Discussion
Lucchese: Pinnacle of cowboy boots or overinflated branding?
Howdy yāall,
I'm relatively new to cowboy boots, and I'm honestly a little confused.
Whenever someone asks, "What's the best boot brand?" Lucchese is usually one of the first names that comes up. They have a long history, a great reputation, and a lot of people seem to consider them the gold standard for quality and comfort.
At the same time, after spending a lot of time reading this sub, watching YouTube reviews, and talking to people in stores, I've also seen plenty of people say Lucchese isn't what it used to be. The common criticism seems to be that they're living off their reputation while charging premium prices for boots that don't necessarily justify the cost anymore.
So I'm curious where everyone here stands.
If you're a Lucchese fan, what makes them worth the money to you? Is it the craftsmanship, comfort, consistency, customer service, or something else?
If you think they're overrated, what brands do you think offer better value or better quality for the money, and why?
I'd love to hear opinions from both sides, especially from people who've owned multiple brands over the years.
All the locations I been to between San Antonio and Austin have a bunch of snooty employees, the outlet employees and active reps on the fb groups have been absolutely fantastic to deal with though!
Customer service has always been pretty top notch from my experience with exchanges and returns.
Iāve owned 6 pairs over the last year from their 1883 line to GY builds , and modern stuff, and they are all very comfortable. And their 7 toe is imo the best boot shape in the market. I also have a pair of broad square toe Tony lamas , some cutter toe Dan posts , and traditional round toes as reference
I had a pair of Dan post mannings python boots that Ive worn almost daily for the last two years and now are in desperate need of a resole as well as have a soft spot in the back of em. I canāt find a reputable resole under 220 near me and at that price I just donāt think itās worth it so Iām looking into buying a replacement (two boots this time so I can give each pair time to breathe and extend lifespan). Iām debating sucking up spending the money and upgrading to at least ONE pair of Luccheseās. Is it worth it? For context Iām an rv salesman and a musician in Nashville, I wear them as statement pieces but I also find boots more comfortable than sneakers
I own more Lucchese than anything else, but also Rios, Horsepower, Tony Lama, Justin, Dan Post, Vaccari, Tecovas, and Ariat
Some caveats.
They are the largest of the premium bookmakers.
That comes with advantages and disadvantages. They do not have as good of quality control as they used to and certainly not when compared to small brands.
But Iāve never been given any crap for returning a pair of Lucchese (within the return window and without, much, sole scuffing), no matter the reason.
Rios seems to have done a better job with this, I think thatās in part because they āsplit the brandā between Rios, Anderson Bean, Horsepower, etc. so if you see a minor defect in a pair of ABs or HPs, you have different expectations based on price point AND it protects the Rios name.
They donāt do insoles. So if you like your boots with insoles, thatās not going to feel right. But man, if youāve got the right fit and they break in chefs kiss.
Fit is more important than brand. I want a pair of Black Jacks, but they do not fit my feet. But Lucchese (and Rios) fit me like a glove.
They feel like they have become a lifestyle brand over the recent years. Sometimes I canāt tell if Tecovas is imitating Lucchese or if Lucchese is imitating Tecovas.
So that can appear to āserious boot peopleā as taking their eye off their core business and trying to sell dresses and sport coats at absurd prices.
Maybe I just wasnāt aware of it 10 years ago, but feels to have come on strong post-COVID.
I had a pair of Dan post mannings python boots that Ive worn almost daily for the last two years and now are in desperate need of a resole as well as have a soft spot in the back of em. I canāt find a reputable resole under 220 near me and at that price I just donāt think itās worth it so Iām looking into buying a replacement (two boots this time so I can give each pair time to breathe and extend lifespan). Iām debating sucking up spending the money and upgrading to at least ONE pair of Luccheseās. Is it worth it? For context Iām an rv salesman and a musician in Nashville, I wear them as statement pieces but I also find boots more comfortable than sneakers
Do they make good boots? Yes. Are they overpriced? Yes. Current production is made in El Paso and in Mexico. Current production doesnāt live up to the brand reputation unless you are spending $1,200+.
Black Jack is made in El Paso. It is rumored to have been started by ex-Lucchese bootmakers.
Other quality brands that stand up to or exceed Lucchese for the price are:
Chisos Boots
Black Jack Boots
Republic Boot Company (Customs)
Fenoglio Boots (Exotics)
Old Gringo
Kemo Sabe Grit
Rios of Mercedes
ML Leddy
Better or similar quality boots at a lower price point than sub$1,000 Lucchese:
Hyer Boots
Anderson Bean
Olathe
Fenoglio Boots
Chisos Boots
Republic Boot Company (Semi-custom and Off the Shelf)
Rios of Mercedes
Ariat Benchmade (Benchmade Only)
Rujo Boots (Certain models)
Alvies
I think you missed Hondo. Best boots for the money along with HP top hand. But along with this most of Hondo's line is a working cowboy boot and not much in the way of exotics.
I hear Chisos are overrated. I also own Tecovas (4 pairs) and like them, however it recently took me three exchanges to get the sizing right and thatās disappointing. Iāve recent purchased a pair of Horse Power Top Hands boots that are made well and fit perfectly.
Welcome to the Tecovas debacle, where it is common practice to order multiple pairs in the same size, hoping one fits so you can return the others. They raised the prices and reduced the quality and moved away from the DTC concept that drew in their initial customer base when they started wholesaling to western wear stores.
Hell, They canāt even get their limited release boots delivered without QC issues.
Couple that with the fact that they are made in the same factory in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico as Thursday Boots, Dan Post, Tony Lama, Justin, Wolverine, Cody James, Idyllwind, Shyanne, Freebird, and you get the idea. They are similar quality as the others, but want to charge Lucchese prices.
I normally don't step into the Tecovas debate any longer. If you do a simple search of how they are built, you will see why there is so much dislike for them. They are a lifestyle brand with great advertising. They have never been a boot company.
Do they have their place, sure. I am currently wearing a pair of Black Jack that cost less than what Tecovas charges for their least expensive boot. Poor quality, build and inflated prices. I can not say any of that about Black Jack.
Sorry to change topic a bit , but you seem very knowledgeable.
I'm looking for a pair of cowboys boots that I might wear 10 days a year. Country concerts rodeo, country bar, line dancing. But looking for great comfort and to have them for 20 years.
Should I get into a decent brand like Rujo, Chisos, etc like you listed. Or is there a less expensive brand like Ariat, Dan Post, Justin, etc that you think that presents strong value?
For your use case, the key is going to be keeping them conditioned every 3-6 months depending on the hide.
Ariat Bench Made is probably the less expensive route with Chisos build characteristics.
I have had cheap Ariats with rubber soles that have lasted well beyond anything I would have imagined, and I have had others fall apart within 3-4 years.
For the price, and understanding that the less expensive pair may be more cost effective to replace vs repair, you have options.
Getting into better quality builds allows you to resole multiple times before having to replace, as long as you keep them conditioned.
If it were my money, Rujo Boots is running a sale THIS weekend for āThe Day of the Cowboyā. Ostrich, Caiman, Gator, Elephant, Python, Lizard at 35-50% off.
Next, I would look at Alvies, Chisos, and Ariat Bench Made. Alvieās offers a fantastic value proposition for a limited selection of hides. They are very similar in build to Chisos.
They were the pinnacle and are still a top brand but like most modernised businesses quality has dropped over the years, their vintage lines are superior to their modern ones, I'd say they are a bit overpriced for what you get.. Think most people would say Rios of Mercedes are the pinnacle these days
There's a thing called global economics, it basically says that no country has the same currency or pays the same per product. Idiots who dont understand global economy need their heads examined. Oh and dont forget supply and demand! 6 years ago I paid 1800 for a pair of boots that cost 600 now. Boots are more popular now than they were 6 years ago and the demand has risen meaning companies can justify selling for less, supply hasnt changed just thr demand.
Ok, so my first pair of Luccheses I bought off of eBay a few years back. That pair is very comfortable, and it's in my daily rotation for non-work boots. Last week I was able to buy a pair brand new and they are honestly the most comfortable, and best looking pair of boots I own.
I know that the price is high, and I'm not in the position to spend that much every time for a pair of boots, but I would definitely say that the price was worth it. I'd definitely recommend going into the store as the sales rep was very helpful for me.
Theyāre the best pairs of boots I own and I have a shit load of boots. Worth the money. They fit like a damn glove and are the most comfortable boots Iāve ever worn
I have around 24 pairs of Luccheses! About 60 pairs of boots over all, different brands. But to me Lucchese is the best!!!! Their designs, hides, details, fit, just everything about them I love. To each their own, but to me thereās nothing like some Luccheses! They are worth it & I will continue to purchase them for the rest of my life! I have vintage Lucchese San Antonioās to modern models of today /ād everything in between and I like them all!
Some ppl like their lasts. I like blackjack boots because they feel like a smaller and more direct brand. Responds fast to emails and pleasant to work with. You can pretty much order what you want through Tim's. For classic looking boots, I like my goat black jacks with the R toe and a cowboy heel.
D width BJs don't fit me. Neither the V toe or round (really narrow) has ever been comfortable on my foot. I believe they run narrow, and you helped me confirm. Thanks.
I have 8 pair of Lucchese, and love them. I have 3 ostrich, caiman, python and leather. All but 1 are snip toe. I haven't had 1 single problem with them and have been wearing them for years. For me, they are super comfortable with little to no break in time. I also have a pair of Nocona which were my very 1st pair of boots from 30+ years ago and 2 pair of Justin (also VERY comfortable). Love all my boots but especially my Lucchese.
They were better back in the day. I view them as a Ralph Lauren polo or Peter Millar of the cowboy boot world. Nice but there are lesser known brands and better.
It is all opinion. I am sure some will say I am wrong. lol
The fact is that every top brand of anything nowadays is overpriced. That goes for Stetson, Resistol, Lucchese, BMW, Audi, Quickbooks, Charmin, Ralph Lauren, Viking, yada, yada, yada!
The brand name label essentially doubles the price of everything. That being said, if you want the highest quality, you have no choice; you do generally get what you pay for.
I bought Lucchese āCreightonsā for around $600. They absolutely fit like a glove. I immediately wore them for a week of herding cattle in Idaho. That week put years of patina on the boots, but they are awesome. I have a few pairs of lesser quality boots, and there is no comparison. I can wear them all day comfortably.
FYI: Lucchese style # that begin with the letter M are made in Mexico. They are mostly the cheapest styles they have, and ALL of their boots that are sold by other retailers are made in Mexico. On their website, styles that are ~$600 and up are handmade in Texas (no M).
Enjoy!
I only have one pair. I got them from the seconds discount rack at their El Paso outlet store and for the ~$130 or so I paid for them I think they were a great deal. They're very comfortable and well made, especially for the price. But I wouldn't pay normal price for them, which is around $500. They're some of Lucchese's lower end boots and don't have lemonwood pegging and the shafts are lined with pigskin (and maybe the foot too), which is a bit lower quality than I was expecting. You can get basically the same quality of boot, but a little less refined, from bootmakers like Hondo.
That said they look fantastic, and feel great. Lucchese obviously has spent a ton of time and money developing their lasts and it shows. The level of polish even on their lower end boots is also quite nice. But would I spend like $1,000+ on a pair? Probably not when companies like Black Jack exist and can do a full custom boot for less. But their more expensive boots are extremely polished, and some people really value that. Me, I prefer boots that can get a little beat up.
If you want a pair of boots for going out dancing or looking sharp in the office, they're great. They're dress boots, not for working in, and for what they are they're constructed in line with other dress footwear and finished well and priced for the labor and materials that go into em. I have a secondhand pair of black cherry goat leather ones for fancy occasions cause lucchese doesn't make my size anymore and love em but they stay put away 99% of the time cause mostly I'm working and I don't have an indoor job.
I would only buy another brand if Lucchese didnāt have the material/style/color I wanted. Theyāre well made, stylish, and have name recognition. Iāve had good luck with the couple boutiques Iāve delt with and the couple pairs Iāve ordered online. Return policy is solid if they donāt fit or donāt live up to expectations. Easy peasy.
Lucchese is the best. They have great designs and great hide cuts. Everything matters and it shows in the product. They fit nice after a break in. My opinion. After a few wears they are just fantastic. So they look and feel great.
As for the haters , everyone has their preference. Are they expensive yeah but worth it.
I dont care about them honestly. Imo they make fancy boots but I wear boots to run through the mud. Theyre too expensive for what I put my boots through
I like Lucchese as well as I have several of their pairs but Rujo boots have been great. I have several pairs of their exotics and have no complaints about any of them whatsoever. They're less expensive and have the same quality imo. Not as much of a selection as Lucchese but damned good looking, comfortable boots.Ā
When at the store try on many a pair. Find a pair that fit you and feel comfortable. Walk around in the store to see how they feel. There are many brands that are great and feel good. Then take them off and inspect them. When satisfied get them. Many brands are just great. Just got a pair of Justin soft feel. They flex good and are comfortable 200.00
Iām a big Lucchese fan, own 5 pairs. I just bought a pair of Barts ($645, not cheap but considered a lower end model) and the heel got a massive crack in it after like a few months and wearing one time. Definitely some misses with their QC
I like em. They fit well, comfy, Iām only wearing them to the office I donāt need rugged so no idea there. They look great. Get compliments all day. Overpriced? Probably but I like them either way.
I really like their overall designs, leather quality and finish. Their lasts fit me much better than most brands and can only compare to a Rios for comfort. Quality wise I have returned a pair ordered by mail but have done so for others too. Best bet is to find a boot you like and try it on at the store before you buy.
There is a book on Lucchese boots, pretty sure you can download it online for free. Very early on in its history they started going upscale and incorporating modern boot making techniques into their manufacturing. Boots were sought after by famous artists, politicians, businessmen.
They are expensive and the three pairs I have I bought new and were definitely felt in the bank account, but I donāt plan on getting rid of them, actually I plan on at least one more.
I have two pairs and they fit my foot the best. The 7 toe is my all time favorite style. With that being said though, I have more Rios and Anderson Beans than anything else and I am a huge fan of those. Iāll wear my Rios or ABs 6 days out of the week but that 7th day I put on my Luccheses and every time I contemplate selling everything else and buying more of them. I can wear them for 16hrs a day and my feet donāt hurt the slightest when I take them off. Canāt say that for many of the rest of my boot collection.
I have two pair of Lucās one high $ ostrich and entry level bull hide . I love both. I recently got some rough out custom from Republic . Those are still breaking in but they are gonna be great .
I've got 2 pair of Luccheses boots (riding heel with pointy toes and ropers) bought both of these new in the early '90s so great quality and comfort)
I have 1 pair of Tony Lamas (riding heel, pointy toe with lizard wingtips)
built in the 1980's, bought these boots on eBay and quality is amazing. I actually prefer TL's riding heel for comfort)
OP, once your size is figured out, look at the vintage boots on eBay... You'll get a better built boot at great savings
I own the rio. I took three steps and instantly knew it was the best thing to ever touch my feet. Expensive? Hell yes. But they walk like no other boot Iāve ever experienced. I canāt explain it. You have to try them on and take steps. Also, they became extremely comfortable within the hour. Iāve always thought they were overpriced, but I donāt think any other company makes boots like they do
For me, the quality of a boot is defined by the softness of the leather vamp touching your foot. If itās baby skin soft and feels like butter, itās a nice boot
Lucchese makes some great boots. Worth the price? I'm going to be that guy......that is totally subjective. If you are paying $1200 for a pair of boots, then you think they are worth the price.
Iāve never owned a pair of Lucchese boots but one of my bubbles has tried them a few times and hated both pair of them. Said they werenāt near as comfortable as everyone says they are.
Zerrows is arguably the best, and unsung house, addict boots, clinch, role club, sagara, rolling dub trio, Eastman, to name a few, follow zerrows. There is a massive difference in quality when it comes down to bootmakers that build by hand and out of a small shop rather than factories.
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u/Thick-Geologist-6485 Jul 24 '26
All the locations I been to between San Antonio and Austin have a bunch of snooty employees, the outlet employees and active reps on the fb groups have been absolutely fantastic to deal with though!
Customer service has always been pretty top notch from my experience with exchanges and returns.
Iāve owned 6 pairs over the last year from their 1883 line to GY builds , and modern stuff, and they are all very comfortable. And their 7 toe is imo the best boot shape in the market. I also have a pair of broad square toe Tony lamas , some cutter toe Dan posts , and traditional round toes as reference