<body><div>All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.Not too long ago, the best cowboy boots were the preserve of callused ranch hands and folks who actually ride horses. No longer. Over the last few years, <a href="https://www.gq.com/story/best-cowboy-boot-brands">rodeo-ready stompers of every stripe</a> have slipped off the saddle and onto the streets, part and parcel of menswear's <a href="https://www.gq.com/story/pulling-weeds-chris-black-cowboy-style">ongoing western kick</a>. Don’t look so surprised: the vast majority of wardrobe classics you know and love—<a href="https://www.gq.com/story/best-cargo-pants-for-men">cargo pants</a>, <a href="https://www.gq.com/story/best-work-jackets-for-men">work jackets</a>, heck, even suits—were initially designed with function top of mind. Over time, though, they’ve all become righteous symbols of self-expression and personal style, not just job uniforms.Cowboy boots are no different. Though their exact origins are a tad fuzzy, they likely originated with Mexican cattle herders known as Vaqueros, who trace their own lineage back to Spain. The Vaqueros left an indelible influence on American cowboy culture, especially when it came to their shoes: their tall shafts kept riders' legs safe from the brush, while their angled heels helped to stabilize their feet in the stirrups.These days, you might not appreciate those benefits in their intended context, but we damn-near guarantee you’ll appreciate the look of them when the time comes to really start dressin’. So to help you do just that, we wrangled the absolute best cowboy boots this side of the Mississippi, from the budget-friendly beaters you’ll wear with jeans to the oil baron-approved joints you’ll dust off at your next <a href="https://www.gq.com/story/dos-and-donts-of-wedding-style">destination wedding</a>.<h2>The Best Cowboy Boots, According to GQ</h2><ul><li>The Best Cowboy Boots for Most People: <a href="https://cna.st/affiliate-link/3WVdWb4brEJ3fAhyo1FspY4XHL5SVqDvX3Mwc7vXi5d5RY5UJf8pRp1FqLMQKokJY2K2D3kgYSyNz6uwr9PaNWVsbG8zgcsiqgWdLZsSWDNjC8eL7VYQVhhAd2TjZxyg7dgsuKaA5QEM3MkxeYnnKEtEY8LNb2XtVkV9MZWW4LgoRGwnM5ULUr">Tecovas Cartwright Boot</a>, $345</li><li>The Best Budget Cowboy Boots: <a href="https://cna.st/affiliate-link/4iheeJwWD8ieHqM3LtPL2oPKoNaCd7a5NpCkciwmdY5LNrKPSfKDoH3mWh3NEnTdd67V4ysXcsyaHSPvv2vqkgAvwJJvZnn7vUifNrsUnMcnsUb8H4QqXoigCs2ma2DcBWBspAM157gQdygQNEdXPq1S9Vh6g3oBZMeSrQ4zvN49gtG1FNowNu9HbY">Ariat Groundbreaker Boots</a>, $150</li><li>The Best Dressy Cowboy Boots: <a href="https://cna.st/affiliate-link/3kFAWYpoG8awFeQG5MfZPh2n2tigesPeUvA6AJtTE2tdATMc2vPujgGVeDQovh3n8GbMfmqs5WMBD3Y8gwh32NQXF8xuXAgnv4nNfiJP1cnBR8Fw4GKRfqwRspRo14V3MFsLoGiWWnNC9V8v5btiuKZhPURdBSsPEB5i6TQd16SfUt6dpeLa5ypSfbhJYZ1uL8gU5?xid=fr1725497438592gfb">Tony Lama Nacogdoches Boots</a>, $355</li><li>The Best Roper Boots: <a href="https://cna.st/affiliate-link/4Q5NDE1dgN4W3cxAMLRJCf131Rk11jL1B4DFQEqj86rp4gRnfHSLsxeZUT9tcr56fzPjNSJGK9Ygmih9FrRmwXiQbwwpZ1WXeCpSkQHjsFSERphhnCvJ2sPqYmMUmwT33AoVEMoManEVx7rhvY26PP3CVwxHfQbvYqTvods7A74">Rhodes Roper Boot</a>, $248</li><li>The Best Cowboy Boots for Oil Barons: <a href="https://cna.st/affiliate-link/2Vo2MLmraDYcuB7ZqJ4AQ1GY9Do8KSSZsTzybgddKtRcFby7Yr9QyNsQaxgStcA8SxFW645ACJtysRzUhj1iTXnnScF39EkzQpai8dQK3Xki5rBB5GQuRWe3pycJtQdudiauxrQx9h58Xfk3sU2qgFA42hJBdtu66LBz7Ecpc7Yie5keCitTSHdGrUhaAdyeKy6WfBbq5u8F75pzRP57BLVCxRp">Lucchese Summer Boots</a>, $1295</li></ul><h2>Best Cowboy Boots for Most People: Tecovas The Cartwright Boots</h2>TecovasThe Cartwright BootPros<ul><li>Handcrafted</li><li>Classic style</li><li>Wide breadth of leathers and colorways</li></ul>Cons<ul><li>Leather could be thicker</li></ul>The good folks at Tecovas are living, breathing proof that direct-to-consumer brands aren’t all operated by algorithms tasked with solving imaginary problems. The DTC upstart might be the youngest of the bootmakers on this list, but it's quickly endeared itself to budget-strapped swashbucklers with a hankering for democratically-priced kicks. Take, for example, the Cartwright, a handsome riff on a classic western silhouette made in Leon, Mexico, a bona fide cobbling capital of the world with over a century of expertise to draw on. It boasts hand-laid cording at the shaft, a resoleable Goodyear-welt construction, and a slew of colors and leathers to choose from, including genuine cowhide and goat leather. They’re not the cheapest boots on this list, but the relatively approachable price belies the craftsmanship involved. For $345, they’re one small step up from our favorite budget cowboy boots—but one giant leap in overall quality.<h2>Best Roper Boots: Rhodes Footwear Roper Boot</h2>RhodesRoper BootPros<ul><li>Resolable</li><li>Minimalist design</li></ul>Cons<ul><li>Limited variety</li></ul>You can think of roper boots as the chilled-out version of the average western boot. Originally designed for calf roping, roper boots feature a shorter shaft and a shorter, squared off heel. These details made it easier for cowboys to dismount their horse and run after the calves they roped. Coincidentally, they also make roper boots easier to walk in which is why some people prefer them over other cowboy boots for everyday wear. Our pick for the best roper boots goes to Rhodes. They’re made in León, Mexico using local premium cowhide and feature Goodyear welt construction so you can have them resoled and keep ‘em going for a long time. Plus, if you’re just dipping your toes into the cowboy boot world, the minimalist uppers forgo the decorative western stitching which makes them easier to style.<h2>Best Budget Cowboy Boots: Ariat Groundbreaker Boots</h2>AriatGroundbreaker BootPros<ul><li>Affordable</li><li>Meets ASTM safety standards</li></ul>Cons<ul><li>Not resolable</li></ul>If you’re after that western look but need a pair of boots that can handle the demands of a jobsite, a lot of guys will tell you to look to Ariat. That’s because they manage to blend classic cowboy style with modern-day features, and a palatable price point in perfect proportion. While they do offer a range of work boots in lace-up styles, their Groundbreaker boots are a standout with classic cowboy boot looks. They’re made of full-grain leather, include a supportive and comfortable insole, and meet ASTM standards for slip resistance and electrical safety. Because it’s among Ariat’s most popular styles, it’s also available in a wide range of colorways, toe shapes, and even steel toe versions. Some more traditional cowboys will poo-poo the fact that these aren’t made stateside, but if you’re on a budget, you’ll get more than what you pay for.<h2>Best Dressy Cowboy Boots: Tony Lama Nacogdoches Western Boot</h2>Tony LamaNacogdoches Teju Lizard Cowboy BootPros<ul><li>Sleek design</li><li>Solid price point</li></ul>Cons<ul><li>Not available in California</li></ul>Cowboy boots aren’t all rough-and-tumble affairs. In fact, the right pair can easily strut the red carpet or waltz into a fancy restaurant with panache. You’ll want a pair with leather that shines up well and in a darker colorway. For date nights and more formal affairs, these Tony Lamas will impress thanks to the exotic lizard skin uppers and low-key embroidery. They’re the kind of boots that can play well for the in-laws with a tailored suit or play a rock-’n’-roll star with some vintage jeans and a tight white tee.<h2>Best Cowboy Boots for Oil Barons: Lucchese Summer Cowboy Boot</h2>LuccheseSummer BootPros<ul><li>Super high quality</li><li>Timeless design</li></ul>Cons<ul><li>Expensive</li></ul>These days, most boot brands walk in the shadows of one brand: Lucchese. They’ve been outfitting American presidents, high-profile celebs, and the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders for decades and it’s all thanks to their commitment to high-quality craftsmanship. Though any pair of Lucchese’s would earn you more than a few approving head nods, the most coveted are the boots that they make in their Texas workshop. Using a range of full-grain leathers and exotic leathers like caiman alligator and pirarucu fish skin, each pair is crafted by master bootmakers using time-honored techniques. The Summer is a picture-perfect style featuring American calf leather uppers with intricate embellishments, welted construction, and lemonwood pegs—made the old-fashioned way, basically. They’ll cost you a pretty penny, of course, but the drip you’ll get in return is priceless.<h2>More Cowboy Boots We Love</h2>Justin BootsTobias BootEven more stripped down than our favorite dressy boot, Justin’s Tobias boots feature a slick, smooth full-grain leather upper sans embroidery for the minimalist cowboys among us. And with a super durable and grippy Vibram sole, they can take a beating just as well as they can take to some shoe polish.RRLRoughout Suede &amp; Leather BootFrom Ralph Lauren’s western-inspired sub-label, these RRL boots meld high-end materials with old-world craftsmanship and feature American-tanned leather uppers, Goodyear-welted construction, and vintage-style rubber soles—all crafted in a multi-generational Texas bootmaking factory.Celine HommeLeon Western BootsWhat better way to tap into your inner rockstar than with a pair of Celine boots? Kicky boots like these are a signature of the lauded designer Hedi Slimane and would convince any guy to go back to slim jeans if not just to rock these absolute grails.Maison MargielaTabi Western BootsThere’s no escaping the tabi boot, even in the wild west. Margiela incorporates the traditional Japanese-style tabi toe with an iconic western boot silhouette and gives it a slouchy fit, as if you needed another hint that these aren’t really for riding horses.<h2>What should I wear with cowboy boots?</h2>The classic move for western boots is to lean into their rougher side. Toss them on with <a href="https://www.gq.com/story/best-jeans-for-men-tested-and-reviewed">well-fitting jeans</a> (preferably vintage bootcuts) and a <a href="https://www.gq.com/story/wythe-tencel-western-shirt">snap-button shirt</a>. But open up your mind and step outside of the saloon and the possibilities are practically endless. A slick pair of exotic leather cowboy boots matched with a '70s-inspired suit screams filthy rich oil tycoon—if not <a href="https://www.gq.com/story/alessandro-michele-leaving-gucci">Alessandro Michele-era Gucci</a>. Or why not mix up a preppy pair of chinos with a grungy graphic tee and some roughed-up suede ropers? The point is, you don’t have to pretend to be a cowboy to wear their boots (but you can). So treat them like any other pair of shoes in your closet and wear them however you want. Hell, we’d go so far as to call them an essential <a href="https://www.gq.com/story/boots-for-men">pair of boots</a> for every wardrobe.</div></body>

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The Best Cowboy Boots for Cosplaying City Slickers

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. Not too long ago, the best cowboy boots were the preserve of callused ranch hands and folks who actually ride horses. No longer. Over the last few years, rodeo-ready stompers of every stripe have slipped off the saddle and onto the streets, part and parcel of menswear's ongoing western kick. Don’t look so surprised: the vast majority of wardrobe classics you know and love—cargo pants, work jackets, heck, even suits—were initially designed with function top of mind. Over time, though, they’ve all become righteous symbols of self-expression and personal style, not just job uniforms.

The Best Cowboy Boots for Cosplaying City Slickers

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