You should do a comparison of leathers! No boots needed, just swatches. Cowboy boots love all sorts of crazy leathers. You could test them for stretching, flexibility, breathability, abrasion resistance, puncture resistance, crease resistance, etc. Cow, goat, deer, ostrich, kangaroo, gator, croc, caiman, lizard, buffalo, arapaima, shark…. Etc.
This would actually really help inform me on my next boot purchase, I always hear Elephant, Bison and Buffalo are the toughest, would love to see them put to the test.
Lemonwood pegs are traditionally used in cowboy boots because they swell and contract at the same rate as the leather sole. This means that even when you get the boots wet they will still hold tight.
Another key point of why lemonwood pegs is for actual riding. As the leather wears in that spot from the stirrups lemonwood pegs will erode at the same rate as the leather; brass nails obviously will not and will end up scratching and damaging the stirrup. If the stirrup is metal there is a high chance those brass nails will either catch or break off.
If you want to see a lucchese cut in half Chisos did a video called "Thou shall not cut corners" where they cut in half tecovas, lucchese, and chisos boots in that order.
I have a pair of black Luchese's. They are as comfortable as a boot can possibly be. The only other shoe that is as comfortable is my Bruno Magli loafers.
A smooth leather sole makes it easier to regain your stirrup if you lose it while riding. Might keep you from getting dragged by your foot through rocks and brush too because it allows your boot to slide out of the stirrup if you fall. The stacked heel of a cowboy boot (and the long nail fastener) is designed to be the part that grips. I've seen them called a "roper heel". Literally, if you're roping an animal you can lean back onto your heels and keep your footing if you're on the ground. Or you can hook the heel into your stirrup for bracing when you tie off the rope on your saddle. I did a little ranch work and still ride but mostly learned from watching people with a lot more skill than I'll ever have. Thick rubber soled cowboy boots aren't meant to be used in the saddle. They're a much better fit for someone working on their feet all day or someone who likes the style in a work or dress boot. Just my opinions. Can't wait to see more in this series. Thanks for the inside look!
Howdy brother, a "roper heel" is a shorter heel than that of the normal cowboy boot heel. Boots with the roper heel are typically referred to as "ropers" in general. They are meant to be used on the ranch when not riding, as the taller cowboy heel is not needed to stop your foot from going through the stirrup. The sole has nothing to do with regaining your stirrups, but the pointed toe does. Leather soles are still used due to tradition and style. Cheers🍻 !
@@DanBCooper Thank you brother Dan. I have a pair of packer style smooth leather soled Justin ropers made in Mexico that have served me pretty well. And yes, just pointy enough to help me get my balance back in the brush. I don't chase cows anymore that was 40 years ago. My balance isn't what it was and I never was a pro. But I have worn the wrong shoes on a horse. I learned that's where function matters. I appreciate the details you taught me and your kind response. Regards.
I am a retired footwear examiner in Arlington Texas and had the privilege of touring the Justin boot company in Fort Worth before it moved. Among the things I learned was that the heal leather used to be made from scraps but is now made of ground leather board material because the material is more durable and the thickness allows for more consistent heal height. A strong metal shank is needed because riders stand up in the stirrups and the soles would split if not backed by a strong steel shank. They were experimenting with synthetic soles at the time and their endurance test was performed by an employee who rode a motorcycle and was very rough on boot soles. If a sole lasted more than six months on his feet it was deemed good. A new set of boots set on a smooth surface should have a slight curve to the sole that lifts the front of the heel off the surface just far enough to slide a U.S. nickel under the front of the heel. The boot will flatten out once it is broken in properly. Also, it is not uncommon for cowboy boot companies to test the market with only 1 or 2 dozen pairs of boots in a test pattern. So some uppers are very rare patterns while others are very common.
Growing up on a cattle ranch and Cowboy’n most my life I’ve worn many brands of boots. Most durable longest lasting was the Nacona and Double H. My least favorite were Ariat and Justin. Best dress boot definitely Lucchese. Tony Lama’s we’re good before Justin got a hold of them. Olathe Boots were solid boots also. Love your content. Keep up the good work.
I’ve worn Olathe boots doing cowboy work from grade school into my mid 20s. I’m 40 now and occasionally put on a pair I used to wear in high school. Now I wear a Tony lama buckaroo boot that I’ve had for probably ten years. Olathe quality went downhill a while back.
Justins are cheap junk. I wont wear them. Olathe makes great boots. I didnt know Tony Lama was bought out by a China company. I recently got a pair of Boulet hand crafted in Canada, and they turned out to be excellent boots.
After doing extensive research on what cowboy work boots to buy I went with Double H. They have raving reviews about their quality, they have a great look, and will like last me the rest of my life as I am very easy on them. They have become my favorite shoe to wear. Cut them in half @roseanvil
I've worn Tony Lama boots since I was a kid in the 80's. I would love to see an older boot from the pre-justin era cut in half and see if they have changed.
The best off-the-shelf cowboy boots in the industry is Rios of Mercedes, which is very well made. The issue with Justin or Tony Lama, other than having synthetic heel counter, synthetic shaft lining, blade style shank rather than a 40 penny nail, and etc. is that, the vamp is not crimped. Crimping the vamp allows the leather to lose stretch memory so the boots won't grow larger as you wear them. Also, lemon wood pegs are used because they expand and shrink in the same fashion as the leather outsole and insole. Brass pegs are not, so they might fall off as time goes by. As for having pegs piercing in the foot arch, that's not gonna happen because all cowboy boot makers would sand the inside of the boots (the insole) so those pegs would become smooth. When it's brass pegs, they are nailed in and will kinda bend and hook the insole, not piercing into your feet. If you want custom cowboy boots, check out: Lisa Sorrell, Lee Miller (Texas Traditions), Tex Robin, M.L. Leddy, James Leddy, Duck's Heritage Dustin Lauw, Wallis Custom Boots, Little's Boots, J&M Custom Boots, and so on.
Been watching Rose Anvil for awhile and enjoy your channel. Bought a pair of Tony Lama’s for $125.00 probably about 45 years ago. Like the saying goes, “they don’t make them like they used to”.
Love and admire the variety of this channel that it slowly become one of my favourites on yt, never stop thanking you for the awosome free quality content learning so much stuff thanks to you: from the shank, passing to the quality of leather the sneakers gimmicks, materials and construction overall
I was just thinking the other day that it wish y’all had a cowboy boot series. I’m definitely here for it. If you’re still taking requests, I’d love to see some of these direct to consumer handmade boots like Tecovas or Chisos on the chopping block.
I'd love to see Tecovas judged. T&H have deconstructed a pair or two, and were overall impressed. I'd love to see/hear Weston's opinion as well, especially if he does some of the more exotic leathers like caiman or bison.
I am a cattle rancher and the slick soles are absolutely a must for riding horses. Rubber soles of any kind will bind in a stirrup. Getting bucked off a horse with your foot hung usually results in death.
I used to work in a machine shop when I was younger, and worked around band saws a lot. I seen what happened at about 9:21, all I have to say is you're really lucky. You really should use a push stick once you get close to the end of the cut. It'll save you from a nasty cut, or worse.
I’ve had my Tony lama’s for 7 years. First 4 years were for going out on the town or formal occasions, last 3 have been used as work boots/every day use. They have held up really well with minimal maintenance. Mine are a more expensive pair though. The last year or so they’ve been on their last legs.
I’ve worn cowboy boots off and on for most of 57 years. Best pair I have ever owned is pair of Tony Lamas in ostrich. Had them for 17 years and still comfortable and in decent shape.
Rose Anvil, long time viewer, was wondering if you could do more cowboy boots, a lot more. Ones I'd like to see soon are Ariat and Tecovas. Thank you, love all your videos!
I have a pair of Tony Lama dress boots (pointed toe, lizard vamp and counter) from somewhere around fifteen years ago. I haven’t worn them hard, but I just got them resoled this summer and they’re good as new! I also have a more ordinary cowhide pair that I got from Goodwill, so I don’t know how old they are. But they have needed no repairs or anything so far, just normal conditioning.
My father just recently gave me a pair of his "new-old stock" Tony Lama's from back in the early to mid 80's, and these things are a BEAR to break!!! I mean a real test of will at times, but they are comin a long. These are a pair of "work-wear" Tony's, w/ a half inch thick V-bar rubber outsole, underneath all that leather construction. Solid as a Brinks armored truck, and um proud to have em'.
I'm surprised and not at the same time. I've owned/still own a pair of Tony Lama for about 10 years now. They have been every day wear and horse riding. They have been in the all weather muck and yuk. I have no separation no cracked leather. They have held up very well
Would love to see a series of good leather dress shoes. You can compare makers from different countries (US, UK, Spain, Portugal, Grande, Italy). I'm sure you can get some of the brands to send you pairs for free to review.
I have been watching your videos for a while now, and I am more keenly interested in this cowboy boot series than anything else you have done so far. Thank you for doing it! The best quality boots I've had are Noconas, and I tend to wear them for dressy occasions. However, the most comfortable everyday boots I have are Ariats. I hope you test these brands, so I can see how they stack up against other brands I might want to try.
Test some Ariats that are more riding focused. I have found them to be durable, and they have a much stiffer sole construction which is good if you are riding for long.
Bought my first pair of Tony Lama boots (first cowboy boots, period) about 35 years ago on the advice of a friend who owned multiple pairs of TL and wouldn’t wear any other brand. I was amazed at how comfortable they were and wore them a lot. My son now has them, as my feet have gotten wider, and I’ve picked up a couple more pairs over the years. Maybe they’re not made quite as well now, but I still love them. Thanks for the dissection!
I love the channel, but I gotta give a little insight. Traditionally, cowboy boots had smooth leather soles. Today's boots, especially cowboy work boots have a rubber sole. Also, the smooth sole does help with sliding the boots into the stirrups, but you never go passed the balls of your feet with the stirrups. I would love to see your opinions on the more rugged work style like Ariat or Twisted X. In the oilfield, they are the most popular, comfortable and durable of western style work boots that look like a "traditional" cowboy boot.
I've only owned Tony Lamas from before the 90s (antique store boots) and they're my favorite older boot to wear. Very durable especially considering they've all been worn by someone for at least a couple resoles
I have owned, at least, 3 pairs of Tony Lamas, during the 1970s and none of them needed to be broken in. Pure comfort from the first time I put them on. The last pair I bought, in the early 2000s, didn't impress me at all.
I went through a cowboy boot phase, but never tried Tony Lamas. I wore Noconas, Justins, and Lucchesed. In general, I found them all surprisingly comfortable, durable, and affordable. Thanks for taking a closer look. Love the channel.
I bought a pair of smooth ostrich Tony lamas 6 years ago , and they have been worked very very hard , from walking through thick brush , gravel, dirt, rolling around on concrete , getting completely soaked many times…. And they finally ripped on the 6th year … super comfortable and durable
I’m glad you’ve done this. I have a pair of black Tony Lama’s that I’ve had for about 30 years. They have been resoled once. The only cowboy boots I buy are either Tony Lama or Justin. Lately I’ve been buying Justin Work Boots with Safety Toes. I love the Scottsbluff and am enjoying the Cappie. The Joist was a waste of money. I recommend buying the Made in USA products. They are better fitting and last longer. The Joist was made in the PRC and never fit right and didn’t last a year. The Scottsbluff has lasted 3 years and the Cappie I’ve worn for 8 months and is very comfortable. Also, whenever I was in El Paso, I’d alway stop at the factory that was just off of I-10. There used to be a corrugated tin store attached to the side of the factory. If you tried on a pair and one didn’t fit right, they used to just go to the factory floor and get you one to try on. Just amazing back then. Just my two cents. Thanks.
Really excited to see a cowboy boot series. I bought a pair of luccheses' which in australian dollarydoos cost me approximately $800. Was told Luccheses are a well reputed texan brand of cowboy boot. I was hugely underwhelmed at receiving a pair of boots that are functionally just an office fashion piece. Scratched and scuffed super easily, very very thin leather shaft. Acrylic thread machine stitched. Honestly feel like I wasted my money. Spoke to an inlaw who gave me a pair of ariats. World of difference, 1/3 the price.
I would love to see some of ariats work western stuff like the Sierra and workhog stuff. I figure theyre more disposable/less resoleable but god are they comfortable. I swear I could sleep in my sierras but not my more traditional ropers.
I have some Rocky and some John Deere (!) cowboy boots, mostly for construction work. They are all rubber sole'd because of barnyard er liquids. For a while, my Rockys (along with some Sole inserts) were the only footwear that I could wear due to planar fasciitis....
Back in the eighties Tony Lama used to make the cowboy belts where they put your name on the back of them and they had some bling back in the day I had a couple of them I would wear the Tony Lama boots with them
Technically, you'd want to use an object with less surface area at the tip than that nail to test for snake bite tolerance. The broader tip allows a great distribution of the puncturing force across the surface of the leather, whereas a snake fang may have an easier time finding its way in (although not terribly likely). Anyway, great video!
Chisos, mixes elements of a sneaker with traditional boot making Ariat, I believe someone from Reebok came along and brought more comfort to cowboy boots giving ariat the recognition it has today Anderson Bean/Hondo, traditionally made boots great durability made to last and to be recrafted Lucchese, great name recognition considered high end Black Jack Boots, high end almost custom boots, former workers at Lucchese branched off to start Blackjack
Nice job! Grew up around TL’s and Ariat’s, but my favorite cowboy boots were a pair of custom Stewart’s Hand Made Boots. Amazing fit, like Nick’s for cowboys. Stewart’s was contracted to outfit the movie CITY SLICKERS. Great movie, great boot!
If a western boot has a insole or float bed it's a cheaper boot. Tony Lama, Justin, and others do this for budget issues. I personally buy Lucchese 1883's been the best so far. And they use rose wood was told it doesn't shrink or expand as much
My wife has worked around rattlesnakes for 20 years and currently catches and relocates for our town dispatch. Leather boots pretty much just give you a false sense of security, they've had millions of years of evolution to develop the tools specifically for puncturing tough ankle hide of hoofed animals. Snake boots either have metal plates in them or dense rubber.
I very much enjoyed the WW2 Boot series. My first pair of shoes were boots. An infant in boots, only in Texas. As a Native Texan, I've always worn boots. My Dad moved us from East TX to El Paso in 1977. I lived there until 1986 when I entered the USAF. I tried on several pair of Tony's at the factory outlet store. I always ended up buying Justin or Cowtown Boots. I currently wear Beckett Simonon lace up boots to work. On occasion, I break out one of five pairs of Cowboy Boots that I purchased or received as a gift in the 80's or very early 90's. One pair needs a resole before I wear them again. Thanks for the videos!
If you could do any boots from Canada West Boots in manitoba that would be great! Really want to purchase locally made but this channel has made me obsessed with build quality.
I have a pair of caiman skin Tony Lama boots that I wear fairly often and they're a bit nicer than these ones in the video but I don't have any complaints about them and I've had them for years
One of the best stories and business plans is Rios of Mercedes and their sister companies. I'm a sucker for a tall shaft and a spur ledge on my boots... Also tradition boots have a leather hard insole if they have one at all. And cork footbed
25 years ago, Cabellas Outfitter series hunting boot claimed to have a leather that was from a far superior process than anyone else. You can still buy these used ones on eBay. I had a pair. Took 6 months to break in. Half day at a time, every other day. Blister that foot.
Cowboy boots are smooth soled to go in and out of the stirrup smoothly. Rubber tread can grab and keep you from getting your foot out quickly if needed.... Like if your horse falls or flips over.
I just burned through a pair of double H boots and the rubber insoles were terrible with holes in them with less then 10mo of wear. I drive truck btw so it's not like I was doing hard labor on some construction site.
Years ago I had a pair of Durango boots that lasted a long time and were very comfortable. Never had any other cowboy boots. The closest thing I have now is a pair of pull on Ariat work boots but I normally only wear them in the winter.
I would like to see Anderson Bean, HorsePower by Anderson Bean and Rios of Mercedes. I love my ABs and would love to see how they stack up. I’ve had Justin, TL, Resistol (I think they were made by Luchese), Luchese, Ariat. My wife has a pair of Rios and loves them… Rios are made on too narrow of a last for my feet. Also, Beck’s handmade boots are also great and are a semi custom boot that fit great and Bustamante boots have a big following amongst a lot of the cowboys I know also but I’ve never had a pair.
Would love to see a teardown review on a pair of fully bespoke cowboy boots. $1,300+ for calfskin seems nuts but you encounter them a fair bit here in Dallas.
The leather sole, while can be a little slippery, it doesn't retain mud or animal droppings and easier to clean when going between indoors and outdoors. It's also tough, flexible, and can breathe better than rubber. Easier to slide in and out of stirrups too.
Definitely gotta see the Ariat roper, any Justin boots or Chiso’s, especially since they’ve been worn in tv shows from longmire, Yellowstone and cw’s Walker and what the quality is especially since I love cowboy boots and want a boot that’s worth the money and is able to be worn and beat and look better
06:48 the slick sole is so you can slip in & out of the stirrup fast. The same reason for needle nose toes on the boot. I've always had the area around the welt where the toes start to curve up crack & break from too much flexing. The bottom line is, it's just a work boot. It depends on how often you wear them on how long they'll last. If I get a pair of boots/shoes to last 6+ mos., then I break even.
You'll usually want to rest the ball of your foot in the stirrups. If you push it back toward your heel you risk slipping your foot through if you are thrown from the horse.
I have a pair of TL 3R boots with rubber outsole. I absolutely love them, actually their the second pair I’ve owned. Best riding boot, besides my custom handmade boots.
Get a high quality wallet, belt or MORE in the Rose Anvil shop here - bit.ly/44jXLNu
You should do a comparison of leathers! No boots needed, just swatches. Cowboy boots love all sorts of crazy leathers. You could test them for stretching, flexibility, breathability, abrasion resistance, puncture resistance, crease resistance, etc. Cow, goat, deer, ostrich, kangaroo, gator, croc, caiman, lizard, buffalo, arapaima, shark…. Etc.
Human
@@thedude5449 Ed Gein agrees.
Do it
This would actually really help inform me on my next boot purchase, I always hear Elephant, Bison and Buffalo are the toughest, would love to see them put to the test.
Sting ray too!
Lemonwood pegs are traditionally used in cowboy boots because they swell and contract at the same rate as the leather sole. This means that even when you get the boots wet they will still hold tight.
100% correct
agreed!!! and if brass nails were used they can work themselves out of the leather soles from the expansion and contraction
Yes, he covered that in the German jackboot video. That's why there's a link to it when he talks about the pegs.
Another key point of why lemonwood pegs is for actual riding. As the leather wears in that spot from the stirrups lemonwood pegs will erode at the same rate as the leather; brass nails obviously will not and will end up scratching and damaging the stirrup. If the stirrup is metal there is a high chance those brass nails will either catch or break off.
Love the cowboy boot series. Definitely have to look at Lucchese. Maybe Justin and Ariat too.
If you want to see a lucchese cut in half Chisos did a video called "Thou shall not cut corners" where they cut in half tecovas, lucchese, and chisos boots in that order.
I only wore Luchesse boots in the 70's and they held up well. I have no idea how well they are made today. I suspect not as well, I could be wrong.
Loved hearing the tony lama story
I have a pair of black Luchese's. They are as comfortable as a boot can possibly be. The only other shoe that is as comfortable is my Bruno Magli loafers.
@@Crottinger Got me thinking back...OJ liked Bruno's too.
A smooth leather sole makes it easier to regain your stirrup if you lose it while riding. Might keep you from getting dragged by your foot through rocks and brush too because it allows your boot to slide out of the stirrup if you fall. The stacked heel of a cowboy boot (and the long nail fastener) is designed to be the part that grips. I've seen them called a "roper heel". Literally, if you're roping an animal you can lean back onto your heels and keep your footing if you're on the ground. Or you can hook the heel into your stirrup for bracing when you tie off the rope on your saddle. I did a little ranch work and still ride but mostly learned from watching people with a lot more skill than I'll ever have. Thick rubber soled cowboy boots aren't meant to be used in the saddle. They're a much better fit for someone working on their feet all day or someone who likes the style in a work or dress boot. Just my opinions. Can't wait to see more in this series. Thanks for the inside look!
Howdy brother, a "roper heel" is a shorter heel than that of the normal cowboy boot heel. Boots with the roper heel are typically referred to as "ropers" in general. They are meant to be used on the ranch when not riding, as the taller cowboy heel is not needed to stop your foot from going through the stirrup. The sole has nothing to do with regaining your stirrups, but the pointed toe does. Leather soles are still used due to tradition and style. Cheers🍻 !
@@DanBCooper Thank you brother Dan. I have a pair of packer style smooth leather soled Justin ropers made in Mexico that have served me pretty well. And yes, just pointy enough to help me get my balance back in the brush. I don't chase cows anymore that was 40 years ago. My balance isn't what it was and I never was a pro. But I have worn the wrong shoes on a horse. I learned that's where function matters. I appreciate the details you taught me and your kind response. Regards.
I am a retired footwear examiner in Arlington Texas and had the privilege of touring the Justin boot company in Fort Worth before it moved. Among the things I learned was that the heal leather used to be made from scraps but is now made of ground leather board material because the material is more durable and the thickness allows for more consistent heal height. A strong metal shank is needed because riders stand up in the stirrups and the soles would split if not backed by a strong steel shank. They were experimenting with synthetic soles at the time and their endurance test was performed by an employee who rode a motorcycle and was very rough on boot soles. If a sole lasted more than six months on his feet it was deemed good. A new set of boots set on a smooth surface should have a slight curve to the sole that lifts the front of the heel off the surface just far enough to slide a U.S. nickel under the front of the heel. The boot will flatten out once it is broken in properly. Also, it is not uncommon for cowboy boot companies to test the market with only 1 or 2 dozen pairs of boots in a test pattern. So some uppers are very rare patterns while others are very common.
He cut that Tony lama in half and my heart sank
What boot brand would you recommend?
Growing up on a cattle ranch and Cowboy’n most my life I’ve worn many brands of boots. Most durable longest lasting was the Nacona and Double H. My least favorite were Ariat and Justin. Best dress boot definitely Lucchese. Tony Lama’s we’re good before Justin got a hold of them. Olathe Boots were solid boots also. Love your content. Keep up the good work.
I’ve worn Olathe boots doing cowboy work from grade school into my mid 20s. I’m 40 now and occasionally put on a pair I used to wear in high school. Now I wear a Tony lama buckaroo boot that I’ve had for probably ten years. Olathe quality went downhill a while back.
Justins are cheap junk. I wont wear them. Olathe makes great boots. I didnt know Tony Lama was bought out by a China company. I recently got a pair of Boulet hand crafted in Canada, and they turned out to be excellent boots.
After doing extensive research on what cowboy work boots to buy I went with Double H. They have raving reviews about their quality, they have a great look, and will like last me the rest of my life as I am very easy on them. They have become my favorite shoe to wear. Cut them in half @roseanvil
@@blueduck9409 I have also had a pair of Boulet boots. They were a good quality boot.
Olathe, Rios of Mercedes and their sister brands are fine well made boots... Traditional made boots
I think a lot more people than you’d expect will like this! More of your viewers probably wear cowboy boots than you’d guess. Big thumbs up.
I've worn Tony Lama boots since I was a kid in the 80's. I would love to see an older boot from the pre-justin era cut in half and see if they have changed.
What id like to see is the difference in quality from the made in Mexico Tony’s vs USA made ones..
The best off-the-shelf cowboy boots in the industry is Rios of Mercedes, which is very well made. The issue with Justin or Tony Lama, other than having synthetic heel counter, synthetic shaft lining, blade style shank rather than a 40 penny nail, and etc. is that, the vamp is not crimped. Crimping the vamp allows the leather to lose stretch memory so the boots won't grow larger as you wear them. Also, lemon wood pegs are used because they expand and shrink in the same fashion as the leather outsole and insole. Brass pegs are not, so they might fall off as time goes by. As for having pegs piercing in the foot arch, that's not gonna happen because all cowboy boot makers would sand the inside of the boots (the insole) so those pegs would become smooth. When it's brass pegs, they are nailed in and will kinda bend and hook the insole, not piercing into your feet.
If you want custom cowboy boots, check out: Lisa Sorrell, Lee Miller (Texas Traditions), Tex Robin, M.L. Leddy, James Leddy, Duck's Heritage Dustin Lauw, Wallis Custom Boots, Little's Boots, J&M Custom Boots, and so on.
Four pair of Rios and counting! :-)
Definitely a difference between the older Tony Llamas than this new one from personal experience.
I retired my beloved Tony Lamas. Replaced them with some Red Wing Nailseat 1155s. More cowboy boot-adjacent than cowboy boot, but I love them.
Love my nailseats man! Theyre what i wear to ride horse now.
Been watching Rose Anvil for awhile and enjoy your channel. Bought a pair of Tony Lama’s for $125.00 probably about 45 years ago. Like the saying goes, “they don’t make them like they used to”.
Love and admire the variety of this channel that it slowly become one of my favourites on yt, never stop thanking you for the awosome free quality content learning so much stuff thanks to you: from the shank, passing to the quality of leather the sneakers gimmicks, materials and construction overall
I was just thinking the other day that it wish y’all had a cowboy boot series. I’m definitely here for it. If you’re still taking requests, I’d love to see some of these direct to consumer handmade boots like Tecovas or Chisos on the chopping block.
we second the motion 🤠
I'd love to see Tecovas judged. T&H have deconstructed a pair or two, and were overall impressed. I'd love to see/hear Weston's opinion as well, especially if he does some of the more exotic leathers like caiman or bison.
In my experience leather soles are best suited for going out two stepping.
Most people working outside will opt for the rubber sole.
Glad I read comments, was going to say exactly what you said. These aren't ranch work boots. These are occasion boots.
Or, given the puncture resistance, for trompin around where you may step on a horse-crippler cactus or mesquite thorns or similar!
Exactly. I have a few nice leather bottom boots, but my working ones have rubber inserts.
For actually riding an actual horse, give me leather, every time.
I am a cattle rancher and the slick soles are absolutely a must for riding horses. Rubber soles of any kind will bind in a stirrup. Getting bucked off a horse with your foot hung usually results in death.
If you're looking for suggestions I'd love to see Tecovas included. They seem like the Thursday boots of the western boot world
I would like to see tecovas.
I hope they do Tecovas too. I have a pair and like them a lot but really don’t know how they are made.
@@MillerLMichael same, my concern is are they just marketing hype or are they real deal.
He showed a quick lineup of boots, and one looked Tecova-ish… I hope!
I used to work in a machine shop when I was younger, and worked around band saws a lot. I seen what happened at about 9:21, all I have to say is you're really lucky. You really should use a push stick once you get close to the end of the cut. It'll save you from a nasty cut, or worse.
I’ve had my Tony lama’s for 7 years. First 4 years were for going out on the town or formal occasions, last 3 have been used as work boots/every day use. They have held up really well with minimal maintenance. Mine are a more expensive pair though. The last year or so they’ve been on their last legs.
I’ve worn cowboy boots off and on for most of 57 years. Best pair I have ever owned is pair of Tony Lamas in ostrich. Had them for 17 years and still comfortable and in decent shape.
Me too buddy. Me too.
Rose Anvil, long time viewer, was wondering if you could do more cowboy boots, a lot more. Ones I'd like to see soon are Ariat and Tecovas. Thank you, love all your videos!
Really like my made to order Cobra Rock boots. Clean designs, quality materials, and handmade in Texas...
I have a pair of Tony Lama dress boots (pointed toe, lizard vamp and counter) from somewhere around fifteen years ago. I haven’t worn them hard, but I just got them resoled this summer and they’re good as new!
I also have a more ordinary cowhide pair that I got from Goodwill, so I don’t know how old they are. But they have needed no repairs or anything so far, just normal conditioning.
I’ve been waiting for the cowboy boot series, would love to see some Double H with the ICE outsole cut in half
I second this, would love to see them cut in half. I have a made in USA pair and they’re holding up really well after about 7 years
This got me PUMPED for the cowboy boot series!
My father just recently gave me a pair of his "new-old stock" Tony Lama's from back in the early to mid 80's, and these things are a BEAR to break!!! I mean a real test of will at times, but they are comin a long. These are a pair of "work-wear" Tony's, w/ a half inch thick V-bar rubber outsole, underneath all that leather construction. Solid as a Brinks armored truck, and um proud to have em'.
SO excited for this series! Can't wait to see the rest of the cowboy boot videos.
This'll be an interesting series. I recently retired a pair of Ariats that I got almost ten years ago.
I'm surprised and not at the same time. I've owned/still own a pair of Tony Lama for about 10 years now. They have been every day wear and horse riding. They have been in the all weather muck and yuk. I have no separation no cracked leather. They have held up very well
Would love to see a series of good leather dress shoes. You can compare makers from different countries (US, UK, Spain, Portugal, Grande, Italy). I'm sure you can get some of the brands to send you pairs for free to review.
I have been watching your videos for a while now, and I am more keenly interested in this cowboy boot series than anything else you have done so far. Thank you for doing it! The best quality boots I've had are Noconas, and I tend to wear them for dressy occasions. However, the most comfortable everyday boots I have are Ariats. I hope you test these brands, so I can see how they stack up against other brands I might want to try.
Test some Ariats that are more riding focused. I have found them to be durable, and they have a much stiffer sole construction which is good if you are riding for long.
Bought my first pair of Tony Lama boots (first cowboy boots, period) about 35 years ago on the advice of a friend who owned multiple pairs of TL and wouldn’t wear any other brand. I was amazed at how comfortable they were and wore them a lot. My son now has them, as my feet have gotten wider, and I’ve picked up a couple more pairs over the years. Maybe they’re not made quite as well now, but I still love them. Thanks for the dissection!
Love that you’re doing cowboy boots! I would say you might want to do the online heavy brands like Tecovas, Chisos, and Rujo to name a few.
I agree. I have bern curious about Tecovas, and another online brand called Cueros.
This was my first thought as well. Tecovas stirs up a lot of strong feelings with traditionalists so that video would be fun
i'd like to see Twisted X boots/shoes cut up. maybe there story.
I love the channel, but I gotta give a little insight. Traditionally, cowboy boots had smooth leather soles. Today's boots, especially cowboy work boots have a rubber sole. Also, the smooth sole does help with sliding the boots into the stirrups, but you never go passed the balls of your feet with the stirrups. I would love to see your opinions on the more rugged work style like Ariat or Twisted X. In the oilfield, they are the most popular, comfortable and durable of western style work boots that look like a "traditional" cowboy boot.
I've only owned Tony Lamas from before the 90s (antique store boots) and they're my favorite older boot to wear. Very durable especially considering they've all been worn by someone for at least a couple resoles
I have owned, at least, 3 pairs of Tony Lamas, during the 1970s and none of them needed to be broken in. Pure comfort from the first time I put them on. The last pair I bought, in the early 2000s, didn't impress me at all.
I went through a cowboy boot phase, but never tried Tony Lamas. I wore Noconas, Justins, and Lucchesed. In general, I found them all surprisingly comfortable, durable, and affordable. Thanks for taking a closer look. Love the channel.
Yes, want to see a cowboy boots series. Please compare these against Ariats and Justins.
I bought a pair of smooth ostrich Tony lamas 6 years ago , and they have been worked very very hard , from walking through thick brush , gravel, dirt, rolling around on concrete , getting completely soaked many times…. And they finally ripped on the 6th year … super comfortable and durable
I’m glad you’ve done this. I have a pair of black Tony Lama’s that I’ve had for about 30 years. They have been resoled once. The only cowboy boots I buy are either Tony Lama or Justin. Lately I’ve been buying Justin Work Boots with Safety Toes. I love the Scottsbluff and am enjoying the Cappie. The Joist was a waste of money. I recommend buying the Made in USA products. They are better fitting and last longer. The Joist was made in the PRC and never fit right and didn’t last a year. The Scottsbluff has lasted 3 years and the Cappie I’ve worn for 8 months and is very comfortable. Also, whenever I was in El Paso, I’d alway stop at the factory that was just off of I-10. There used to be a corrugated tin store attached to the side of the factory. If you tried on a pair and one didn’t fit right, they used to just go to the factory floor and get you one to try on. Just amazing back then. Just my two cents. Thanks.
I wore Tony Lama’s back in the late 60’s early 70’s - best boots I ever owned and at that time the best priced - loved my Tony’s from Oklahoma
I sell western boots and this video will help me have talking points to explain to customers. So thanks man.
Really excited to see a cowboy boot series. I bought a pair of luccheses' which in australian dollarydoos cost me approximately $800. Was told Luccheses are a well reputed texan brand of cowboy boot.
I was hugely underwhelmed at receiving a pair of boots that are functionally just an office fashion piece. Scratched and scuffed super easily, very very thin leather shaft. Acrylic thread machine stitched.
Honestly feel like I wasted my money. Spoke to an inlaw who gave me a pair of ariats. World of difference, 1/3 the price.
New leather is slick. Once it’s scuffed up it’s not bad, not rubber, but not bad. I like it on boot soles. Like the video, too.
Great video! I love my old Tony Lamas. Glad to see they still have a veg tan insole! Looking forward to seeing more vids like this
Got to write a song for his entry's of western theme videos.
Would love to see some Montana Mexico boots. Hard to find now since they stopped selling in the US but you can find vintage pairs still
I've owned several pairs of Tony's and Justins. Make a visit to El Paso and there are outlet stores where you can find good deals on them.
I would love to see some of ariats work western stuff like the Sierra and workhog stuff. I figure theyre more disposable/less resoleable but god are they comfortable. I swear I could sleep in my sierras but not my more traditional ropers.
I have some Rocky and some John Deere (!) cowboy boots, mostly for construction work. They are all rubber sole'd because of barnyard er liquids. For a while, my Rockys (along with some Sole inserts) were the only footwear that I could wear due to planar fasciitis....
I bought a pair of Tony Lamas in 1985, been wearing every since then and still going strong.
Back in the eighties Tony Lama used to make the cowboy belts where they put your name on the back of them and they had some bling back in the day I had a couple of them I would wear the Tony Lama boots with them
Technically, you'd want to use an object with less surface area at the tip than that nail to test for snake bite tolerance. The broader tip allows a great distribution of the puncturing force across the surface of the leather, whereas a snake fang may have an easier time finding its way in (although not terribly likely). Anyway, great video!
The fang would be more likely to break off than the nail, though… 🤷🏼♀️
@@jennypaxton8159 haha, yep. Like Weston said, it would have to be a pretty jacked rattlesnake to get through that leather.
Lemonwood pegs are actually used because they expand at the same rate that leather does when it gets wet so they don't fall out.
Chisos, mixes elements of a sneaker with traditional boot making
Ariat, I believe someone from Reebok came along and brought more comfort to cowboy boots giving ariat the recognition it has today
Anderson Bean/Hondo, traditionally made boots great durability made to last and to be recrafted
Lucchese, great name recognition considered high end
Black Jack Boots, high end almost custom boots, former workers at Lucchese branched off to start Blackjack
Nice job! Grew up around TL’s and Ariat’s, but my favorite cowboy boots were a pair of custom Stewart’s Hand Made Boots. Amazing fit, like Nick’s for cowboys. Stewart’s was contracted to outfit the movie CITY SLICKERS. Great movie, great boot!
An additional boot to add to your group. Adventure Technology [AdTec]... The Packer Boot... runs @ $140.00 . Very comfortable and good looking boot.
If a western boot has a insole or float bed it's a cheaper boot. Tony Lama, Justin, and others do this for budget issues. I personally buy Lucchese 1883's been the best so far. And they use rose wood was told it doesn't shrink or expand as much
I think Rose Anvil needs to get a bunch of rattlesnakes to test how much leather puncture resistance is needed to stop a rattlesnake bite.
My wife has worked around rattlesnakes for 20 years and currently catches and relocates for our town dispatch. Leather boots pretty much just give you a false sense of security, they've had millions of years of evolution to develop the tools specifically for puncturing tough ankle hide of hoofed animals. Snake boots either have metal plates in them or dense rubber.
I very much enjoyed the WW2 Boot series.
My first pair of shoes were boots. An infant in boots, only in Texas. As a Native Texan, I've always worn boots. My Dad moved us from East TX to El Paso in 1977. I lived there until 1986 when I entered the USAF. I tried on several pair of Tony's at the factory outlet store. I always ended up buying Justin or Cowtown Boots. I currently wear Beckett Simonon lace up boots to work. On occasion, I break out one of five pairs of Cowboy Boots that I purchased or received as a gift in the 80's or very early 90's. One pair needs a resole before I wear them again.
Thanks for the videos!
Love the cowboy boot series. I recommend doing the Chisos brand #2 boots. They seem to be amazing, and will be my next pair of cowboy boots!
That’s an awesome fact about the lemonwood pegs! Didn’t know that
If you could do any boots from Canada West Boots in manitoba that would be great! Really want to purchase locally made but this channel has made me obsessed with build quality.
I have a pair of caiman skin Tony Lama boots that I wear fairly often and they're a bit nicer than these ones in the video but I don't have any complaints about them and I've had them for years
You should do Tecovas next. They have some pretty cool exotic leather options at an affordable price
I'm starting to learn from this channel that boots made in Mexico are pretty damn good!
Got my first pair of TLs the other day. I overpaid a bit but I’m liking them so far.
One of the best stories and business plans is Rios of Mercedes and their sister companies. I'm a sucker for a tall shaft and a spur ledge on my boots...
Also tradition boots have a leather hard insole if they have one at all. And cork footbed
Maybe look for some vintage cowboy boots to compare with new ones. To see if they’re made better now or back in the day
You could cut a pair of stetson cowboy boots. They have a few pairs in the same price range as these.
25 years ago, Cabellas Outfitter series hunting boot claimed to have a leather that was from a far superior process than anyone else. You can still buy these used ones on eBay. I had a pair. Took 6 months to break in. Half day at a time, every other day. Blister that foot.
Cowboy boots are smooth soled to go in and out of the stirrup smoothly. Rubber tread can grab and keep you from getting your foot out quickly if needed.... Like if your horse falls or flips over.
Your opinion is one of the few I trust out here in this wild west of fashion... Would love to see you tackle leather coats/jackets one day.
I just burned through a pair of double H boots and the rubber insoles were terrible with holes in them with less then 10mo of wear. I drive truck btw so it's not like I was doing hard labor on some construction site.
Please do more cowboy boots. They are such a huge market now.
I just got my first pair of Hondo 2 weeks ago and I really like them. I'd love to see a pair cut in half!
I always wanted a pair of cowboy boots when i was a kid they looked so cool on TV one problem I'm from Britain not much call for cowboy boots lol.
I have a couple pair of exotic tony lama boots. I really like them. Fit is consistent from one to the other, an seem to be good quality.
Years ago I had a pair of Durango boots that lasted a long time and were very comfortable. Never had any other cowboy boots. The closest thing I have now is a pair of pull on Ariat work boots but I normally only wear them in the winter.
Also very happy with my Durango boots. The only things I've got that are as comfortable are a set of Giorgio Armani shoes.
I would like to see Anderson Bean, HorsePower by Anderson Bean and Rios of Mercedes. I love my ABs and would love to see how they stack up. I’ve had Justin, TL, Resistol (I think they were made by Luchese), Luchese, Ariat. My wife has a pair of Rios and loves them… Rios are made on too narrow of a last for my feet. Also, Beck’s handmade boots are also great and are a semi custom boot that fit great and Bustamante boots have a big following amongst a lot of the cowboys I know also but I’ve never had a pair.
I like these cowboy boot series. I'm thinking of getting a Dan Post or Sendra boot. It would be great if you can make videos on these 2 brands. Thanks
Would love to see a teardown review on a pair of fully bespoke cowboy boots. $1,300+ for calfskin seems nuts but you encounter them a fair bit here in Dallas.
Austin too.
The leather sole, while can be a little slippery, it doesn't retain mud or animal droppings and easier to clean when going between indoors and outdoors. It's also tough, flexible, and can breathe better than rubber. Easier to slide in and out of stirrups too.
You never look back after you try cowboy boots, best design ever 👍🏻 timeless classic.
Definitely gotta see the Ariat roper, any Justin boots or Chiso’s, especially since they’ve been worn in tv shows from longmire, Yellowstone and cw’s Walker and what the quality is especially since I love cowboy boots and want a boot that’s worth the money and is able to be worn and beat and look better
I have a titanium post sticking out my head and I can attest it’s light and super and strong I’ve put holes in the wall without even trying.
Came for the thumbnails, staid for the bites of history. Thanks for the great content
There is a tradition that the first cowboy boot makers used a flattened nail as the shank and the pegs helped keep it in place.
06:48 the slick sole is so you can slip in & out of the stirrup fast. The same reason for needle nose toes on the boot. I've always had the area around the welt where the toes start to curve up crack & break from too much flexing. The bottom line is, it's just a work boot. It depends on how often you wear them on how long they'll last. If I get a pair of boots/shoes to last 6+ mos., then I break even.
Do more western boots! Luchese and Ariats please! Loved the info!
You could walk through tractor supply and have a six options for $700. Justins are real popular in my corner of PA for that reason.
It would be good to see Ariats. They aren’t the most expensive but appear to have a real stitched 3/4 welt.
You'll usually want to rest the ball of your foot in the stirrups. If you push it back toward your heel you risk slipping your foot through if you are thrown from the horse.
CHISOS BOOTS!
They have their own video comparing to tecovas but a non-bias comparison or review would be awesome
I have a pair of TL 3R boots with rubber outsole. I absolutely love them, actually their the second pair I’ve owned. Best riding boot, besides my custom handmade boots.
Looking forward to the cowboy boot series, so many brands and unique leathers.
Please do Anderson Bean boots. Worked in a boot store for a few years and in my opinion they are the most well made out of any, even Luchesse.