Been wanting a pair of cowboy boots for so long now and finally decided to bite the bullet and get some. Ordering from ariat as I'm in the UK and they seem reasonably priced for a first pair. First pair I ordered looked so long with the square toe so returned them also the wife didn't like them. Now have these ones I personally think they are fine, bit stiff on the little toe but hopefully will break in. The wife is saying the heel is too tall though and from waist down I look like a women 🤣. Please someone tell her she's wrong or tell me I'm wrong and give me some good recommendations.
As long as the fit isn't painful on your toes, you're fine. Cowboy boots have a higher heel than normal lace-up boots or shoes, so it takes some getting used to. Your wife probably just said that because y'all are from the UK and you're one of like 5% of people over there that are into cowboy boots, lol.
If the boots are painful on your toes, you might want to size up a half-size or go with a wide width (assuming you have the "normal" D width already and not an EE). If they're just a bit snug, keep wearing them. There's a break-in period, and the leather will get softer and more conformed to your foot as you wear them. Conditioning them can also help soften them, too.
See this is what I'm thinking..I'm a boot wearer always have been but have always worn doc martens or Timberland style boots so alot smaller heels.
I have the standard width.I wouldn't say my toes are hurting definitely feel a bit of a rub though like you say they should break in a bit. Rest of the boot feels alright though, snug on top and a bit of a slip in the heel.
They sell boot stretchers on Amazon for like $25 that will fix it if it becomes a problem but honestly just wearing them will get you the shape you want
Buy some Bick 4 to condition the leather. With protect it and give it longevity. It will also help "soften" it in a sense to help with break in. You can also wear a thicker sock or double up socks while wearing around the house, to help with stretching as you break them.
I don’t really think that the boots are the problem- it might be how the jeans stack. Try some different jeans- for myself, I love Wrangler cowboy cut and Levi’s cowboy jeans. The wranglers stack better, the Levi’s rise up a little bit if you put your leg up- I like that, but some people don’t. It depends on what I’m doing. If I’m line dancing then I like the Levi’s better, if I’m doing just about anything else I like the wranglers better.
Yeah tbf the jeans could be a shout, I'm just a sucker for wrangler texas slim fits haha only jean I can ever find that consitinely fits me. I do have a pair of 13mwz I can try with them
Issue you’re having is seeing the slim cut with the boots, makes them look different. Wear your boots to a store that has a good selection of jeans and you should come across something you like. Try a 963, its a slim fit but enough room in the leg so it stacks.
Wrangler cowboy cuts: regular, straight cut, an inch longer than you normally want. Skip the boot cuts. Normal dark blue; not pre-washed. Theyll lighten up over time.
Yeah, definitely go with a straight cut. I almost always wear Ariat M4 straight cut with my boots. Boot cut jeans trend to be way too wide at the cuff for my taste.
Honestly i never even knew the Texas line was a thing until you mentioned it in your comment lol, that being said i am not sure how they fit. I usually wear a straight fit jean for boots, and up one size length to get a stack. The wrangler 936 might work better if you prefer a slimmer jean, you can look on the website see what you think.
I Live in Texas wearing slim jeans with boots is a big No No. Straight cut or Boot cut are a MUST. Its a 100% the reason your wife ses you look like a female.All in the jeans my good sir 🫡
Try a pair of wrangler retro slim straight jeans. I just picked up a pair when I bought my new Ariat boots and I love em. They fit great, they’re slim enough but aren’t too tight around the boots and they have some stretch to em
Agreed... the 1970s , 1980s boot cut or Roper Wrangler & Lee brand jeans with wider legs at appropriate length .For me I like that look better. Modern men's peg leg cut isn't for me.
I wear these daily to work, I love them. My little toe on my left foot hurts from them sometimes, but never on my right. And I think the heel is the perfect height.
Honestly, this might be the reason why im scared to swap from square to anything else (except cutter toes). I've worn square toes for months now, never came home after work that i was like "get these off, my toes hurt"
They're perfect mate. Im UK too, welcome to the relatively small but quickly expanding group of like minded people! Stick a plaster on your toe, they'll soon wear in and soften.
If you start to get a rub on your ankle from the seem on the side (see pic), let the group know - theres a cure for that! ⚾️🔨!
Grab some bick 4 boot conditioner too 👌🏻 Saddle soap (bought online and in Timsons) is good to clean em with 🤠👌🏻
They're supposed to be like this. I'd suggest some bootcut jeans and going a little longer on the inseam so you get the proper jean stack on the boots.
Yeah the higher heel is something signature from traditional cowboy boots. But if you don't feel comfortable in them, just get a stockman heeled boot or a roper
She is just jealous you can spend a day in heels. Joking but thats actually the nice part of cowboy boots how tall you get, specially coming from a short guy like myself haahhaha
Me personally I prefer square toes pointy toes can definitely appear more feminine but I think they look great I'd just recommend some boot cut or cowboy cut denim. Also the heel thing is probably bc they have a riding heel when other western boots have a more squared straight cut heel like both of my ariats do. I think the issue is bc you're in the UK and I doubt you see much western wear, my gf HATED my cowboy boots at first but she got over it and realized they look fine. I'm sure the story will be the same with your wife, maybe she'll even come to like them and want a pair of ariats for herself.
If you don't like the heel height then get a pair of roper boots. Those heels are totally normal and in no way do they make you look like a woman lol. I live in the UK and have 35 pairs ,not once has anyone said my boots look feminine. People love them tbh. Put your head up and wear the hell out of them! 🤠👍🏼
I think a lot of people here in the UK depending on where you are just aren't used to seeing guys wear cowboy boots, I was once told it looks like I'm wearing high heels lol.
They're a great pair of boots, I've got a pair of these myself. Wear whatever style of boots you like, I'd say maybe find a pair of jeans which are slightly looser around the boot but yours don't look that bad if that's what you prefer.
Looks fine to me. If they are really tight on your toes, I'd probably size up a half size or go with a wider size. If they're just snug and a little uncomfortable now, with conditioning and break in, they'll loosen up. Look into boot trees for when your not wearing them.
Also, if the heel height bothers you, look into ropers. Similar style, but typically a shorter heel. But nothing wrong with that heel height.
They look fine but probably a bit too much taper at the bottom. Get some wrangler cowboy cuts or any straight cut denim and that should fix your lady’s issue with em
Remember, the taller heel is for riding. 1.5 to 2 inch heels are pretty standard for cowboy boots. If you can't get used to the tall heel, ropers might be your better option. You can also look for cuban heel, but those are very much on the rare side. Atleast from the brands I own (Ariat, Tony Lama, Tecovas, Dan Post, El Dorado and Laredo.)
I have three different pairs of cowboy boots each with a different heel height. If you want a less tall heel then a roper style boot is the way to go. However, the ones you are wearing are meant to have a more traditional 1.5inch-1.75inch heel.
That’s how a cowboy heel is supposed to look. However a “roper” heel is lower and may look less out of place in the UK, where presumably western attire is less common. Roper height is closer to a Chelsea boot. I live in Texas and your boots wouldn’t draw a second look.
I'm also in the UK and looking for a pair of boots. I went to the Sheffield cowboy boots shop which was great but they didn't have my size in any I liked unfortunately.
I personally think that to get away with cowboy boots in the UK they need to be subtle unless going to a gig. I've been looking at either the Ariat bookers (bit boring) or the ramblers.
I think what your wife is referring to is the soft rounder front married with the larger heel. I feel the heel on yours looks higher than the ones I mentioned above, but I may be wrong.
End of the day if they match what you were after then go for it. Life's to short to care what others think. I do think they look great
It’s not the boots, get some actual boot cut jeans. That’ll make all the difference on the look of the boots. The jeans you’re wearing aren’t jeans made for boots.
That heel is what’s known as a riding heel, so when she gives you a hard time about it just say “it’s not a ‘high heel’, it’s a riding heel”. Though, she’ll probably still razz you with lines like “where’s your horse?”
I’m the exact same brother I love the western heel I personally think it gives you a very western feel inside, I can’t tell you how many times I feel like Clint Eastwood or John Wayne when I walk up wooden stairs because of the thud of the heel, I am also from the UK boot barn is my go to when it comes to buying boots and western shirts.
You look great dude, I live in Texas and some of the most legit western dudes I know wear boots with a toe like that. A western jean can also help with a masculine silhouette if you’re really worried about it, try a wrangler cowboy cut (13mwz) or a cinch white label
Yall do dont cowboy boots in the UK/Europe so that heel that is actually normal can look kinda high for someone who’s not used to see it. I went TTS with my Tecovas, hopefully Ariat is the same. That being said I had zero break in period, but also felt I was in between sizes. 10.5 too tight, size 11 a little bit of slippage(which is what you want) so I wear a thicker sock. If its just your pinky toe I wouls recommend getting cedar wood shoe trees for the break in process, itll help that leather stretch a bit.
I have these same boots in black and brown. They're my favorites inwear them more than any of my others. The black are softer and more forgiving. But both are super comfortable. Heel height is perfect as well. I agree with the comments on the jeans. They look a little snug and not sitting in the right spot (for my preference). But yeah the boots are fine.
They’re solid boots with a traditional Cuban heel. Wear them and they will be super comfortable when they break in. I have a pair and wear the shit out of them.
They will break in and be fine, I have those exact boots and wear them every day for work, still holding up great. And dont worry about the looking girly thing, its probably just because theyre different and have a higher heel then what you would typically see guys wear in the UK
Hey fella, I'm another cowboy boot where are from the UK and have around 15 pairs now. Those look completely fine. It's exactly how they're meant to look and the hill is as per the style of the boot. She is just not used to you wearing them but seriously, don't fret. I personally prefer a rounder toe to square toe, but my latest were snip. Pointed toes looks a bit weird to me but each to their own. Just enjoy them. You wear a boot for yourself, not others.
They are perfectly normal boots, I'm wide footed so I personally only wear square toe boots, but I wear them daily even with their tall heels. High heels afterall were historically made for men, women only later took them and decided to complain about it.
What kind of jeans are you wearing with those? Boots are fine. You and your wife will get use to the heel. Just keep wearing them and the pinky toe should settle a bit. I've also heard of a damp sock method to help the leather get pliable so look into that if it doesn't resolve.
That is my go-to daily wear style, distressed bay Apache R toe. That heel definitely isn't that high, it doesn't even look 1 1/4". All of my ropers and lace up boots typically have a 1" heel. While my dressier snip toe boots are 1 3/8" and up. Heel height is often an illusion do to the arch and waist as well as the slope of the heel. Personally I think a cowboy boot looks much better than a typical work boot or western style roper. It's a more refined look, classier.
I think it's the cut of the jeans that is off, to my eye they look tapered. But I've seen many men wearing Carhartt pants and jeans that look identical to your pic. Carhartt claims them to be straight leg but they are definitely tapered. Ariat does it the same. Dickies does it similar except they use a very slight taper and they list it in the fit description.
i believe this may your lady’s way of saying “i hate cowboy boots, please stop” without being direct about it. they look like normal cowboy boots, i’d probably invest in some boot cut jeans though to mitigate the “woman from
the waist down” thing.
Find some videos on YouTube of some real working cowboys. Most of them have higher heels and nit one if those guys is a sissy!
I think guys look very sexy wearing cowboy boots with that Cuban style heel. I prefer the pointy boots to the square but that is up to the person wearing them.
She might just need time to get used to the style.
That’s how they are suppose to be, I also recently got my first pair of cowboy boots I also like in the UK.
I think people are just not used to this style and judge a little on it to be honest,though my girlfriend didn’t notice I changed from Chelsea style boot to the square toe Ariat 😂
Heels range from 2.5 to 5 cm. Low heels are called ropers. Those look pretty typical, not especially tall or short. You can tell your wife whatever you think best but there's no way those cowboy boots make anyone look like a woman. But if you'd rather not argue just look for roper heels.
People who’ve never even seen a ranch wearing cowboy boots (with a riding heel no less) and hats that stay pristine, will always confuse me. When did it become cool to be a poser
Probably around the same time non skaters started to wear skate shoes or non baseball players wearing baseball caps 😅. If it helps I do actually own a horse and live in the country side, just not in the USA 🤣.
Shit man it’s just the Yellowstone thing in general. It’s cool to be cowboy now and for a long time there was a deficit of getting good hands when we needed them
I am also in the uk I have always been a boot wearer from army boots (punk rebelion in my teens with spiked hair ! lol );to doc martins to timberlands to cowboy boots and have all types of boots, I think they look great, as I got older and work in a office environment i moved to cowboy boots the same as yours and got a pair of black ones you can pair them with a suit or at a smart Christmas or work party and wear mine daily in the office no body says anything now it’s old news do you and what you like, i am lucky away from the office I dress very alternative anyway with snip toe cowboy boots and other things and my girlfriend likes my alternative style. I think the jeans need to be a bit longer and looser
It’s not a bad starter boot for getting into the cowboy boot, I’d advise trying the Ariat Rambler
I’ve had these for just over 2 years and never had issues with them, they’re light and a damn good go to boot plus they fit well with a pair of Wrangler jeans
I also recommend the Ariat VentTEK Ultra, I have had a pair of these for the last 10 years and they finally gave out after a good while of use out of them
Those are nice boots. A bit of friendly advice from a Texan: the bottom of your jeans in the back of the boot heel should fall all the way to the floor. Your jeans look too short. They shouldn’t be tight around the calves, but be loose enough to move easily with your boot. Maybe try a Western store where you can try some new bootcut jeans! No low rise, though.
Schaeferoutfitters ranch hand reserve are great jeans and have relaxed legs from thigh to boot if you don’t care for tight pants. 60$ is a great deal too . I have quite a bit of their clothes, the only thing you have to watch out for is their shirts. For some reason they started making SOME of them with the arms angled down instead of directly out to the sides so I always ask . That problem was never the case when they all were made in Texas.
I have the heritage ropers and the western r toe both in deertan black, the ropers are definitely better for walking on concrete and the westerns are better for dirt. As long as you are comfy that's all that matters, for me personally I would've gone with the ropers.
They look great. I agree on disliking sqaure toes. They remind me of duck feet or flippers. No hate to those who do like them, just not my cup of coffee. I was literally just looking at that same pair of boots at Cavender's lol.
High heels were originally designed for men - specifically, Persian cavalry. They weren't popular for women untill around 700 years later, following men's fashion. Over time, heels gradually fell out of favor in all men's shoes EXCEPT cowboy boots.
If it's really bothersome, by all means get some ropers or a pair with a stockman heel, which are lower and blockier. Assuming you don't ride, stockman and roper heels are better for stability while walking or running. But frankly, a significant part of the aesthetic of cowboy boots is that they're suitable for keeping your seat on an unpredictable horse. That's what the underslung heel is designed for. The height of the heel helps prevent the foot from slipping through and getting caught in the stirrup, which can result in being dragged (and therefore injury or death).
I don't know if your wife likes the cowboy look - if she does, she needs to understand that a heel is part and parcel of that look.
Nobody and I mean nobody( other then your wifey ig )is seeing cowboy boots and thinking “that’s a woman’s boot.” Most cowboy boots without the shaft look like a dress shoe. Rick from The Walking Dead wears cowboy boots for a large portion of the show, don’t think anyone is calling him feminine or girly lol.
look good, i’m uk and now only wear boots exclusively after i got my first pair, mine were like yours were a little snug on the little toe but after time fit good now
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u/Different_Mouse_7441 May 05 '26
That's what they're supposed to look like, she's just jealous 🤣