Whites: I wear a 10B with an A heal. You don't buy off the rack.
I bought my first pair in 1962 age 14 with my first wages from a bucaroo job outside the family.
In this country the bucaroos have pretty much always worn lace up boots rather than slip ons. Just to darned rough in the lava rock for pull ons, no ankle support.
I think I currently own 4 pairs of "work" boots"
and 6 pair of fancier dress boots. They have a lace up "Packer" meant for more walking and a "Thoroubred" line of dress boots, line with non Vibram soles and cut narrower for riding"
Your $300 would get you a real nice pair of bull hide Packers. Predicated on just how much you want to spend they also offer French Calf, the softest boot you'll ever wear, along with the standards, Ostrich, Lizard, Shark etc.
They don't really make a flat heeled "Roper" in the traditional style
My "babies" are black Sting Reys with red stiching.
Since Jess crushed my leg 5 years ago I've gone to lower tops and had a few more pairs made.
I broke down last year and had a pair of "little Old Man" "Semi Dress" shoes made. Their about chuka boot height and easier to get on and off to just go do chores. They are a bit ugly for going to town so I had them make me a pair "Semi Dress" cowboy oxfords in Medium Browm Caiman for my birthday this year.
Their address,
www.whitesboots.com they will send you a catalog for free.
If you happen to wear a standrad size and don't need hand made they do offer Hawthorns, "The best production boot made in America" at a lower price point.
the best
Ross W Thomas
Great Basin Ranch
Owyhee County, ID
Of course if you have nothing but money and 3 years to wait, Dwight Fromme over in Redmond, OR makes a heck of a boot in any style, leather, color, toe, heal, stitching etc. you could ever want. I'm picking up my second and what will be my last pair in May. The down side is you have to buy at least one "El Presidente" 500X Stetson to wear the darned things. ;-)