characters. But there’s a reason for that aura. Off the shelf—or custom, if you’re a real diehard—they’re the best boots you can buy.”
Best Modern Cowboy Boots
Parker Boot Company
Pros
- Subtle color variations
- Intricate overlay detailing
Cons
- Pricier than other brands
Stephan Parker may be a Houston boy, but given his path into the world of Western wear, he might as well have been born in Brooklyn. His company, Parker Boots, originally started as a Bespoke brand, but as of 2024, they introduced their first made-to-order program. This line takes the greatest hits of Parker’s career as a boot maker and distills them down into a tightly edited range of boots that don’t require the time (often measured in months) and expense (we’re talking around four grand) of going through the entire bespoke process.
Our Esquire Style Director, Jonathan Evans, gives a rundown of the brand: “The “modern cowboy,” as Parker calls his customer, could be anyone from a businessman to a lawyer to a doctor or even a style blogger. The key is that they appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into a pair of bespoke boots—and like to tell their friends about it.”
Ten Other Cowboy Boot Brands We Like
Best Performance Cowboy Boot Brand
Ariat
Pros
- Super comfy
- Well-priced
Cons
- Performance construction doesn’t sit well with some cowboy boot purists
If it’s a bona fide Western boot you want, a bona fide Western is what you’re going to get when the tag says Ariat. To wit: the brand is the official sponsor of Professional Bull Riders—and it doesn’t get any more cowboy than that, folks. Ariat not only uses advanced technology to make their products, but they also were the first company to integrate athletic footwear properties into their boots, so in other words, all of their products are comfy as hell.
One Ariat customer said: “I’ve always had a hard time finding a narrow boot that fit well enough to wear full time. I’m glad to see that Ariat is making several pairs of boots now that are a B width. This is by far and away the best fitting boot I’ve ever owned. They look great and feel even better on my feet.”
Sleekest Cowboy Boot Brand
Frye
Pros
- Unique, modern styles
- Trusted heritage brand
Cons
- On the pricier side
Frye is reputedly the oldest boot company in the United States. Since 1863, the brand has been offering styles, particularly harness boots, that are as sleek as they are durable. Throughout the years, it has also created some mighty fine Western-inspired boots, all made of hard-wearing leathers (typically crafted from Goodyear) with some of the most beautiful patinas in the market. It’s a brand for those who want to dip their toes in the style without going whole hog.
One Frye customer said: “Frye boots have an amazing fit. If you actually do field work you’ll appreciate when they last longer than 4 weeks, and if you don’t, they’ll still look really good on.”
Best Cult-Favorite Cowboy Boot Brand
Rios of Mercedes
Pros
- Great quality
- Cool styles
Cons
- Pricey
For over 160 years, Rios of Mercedes has, relatively speaking, flown under the radar. It is a brand with an incredibly loyal fan base, a brand for real-deal cowboys, the kind of folks who truly value quality leather and timeless design. Often talked about in the same breath as Lucchese, they still make all of their boots in Texas, so the price point is on the high side. The design, however, is a bit more fashion-forward, when compared to Lucchese’s traditional look.
One Rios of Mercedes customer said: “These boots are amazing, I can’t recommend them enough. They have a worn-in look and feel, so they were comfortable and ready to wear as soon as I took them out of the box. I’ve spent all day walking in these boots, and my feet were spared from any pain or discomfort at the end of the day. Just do yourself a favor and get them.”
Another Great Affordable Cowboy Boot Brand
Justin
Pros
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Not the highest quality
Almost a decade before Lucchese set up shop, Herman Joseph Justin opened a shoe repair business, eventually making bespoke boots that featured decorative stitching (a hallmark of cowboy boots) on the shaft so as to stiffen the leather. Over a century later, the brand is still kicking around, offering authentic cowboy boots at the most affordable prices. But the brand doesn’t just stop there, they also offer other badass western apparel that will serve as the perfect pairing to your new set of kicks.
One Justin customer said: “Although these boots are much more affordable than other options out there, I still found them to be very comparable to the top-rated boot brands that everyone knows and loves. While they run a little taller and a little more narrow, they’re still extremely comfortable and overall a great value.”
best fashion cowboy boot brand
Huckberry x Wythe New York
Pros
- No break-in period required, because the leather is already super soft
- Will last you a lifetime
Cons
- Pricey
- Limited styles
Yes, Huckberry’s collaboration with Wythe New York is a relatively new addition to the long and expansive history of cowboy boots, but it shouldn’t be overlooked. These high-end, limited edition boots are crafted to feel like the pair you’ve had and loved forever, with incredibly soft leather, a classic shape, and craftsmanship straight out of a fourth-generation family workshop in Leon, Mexico.
One Huckbery customer said: “As a long-time fan of cowboy boots, I was thrilled to discover Huckberry’s collaboration with Wythe New York, and these boots have exceeded all expectations. These high-end, limited edition boots immediately felt like the beloved pair I’ve worn for years. The incredibly soft leather molds perfectly to your feet, providing unmatched comfort from the first wear. The classic shape is timeless and versatile, making them a staple in any wardrobe.”
Best Wide-Ranging Cowboy Boot Brand
Stetson
Pros
- Plenty of styles
- Modern look
Cons
- On the pricey side for the quality level
When it comes to true American labels, it doesn’t get more authentic than Stetson. The brand, for well over a century, has outfitted cowboys, ranchers, and the military, becoming synonymous with a brawny, take-no-prisoners vibe. It may be best known for offering the best cowboy hats and other accessories, but its boots are not to be overlooked. This specific style has a clean and understated design, pointed snip toe, and dark black color that reminds you of the famous movie cowboy Lee Van Cleef—but if that isn’t your vibe, they also offer numerous other shapes and colorways.
One Stetson customer said: “These boots are built really well, and honestly, they’re just downright beautiful. I wear them for walking around town, but I also wear them on my ranch. I find that they fit in the stirrup just fine and are comfortable whether riding, roping, or hunting.”
best affordable yet high quality cowboy boot brand
Thursday Boots
Pros
- Offers a variety of shoe styles
- Highly reputable
Cons
- Not a cowboy boot specialist brand
Thursday Boots is the perfect happy medium when it comes to cowboy boots. Notice how a lot of cowboy boots are…expensive? They’re excellent quality, don’t get me wrong—we wouldn’t be recommending them to you if they weren’t. But unlike many others, Thursday Boots keeps that high quality at a much more affordable price point. They have classic styles that you can wear for years and years.
One Thursday Boots customer said: “I have never seen or felt boots of this quality before, and I’ve worn an awful lot of Western boots in my life. Supple, and soft, the sight of them alone gives the impression of excellence. I ordered one half-size up and they fit like a glove. These are extraordinary in every way. I’m going to be ordering two more in different colors. I’m now a patron and fan of Thursday Boots.”
best authentic cowboy boot brand
Alvies
Pros
- Western wear institution
- Timeless styles
Cons
- Pricey
A true Southern brand, Austin-founded Alvies is giving you cowboy boots directly from the source. This is a company that’s a household name in Texas, so you know you’re getting authentic, high-quality designs and boots that take you anywhere. And while our editors especially love this quarter-inch snip-toe style, we understand it isn’t for everyone, but if they are for you, then you stand out as a little more fashionable than the next guy.
One Alvies customer said: “Let me just say a picture is worth a thousand words, but what I didn’t expect to be even better was the way they ended up breaking in so well, the way they “walk” with a nice smooth, confident heel to toe transition. I’ve received an abundance of compliments with these too, which always feels good. More importantly, my wife loves these on me. They’re an outstanding pair of boots.”
Most Comfortable Cowboy Boot Brand
Dan Post
Pros
- Well cushioned
- Reasonably priced for quality
Cons
- Some wearers complain about durability
Cowboy boots weren’t always known for being comfortable, but Dan Post changed all that. Founded in the 1960s, the brand is regarded as creating the first authentic Western boots with built-in cushioning. Their styles are also crafted with the finest exotic skins and premium leathers, and made with technologically advanced materials to ensure that your boots are comfortable from the first step.
One Dan Post customer said: “Dan Post has made good quality boots since the 1960s, and this style is no exception. Overall, these are really nice boots, considering the price. They’re good-lookin’, comfortable, sharp, and great quality. I’m very happy with my purchase, and I always receive several compliments every time I wear them.”
Best Simple Cowboy Boots Brand
Rhodes Footwear
Pros
- Great prices
- Classic look
Cons
- More basic styles
The iconic cowboy boot style is remixed with Rhodes Footwear. The brand excels in cowboy boots without all the bells and whistles but with a healthy dose of Western flair. Made in Leon, Mexico—which is quickly becoming the global capital for handcrafted men’s Western boots—this option can work just as hard as any work boot, thanks to their expert craftsmanship. But what makes them truly a standout pick is that they have a shorter, more comfortable heel that’s a lot more approachable.
One Rhodes customer said: “I used to only wear cowboy boots with the cowboy heel but my feet have been bothering me recently so I wanted to try a roper. I love how these look, and they were comfortable from day one. They will probably just get better over time, I reckon’. They do scratch up pretty easily, but that just adds some character.”
Why You Can Trust Esquire
We’re not about writing how great things are if they aren’t actually great. Every product in Esquire’s round-ups are carefully curated by our fashion and e-commerce teams.
When it comes to cowboy boots, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting styles that we’ve personally tested, tried, and loved, along with styles that the rest of our stylish colleagues here at Esquire endorse. And while we’re partial to Tecovas and Lucchese in the office, to get there, we’ve had to go through a lot of trial and error with other brands. These are the ones that are simply the best.
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