Last Updated on December 8, 2022
Here we’ll introduce you to some of the best cowboy boots for wide feet; all reasonably priced, so there’s no need to worry about breaking the bank. Finding the right boots for your feet isn’t always easy. Boots that stand up to long days working on the ranch, but still look stylish and comfortable are high on many people’s lists. Boots that can withstand dust, mud, rain, and rough terrain don’t have to cost a fortune.
Things to Considering When Buying Cowboy Boots
Materials
Cowboy boots are made using several different types of leather. The most common and popular leather is cowhide. Cowboy boots made from cowhide are the most economical. Not only can you find these boots at reasonable prices, but the leather itself is also long-lasting and sturdy. Cowhide cowboy boots make for excellent work footwear that holds up to everyday use around the ranch.
Horsehide
Using horsehide might seem like a hard leather for some people to accept due to their love of horses. However, cowboy boots made from this leather are fairly common. Cowboy boots made from horsehide are a good choice for someone that wants tough footwear that holds up to hard work.
Horsehide leather is stronger than cowhide. The leather doesn’t need as much maintenance as cowhide. However, cowboy boots made from this leather are more expensive.
Ostrich Leather
Ostrich leather is an increasingly popular material used to make cowboy boots. This leather is considered exotic. This leather is popular for its softness, yet without losing durability. The leather is also known for its breathability, making it a good choice for hot weather.
Goat Leather
Goat leather is another good choice for hot weather. The leather’s porous hide helps keep feet cool. Not only that, but the leather is very flexible making goat hide boots extremely comfortable.
A cool aspect of goat leather is that it is possible to dye it in a variety of ways. This means that goat leather cowboy boots come in all sorts of fun colors.
Alligator and Lizard Leather
Cowboy boots made from alligator or lizard leather are popular for their shiny finish and distinctive pattern. These are boots that you’ll want to save for special occasions and not work on the ranch. They need special care, including regular conditioning and storage out of direct sunlight.
Cowboy Boot Care
Regardless of the type of cowboy boots you own, they will all need regular care. Luckily, the care process isn’t complicated. The most important factor is that you keep on top of it.
The first step is to clean your boots. Leaving dirt on your boots will accelerate wear and damage. Start with a damp cloth and wipe off your boots. Use a boot or toothbrush to clean out any crevices. During this stage, you can even use saddle soap on, particularly dirty boots.
Next, use a fresh cloth massage conditioner on the entire boot. If you notice the conditioner soaking into the boot quickly, it means they are dry. Reapply the conditioner until you’re satisfied.
Finally, polish your boots. Polishing helps remove any scratches on your boots. Polish gradually by adding polish and then buffing between layers.
Suede Boots
Clean cowboy boots made from this material with a suede brush. This will help keep the nap in good condition as well as take out stains. A special spray is available that you can put on your suede boots to help protect them from dirt and moisture.
Storing Cowboy Boots
If you can afford to have more than one pair of cowboy boots, then do it! You should not wear your boots two days in a row. Your boots need to rest and air dry naturally. Don’t put your boots next to the radiator or fireplace. Use cedar boots trees or stuff your boots with newspaper when you’re not using them, to help them keep their shape.
Read more about Steel Toed Cowboy Boots for Women
How to Choose Cowboy Boots
When choosing cowboy boots, first decide if you want the boots for work or as a fashion statement. For work boots, you want something durable and comfortable. Next, pick the type of leather, cowhide, or horsehide for heavy use or something more exotic for a fashion statement.
Fit is one of the most important considerations when choosing cowboy boots. The leather, style, and maker all affect how the boots fit your foot. You should have wiggle room for your toes, and your heel needs to have movement, but overall the boot still feels snug.
It is a good idea to measure your feet properly before purchasing your first pair of cowboy boots. This will tell you if you need a narrow, regular, or wide fit. To know if you need a wide fit, besides measuring, put on a pair of boots and look down.
You should see the boot stitching on both sides. If you don’t, you probably need wider boots. If your boots are not wide enough, it can cause premature damage to the leather.
List of The Best Cowboy Boots for Wide Feet
#1 Ariat Men’s Rambler Western Boot
Ariat is a new kid on the boot-making scene. However, the company quickly won popularity around the world for their good quality boots, with equestrians in mind. The Rambler is a simple but stylish boot. Ariat’s ATS technology provides feet with great support for all-day comfort.
Pros
- All-weather
- Broken in feel from new
- Duratread outsole to help with shock absorption
- Good price for the quality
Cons
- Unlined
- Could use better traction on the sole
- Look nice, but too casual for a dressier occasion
#2 Justin Original Work Boots Men’s Stampede
The Justin Original Stampede Work boots do the job they are designed for. Justin Boots has been providing quality for over 130 years. These boots are a little fancier than the Ariat’s we’ve mentioned above. They have attractive embellishments, a square toe, and a removable comfort insole.
Pros
- Square toe provides plenty of space for your toes
- Water-resistant
- Long-lasting and durable
Cons
- Excellent work boot, but not good for horse riding
- They need time to break in to maximize comfort
- Not steel-toed
#3 Ariat Fat Baby Heritage For Women
Ariat Fat Baby is everyday work boots for women who need cowboy boots for wide feet. These are short boots that come in several fun designs, without making an over-the-top statement. The boots are made to wear during long days working on the ranch.
Pros
- A modern take on western cowboy boots
- Look great with jeans for a casual off-the-farm look
- 4LR technology that provides support and foot cushioning
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Some people find them difficult to get on
- They take a while to stretch to fit your footwell
- Can take time to get used to how they feel
#4 Laredo Men’s Lodi Square Toe Western Cowboy Dress Boots
The Laredo Men’s Lodi Western Cowboy Dress Boots come in extra wide feet. The boots are 100 percent leather, with a synthetic sole. The boots have an elegant stitched design and an EVA cushioned insole.
Pros
- Great price
- Good choice for those who need cowboy boots for wide feet
- Excellent sole traction
- Durable
- Hinged insole
Cons
- Not great for mucky work
- Best worn in dry weather
#5 Guide Gear Men’s Cowboy Boots
These boots sport a 2-inch heel with classic western-style stitching. They have a fitted cushioned insole to provide all-day comfort. They are a good choice for someone who wants a stylish cowboy boot without breaking the bank. The men’s boots come in black or brown.
Pros
- Budget-friendly price
- Lined shaft
- Rubber outsole
- Easy to take care of
Cons
- They lack a slip-resistant sole
# 6 Ariat Workhog Wide Square Toe Work Boot
The Ariat Workhog boots are made for hard work but are stylish enough for off the ranch as well. The boots come in five colors, including, brick, rich brown, black, dark brown, and natural brown. They feature fancy stitching and patterns allowing the wearer to make a subtle fashion statement.
Pros
- Duratread outsole
- EVA midsole
- ATS Max platform that provides stability
- Wide, square toe
- U-Turn Entry System
- Non-tracking, self-cleaning sole
Cons
- Leather is a little rigid
- Not as durable as other brands
# 7 Twisted X Men’s Steel Toe Western Work Boot
This is a great boot for those who like a little flash and color. Whether you want patriotic red, white, blue, sky blue, or green, you’ll find a pair to show off your personality. Twisted X is a boot maker that works hard to improve the technology used in their boots to maximize comfort.
Pros
- Genuine full-grain leather
- Steel toe
- Dressy enough for non-ranch work
- Moisture-wicking footbed
- Double-stitched storm welt for better protection from moisture
Cons
- Can be stiff
- A little on the expensive side
How Do You Measure Shoe Width For Cowboy Boots?
Ideally, you should get your feet measured for cowboy boots in a reputable boot store. However, in modern times many people prefer to shop online, so you will need to measure your feet at home.
The best time of day to measure your feet is in the afternoon, as this tends to be when your feet are the largest. Measure both feet, and use the measurement from whichever foot is the largest. Yes, that’s right – most of us have odd-sized feet!
Sit on a chair and place your feet on a piece of paper, and draw around each foot. Take two measurements, the length and the width. The length is easy to measure, as it is the distance between your heel and the tip of your big toe.
To measure the width, you will measure a line across the widest part of the foot. Once you have these two measurements, compare them against the shoe manufacturers sizing chart to determine your ideal boot size and width.
How Do You Fix a Cowboy Boot That is Too Big?
Cowboy boots that are too big can be a frustrating problem! Luckily some simple tweaks can be made that will make your boots more comfortable.
A good-sized pair of insoles can be placed inside the boot – these will not only make them feel smaller but also more comfortable to wear. Another option is to wear thick socks or two pairs of socks, although this will only be suitable for the colder winter months. Heel shields can also be useful for holding your foot securely in place in a larger pair of boots.
But what if your boots are too big around the calves – what can you do to make them more comfortable? Many riders prefer to tuck their jeans into their boots, which can make them fit more snugly. You can also invest in calf sleeves or leather calf straps, which will make your boots a better fit.
Do Western Boots Run Big?
Many people think that western boots run big, as they feel quite loose when you first wear them. However, it is normal for your feet to slip slightly in a new pair of cowboy boots, and this feeling should disappear as the boots become more soft and flexible.
The reason cowboy boots not fitting as tightly as other footwear is that they are intended to be used for a variety of tasks where ease of movement is essential. The foot needs to be able to flex and extend comfortably, and the boots should not feel tight and restrictive.
If you prefer your boots more tightly fitting, it may be necessary to go down half a size or even a full size. It is preferable to try on different sizes of cowboy boots to see what feels most comfortable, as everyone has different preferences when it comes to boots.
How to Stretch Leather Boots For Wide Feet?
A new pair of leather boots can often feel stiff, and it takes time to wear them until they feel soft and comfortable. If your boots do not feel wide enough there are various things you can do to speed up this process.
A boot stretcher is a handy tool that can be used to stretch leather boots. It pushes inside the boot and gradually stretches the leather to make the boots more comfortable for you to wear. To speed this up, you can spray some leather stretching spray inside the boots before using the boot stretcher.
Some people swear by freezing leather boots to stretch them, but this method does carry some risks. Your boots mustn’t come into contact with water in the freezer, as this may discolor the leather.
For this technique fill two small sandwich bags with water, making sure they are tightly sealed. Push them into the boots and place the boots into another plastic bag. Pop the whole lot in the freezer for several hours – as the water freezes, it will expand and gently stretch the leather of your boots.
Heat can also help leather to stretch if used gently. Wearing thick socks, place your feet inside the boots and warm the outside gently with a hair dryer. You can also stuff the boots with newspaper when not wearing them to help them stretch.
Round-Up
Choosing the best cowboy boots for wide feet is a bit of a minefield. With dozens of brands and hundreds, if not thousands of different styles finding the right pair for your feet is a challenge. We’ve highlighted some good choices here to help you.
It’s hard to name our favorite from the list, but we’re leaning towards the Laredo cowboy boots for more dressy occasions and the Ariat Ramblers for a work environment. The Rambler isn’t the only Ariat cowboy boot worth considering. They have a large range if you find the Rambler too plain.
We’ve chosen the Rambler as our overall favorite for it’s out of the box and ready to wear with no breaking-in. The leather has a lovely distressed look and, we like the simple, comfortable style of the boot. For ladies, we love the Ariat Fat Baby Heritage boot, for its practicality and fun designs.
Because each brand and even style can have a different fit, you should get your feet properly measured, before buying cowboy boots for wide feet. Ensure you look after your boots well to get the longest life out of them. The Ramblers are easy to care for and made from durable leather, another reason why they are our favorite.
Michael Dehaan is a passionate horse owner, horse rider, and lover of all things equine. He has been around horses since he was a child, and has grown to become an expert in the field. He has owned and ridden a variety of horses of different breeds, and has trained many to compete in shows and competitions. He is an experienced horseman, having worked with and competed many horses, including his own. He is an active member of the equestrian community, participating in events and teaching riding lessons.