Fun fact: Some styles even use leather from Mr. Lauren’s Colorado ranch. How cool is that? RRL’s lineup of boots has its core players that return every season, but the limited edition boots are what true Lauren-ophiles obsess over.
Unmarked Boots
As the name would suggest, Unmarked is kind of a low-key brand. The Léon, Mexico-based label crafts their shoes and boots with a multi-generational pedigree. And though the brand is by no means strictly a cowboy boot brand, they make some of the best-quality western boots around (whenever they get to it). Complicated embroidery stitching, lemonwood pegs at the soles, super clean welt stitching—the works, as they say.
The quiet cowboy of the western world is the roper boot. More squat and less exaggerated than its counterparts, it’s the minimalist’s cowboy boot and Unmarked’s version is a perfect rendition. It features all of the bells and whistles of an artisanal boot without bringing attention to itself.
Lucchese Boots
You can’t talk about high-end cowboy boots without mentioning Lucchese. The brand’s been a storied name in western boots for over a century, worn by US presidents and countless celebrities alike. (They’re also the official cowboy boots of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. The more you know!) Though Lucchese makes some of their more affordable boots internationally, the brand’s most coveted styles are handmade by artisans in Texas. You can expect full-grain leather cowhides as well as exotic leathers, top-notch welted construction, and a steep price tag.
The rarified air that Lucchese occupies is true aspirational shit. And while any pair of its luxury boots would garner never-ending high fives, the pictorial White Sands boots are on another level. Unlike the usual embroidery, they feature a beautiful multi-colored desert landscape made of leather—a wearable, walkable piece of art.
Rios of Mercedes Boots
Western boots tend to cause more than their share of double-takes. But for Rios of Mercedes, it’s not about grabbing eyeballs. The truly IYKYK brand is beloved for boots that are as well-made as they are subtle (subtle for cowboy boots, anyway). Each boot is handmade in Mercedes, Texas by master bootmakers who last, inlay, and stitch everything with meticulous attention to detail. They’ll cost you a pretty penny, for sure. But the investment pays off every time you wear them.
If there’s one kind of leather that stands out among the rest, it’s alligator. The unmistakable scales of the leather are peak gaudy western in the best way possible. They’re also crazy expensive. So if you’re looking to really flex on multiple levels, the Caiman Belly Waxy Boots will turn every head you walk past.
Wythe
Best known for its full range of western-inspired clothing, Wythe knows how to bring out everyone’s inner cowboy. With dreamy flannel western shirts, gorgeous topcoats, and handknit sweaters and more, the Ralph Lauren alums have created an authentic western label for the modern dude. For its boots, the New York outfit spares no detail. Each pair is made by hand in Lèon, Mexico using high-quality leathers for the uppers, linings, insoles, and heel counters, lemonwood pegs at the arches, hand-corded uppers, and goodyear welted construction, all on vintage cowboy boot lasts for that real McCoy look.
What to Look for in a Great Pair of Cowboy Boots
If you aren’t well-versed in the ways of the cowboy, you might not know to look beyond the western boots’ obviously slick design details. Materials, construction, and overall design all play important roles. Peter Middleton, founder of Wythe, says that good cowboy boots are handmade “with natural leathers that will get better over time, mould to your feet, and can be resoled for years and years of wear.” Ideally, a good pair of cowboy boots will use high-quality leathers like full-grain calfskin or cowhides without blemishes. Rarer leathers like ostrich and caiman alligator are also common to see in the cowboy boot world and will cost you more, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re inherently better.
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