We Heart Handmade Boots | Cowboy Boots, Cowgirl Boots & More

Tag: rios of mercedes cowboy boots

Real Elephant Skin Boots – Rare, Beautiful And Ethically Made

As you probably already know, cowboy boots come in many different styles, colors, toe types, heel type, etc… But one of the most talked about difference between boots is the leather they are made from. Alligator, buffalo, caiman, snake, the list goes on and on. You can categorize all of those boot materials as either exotic leathers or other leathers. The other leathers are usually calf, cowhide, goat, etc… I normally like to say that if it lives here in North America, it’s probably in the “other leather” category and if it’s overseas, it falls into the “exotic leather” category. There are some exceptions to this rule, but I think you get my point. Today I wanted to talk about one of the unique types of boots that falls in to the exotic category and that are some magnificent pairs of real elephant skin boots.

If you would like to learn more about the plight of elephants and more information of the taking of elephant skin here is a link to One Green Planet with some more info.

Granite Safari Elephant Boots By Rios Of Mercedes

I figured I would just start out with my favorite boot first. This boot basically is the wild west meets the plains of Africa or vice versa. I’m absolutely in love with the toe of the boot. It’s the new “TK” toe and it’s a new style that is in between a snip toe boot and a square toe boot. The best of both worlds in my opinion.

This boot is a combination of elephant skin vamps and black calfskin shafts with a cross cord pattern and gray stitching that highlights the vamps beautifully.

Handmade: Yes
Material: Elephant skin and Calfskin
Color: Granite and Black
Details: Chain Stitching and Cross Cord Pattern on Shaft, Elephant Pull Straps, Toe Medallion
Toe type: Rios ‘TK’ Toe
Heel type: Rios ‘3 Short’ Heel
Outsole: Leather
Insole: Leather with Cushioned Insoles
Heel Height: 1 3/8″
Shaft Height: 13″
Manufactured: Mercedes, Texas

One More Boot And It’s A Roper

I would say that you had me at “roper”, but you kind of got me at the Granite Safari Elephant boot above. I don’t know about you, but now I want to buy two pairs! My two favorite styles of boots are ropers and square toe. That’s why I’m listing those two here and if you want to see the other two, you can head over to Pinto and check them out.

Rios of Mercedes Men’s Chocolate Sueded Elephant Boots

A CHOCOLATE COWBOY BOOT FEATURING EXOTIC ELEPHANT AND CALFSKIN WITH A CUTTER TOE AND 1 3/8″ WALKING HEEL.

Handmade: Yes
Material: Elephant Vamp, Calfskin Shaft
Color: Chocolate
Details: Cording and Stitched Designs Form ‘X’ on Front and Back of Shaft, Pull Straps
Toe type: Cutter Toe
Heel type: ‘3 Short’
Outsole: Leather
Insole: Leather
Heel Height: 1 3/8″
Shaft Height: 13″
Manufactured: Mercedes, Texas

I absolutely love these boots because because of the square cutter toe. These are a beautiful pair of boots made from some very tough and durable elephant skin that is ethically harvested. That is very important to me and I don’t want something that was obtained by poachers or something. These boots are amazing with a great story behind them.

These boots are also a combination of beautiful elephant skin and calfskin. The skin is a beautiful rich chocolate color and goes beautifully with the chocolate quarters of the calfskin shafts. Once again this is another pair of the highest quality western boots from Rios of Mercedes. You definitely won’t be disappointed.

The Argument For Or Against

If you are like me, one of the first things you might be thinking of when you hear the words “elephant skin” in conjunction with a pair of boots or any other products is “How is that possible?”. Unlike ivory, elephant skin doesn’t have much regulation on it. Just about anyone can buy and sell elephant leather as long as they adhere to the very lax regulations of the Convention of International Treaty of Endangered Species. It’s seriously a major loophole that people can easily get away with considering it allows you to buy or sell one part of an animal, but not another.

There are two sides to this story though. Ivory is downright illegal no matter what. There is no legal way to harvest it. Ivory is only obtained by poachers and buying or selling of ivory is illegal. Elephant leather on the other hand must be purchased only from sellers coming from legally culled (selectively slaughtered) elephants. I hated to use the word “slaughtered”, but I wanted to use the correct definition of the word.

Animals being “culled” isn’t something new. It happens all over the world and is even a common practice in the United States. A very common example of that is the deer population. A lot of times special seasons are created if the population becomes too dense and limits are adjusted for the same reason. I know of a similar instance for black bears down where I live in Florida. It’s basically a way of population control. This same practice goes for elephants also when the population becomes too large for a particular area and poses a threat to other wildlife or humans.

You will hear arguments either way for elephant skin products, so therefore I ask you to maybe do a little research and make an informed decision. You as a buyer may not know if the product you are purchasing is coming from a legitimately taken animal and this can cause some concern. Luckily I’m listing some great boots by Rios of Mercedes boot company that are sold by Pinto Ranch and all boots made from these majestic animals are legally and ethically obtained to the best of my knowledge.

Click Image to see ALL Men’s Boots from Rios of Mercedes!

Elephant, Not Many To Choose From

There aren’t that many pairs or styles of elephant skin boots to choose from. I would say that is definitely a sign that you know it’s exotic, but it’s the truth. From Pinto Ranch, you only have four pairs for men’s cowboy boots and I’m sorry to say, zero for ladies cowgirl boots.

On one train of thought I would say maybe this is a good thing because of the plight of elephants throughout the world. On another hand I would say too bad since these are some beautiful boots! Once again I cannot stress enough that the boots we are talking about here are from the legendary boot makers of Rios of Mercedes sold at Pinto Ranch. I cannot in good faith talk about other brands because I do not know how their elephant skin is obtained.

There might only be four men’s boots offered here, but they all have reviews and they are all 5 stars. These are some great boots that have the Rios of Mercedes name standing behind them. That means they are superbly made by the finest materials from the top of the shaft to the tip of the toe. The also are super comfortable and as every pair of boots designed by Rios, they look fabulous!

An Exotic Skin Boot That May Not Be Around Forever

I didn’t want to sound all doom and gloom here, but this may be the case for real elephant skin boots. The reason that this may true may be a good thing. Maybe there will be some tougher regulations out there to help protect these magnificent animals. I do get the whole idea about some elephants being legally culled, that is why I’m not totally against this leather being used. I definitely would like to see authorities cracking down on people illegally taking these animals and would also love to see more land being protected so elephants can increase in numbers naturally.

As I stated, do a little research if you are uncomfortable in a certain product. That stand for any kind of product be it cowboy boots or a leather jacket. A informed consumer is the best consumer in my opinion and I hope you feel the same.

Once again all of these boots mentioned here are made by Rios of Mercedes and they have more than 160 years of boot making experience. They only use the finest of materials that are legally obtained to create some most beautiful handmade boots in the industry.

If you have any questions, concerns, moans, groans or complaints, feel free to leave a comment below and let us know and I will be happy to try and help you out or maybe another viewer will have the answer you are looking for.

February 12, 2024
Distressed Cowboy Boots

We’ve written a lot of great articles on some amazing men’s cowboy boots. Literally the finest boots from makers like Lucchese, Tony Lama, Blackjack, etc… We have even written some articles on Rios Of Mercedes out of Mercedes Texas. Each and every one of their boots is handmade under one roof in south Texas. They’ve been around since 1853 and just one look at their boots and you can tell they know what they are doing.

Video Of How to “Distress” Your Own Boots!

But I have to say, one boot has definitely caught my eye. It’s the distressed Sahara suede vintage cowboy boot that I just absolutely fell in love with. Pretty much if you add the word “distressed” in front of anything, I automatically like it. From t-shirts, jeans, whatever, I’m just a big fan of the “distressed” look.

RIOS OF MERCEDES DISTRESSED SAHARA SUEDE COWBOY BOOTS

When I was first scrolling through the Rios Of Mercedes boots section on Pinto’s website, I was pretty impressed with all their boots. Not really a bad boot in the whole bunch. Some I liked better than others, you know how it goes. I mean everyone has different tastes, that’s why you have to make a wide variety of boots. That pretty much goes for anything. T-shirts, jeans, etc… You get the point. But when I saw these distressed cowboy boots, that was like an “A-ha moment” for me. I literally could just wear these everywhere. The house, the mall, the bar, etc…

You can check out a great review we did on Rios Of Mercedes boots right here and it will take you right to all of their boots for men and women.

Make sure you check them out and let me know what you think in the comments below. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

These Boots Come At A Great Price For The Quality

These handmade cowboy boots are selling for under $500 by one of the premiere cowboy boot makers in Texas. The quality is second to none and these babies will last literally for decades. They are rugged as hell and can stand up to anything. I kind of like to call them the “beef jerky” of cowboy boots.

Click Image To Purchase These Boots On Pinto Ranch

Nothing Stands Up Like Cowhide

Cowhide is synonymous when you think of the cowboy lifestyle. These boots are definitely what I picture in my head when I first think of cowboy boots. Rugged, hard-working, plain and simple, the type of vintage cowboy boots that make you feel like you have the best quality boots in the world. The have the following specifications:

Handmade: Yes
Material: Cowhide
Color: Sahara
Details: Distressed Soles, Chocolate Brown Piping, Pull Straps
Toe type: Rios ‘KS’ Toe
Heel type: Rios ‘3 Short’ Heel
Outsole: Hybrid Leather and Neoprene Sole
Insole: Leather
Heel Height: 1 3/8″
Shaft Height: 12″
Manufactured: Mercedes, Texas

Check out all the Handmade Boots From Rios Of Mercedes Here

These distressed cowboy boots have a tan rough out style with an unfinished, raw leather tops that give them an authentic “trail hand” look that you would find out west. The great thing is that they have a cushioned insole and a hybrid out sole that provide comfort and durability that you couldn’t find back in the ole days of trail riding. They also sport a wide snip toe that I really love in a cowboy boot. That’s just my personal preference. I’m not really big on a pointy toe boot. And of course, as I said earlier, they are all handmade in Texas.

You will love these Buffalo Boots for men!

Buying Boots Online, Is It Risky?

Guess what, we all can’t go to Texas or Mexico just to try on boots. You might be a little apprehensive in buying a pair of footwear online because one of the most important things when buying a pair of boots that cost hundreds of dollars is the fit. Well, fear not. Luckily over at Pinto Ranch, they have a great return policy.

At Pinto Ranch, they believe the fit is the most important thing when buying a pair of their handmade vintage cowboy or western cowgirl boots. If your distressed cowboy boots or any other type of boot for that matter doesn’t fit correctly, Pinto Ranch will cover the cost of your return shipping until you get the correct fit that you so deserve. That is incredible. Basically, that is no risk to you. You won’t get nickel and dimed on shipping costs and best of all, you get to do all of this from the comfort of your own home without a salesperson driving you crazy! Another win win situation if you ask me.

Also, all boot orders in the U.S. get free shipping from the get go. The only thing you will be paying for are your new handmade distressed cowboy boots and that’s it!

Great Vintage Cowboy Boots, Great Price, Great Guarantee

Well, those are some great things lol! Seriously, what else do you need? As I said, this is my kind of boot. Rios of Mercedes has more than just a beautiful pair of distressed cowboy boots. Make sure you check them all out. From the distressed cowboy boot look to the wide snip toe, to the comfort of the padded insole, this is all around my favorite boot. I know that everyone has different tastes, so if this boot isn’t for you, click on one of the links here and head on over and take a look anyway.

Pinto has a ton of handmade boots for both men and women. They also have a ton of western wear that I’m sure you will find something you will love. Hats, boots, belts, clothing, etc… They have a little bit of everything, (but I highly recommend these men’s distressed cowboy boots).

As I have already mentioned, you shouldn’t let size or fit keep you from trying them out. The exchange policy is second to none. It’s risk free online shopping that is second to none.

February 12, 2024
The Best Men’s Cowboy Boots – Highest Quality and Great Looking Cowboy Boots
Hello everyone, in this article I wanted to do something a little different and give you my favorite or the best men’s cowboy boots from each brand at Pinto Ranch. The 5 brands in question here are Black Jack boots, Lucchese Boots, Rios of Mercedes, Stallion, and last but not least, Tony Lama men’s western boots. These are my personnel choice and a couple are probably on sale. You’re welcome!

Now, I would like to make it clear that I am doing this in alphabetical order by brand name. Just because I’m doing Black Jack first, that doesn’t mean it’s my favorite out of the top brands. Picking a favorite would probably take me months and months to ponder, and then I would probably end up changing my mind a hundred times just because all of these boots are absolutely fantastic! Rounded toe, snip toe, roper, or a square toe cowboy boot, Pinto Ranch has them all.

I’m also gonna do something I normally do and list the price of the boot with each pair. I want complete transparency. Some of these may seem pretty expensive, but trust me, you are definitely getting what you pay for. The quality of every boot that I’ve seen at Pinto Ranch is second to none. This is definitely footwear that could easily last you for the rest of your life. Many a person have actually stated they wanted to be buried in their cowboy boots. Once you get a pair from Pinto Ranch, you will know why they made this statement.

Worry Free Shopping on Pinto Ranch with FREE SHIPPING ON ALL BOOT EXCHANGES & RETURNS

The Best Black Jack Boot Is Exclusive To Pinto Ranch

BLACK JACK CHOCOLATE CAIMAN HORNBACK COWBOY BOOTS FOR MEN

Click Image To View Boots & Get Info

It took me awhile to pick from the 37 different Black Jack men’s boots that Pinto Ranch (exclusive) offers, but I just love these chocolate caiman handmade men’s cowboy boots. Then I saw that they were almost $400 off and that just solidified my choice. Hey, I love saving money just like anyone else. Not all the Black Jack boots at Pinto Ranch are on sale, but they do have quite a few and I guarantee you that you will find a pair you love.

This particular boot comes in sizes from 8.0 up to 13.0 and offers many half sizes. It also offers width D and EE which a lot of you will love.

These boots feature an exotic take on exotic leather, featuring a not-so-often seen side of the legendary caiman Crocodile. The flank vamp has luxurious caiman leather in three sections, with circular scales that give this boot an undeniable, unrivaled quality. These boots are as incredible as the modern dinosaurs they come from. The shaft of these boots is supple, brown brush off goat leather.

How awesome are Black Jack Boots? Well, to tell you the truth, Black Jack Boots are made exclusively for them. That’s it, you can’t get them anywhere else. They make a selected few and only offer them in one place. That has the sign of quality written all over those boots! They are designed and constructed in El Paso, Texas by Black Jack’s master boot makers only for Pinto Ranch. That is pretty special if you ask me. They only use 100% leather that is genuine and conform to Pinto’s highest standards and quality. The only thing that I ask of you is that you try not to get overwhelmed by the sheer beauty and attention to detail these boot makers put in to these magnificent boots!

These boots feature an elegant and sleek ‘Sunland’ cording pattern, outlined by chocolate stitching. The vamp rises with texture, with a ‘6’ round cowboy toe. The pull straps match the rest of the boot. They’re elegant, with caiman overlays and a defining flourish.
- $995 on sale for $599
- Handmade Luxury Exotic Leather Boots
- Premium Choice Caiman Crocodile Leather
- Rich Chocolate Finish & Appearance
- ‘Sunland’ Cording with Chocolate Stitching
- Fancy Exotic Overlay ‘S’ Pull Straps
- 3/4 Single Welt Stitching
- Black Jack ‘6’ Round Cowboy Toe
- 1 1/2″ Cowboy Heel
- 12″ Shaft Height
- Exclusively Available from Pinto Ranch
- Handmade by Masters in El Paso, Texas
Click Image Above To Save Big On All Cowboy Boots Already On Sale!

The Best Lucchese Boot, Handmade Quality Since 1883

LUCCHESE MEN’S PEARL BONE MAD DOG GOAT BOOTS

Click Image To View Boots & Get Info

I don’t know, call me crazy, but I just picked a Lucchese men’s boot made from goat! LOL. Now just the process of picking a Lucchese handmade western boots out of a selection of 41 different styles is like trying to pick the best Lamborghini on a Lamborghini lot. I mean it’s Lucchese for god’s sakes. I want them all. I love some of them, but I definitely like them all. When it came down to it, I ended up choosing one of the cheaper pairs just because I like the look of it the best. It has some sort of antique or vintage look that I just love. I mean the boots are made from goat and I could have selected from ostrich, elk, caiman, etc… etc… A ton of exotic leathers and looks to choose from, but I loved these!

Here’s a number for you……1883. That is the date Lucchese boot makers first started making handmade cowboy boots. It’s crazy to think about a company that has been around that long if you ask me. Lucchese is definitely synonymous with the word cowboy boots. It’s also synonymous when you think of words like handcrafted, excellence, quality, style, and attention to detail, etc… when you are trying to describe a pair of their cowboy boots. Like every classic pair of Lucchese handmade cowboy boots, they all come with Lucchese’s one year warranty so you know you are getting the highest quality pair of boots money can buy!

This particular boot comes in sizes from 8.5 up to 13.0 and offers many half sizes. It also offers width D for a little extra width.
- $595
- Pearl Bone Goat Boots
- Handmade Cowboy Boots
- Saltillo Cord Pattern, Kennedy Pull Straps with Chain Stitched Overlays, Duke Toe Medallion
- Lucchese 7″ Toe
- Lucchese 3″ Heel
- All Leather Outsole
- All Leather Insole
- 12″ Shaft
- 1 3/8″ Heel Height
- Distressed, Mad Dog Finish
- Saltillo Cord Pattern on Shaft
- Snip Toe and Walking Heel
- Handmade in El Paso, Texas
Where contemporary style meets quality, this handmade classic boot features a cool, distressed finish in pearl bone (gray) smooth leather. The snip toe makes this boot a great partner for jeans and a pearl snap. Other details include a Saltillo cord pattern on the 12″ tops, a Duke toe medallion, and Kennedy pull straps with chain stitched overlays.

Rios Of Mercedes Finest Pair Of Handmade Boots

RIOS OF MERCEDES MEN’S BLACK CAIMAN BELLY BOOTS

Click Image To View Boots & Get Info

This has been my hardest pick so far and that is only because there is another pair of boots by Rios that came in a really really close second place. I mean a photo finish. I’m not gonna tell you what pair, because as I said earlier, this is my top 5 best cowboy boots for men, not the best and runner ups.

If you want to see the others, then by head over to the Pinto Ranch site and check out all the Rios Of Mercedes boots and make up your own mind. Hey, different strokes for different folks. It’s all about what you like anyway.

Another date in the 1800’s. 1853 this time and of course it’s one of the finest cowboy boots out there! Rios of Mercedes have been making quality stylish handmade cowboy boots in Mercedes, Texas for almost 170 years. That is absolutely incredible. This is also another boot made specifically for Pinto Ranch. These beautiful works of are are designed and handcrafted by master boot makers all under one roof in the Texas, the cowboy boot capital of the world!

This particular boot comes in sizes from 8.5 up to 13.0 and offers many half sizes. It also offers width D for a little extra width.
- $995 on sale for $795
- Pinto Ranch Premium Handmade Boots
- Men’s Exotic Black Caiman Vamp Boots
- Black and Rust Lava
- 100% Leather Outsole
- Rust Lava 12” Tops
- Overlay Caiman Pull Straps
- Snip Toe and 1 3/8” Walking Heel
- Cushioned Insole and Leather Outsole
- Exclusively Designed for Pinto Ranch
- Handmade in Mercedes, Texas
Exotic luxury at its finest. These striking cowboy boots from Rio of Mercedes feature an edgy black caiman belly vamp with rust lava 12” tops, decorated with black and gray six-row western stitching and black caiman overlay pull straps. These boots are finished with a comfortable snip toe, 3” walking heel and the signature Rios cushioned insoles.

Click Image Above For Up to 70% Off On Western Apparel and Cowboy Boots On Sale!

Stallion Handmade Boots – New On The Scene

STALLION MEN’S COGNAC CAIMAN ZORRO BOOTS

Click Image To View Boots & Get Info

Stallion handmade boots didn’t come on the scent until 1980 which is almost 40 years ago, but in the boot world, they are pretty young. They definitely don’t show it though because they have some beautiful styles and the quality is exceptional. They also have some great reviews on the Pinto Ranch site. They are definitely a hit.

I really loved these boots and went with a shorter look this time. Hey, you don’t always need or even want a 12″ shaft. Actually Stallion only has 11 different styles on the Pinto site and 8 of them are shorties. This look caught my eye immediately and I just had to have them. Definitely one of the best cowboy boots for men I’ve seen.

These particular boots come in sizes 8.5 up to size 12 and they also offer width in D
- $1,395
- Men’s Cognac Caiman Boots
- Short Zorro Boot Style
- Side Zipper
- Antique Tobacco Caiman Gallegos Design
- Cognac Leather Body Construction
- Bucklacing Detail
- 1 1/4″ Fashion Heel
- Leather Outsole
- Leather Insole
- 8″ Shaft Height
- Walking Heel
- Zipper and Heel Foxing
- Snip X-1/2 Toe
- Handmade in El Paso, Texas
Handmade in Texas by Stallion, these Zorro boots are stately and luxurious. If there’s a better made boot in the world, we haven’t seen it. Deep and rich Caiman skin rises over the vamp of these boots in an ornate Gallegos design and also forms a heel foxing on the back of these boots. A smooth Cognac leather forms the rest of the boots, contrasted by dark lacing detail. These boots feature a side zipper, a snip toe and a 1 1/4″ heel.

The Stallion Boot & Belt Co. of El Paso, Texas, was founded in 1980 by designer Pedro Muñoz. Stallion selects only the finest skins and materials, with a small team of artisans who are regarded as the best of their craft. Stallion’s authentic western boots are known throughout the runways of Paris, Milan and New York as well as among Hollywood stars.

Can’t Talk About The Best Men’s Cowboy Boots Without The Lama

TONY LAMA SIGNATURE SERIES MEN’S BRANDY VINTAGE NILE CROCODILE BELLY BOOTS

Click Image To View Boots & Get Info

I mean if you’re gonna do a boot review, Tony Lama has to be mentioned. Some of the best men’s handmade cowboy boots out there. I love this vintage crocodile belly boot. I think the Brandy color is what got my eye right off the bat. From the top of the shaft, all the way to the tip of the square toe, I love everything about this boot!

These particular boots only come in a size 10 and a D width. You lucky son of a gun if this is your size.

Tony Lama offers around 23 different styles on Pinto Ranch and they come in a number of different sizes, this pair just only comes in size 10. You might be able to contact them and see if other sizes are available. Their customer service is outstanding!
- $2,295 on sale for $999
- Brandy Vintage Nile Crocodile Belly Cowboy Boots
- Nile Crocodile Belly and Calf
- 6-Row Western Stitching
- Nile Crocodile Overlay on Pull Straps
- Walking Heel – Tony Lama ‘7’ Heel
- Leather Outsole
- Channeled Leather Insole
- 1 3/8″ Heel Height
- 13″ Cognac Calf Tops
- Western Stitching on Shaft
- Square Toe and Walking Heel
- Handmade in El Paso, TX
The rich brandy and coordinating cognac color with classic western stitching make this style from Tony Lama Boots one for the ages. Western details include a 6-row stitch pattern on the shaft and pull straps with Nile crocodile overlays. A modern square and a comfortable 1 3/8″ walking heel completes the style.

Tony Lama is a legendary brand known around the world as the boot of the American west. Their commitment to quality and authentic craftsmanship remains the same since the beginning in 1911. The newly designed Signature Series Collection features hand-picked styles built in the El Paso, Texas factory by the brand’s top craftsmen.

Five Amazing Cowboy Boots – You Be The Judge

Wow, those western boots were amazing! If there was a sports center equivalent for boots, those 5 would definitely be on there. Now this was my own personal review of my five favorite handmade cowboy boots for men, but you should check them out yourself. I guarantee that you will find something else on Pinto Ranch that you like better. It’s all about your taste and style, not mine.

I just hope the boots that I have picked out can lead you in a direction to find your new favorite pair. Snip toe, round toe, square toe, or whatever, I’m sure you will find a pair that you love. That’s the whole point of this article, it’s acting like a sign post to point you in the right direction to your next favorite pair of boots. This should put you a couple steps ahead in your search for perfection!

Please let us know what you think below and if there is something in particular we can help you with or maybe you just have some general info, questions, or comments about the brands above. Thanks!
February 12, 2024
Square Toe Cowboy Boots!

Alright everybody, it’s time we talk about square toe cowboy boots! Over the past year I’ve been wearing square toe cowboy boots much more frequently than any other time in my cowboy boot wearing life. So before a year ago, I probably wouldn’t go out and buy a pair of square toed boots.

The Truth About Square Toe Cowboy Boots – Visit Jeremiah Craig’s site

I guess I would have to say that I am more of a medium round traditional boot kind of guy or a good pair of Ropers! There are a lot of cowboy boot toe types to choose from, but when it comes down to it, it’s mostly personal taste that should win out on what toe type you choose. I really like that rounded medium look, so the square toe just never really appealed to me but since companies have been sending me boots and I’m starting to understand why they are made the way they are, I have a new appreciation for square toe cowboy boots and I’m gonna get into why.

RIOS OF MERCEDES MEN’S GRANITE SAFARI SQUARE TOED ELEPHANT BOOTS

11/12/19 ELEPHANT BOOTS 5 Stars
Review by Vlad on 12 Nov 2019review stating ELEPHANT BOOTS
Never seen such a great quality, elephant leather is really smooth but solid and with this lightning type folds or textures. I can say its art
Thank you PintoRanch
Vlad

04/17/19 ELEPHANT BOOTS 5 Stars
Incredible quality, stunning craftsmanship and so bad ass!

Nothing but impressed from start to finish with this transaction, the order process was easy, the shipping was fast and the boots were even more stunning in person. The stitching, design and finish are all first class with no detail left out! It is very rare in this day and age you find a business that still values the customers and not just profits. There were several personal touches such as a handwritten card that just reinforce the point I will do business there again!

Rios Of Mercedes, Lucchese, Black Jack, and Tony Lama Square Toed Boots
See All of Pinto’s Mens Square Toe Cowboy Boots Here! Great Price and Highest Quality Guaranteed!

The return process is easy and free if the boots are not a good fit, thankfully sizing was good and fit 100% as expected. Peter R.Verified Bu yer

Check out these beauties by Rios Mercedes Boot Company

Ugly Is In The Eye Of The Boot Wearer

So some of you might say “but Jeremiah, their ugly” well that always comes down to personal preference. I know Texas, and Oklahoma and some of those surrounding states really like the square toe and along the East Coast and West Coast as well, except for the West coast cities (don’t even talk to L.A. about square toes, they hate it but they hate a lot of things actually so I take everything that they say with a grain of salt.).

Anyways whether you think the square toe looks good or not I gotta be honest, comfort is the main benefit of a square toe boot. You have this wide toe box here which makes it so you can spread your toes out a little bit. You got a little bit more wiggle room literally and it’s comfortable to be in all day. You don’t have anything on the side squeezing your foot. You know it’s a little bit easier to find a fit that’s good for you. Cowboy boots can be tough to fit. So it’s just a comfortable boot because you have so much space in that toe box. Now you might be thinking, but Jeremiah the only reason why their so popular is because the cowboy boot company’s market square toe cowboy boots more frequently than any other to style.

Square Toe For The Fit

Now as of right now, I have seen more square toe cowboy boot ads, not including the Tacoma ads around online and when it comes down to it makes sense that a cowboy boot company would want to market square toe cowboy boots more frequently because it’s just easier to find a good fitting boot because this toe box is so wide the average person can slip their foot into a square toe cowboy boot and most likely find a better fit right off the bat then what they would with a medium round toe or snip toe. The problem is that a lot of times you can go about a half a size smaller than what you would wear in that traditional cowboy boot. So because this toe box is so wide that makes the taper much less. See as you can see here there is much less room in this toe box then there is in this toe box. That makes it possible for a person to come down a half a size. The problem is when you go a half size down that could put the arch position for your foot in the wrong spot so it all depends on the insole that is in the boot. You just wanna make sure that you have that support in the arch area because that could lead to some pretty significant problems down the road. But it makes sense that a cowboy boot company would want to market a square toe cowboy boot more than another toe style just because it fits the average population better and they don’t lose a lot of money making toe styles that don’t feel good for the average population.

Rios of Mercedes Men’s Texas Feral Hog Boots

Go hog wild in these rugged boots from South Texas where not only is the feral hog leather harvested, but where these beautiful boots are handmade! This unique boot is made with Texas feral hog leather with black western stitching on the shaft and a classic toe medallion. The flexible hybrid TufFlex sole and cushioned insole provide all day comfort. This casual, square toe boot reflects true western style with Texas flair.

If you’ve tried your hand at hog hunting before and didn’t have much luck, well guess what, now you’re in luck lol! Feral hogs have been a major pain in the you know what for Texans and many other Americans since their unwelcomed introduction! I can literally only 3 things these pigs are good for. Their meat, the pleasure it gives me to hunt them, and these amazing feral hog handcrafted cowboy boots lol.

You want want to wear something that is a conversation piece? LOL, look no farther. I mean really, what could be better then sitting in a bar and someone casually looking down and asking you what your boots are made from! Seriously, that is gonna be at least a 10 minute discussion and you might even get a free beer out of it.

Some more awesome western boots by Rios of Mercedes

Great Looks And Comfort Is What It’s All About

A lot of Cowboys are also doing their ranch work on those gator all terrain vehicles, on quads, on tractors, so you could imagine that a cowboy or a ranch worker would just want to be comfortable while their working. They don’t want their toes all squeezed up in that toe box all day for no reason. It makes a good work book is basically what I’m saying. I’ve been using this as a work boot just to do construction here and their. Little odd jobs and I gotta say, it’s a great boot to work in just because it is so comfortable.

It feels like a cowboy boot fit, which I really like because you’re able to keep your feet cool because of the heel slip, there’s a lot of air that can pass through a cowboy boot while you’re working so that leads to less sweat and that leads to less stink and an overall cool comfort feeling that just feels better while your working. I’ve definitely been won over by the square toe and I think you will too.

Are they my favorite toe style? No, not really, but I do respect them in the lineup of toe styles out there. If you like the square toe, rock it. If you like the traditional medium round toe, rock it. If you like the snip toe, rock it. The most important thing about wearing western boots is that you are wearing cowboy boots. I don’t care what toe style you have, nor should anybody else. Let’s just enjoy cowboy boots together.

By Jeremiah Craig (Square Toe Cowboy Boots)

February 12, 2024