Boots

[CCantu357]

I have been looking to get a new pair of boots. I have always worn Justin or Tony Lama. Nocona and Lucchese are nice but out of my price range. My favorite are those Justin Roper boots, practical and comfortable. My grandfather even wore Justin boots back when policemen wore that type of boot. But most boot stores and many people I know push a brand called Ariat. I am not too familair with them, anyone care to comment on their quality? They sure look different than Justin boots.

 

[Leatherhead23]

I wore Justin for a long time for work and they were great. Salesman talked me into a pair of Ariat and I threw them out a year after purchase. Terrible quality, uncomfortable, never broke in.

I'm sure I'm not the only one with a complaint, and others will praise them. So take my experience for what it's worth.


Btw...I have stepped up to Redwing boots and I couldn't be happier. Comfortable out of the box and more durable! A little more money but well worth it!

 

[Jessie]

I recently bought a pair of John Deere wellingtons.
I love them....reasonable price, well made, light and comfortable.
I don't know who really makes them but John Deere is imbossed in the heel leather.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Justin Ropers are hard to beat.
And American made.

 

[chaparrito]

Be careful with Justins. On their Roper page, out of 21 Roper styles shown, only 8 are American made. The chinese boots use plastic heel counters and other fake junk. Ariat boots are popular around here, but I have never seen a pair made in the U.S.
Life is too short to wear Chinese footwear.
https://www.justinboots.com/footwear/men_styles_roper-boots

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Be careful with Justins. On their Roper page, out of 21 Roper styles shown, only 8 are American made. The chinese boots use plastic heel counters and other fake junk. Ariat boots are popular around here, but I have never seen a pair made in the U.S.
Life is too short to wear Chinese footwear.
https://www.justinboots.com/footwear/men_styles_roper-boots

Say these words to the clerk-
'I only want American made boots. '
Worked for me!

 

[chaparrito]

Imported boots cost as much as U.S. made boots and are inferior in every respect in my experience. Never mind the fact that they support the loss of American industry.
Buying a hundred and twenty five dollar pair of boots that can't be repaired and will last maybe a couple of years is false economy to me. Red Wings are great and last generations. Chippewa Ropers cost twice what Justins do but I have a pair that's 25 years old, re-soled and heeled I don't know how many times. They're still just fine.

 

[Arik]

Imported boots cost as much as U.S. made boots and are inferior in every respect in my experience. Never mind the fact that they support the loss of American industry.
Buying a hundred and twenty five dollar pair of boots that can't be repaired and will last maybe a couple of years is false economy to me. Red Wings are great and last generations. Chippewa Ropers cost twice what Justins do but I have a pair that's 25 years old, re-soled and heeled I don't know how many times. They're still just fine.

Where do you find a shoe repair store and how much does it cost

 

[CoMF]

Imported boots cost as much as U.S. made boots and are inferior in every respect in my experience. Never mind the fact that they support the loss of American industry.
Buying a hundred and twenty five dollar pair of boots that can't be repaired and will last maybe a couple of years is false economy to me. Red Wings are great and last generations. Chippewa Ropers cost twice what Justins do but I have a pair that's 25 years old, re-soled and heeled I don't know how many times. They're still just fine.

It depends. My Red Wing met guards were made overseas but have replaceable soles, and the uppers have held up very well over the years. In fact, it actually seems to be getting harder to find the American-made Red Wings.

My current work boots are Carolina composite toes. They're made right here in Pennsylvania and have modern features that I just haven't been able to find in the domestic Red Wing lineup.

To the OP: I don't know much about western style boots, but I'd recommend buying American if at all possible.

 

[CoMF]

Where do you find a shoe repair store and how much does it cost

Where I live, they're not very common, and re-soleing typically runs about $75 and up. Some boots actually need to be sent to the manufacturer.

I can sort of see why most people just buy a disposable pair of China specials every year, but my feet don't think they're a good value.

 

[Mickey D]

I wear Justin, Tony Llama, and Dan Post western style boots.
Can't beat Carolina's, I have a great pair of Engineer boots I use for riding motorcycles.

 

[SAFireman]

Ariat used to be made in CA, now they are made in China....Chinese cowboy boots?

When was the last time you saw a Chinese Cowboy???

I wear Tony Lama most days, but i have some Redwings for farm/ranch work. My work boots were made in Germany (Haix) but they are a special breed.

Buy quality and don't look back.

 

[O2Guy]

I have gotten exceptional wear from my Ariats that came from Tractor Supply. I have some Tony Llama and some old Justins (from back when they made good boots) and the Ariats are just as comfortable as the others.

 

[Arik]

Where I live, they're not very common, and re-soleing typically runs about $75 and up. Some boots actually need to be sent to the manufacturer.

I can sort of see why most people just buy a disposable pair of China specials every year, but my feet don't think they're a good value.

I was just curious. I typically buy boots in the $60 - $80 range. Sometimes even $30, depending on the boot. I typically only wear them in the winter only so they tend to last a while except for the $30 ones. Those are more like hiking boots. They are waterproof to a certain point and are light. You can walk in a few inches of snow or puddles without getting wet but shoveling a foot of snow on the driveway get them wet...eventually. for the most part I wear them to work. They last about a season but my feet dont sweat in them.

 

[EQGuy]

I bought Red Wing boots when I worked on a Forestry crew in Yosemite in the late 1960's. They were good boots but only lasted one season as the leather at the back of the boot would be chewed up by walking in granite areas. I bought my first pair of Whites Boots 12 years ago and they are excellent boots. The leather is about twice as thick as I remember the Red Wings being. I just ordered another pair of Whites Boots in 8" uninsulated as the 10" insulated pair is just too much boot unless I am elk hunting. They are not cheap at around $450.00 but they will last me for the rest of my life. They are currently made in Spokane but last year were sold to a company HQed in Japan. I bought a pair of their pac boots a few years ago and they were made in Korea.

 

[S42N8]

Used to buy Ariat when they were US made; preferred them to the Justins. Still have a couple pairs. The Chinese-made Ariats were not comparable. Would go for the Noconas.

 

[Farmer17]

For a western style slip on boot almost everyone around here wears some type of square toe boot with a walking heel. You virtually won't see any Ropers or pointy toe cowboy boots with riding heels that were so common for the last century. My brother in law wears Ariats everyday for work and play and he says they are the most comfortable boot he has ever owned, but for a hunting type lace up boot I like Wolverines.

 

[chaparrito]

I have a Pair of White's lace up packers, 12" tops I think. I bought them in college back in the 70s. I only wear them for horse packing. My son has his eye on them now.
Another good U.S. brand to check out is Thorogood. They tend towards loggers and lineman's boots but also have pull ons and hikers. They have an imported line with modern injection molded soles but also maintain their tradition goodyear welted U.S. made boots.
Arik : In my rural area there's only one place to get repairs done. We have a locally owned western wear shop that still has a boot/shoe repair shop. A couple of Mexican bootmakers who know their trade well. I have a pair of Chippewa work boots getting new vibram soles there now. They're my son's now but I'd passed them on to him. He logged over 500 miles in them working for the forest service this summer, wore them down and the toe stitches separated on one. It will cost 75 bucks for the new soles but these are almost 300 dollar boots. He'll get at least another 5 years out of them.

 

[LostintheOzone]

Well, I've been told by a shoe maker that if it has laces it's a shoe. So I guess Ropers are shoe's technically but I always thought they were boots.

Anyway, I bought a hunting dog from these fine folks and they make custom shoes, or boots if you prefer. Lots of the loggers, cruisers and FS folks around here have a pair made and they last a very long time. John will make a mold for your foot and keeps it for the next pair. I'm not sure of the cost but they always fit. They don't advertise much but I don't think they need to. They've been in business a long time. I think his grandfather or possibly his great grandfather was a shoe maker who immigrated from Switzerland.

Kulien Hand Made Shoes Centralia WA, 98531

 

[Salty RI]

Carolina Comfort make's a good pair of boots.