Cowboy boots for riding

I have some double H boots, pretty comfortable, have held up well, take a nice spit shine, I ride and use them for general boots. But only suitable for very dry weather, walk in wet morning grass and your feet are soaked. And that's after sprays, oils waxes or what not. Thinner cheaper leather I guess. I think I may try the justin stampedes next. Usually I weat waterproof justing endurance shoes and just jeans. I add half chaps if I am wearing tights or it is cold.

I have always been told that steel toe boots are very bad to wear around horses. The problem is that if a horse steps on your foot, the steel will bend into your foot, trapping it and doing additional damage. Thankfully, I have never seen this theory put to the test, but it is something to consider.


As to the original question, I ride in Ariat. Think it is the "Heritage" style. (You need to avoid the kind with the "crepe" soles as they can stick in the stirrup. "Traction" as someone else mentioned in this thread, is a bad thing in a riding boot.)

Takes a week or two to break 'em in. After that they are comfortable and last for years. Every other boot I have owned lasts 6 months to a year before I wear a hole in the bottom. My Ariats may get nasty looking after 5 years or so, but still hold up to abuse.

Really? I have never had that problem. My Double H boots are good solid leather, not thin at all. I have literally held my feet under the hose to rinse all the mud off and my feet have stayed completely dry.

Youve been told wrong, that's a completely untrue old wives tail. Anything heavy enough to damage a steel toe would do far greater damage to an unprotected toe,
That makes as much sense as not wearing a helmet because of fear that broken shards from the plastic cover might cut your scalp.

Dunno, my double h are basic roper design. Arnt wet proof at all.

Here's an interesting link on steel toe vs. regular toe.

Three Sixty Safety: Mythbuster: Steel Toe Boots Can Sever or Amputate My Toes So I’m Safer Without Them

Now I don't wear steel toe on a regular basis but if need be I will. My everyday wear boot for riding , working, and just around right now are ariats. I've had Justin's, tony llamas, Laredo, Durango and one pair of double h. The double h for me were probably the heaviest boot to wear. My go to boots would probably be Justin, tony llama or the ariats. I guess just which one I got the best deal on at the time. Unless I had the money to buy a custom pair of boots. Of course I don't see that happening anytime soon.

@Joe D
I have not direct experience, which is why I prefaced my statement with "I have always been told." Interesting. I don't agree with the helmet analogy... If the helmet cracks, it cracks. Try wearing a steel helmet that will compress to a new shape on impact. Not only does it dent your skull into a new shape, but it becomes stuck on your head. I would also guess some "steel toe" boots are made better than others.


@Fort Fireman
Thanks for the link. General criticism of "Mythbusters" aside, I think there is some information in that article to support problems with wearing steel toe boots around a horse. They were going for "amputation." I am just talking about additional problems from the steel being bent.

"400lbs from 3 ft: more deformation in the steel plate, but only damage to frangible foot was a broken metatarsal (big toe). Adam: “I want to see some toes cut off or crushed beyond all recognition” * 400lbs from 6 ft: a lot of pancaking of steel cap and lots of broken bones beneath, but no toe amputation."

Of course, enough force to bend the steel would do plenty of damage to the foot anyway. However, if 400lbs @ 3ft can cause the steel to break a toe, the steel would seem to be bent into the toe itself. That would make me wonder as to how you get the boot off? Wouldn't the toe be trapped by the steel toe?

Again, these guys were looking to disprove an amputation theory. They didn't speak to additional damage potential from the steel. It would also be difficult to relate their tests to the force a 1200lb horse would exert when stepping, walking or trotting across a toe.


I don't have any experience one way or the other. Never heard of anyone being stomped on while wearing steel toe boots. (Although I use to wear a pair of steel toes long ago and did have some dents and deformations in the steel). There are plenty old wive's tales and I have no doubt this is one of them too. At the same time, I personally believe a horse is capable of bending that small piece of metal and wouldn't take the chance. I have seen them do more damage to bigger things.