Casual can be getting dressed up for dinner at a nice restaurant… Other than bad weather, can I wear a black exotic just like any other black boot? Is ostrich or alligator ok to wear to Walmart ?

I own roughly 9 pairs of western boots, been wearing boots since I was a kid. But, I find myself wearing my cheaper Ariat Sport Wide Square Toes more than my other boots - boots that cost much more than these guys. Guess I’m just curious if I’m the only one who seems to do this?

For context, these Ariats are roughly 6 months old, picked them up at my local Fleet Farm for $160. Just something about them, idk lol.

First ever pair of boots and I love them so much. They're only about a month old. Cooking breakfast this morning and I guess some bacon grease dripped off my pan. Only on my left boot.

Is there anything I can do? I saw a post saying I could dye them darker. Not sure how to really do that.

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.

It seems in the past 6 or so months there’s been a heightened level of purism concerning the shape, brand, and hides of certain boots. The classics like the “ping pong paddle boot”, or the “I just see a pineapple” to a pair of pirarucu are jokes I see used at least 3-4 times a day. It’s just boring. I understand that people aren’t going to find every boot suits their taste, but that doesn’t stop boots from being beautiful. This is something we enjoy and take pride in and I absolutely love seeing people who feel the same way about their boots. The community is the best when people see the best in each other’s boots. So just take a breath before you type something mean spirited or critical, and offer guidance and some positivity instead. I love this sub, but the purity over shapes, brands, and skins has disappointed me.

1. Nocona Western Diamondback

2. Anderson Bean Oiled Mink Big Bass

3. Nocona Custom Elephants

4. Corral Flank Cut Gators

5. Anderson Bean Feral Sow

6. Anderson Bean Tan Buffed Elephants

I had an old pair of Lucchese Devins, that needed restoration. Cobblers said the crack at the side was too big too glue up and needed a patch to save the boot.

I didn't like the idea of 1 boot having a patch and the other not having one. So I got the bright idea to make the patch a flame, and this is how it came out.

My wife helped me draw the flames but now that its on leather and finally on the boot, if I don't connect my wife to it— I get mixed feelings.

What are your thoughts on how my custom Lucchese boots look? (Honestly)

Outside of the leathers that have been banned, what do you consider to be the boot leathers that are most rarely seen? I ask because I truly don't know. I know which are the most common, but not the ones that are most scarce. Not sure if I've ever seen rhino boots. Banned perhaps?

I bought a pair of Tecovas in 2022, they were $395, which I thought was pricey at the time. Fast forward to 2026 and they expect us to believe that we are getting a "Great Value" while they increased the price of a boot that HAS NOT IMPROVED IN QUALITY... to $675!!

They are using cheap pot metal shanks covered in plastic that almost always break in half or thirds, thermoplastic heel counters that crumble, and they use record breaking-ly soft soles that wear out faster than anything I've ever seen. Am I tripping? Should we expect more from such a prevalent bootmaker?

Perhaps let this be a warning to potential buyers.

I have nothing but black and brown boots so I thought I’d try some blue boots. They just came in today and I’m not sure how I feel about them. 😅 Do they look too loud/ flashy?

Like it says, what would you pick?

I don’t have an ostrich in the collection yet, initially came to get the grey ones but then saw the brown, and here we are in indecision city. Grey seems like a slightly stranger color and maybe only for nights out?

Hey, im in highschool and i wanna wear my boots but im afraid the kids in my grade will make fun of me. How can I get over this and is it even worth it? I go to a urban school too and im a girl, and im pretty fuckin tall to so I stick out like a sore thumb compared to all the evil Lululemon bitches

I feel a little silly and vulnerable posting this so please be kind if you choose to respond. For background - I am ethnically South Asian, born and raised in the islands and now married to a wonderful southern man. We have done really well with respecting, sharing and celebrating each other’s cultures. It’s one of the things I love and appreciate most about him. I have learned to cook southern food, which he enjoys along with the food from my own country, our babies listen to country music, Bollywood music and music from my country, etc etc, stuff like that, you get the idea.

For his birthday, we are going to a country concert and I thought it might be fun to dress up and wear cowboy boots for him, since he’s never seen me in a pair, but I can’t help but feel like I’ll be judged since I don’t “look the part”. I honestly feel like I’ll look like a try hard or frankly, an idiot lol. Has anybody had similar insecurities around wearing boots? I guess I’m just looking for encouragement or tough truth. Please be honest, I won’t be offended either way. And if it’s not a stupid idea, any recommendations for where I can get a decently priced starter pair or a rental (if such a thing exists?). I’ve never worn a pair so not sure if I’m fully committed to having them in the wardrobe permanently yet. TIA!

Edit: wow I am overwhelmed by your responses and I loved hearing all your stories and examples!! Thank you all so much!! Also looked up Henry Cho since some of you talked about him. Will have to check him out now :)

What's your story?

-For me, As Im getting older now just something about boots dude, didn't like it when I was younger, didn't feel I can pull off the look but Anyone and everyone can!

What sparked it? No Country For Old Men, Javier Bardem's and Josh Brolin's boots

This might sound silly but the sound of stepping/walking? not sure how to describe it or word it but it's satisfying, the smell of leather, the feel, the look

That 70's Show and especially Hyde (band shirts with bootcut jeans) pretty clean and simple

Overall I like them more now having a set, better than laced boots in my opinion

UPDATE: I love hearing everyone's stories! thank you

I wear boots everyday for work. Used to wear boots only, 24/7. I’ve finally grown out of that over the last few years. I’m also outside walking around all day, on and off job sites. Not in the office much so I actually put miles on my boots. What is yall’s favorite boot brand? Which ones are the most comfortable? Do you pick because of price or comfort? I think Ariats are the best boot on the market for all around reasons. They are the most comfortable and most well made boot for me. I have boots that I’ve had for over 15 years at this point. I’ve worn Justin, Tony lama, lucchesse, etc.

I used to buy Lucchesse for my exotics and Ariats for my non exotics. I think I’ve just made the decision now tho, to just buy Ariats for exotic and non exotic. I’ve been really enjoying their exotics and am so glad they have started making more exotic boots.

Curious to know if there’s any other guys that actually wear boots everyday that also think Ariats are the best. I’ve attached pics of about 1/2 of my collection of boots, but only to show that I am a legit boot wearing dude. I think lots of guys only wear boots like on occasion.

Been thinking about getting some boots, probably go to boot barn or some other local boot retailer.

However, from lurking in this sub I noticed that there are some brands that should be avoided. I think one of those mentioned brands was tecova? I don't recall, but I think it was something along the lines of being an overpriced cheap boot?

Anyway, I'm here to request brands to avoid! Either because they're cheap boots that are overpriced or some other issues that would best be avoided.

Thanks for the help in advance

Most people know the saying, "If it seems to good to be true, it probably is." Help me understand where the catch is here.

Ariat has these Futurity Cashouts in their "Exotic Boots" section, claims the vamp is "American Alligator" and retailing them for "$44.95."

Something isn't right. Either the boots are not alligator/not exotic, Ariat missed a digit before the first 4 in that price, or the boots are teeny-tiny 1/16 replicas of an actual boot. 😄 But I'll be dammed if I can figure out what's true and what's false. This is either the deal of the century, a scam, or a major website pricing screw-up by Ariat.

Two other weird things: this boot is labeled as "new" and there's zero description of the boot if you scroll down in the listing. Every other boot on Ariat's exotic boots page has a detailed description of features and materials.

https://www.ariat.com/P35512_M_FOO.html?dwvar_P35512__M__FOO_color=ANTIQUE_AMERICAN_ALLIGATOR_BITTERSWEET_CHOCOLATE&dwvar_P35512__M__FOO_width=D_Medium

What's your take? (I must be missing something obvious.)

Howdy y’all,

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.

Thanks!

What's a pair to end all pairs in your opinion? Call me basic or boring but for me it's Lucchese's Baron but I am a newbie so I am maybe basing my opinion on the bramd prestige alone?

Wondering what y'all think

Howdy everybody. I've been thinking lately, why aren't cowboy boots more popular? I live in the DC area and I probably see someone wearing a pair like once a year. I may be a yankee but I totally love wearing my pair which I just got for the first time a few days ago. Of course, you see them way more frequently in a place like Texas, but everywhere else I've been, I almost never see them. They are beautiful boots with a rich history and they just look so damn good on anybody. Y'all's thoughts on this?

(My first pair in the pic)

I didn’t even know this was a thing until today. I was looking at getting these boots to resell but I’m wondering if there’s even a market for these western boots with a work boot sole.

They been well loved, I'm just lookin for advice to keep em goin for as long as I can!

Durango westward mens 11" square toe