The perfect, comfortable, long lasting, affordable, men's cowboy boot

[talkofthetown]

Or, the Loch Ness Monster. Bigfoot. A chupacabra. Do they exist?

My DH wears boots every day. Every, every day. He’s on his feet a lot at work, so his boots get worn down pretty quick. Christmas is coming, he needs new boots, bla bla bla.

Holy crap they’re expensive!!! I want to get a nice, quality pair so they will last a while, but I can’t afford most of what I’m seeing. He has a pair of Ariats now, he has really liked them and they have been comfortable. He doesn’t like the brand Justin. He tends to like the more typical western look. Any recommendations for comfort, shelf life, and price tag?

[Beverley]

Well I have a pair of Luccheses and yes they are expensive though I got those on a good sale.

About 10 years ago I found some nice basic Noconas on sale for $70 that fit me like a glove. I still use them for daily riding, they could use some new heels though.

[arapaloosa_lady]

Does he need to wear riding boots all day? If he can switch into riding boots before getting on, Timberland makes a great, sturdy men’s workboot.

[JBCool]

Ariats tends to walk different than traditional western boots, so if he likes those, I’d stick with them or try Twisted X: my DH had a crepe sole Ariat he liked that he replaced with Twisted Xes that he’s happy with. Keep in mind a lot of western boots are designed so you can replace the sole & heels and get more life out of them. There’s often a lot more work in a boot than a shoe, so yeah they’re going to cost more.

This is DH’s boot, just for example: http://www.twistedxboots.com/Htm/MRS0038.htm

[pluvinel]

Timberland boots…I buy the men’s boots as they’re more comfortable than any others I’ve found.

[suz]

I wear a pair of men’s Durangos which have lasted for years and years.
The uppers are faded and disreputable looking and in desperate need of weather proofing spray again, however the soles look brand new.
So new in fact that I showed the tack store owner how new they looked since I bought them from her so many years ago.

[Guilherme]

Define “affordable.”

You can buy under $100 boots from questionable sources all day long off the 'Net. If they last a year you’re doing well (of course if you’re a “Walmart Cowboy” they may last longer ).

The last pair I bought were custom made, mule hide, and ran just under $400. That sounds like a lot but they are now almost 3 years old and I’ve two sets of soles and heels. These are “dress” boots so they’re not worn every day. My work boots are mule hide and were bought 8 years ago; cost just over $300; and get resoled and heeled about annually. They DO get worn almost every day. They were “dress” boots when I bought them. They are scarred and clearly “work ready” but are fully serviceable.

For some tasks I don’t wear Western boots as they are not as comfortable as a lace up work boot. The lace up boots get the same care as the Western boots (see below).

Both pair are cleaned and polished regularly and frequently. I keep “shoe trees” in them when not worn. If they get wet I let them dry naturally.

So, I have to ask again, define “affordability?” It’s a lot more than just purchase price.

G.

[tinah]

redback easy outs. They look and function like a blundstone and wear like iron.

http://www.redbackboots.com/ecommerce/footwear/easy-escape-crazy-horse-brown.cfm

I’m almost sorry I told you about them. They’re that cool.

[gypsymare]

If he likes Ariat, stick with them. They do fit different than other manufacturers. I wore mine around campus walking for miles. Other brands don’t have as comfortable of a walking sole.

[King_Creole]

My little brother practically lives in his Twisted X boots. I got a pair for my bday and was pleasantly surprised. The even have arch support. Try those, are stick w/ Ariat. I find them pretty comparable comfort-wise.

[talkofthetown]

Thanks for the suggestions! Affordable: don’t laugh…I would LOVE to keep it $150 or less. However, I realize that might not be possible. That was the number I had in my head before I started window shopping.

DH doesn’t ride for a living (or at all right now, horse-less) but he is on his feet all day. Comfort and durability are the biggest priorities for him.

Tinah, I’m so sorry you had to spill the beans but those look pretty cool! I will have to show him some pictures and see what he thinks.

[JBCool]

[QUOTE=talkofthetown;7903893]
Thanks for the suggestions!
DH doesn’t ride for a living (or at all right now, horse-less) but he is on his feet all day. Comfort and durability are the biggest priorities for him.
.[/QUOTE]

This part REALLY makes me reiterate sticking with what works for him (Ariat) or Twisted X, which have a similar footbed & sole. I don’t know about Ariat, but Twisted Xes retail start about $180, so you should be able to find something close to your budget.

[SnazzysMom]

I bought my husband Tony Lama western work boots - he wears them constantly (has had them 3 years now), and says they are very comfortable.