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Pull up a chair. People ask me all the time which cowboy boot brands are actually worth the money, so I figured I’d put my list in one spot. I’ve been wearing boots for more than five decades now, from work boots to combat boots in the Marine Corps to cowboy boots, and I’ve learned the hard way that a famous name doesn’t always mean a good boot.
So here’s the deal: a brand only made this list if I think they make a genuinely good boot. These are in no particular order, and I’ll tell you what each one is known for, who it’s best for, and roughly what you’ll pay. Where I can, I’ve linked to Pinto Ranch, which is usually where I look first when I’m ready for another pair.
Who Makes the Best Cowboy Boots?
Honestly, it comes down to what you want out of a boot. If you want my short answer: Lucchese is where I got my start and is still one of my favorites, but these days Rios of Mercedes might be my new favorite cowboy boot, and Stallion is the one I’d pick if money were no object. After that, it really depends on your budget and your style, and that’s what the rest of this list is for.
1. Rios of Mercedes: The Brand I Keep Coming Back To
I’ve owned several pairs of Rios over the years, including the Cape Buffalo, a Buckwheat Kudu, and a Chocolate Sueded Elephant pair I wear when I dress up. They’re handmade in Mercedes, Texas, by a company whose roots go back to 1853, and you can feel it the first time you put a pair on.
What I love most is the fit. They start out snug across the instep and then really mold to your foot. Going up about a half size has worked best for me. They also age beautifully; most of mine look better now than the day I bought them.
- Best for: anybody who wants a handmade boot that’s comfortable from day one and lasts for years
- Price at Pinto Ranch: about $595 to $1,195
- Where to buy: Rios of Mercedes boots at Pinto Ranch, which carries some exclusive makeups you won’t find elsewhere
I wrote a lot more about my own pairs in my Rios of Mercedes boots review.
2. Lucchese: The Legend (and My First Real Pair)
Lucchese (you say it “loo-KAY-see”) was my first pair of real cowboy boots, and they’ll always have a special place for me. The company goes back to 1883, when Sam Lucchese opened his shop in San Antonio, and they’ve been making some of the most respected boots in the country ever since. Today they’re based in El Paso.
Lucchese is all about fit, comfort and style, and they’re known for gorgeous exotics. They’re not cheap, but they’re the kind of boot people hand down.
- Best for: a classic, refined boot from a name everybody recognizes
- Price: roughly $400 for entry-level styles up into the thousands for top exotics
- Where to buy: Pinto Ranch doesn’t carry Lucchese right now, so check Lucchese directly or a western store near you. If you like the Lucchese look, Black Jack (#4 below) is a great alternative that Pinto Ranch does carry.
3. Stallion: A League of Their Own
Stallion is one of my favorites, and I’ll be straight with you: they’re expensive. These aren’t the boots you’ll see on a ranch hand in Oklahoma. They’re high-end, handmade in El Paso with top-shelf leathers, and fashion houses like Dolce & Gabbana and Ralph Lauren have had Stallion make boots for them.
Stallion has only been around since 1980, but they’ve made a huge name for themselves in that time. You don’t see ads for them anywhere; the boots do the talking.
- Best for: a show-stopping, collectible boot you’ll wear for special occasions
- Price at Pinto Ranch: about $625 to $2,695
- Where to buy: Stallion boots at Pinto Ranch
Stallion vs Lucchese: Which Should You Choose?
If you want a timeless boot from a legendary name that you can wear to church, work or a wedding, go Lucchese. If you want something bold that turns heads, with custom-level artistry, Stallion is hard to beat. Both are premium; Stallion just climbs higher.
4. Black Jack: Exotic Boots Built to Last
Black Jack is a handmade boot company out of El Paso that’s known for its exotic leathers: caiman, ostrich, pirarucu, you name it. Their boots go through a long, hands-on build process, and they’re made to last for years if you take care of them.
Pinto Ranch has Black Jack make a lot of exclusive styles just for them, so that’s the best place to shop. It’s also a great pick if you like the Lucchese look but want to spend a little less.
- Best for: exotic leather at a price that won’t make you wince
- Price at Pinto Ranch: about $370 to $1,795
- Where to buy: Black Jack boots at Pinto Ranch
5. Tony Lama: A True Legend
I couldn’t leave Tony Lama off a list like this. They’ve been called “the boot of the American West” since 1911, and Tony Lama himself started out as a bootmaking apprentice at 11 years old. The best part about Tony Lama is the range: you can get a solid pair for a couple hundred bucks or go handmade and spend over a thousand.
- Best for: a trusted name at almost any budget
- Price: about $200 to well over $1,000 for their handmade lines
- Where to buy: Pinto Ranch doesn’t carry Tony Lama boots right now, but most western stores do.
6. Old Gringo: For the Ladies Who Want to Stand Out
Old Gringo started in 2000, when Ernie Tarut, who had years in leather manufacturing, teamed up with European designer Yan Ferry. The result is a boot that mixes classic Western with a vintage, artistic look: embroidery, inlays and distressed leathers that look like they’ve got a story to tell. Their three big words are art, quality and innovation, and you can see all three in every pair.
- Best for: women who want a boot that looks like a piece of art
- Price at Pinto Ranch: about $315 to $1,600
- Where to buy: Old Gringo women’s boots at Pinto Ranch
7. Tecovas: The New Kid Who Earned a Spot
Tecovas is an Austin company that launched in 2015 selling handmade boots direct to customers, which keeps the price down. They’ve gotten really popular in a short time, and for good reason: for the money, you get a handmade boot with nice leather and a clean, modern look.
If you’re wondering how they stack up against the old guard, I dug into that in my Tecovas vs Lucchese comparison.
- Best for: your first good pair of handmade boots without spending a fortune
- Price at Pinto Ranch: about $185 to $775
- Where to buy: Tecovas boots at Pinto Ranch
8. R. Watson: Handmade Without the Hype
R. Watson doesn’t get the attention the big names do, but they make handmade boots with a traditional Western look, good leathers and solid construction. It’s a brand worth knowing about if you want quality without paying for a famous logo.
- Best for: a classic handmade boot at a fair price
- Price at Pinto Ranch: about $250 to $970
- Where to buy: R. Watson boots at Pinto Ranch
9. Lane: Designer Looks for Cowgirls
Lane thinks outside the box. They make cowboy boots, but with a real designer flair: fun colors, bold stitching and booties that look great with a dress. If a lady asks me who makes the most fun Western boots, Lane is one of the first names I mention, and they’re easy on the wallet compared to a lot of designer brands.
- Best for: women who want a fashion-forward cowgirl boot
- Where to buy: Lane sells through their own website and a lot of boutiques.
10. Durango: The Best Bang for Your Buck
Not everybody needs a handmade boot, and that’s where Durango comes in. They’re part of Rocky Brands (the same family as Rocky and Georgia Boot), and they make comfortable, good-looking Western boots at prices most folks can afford. They also have some fun styles you won’t find anywhere else, like their flag and state-pride boots.
- Best for: a comfortable everyday boot on a budget
- Price: most styles run about $80 to $200, with a few premium ones higher
- Where to buy: Durango Boots
Why a Good Pair of Boots Is Worth It
I get it: nobody wants to spend $600 on boots if they don’t have to. But I’ve bought enough boots over the years to tell you that a cheap pair isn’t always cheaper. A well-made boot keeps its shape, can be resoled, and after a couple of years it still looks good. A cheap one usually doesn’t make it that far, and then you’re buying boots again.
That doesn’t mean price alone guarantees a good boot. It doesn’t. That’s exactly why I stick with the brands on this list.
My Final Thoughts
If you only remember one thing, make it this: buy the best boot you can afford from a brand that stands behind it, and get the fit right. A great boot that fits well turns into an old friend. If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at Pinto Ranch. They carry most of the brands on this list, and they’re usually my first stop.
Got a favorite brand I left off? Drop it in the comments. I always like hearing what other folks are wearing.
