purchasing cowboy boots

[bluecheese]

Any suggestions for a 1st time buyer? What brands to stay away from? What skins to stay away from? Fitting sugestions? I'm thinking of getting black lizard skin. We have a local western I was thinking of going to. But I know some of you here are hicks and hillbillies from Texas, and some coonasses from Louisiana, and I figured yall wouldn't mind helping out a y'at from New Orleans.

[Joe Brand]

I've been wearing Justin for the past 12 years now and they are damn good boots. Comfortable and durable. My favorite are the Justin Ropers.

[jep6095]

I like my Ariats for the horse barn....and my Durangos cuz they look tight!
jp

[bluecheese]

I've heard that Justins are good. Any thoughts on lizard skin? These boots would be worn primarily at the office.

[Joe Brand]

Don't know nothing at all about lizard skin boots. I wear just plain old leather. It works well. As far as dress boots go, I've heard Dan Post are pretty good. Whatever you do, don't buy them from the "cowboy-type" store in the mall. If there is one near by, I recommend a store called D & D. They may have an online store, not sure. Good place though.

[Bootsy]

I grew up in Tx and we had a Justin Boot Outlet in Fort Worth, but that's a rare luxury. If you're going for something dressy, lizard is probably fine, but if you think there's a chance they'll get roughed up then you might want to look into something else. Just don't get those fucking pointed toe/sloped heel vaquero boots. Fucking ugly as sin. Not being racist, just really hate the way they look.

As far as picking out the boot, just get something that feels a little snug, because boots will stretch out to fit your foot and you don't want something loose that you'll be sliding around in. You can't just go back later and tighten up the laces, so when you pick a pair of boots you're making a commitment. I've owned three pair my entire life, if you count the boots I had when I was four, so I'm not that experienced.

[Mark Rippetoe]

The best boots I've personally worn were Olathe's. Twice the leather of Justins. But White's are widely regarded as the best lace-ups you can buy.

[bluecheese]

Coach,

Not meaning any disrespect, but i just checked out Olathe's and those are the gayest boots I have ever seen. What kind of rodeos are you going to?

http://www.olatheboots.com/boots/bootgallery/TN/249662.jpg
http://www.olatheboots.com/boots/bootgallery/TN/249828.jpg
http://www.olatheboots.com/boots/bootgallery/TN/250208.jpg
I guess the lightning bolt design isn't too bad. But the others look like they come with a pair of assless chaps... just sayin'

[TPrewittMD]

Lucchese, nothing else.

[Mark Rippetoe]

What part of the Olathe website did you find these on, bleu? These don't look like mine AT ALL.

Luccheses are damn good boots, from what I hear. Never owned a pair myself. What are they worth now, Tom?

[rtzptut]

I have vintage Tony Lama's fire engine red with yellow and red tooling on the upper part. 70 bucks at a used clothing place - what a steal. Used places are great for those people who get them then freak out never wear them and don't want them any more.
I have elk boots that are oh so fragile but the leather is like butta'. The toes are all furry looking now due to easy scuffablity. And some fake lizard Ariats that are really pretty but also fragile. Their structure is great though, very sturdy but I have dinged the lizard stuff already.
Real lizard is pricey and easy to screw up but in the office you shouldn't have to mess them up. Consider that lizard tends to be very shiny and they will be flashy. Attention will be paid to your feet. I catch shit for my boots all the time. Kill any roaches lately?
I love Frye's and have three pairs but they are not technically cowboy boots, but their harness and lineman boots are just awesome and they now have the price tag to prove it. They never wear out either. I only had to have them reheeled.
I have always wanted Nocona boot shoes in spotted cowhide but they quit making them. They make great boots. My office mate just took some to the Goodwill yesterday - Nocona Lizard OMG. He told me this morning because he knew I would cringe at his parting with them. He also has crocodile tux shoes that look like slippers eeke. OP, Want me to go and get the lizard boots back for you?
I just tried to get some twisted Xs that were obviously a men's 7 not a women's from Sierra Trading post - deal city check it out on line for boots in general - and they were a funky color like that picture above of Rip's preferred boots. Brown nubuck bottom with rainbow multicolored stitches on a lime green uppers - they rocked. My buddy said WTH those are men's? No straight guy would ever wear those damn boots. Well I would have had they fit. I need like a 5.5.
Once you start it's hard to stop but get them in a close fit as mentioned if you want them to stay on your feet. I have 6s up though 7.5s, depending if they were made on a man's last or women's. I am currently wearing some Justins that have to be worn with big winter socks to stay on. Good thing, it's feaking freezing here today. They are my cold weather cowboy boots I guess. Can't wear 'em in the summer.

Good luck.

[Mr.City]

The best boots I've personally worn were Olathe's. Twice the leather of Justins. But White's are widely regarded as the best lace-ups you can buy.

Coach, would you mind posting pictures of some the boots you own. This thread has me seriously considering them.

[hbriem]

What part of the Olathe website did you find these on, bleu? These don't look like mine AT ALL.

From a quick browse they pretty much all look like that.

Not that I'd wear cowboy boots, ever. Just not done this part of the world.

[bugbomb]

From a quick browse they pretty much all look like that.

What are you guys (bluecheese, hbriem) looking at?

http://www.olatheboots.com/instock_cowboy_boots.htm

The majority of these look like... boots.

[hbriem]

What are you guys (bluecheese, hbriem) looking at?

http://www.olatheboots.com/instock_cowboy_boots.htm

The majority of these look like... boots.

Hehe. Cultural differences I guess. To me, the only one that looks fairly "normal" is the 8011. Not that there's anything wrong with abnormal.

[cowpuncher]

I've cowboyed on ranches all over the West and still do, if that counts for shit. I've got a pair of Ariats that I wear in town, but the best straight up riding boots you can get, without going custom, are the Olathes. I'd wager that, outside of guys who buy strictly custom boots, 90% or better of full-time working cowboys wear Olathes. They last for-fucking-ever, and break in like gloves for your feet.


And I've never seen the gay ass looking ones other than on rodeo cowboys.

[Lockout1]

Hope you don't mind the bump.

I'm looking for some boots, too. I've found a few pairs I like (Justin and Tony Lama), but have never bought cowboy boots before and don't know about sizing, fitting, etc. What's more, I'll have to order online (no "western" stores 'round here), so I'd like to get the fit right the first time, if at all possible.

Any suggestions in that department?

Side note: Are waterproof and/or steel toed cowboy boots heresy? :D Or just as terribly practical as they seem to be?