Cowboy boots
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I should clarify my previous comment, as it really seems a bit dickish. The boots look like they're well made and if you like the style, (and the price, whatever it may be) then they're fine. That said, I'm something of a purist about cowboy boots, and those aren't, so I'm not interested.
Also, Marfa is a super trendy little town out in west Texas that caters to rich artsy types. For those of you familiar with Sedona, it's kinda similar. When folks open up a shop there and call it something catchy like "Cobra Rock", I'm pretty sure they're not aiming their products at crotchety traditionalists like me.
There are lots of places in Texas to get traditional, handmade cowboy boots- El Paso, (Tres Amigos, Rocketbuster, Stallion, JB Hill, etc.) the Rio Grande Valley, (Rios of Mercedes, all the Raymondville makers, etc.) the Hill Country, (which includes Austin, San Antonio, plus great makers like Duck Menzies in Temple, Eddie Kimmel in Comanche, the Jass Brothers in Lampasas, etc.) and other folks scattered around the state that will build individually lasted, made to order custom boots. With that wealth of opportunity to get exactly what I want, I can't see any reason to go out to the middle of nowhere to buy something off the shelf.
Hmmm, that still sounds kinda dickish, doesn't it…
Keep sounding dickish, man, I love your prose on this thread… Texas is a God blessed place when it comes to cowboy boots (and many other things, by the way). I love visiting bootmakers, even though I end up buying a pair most of the time… which slowly but surely ruins me, takes up a lot of space in my small place… They're usually the coolest guys and are proud artesans.
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Can anyone recommend a decent pair of very plain/basic cowboy boots that won't cause me to go broke? I'm looking for best quality in the $200-$300 range. I know nothing about this style of boot and just want something I can beat the hell out of and that will look better afterward.
Also, what's up with the toe styles? Is there any specific reason for getting square toe vs pointed? Thanks!
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Admittedly, the Black Jack Ranch Hand boots are a bit over the top of your price range, but Black Jack boots are really well made, and for the money, the Ranch Hand is a lovely basic style that you can either polish up and look classy, or beat up and look scruffy. Additionally, they allow a whole host of personalization options and the customer service folks at Tim's Boots will happily guide you through every aspect of your purchase.
If you don't get creeped out by the thought of wearing secondhand boots (or is that secondfoot?), then eBay is a good place to hunt. You can get some really well made vintage boots for super cheap. I once got a pair of barely broken in custom made ostrich boots for less than $50. Sure, they had some other guy's initials on them, but no one could see that but me…
As for the toe styles, that's nothing more than personal preference. At different times through the years, various styles have been trendy/fashionable. In the 30s, the box toe was really popular, in the 50s, pointy toes got big, the last decade or so, the square toe has been hot. All up to you. Personally, I like square and box toes; just seems right to me.
Just out of curiosity, what size are you?
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Thanks for the response Chris. I'm a 9.5-10d in most boots. Second hand doesn't creep me out but I wouldn't know what to look for.
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Thanks for the response Chris. I'm a 9.5-10d in most boots. Second hand doesn't creep me out but I wouldn't know what to look for.
Can anyone recommend a decent pair of very plain/basic cowboy boots that won't cause me to go broke? I'm looking for best quality in the $200-$300 range. I know nothing about this style of boot and just want something I can beat the hell out of and that will look better afterward.
Also, what's up with the toe styles? Is there any specific reason for getting square toe vs pointed? Thanks!
For 300 bucks, check out Luccheses unless you want custom boots. Made in the USA.
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One thing to remember with buying new Luccheses in the sub $300 range- that's going to limit you to the 1883 line, which is not rebuildable. Only the more expensive Classics line can be resoled.
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Yeah, I for sure don't want disposable.
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Anyone know about the quality of Rod Patrick boots or Olathe boots? Can they be resoled?
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I'm not familiar with either brand, but it looks like the answer is yes. Olathe is owned and operated by Rios of Mercedes, which is a well respected firm, by the way.
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Thanks for the response Chris. I found a decent used pair I may grab.
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Cool. I'm totally in favor of going secondhand when getting a pair of cowboy boots. It's one of those rare products where the 20 year old version is often better than the brand new version. The fact that you can score plenty of nice ones for <$75 is just the icing on the cake.
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Mulling over getting my first pair of cowboy boots, and hoping the experts here can help me out.
I'm after something pretty simple, something that may, for the more dedicated enthusiasts, probably not be considered much of a "cowboy boot" at all. Perhaps somewhere between a cowboy and a pecos, if that makes sense. Would like to get them in brown roughout.
I was first considering a custom order for something like the Wesco Morrison or the Viberg Stallion, and was wondering how these boots would compare with more traditional cowboy boots in terms of fit, but also in terms of quality for the price?
But I also found a pair of used RRL Ridgeway Roper boots that fit my specs pretty well. Pics on Rakuten.
http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/quarter/item/10000930/
I like the simple style of these, and they are also in my preferred leather (brown roughout). So, what do you think? Are these worth 250$? How would these compare with other cowboy boots available for a similar price? Any ideas on the fit of the RRLs?
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I think in general the style you're after would be considered a roper style boot (generally lower heels, rounder and roomier toe). The working ranchers I saw in Oklahoma all seemed to wear ropers. I think the Viberg and Wesco models you mentioned are aimed at that group of working cowboys as the toe is more of a fuller roper toe and the heel is lower than that usually associated with a cowboy boot.
That said, I like the RRL's. They appear to be well made and at the $250 price point they are attractive. Other opinions may differ but RRL is generally high quality. The RRL's appear to be rebuildable and they have a Vibram sole. Taking a quick look over at bootbarn, at that price you are really finding things at an equivalent range from 1883 Lucchese, Tony Lama, and usual suspects like Justin and Frye. I am by no means recommending those brands, I'm just saying that seems to be the comparable range at that pricepoint. As you will undoubtedly find out, Justin and Frye used to be reputable USA made brands but are now produced in mass quantities overseas; quality has suffered for it.
At the Viberg and Wesco pricepoint you could very well snag a custom pair from some of the great boot makers that gbougard and Chris highlighted a few pages back.
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I think astrogoji covered it pretty well. At $250, I doubt you'll find a better looking, better constructed boot than the RRL one you posted. If you like it, I'd say go ahead and buy it.
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Thanks guys! Really appreciate the help. You're right Chris, astrogoji did cover it well, and his comments (and yours) confirmed, more or less, what I was thinking.
I'm in Japan, and it's impossible for me to buy shoes here due to the size of my feet. I'm not opposed to spending more money for boots, but I like to be sure about the sizing etc. when I do. I'm more willing to take a gamble at 250$. And, anyway, the RRL's pretty much check all the boxes for me.
I also quite liked the look of these from Rios of Mercedes. I guess these are less roper and more cowboy. Perhaps as much cowboy as I would be willing to go. Thoughts on how these would compare to the RRLs?
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I love Rios of Mercedes, but I really love their cheaper brand, Anderson Bean. I'm in no way a "working cowboy," but I did grow up on a ranch in Oklahoma.
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Lucchese has very nice ropers, and the one pair I bought from them is very satisfactory.
http://www.lucchese.com/collections.php?prod_id=17&page=all&restriction1=mens
They are not nubuck and have leather soles, which may be a no-no for you. But they're made in the USA, if that counts for you.
Also, be aware that the sole construction of a roper is totally different from a cowboy boot. A roper is closer to a shoe than a cowboy boot as far as the sole construction is concerned. Therefore the feel is different when you wear them.
