The Best Cowboy Boots for the Ranch or the Road

Direct-to-consumer brand Tecovas has been on the radar of many a cowboy boot fan thanks to its balance of quality details and affordable prices. Its Johnny boot comes with a water-resistant suede, a leather stacked heel, and 3/4 Goodyear welt construction.

Lucchese multi-generational boot tradition is revered the world over and its roper-style Tanner Boot is a standout. Featuring a premium goat leather upper that’s full of patina and character off the bat, the Tanner is a shorter cowboy boot that’s built in Texas using a resolable welted construction.

Rhodes isn't revered for its Cowboy Boots. But, the young brand's Roper Boot is a solid entry to category — at a halfway decent price. (You won't find many cowboy boots below $200.) These are made in Léon, Mexico from waxed cowhide uppers, a resoleable leather outsole, and pigskin liners.

The Overland brand, known for its luxurious yet surprisingly rugged leather outerwear – often adorned with super-warm shearling – has done quite the number when it comes to making a run for the rest of your wardrobe. Witness these attractive cowboy boots, done up in rich suede cowhide leather in a wear-with-anything shade of dark brown. These hand-lasted boots feature a Western snip toe and a shaft that’s slightly shorter than other classic cowboy boot options, plus an unlined heel for easy-on, easy-off access.

Made in Guanajuato but based in Texas, Chisos (named after mountains in West Texas) makes its boots using fine leather and roughout leather uppers and durable leather outsoles, which are meant to last between 12 and 18 months. They'll need replaced after that, but the Channel Welt, which is where the welt is stitched directly to the leather insole.

It can be difficult to find a pair of quality cowboy boots under $200, but that’s what Justin Boots offers up here. If you’re in search of classic cowboy boot detailing, like the ornate Western upper, plus a no-nonsense shade of brown leather, the sub-$170 Chet Boots could fit the bill nicely. Plus, they feature orthotic insoles for a smooth ride.

Although Red Wing's Traction Tred boots are a bit like Engineer ones, these totally pass for Western wear. They have a similar shape, are pull-ons, and will offer all of the same functionality. If you want to dip your toe into the world of cowboy boots without going all-out, these harken back to classic Red Wing work boots, with rich tan leather that gets better with age. Plus, the lug-pattern sole doesn’t pick up mud and should offer some nice comfort, traction and spring in your step.

If ever you’ve tried out one of Filson’s legendary waxed jackets or tough-yet-soft flannel shirts, you know the brand bridges the gap between classic, rugged style and modern performance quite readily. The same can be said of the Roper Boots, which are made with an oiled, thick leather to stand up to grueling conditions. The Vibram sole provides steady traction, too.

Heritage Boot Co. has a vast array of cowboy offerings from the basic entry-level styles to boots with the exotic leather and hand-tooled designs. The Westerner features a luscious black leather for the upper which is then decorated with western stitching. The combination of the riding heel and the chiseled toe make it one of the most covetable boots on this list.

The ornate stitching and striking, arrow and “X” design throughout is a major highlight. You might say these are the rare pair of cowboy boots to deliver a bit of “punk rock” edge, which could make them fitting to pair with black jeans and a black moto jacket for a seriously distinctive look.

Rios of Mercedes gets exclusive with this pair produced exclusively for Pinto Ranch and boasting the features to match. Those include handsome, rugged roughout tan leather and raw, unfinished leather boot tops, plus a distressed wide snip toe. The 12-inch shaft height falls in line with other classic cowboy boots, and even the hybrid leather and neoprene sole is distressed on the exterior. These boots once again combine a touch of modern edge with classic cowboy boot specs.

Tony Lama's Bay Apache Boot is made in the US from 100-percent leather. They have a classic look to them afforded by hand-stitching, but modern details like a cushioned insole, rounded toe, and a slim but not tight footbed. The classic hallmarks of cowboy boots are all present, from the heightened 12-inch shaft to a reinforced front vamp and ornate Western stitching.

The deep brown shade of leather is especially appealing, with the potential to break in quite nicely over time (don’t forget the leather conditioner recommended by Tecovas, though).

Hear us out on this: Just like the Red Wing Traction Boots we recommended earlier, there’s a way to bridge the gap between more commonly found boots and cowboy boots, if that’s what you need in your footwear rotation.

Tecovas serves up just what you need with the handsome Roy Suede Zip Boots – yes, they feature a side zip, more commonly found on dress boots, and the shaft height is certainly shorter at 8 inches, but they still feature a sturdy stacked heel and a profile that calls to mind iconic Tecovas cowboy boots. Plus, the suede is water-resistant, just for good measure.

Ariat's Ryden Boot is one of the shorter options on this list. It comes with a traditional upper, square toe, and the brand's proprietary, performance-oriented Bantamweight sole.

Ariat’s roots in the world of Western boots run deep, so count them among brands you can trust. For good measure, the Western stitching on the shaft itself is among the more visually appealing among our picks for the best cowboy boots – think of these like durable, well-made yet fairly priced cowboy boots you could absolutely wear on the ranch if needed. If not, keep them well-oiled to wear around town to grab a cold beer and a nice sidecar of whiskey.