Boots

[aladatrot]

I have worn Ariat boots since before they made a western boot at all. Used to show in their dress boots for English riders. I was one of the first in line for their western version when they made one and have worn them ever since. Recently, I have been wearing Ariat's Probaby boots which are a chunky crepe style boot made for the stirrup. Most comfortable boots I have ever had on my feet. Anyway, the issue I have been having is that they don't last more than six months. I oil them some but it is typically the soles that come apart, followed by the stitching and leather cracking and splitting. My latest pair (my 5th pair) was bought the week after thanksgiving 2009, and as of this week the heel cap is broken down and jagged and the boots have lost a good portion of their stitching. They are only 2 months old.

I just bought a pair of Justins from their AQHA series to see how they hold up to my wear. I'm in boots every day and I'm pretty hard on them. I got online and found reviews of the Justins, but each review was done by someone who had just gotten the boots and was commenting on the quality. I don't know about you, but I cannot see how a person can comment on quality until they have put the boot to the test in real life. Having owned 5 pairs of the Ariat Pro Babies, I feel confident that I can give an accurate assessment of the boot's performance.

I was just curious as to what everyone else is having any luck with. I'm not fishing for the brands that casual boot wearers are using, I'm wanting to hear about the ones that are worn and abused every day of the week. How long do they last, and what wears out. It is so difficult to get an accurate review when the only folks commenting are those who just pulled the boots from the box...

Cheers!
M

[dabutcher]

i'm not sure this is what you're looking for but for everyday use i've been wearing the ariat steel toe (don't remember the model).  i've had this particular pair for right at 15 months or so and the only problem i've had is the sole wearing.  i had another pair of the same and they crapped out on me after almost 2 years but i had them resoled once.

for a boot like you got i've had a pair of Ariats Cobalt XR Crepe going on right at 11 months and i wear them when i get off work and when i help work cows, some hunting, and just regular old farm work.  i try to stay away from my steel toes after the work week so my toes get a break, and these have bee the best i've found.  my only complaint is the leather is a little too soft (cuts easy). they've been a dream since purchase though as they required no break in.  i just use NikWax on em and clean the mud off of em when they get muddy so it doesn't rot the leather.

here's a link.
http://www.nrsworld.com/istar.asp?a=6&id=39592!ARIAT

[T-Bob Parker]

twisted x buckaroo square toe worn almost everyday for the last 10 months, oiled once a month and even though you can see that the heel is worn down still has never come off. Leather in used condition but heck so am I and I know you don't know me but I am 240#s have terrible ankles and I am hard on boots, so yeah ill vouch for twisted x

[Circle C]

T-Bob,
  I have been wearing the Twisted X for a few years myself. I've had Justin, Ariat, Wolverine, Double H, etc  Nothing has held up like the Twisted X. I get about one year out of them, then I buy a new pair.  I have considered getting some custom boots, but never have talked myself into dropping the coin required for custom boots.

[bghogdogtx]

I like the Tony-lama work boots they last me about a solid year

[uglydog]

Mandi, I finaly got a pair of boots thats comfortable enough for me to wear daily. They are the Ariat cobalt crepe sole, they have the gel technology junk in them and I think that has helped with my back and posture for standing/walking long periods. You are alot younger than I am so you have not gotten to the point I am at, but try a pair of those out and see what you think. I also agree the leather is soft and does not require the break in time, to be comfortable. The bonus is they have a spur lip and my spurs also fit great, which is another isssue I have had. I think the crepe soles may help fix your sole wearing issue out too. The leather maybe too soft for the everyday wear and tear, but if I am not mistaken they also have a bull hide in these too that might fix that. I usually wear the Justin Chukkas for every day stuff, but they don't last me as long and I can't use them for everything, but to make them last longer from the cracking I would use "Shoe Grease" and that prolonged the life of those. It is ugly and messy but the "crap" I walk through they will be ugly and nasty quick like anyway.

[t.wilbanks]

I also like the Twisted -X boots. They seemed to hold together good, and were really comfortable. The only problem i had with mine is they would get wore on 4wheeler rides and end up in the yard full of mud and i would just go buy a new pair.    Man i miss those years of no bills!  :'(

[Cutter Bay Kennels]

If you can find a style at Tractor Farm supply, buy the extended protection plan for around $15 extra.  It covers everything from water staining, to all out breaking.  I like Wolverines, and the protection plans is easy on the wallet.   

[c.miller]

http://www.riosofmercedesboots.com/

[Hippy]

get you a good ol leather sole boot and you won't ever have to worry bout it.  got a pair of olatha's (sp) that are at least three years old and thats just how long i've had em.  i got em from a buddy when i started riding bulls and he got em from an old bronc rider, so really there's no telling how old they are.  there not the prettiest boots i got but they are the pair i reach for day in and day out. well that is until my dog got ahold of them.  if the sole wears out just get a new one put on, it cost me 20 buck for both boots. im also trying out a pair of larry mayhan's (sp) elephant skin and so far im pleased with how they hold up and there also leather sole so hopefully i'll get a few years out of them to.

[Rockin-P-Ranch]

Mandi I have worn boots all my life and the best boots that I have ever had where the ones that uncle sam gave me when I joined the Marine Corp.You can not hardly wear them out.It was the say way with the socks.But I agree with circle c Twisted X are about the best for my money at this time.I have got to get a new pair every year still, but they dont have to go to the boot shop inbetween new pairs.

[Silverton Boar Dogs]

You can't beat going with custom boots they are cheaper in the long run and the fit is the best selling point. There are many small boot makers around this area, they take the measurments and your selection for toe, heal, leathecor and top height, stitch pattern ext...and have your boots built in Mexico and shiped back up here.

The last pair I had made had 20" tops, tops doubled to turn thorns, my brand inlayed.....they were done in 3 weeks and cost $305.00.

The fit was as good as my last pair of Leddy's and Mercedes boots.

Leather soles are the way to go, get them re soled and new heal caps when needed and they will last for years.

[grunterhunter8]

http://www.onlinebootstore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=JD5194&Category_Code=

Made by Dan Post. I have two pairs in different colors. I have abused them quite a bit,even used one pair for hunting,  and they could probably be cleaned up and worn as dress boots! Have had them both for over two years and have no major wear at all.

[sfboarbuster]

I wore ariats for a while, but same as everyone else, the soles came apart.
Just bought a pair of Lucchesse's a couple months ago and I love them so far.

[craig]

i have been wearing Anderson Bean boots for about 10 yrs.     i wear boots everyday and i have about 4 or 5 pair, square toe , tall tops, short tops.  

http://www.andersonbeanboots.com/

 i wont ride in anything but leather sole, not worth taking a chance of getting hung in a stirrup..

[aladatrot]

Thanks for the replies, fellas. I had already bought the justins before I made this post, but figured I would ask in case these don't hold up either. I have the justin foundation boot with aqua colored top. So far so good except that unlike the ariats the justins require a break in. They also have a taller top than I'm used to. I can stuff my pants into those ariats and save the hem on my jeans from getting walked on.  If it looked stupid with the ariats, it looks positively rediculous with these justins with 11 inch tops. So, I'm having to stuff the jeans in when I'm in the barn and then remember to pull them back out when I leave. I will know how well justin measures up in a couple of months....

I didn't even think about checking on twisted x - do they make womens boots?

I did check anderson bean but decided that the models I found online were too pricey for my application of being in muckity muck all the time. Perhaps I didn't find the poor gal's anderson bean boots...

Here's another question for you although some have already touched on what they use; what do you use and how often do you condition your boots? I used fiebings saddle oil which is a silicone and lanolin product. Not sure if this was a good choice, but paul taylor recommends it exclusively for his saddles.

Cheers
M

[T-Bob Parker]

Yes twisted x does make girl boots , pretty cool ones too I might add! I also use fieblings as well as leather new foam conditioner and if you don't want to look goofy when you tuck your britches in before you slip your boots on pinch the hems around you heel and ankle so that when you put your boots on your jeans look straight. That looks super cool and all my little brothers friends point and luagh to cover their jealousy  when I pick him up from public places

[cowcountryhogdogger]

All i wear is handmade boots.  Got my first pair in high school and never bought another pair off the shelf.  I have a foot that is hard to fit and a custom boot makes wearing my boots alot easier on me.  Custom tops and bottoms and heels makes it ideal for what I want in a boot.  Only downside is that I pay about $650-800 for a pair.  But they will last a long time if taken care of and for me that makes all the difference.

[canitosmomma]

For what its worth I have worn boots most of my life and have as far back as I remember used Lexol, but that is just me.

[ETHHunters]

Im a big fan of Twisted X and Double H boots. I wear boots everryday in construction from on concrete all week or in a mud hole. I also wear the same boots to hunt in most times. I just recently bought a pair of Ariat's to try out. Im about 2 months in and have already come to the realization that the crepe soles are not for everyday use. They are just too soft.