How to Pick the Perfect Western Boot

Buying boots is an investment.

They can be costly, but if you choose quality boots you can just about guarantee you’ll still be wearing them years down the track. Give them plenty of love (clean, feed and polish them once in a while) and they can look as good as new - even if you do give them a bit of a beating in the great outdoors. If you’re not real sure where to start, check out our guide to see what type of boots will suit you.

Western Boot Styles

Western boots come in countless styles. If you’re open to making a statement with your footwear, the choices are endless! With different toe shapes, heel styles, shaft heights and stitch options, you'll be spoiled for choice once you start looking.

Traditional Western Boots are designed to work hard, and to be worn in. They’ll tend to get more comfortable and fit better as they age. They often come in a wider fitting and have a lower heel with a straighter profile. They also tend to have a round or square toe for a fit that’s roomier but closer to the foot.

Western Dress Boots are where the fun begins! From subtle stitching like that on western work boots to bright, contrasting embroidery, tooled, embossed or exotic leather, coloured leather, colour inlays, fringes, tassels, and bling, you can be as loud and out there or as reserved as you like. Fashion boots often have chiselled heels with a faux timber or cork finish, and toes in every shape from square to super pointy. You’ve gotta love a pointy toe!

Materials

Cowhide is by far the most common material used for western work and fashion boots. It also happens to be the most durable leather available - along with kangaroo. You may have to shell out some big bucks if you want kangaroo hide western boots, but they do offer better rebound with every step! There are plenty of other fancy options if you really want your boots to make a statement. Check out exotic hides like buffalo, ostrich, alligator, snake, or crocodile. Natural hide takes on individual character and develops a warm patina as it ages. There’s nothing like a pair of boots you’ve done some miles in and made some memories in. Leather is generally more durable than synthetic material, and if you treat it right and give it some love with a regular clean and feed, it’ll have good water-resistant properties too. You can also get leather boots that incorporate waterproof membranes and sealed seams.

Synthetic materials can offer fashion designs not commonly found in leather boots. Having said that, generally these materials are not as durable as leather. More recently, many leather boots have decorative synthetic inlays for improved ventilation and breathability, so you get the best of both worlds!

Colours and Designs

There are literally thousands of styles out there! If you’re starting your western boot collection, go for something that’s a bit neutral that will match lots of your wardrobe. If you’re not planning on starting a collection of boots… You will be once you get your first pair home!

• Brown boots go with almost anything. Black western boots are not as common, but they’re pretty versatile too.
• Bright colours and intricate patterns make a great statement when you really want to stand out in the crowd.
• Do you want both? Versatile AND a stand-out-from-the-crowd statement? Lots of western boots have a brown or black vamp and a shaft that’s a different colour… Some shafts have inlays, exotic hide, bling, or tassels... What’s my point??? These boots can be ‘incognito’! With bootcut jeans they look like plain western boots. Then, when you want to ramp up your look, you can wear them with straight or skinny jeans, or a dress or a skirt. Two distinctive looks in one! Yeah!

Toe Styles

Different toe styles are another thing to consider when you’re choosing a western boot.

The snip toe or D-toe is best described as a pointed toe, but with the point snipped off to give a square finish at the front. This style is a little less roomy, so usually you go up a half a size or more to get a comfy fit. This one is a favourite with the girls. It makes western boots look more delicate than chunky and gives a classy look. Perfect for any outfit in my book! Snip and D-toe boots are often a B (narrower) width.

The round toe is more roomy than other toe styles, and features in both work and dress boots for men and women. It’s the most traditional style. Round toe boots are often a wide fit in women's work boots (C) and men’s boots (EE or EEE), and sometimes a narrower fit in fashion boots for the ladies.

A square toe provides more room and a smart look. It’s a dominant style for men’s boots and also features on women’s boots. The square toes gives them a chunky look and there is often contrasting stitching on the welt that is quite distinctive. It’s practical for the great outdoors, but also a great dress boot. Square toe boots are most commonly made in a wide fitting. (C, EE or EEE).

Are you ready to jump on in and find your perfect boot? Check out the gorgeous Allingtons range here.