As a lifelong boot wearer, both for work and for a night out with my wife, I can say I'm very impressed with my Tecovas. I have three pairs and that are very comfortable and I love the calf skin uppers. Now if you have the money, nothing beats a custom pair of boots made exclusively for you, but that's a minimum of $2500 and that's a luxury. But a $300 Tecovas, is a very handsome boot in my opinion.
_minimum_ of 2500? You're just buying a brand, 800 will get you custom made boots with exotic leather. If you *NEED* to get your foot out of a stirrup quickly to avoid dying, any Walmart boot will work ie: If all you're doing is sitting on a saddle, the cheapest pair will do just fine, it does the exact same thing. If you're walking around/working and actually _using_ them outside of riding, why the hell would you buy a western boot in the first place? They're worse in every single way from construction to wear to support. The slip-on factor and no laces is great but thats it and doesn't justify any premium, much less 2x what any hand made in USA bootmaker charges. If you like the look and just want something to shit on the plebians with you don't need to spend 1 - 2 - 5 - 10k on a brand name.
That depends. If you're around horses for enough years, there's a good chance you'll get stepped on. We have two horses. The bigger one is 16.5 hands tall and weighs about 1,200 lbs. She has stepped on my foot 3 times now. I suppose the key is that it has never been on a hard surface like a driveway. It happened once in a stall where we keep a soft ground covering, once in a pasture, and once on a sand/dirt mix. I have some steel-toe work boots, but they're too big and clunky for riding. The stirrups would bounce off of them. I've considered getting safety-toe western boots but haven't yet. I look around at other people with horses who know more than I do and wonder about it. Yet, _no one_ that I've seen does that. I'm not worried about how it'll look; it's more that I'm thinking, "If it's a problem, I would see at least a few people wearing them."
As a retired cobbler, among many other trades, I agree with your analysis. However, I wore a pair of Tony Llama boots for years while working in my leather shop that were the most well-balanced pair of foot-ware that I have ever had on my feet. I am naturally not very graceful on my feet, but that pair of boots were almost like walking bare-footed. Quality of materials? That's another topic; mine were great, but that was 30 years ago.
I've been wearing cowboy boots for 30 years. The last 3 years I have been wearing Tecovas Boots. I must say that customer service has been great. My first pair I ordered the same size as I had been wearing and they didn't fit. Tecovas paid for return shipping and sent me the right size immediately. I love the quality of the boots from the materials especially the lining, to the leather stack heels. They are comfortable to wear all day. In fact they are more comfortable than my sneakers. Finally I love my boot jack. The boots have a snug fit when putting them on, but that means there is not a lot of slip and slide. I have never gotten a blister. The boot jack makes taking the boots off much easier for a stiff old man.
Love the video. I’ve been wearing Lamas for 20 yrs. My oldest pair was my father’s. He bought then back in 1979. All my boots from Lama have held up. I won’t wear any other boot.
The stiffer leather, stitching, and center piping on the Tony Lamas are there to keep the shaft from sagging and falling over. I'd give them a slight edge on shaft durability, otherwise agree with everything else.
It’s a weird time for retail sales. I happed to stop in a boot store recently. All the $200 dollar boots had plastic soles and synthetic inner linings. (For the most part.). Many of the major brands were also made in China. Most of the boots on the shelf comparable to the Tecovas were $300-$400. I realize some boots are meant for work, but for $275, if I’m buying dress boots, I’d buy the Tecovas because of the better materials and being made likely by actual people nearby. As opposed to a massive factory that ships millions of boots by cargo ship.
I've said that before, myself! Tecovas boots are the Thursday Boots of the cowboy boot world. I have five pair: The Jasper, Earl, Nolan, Cooper, and Townes. Definitely more for "show" than hard use in my opinion, but that's fine because I don't work on a ranch, I wear them casually!
Love my TL. Don't think I would invest in tecovas. The heal and especially that toe plastic was a total turn off. For a more durable boot the Double H brand is hard to beat! Thanks again 🤠👍
You gotta include Double H. Over 65 years of western boots made in the USA. I know Pennsylvania isn't exactly a western heritage mecca, but a long history of boot making none the less.
@@troyb6128 they're owned by cove and I certainly expect to see a lot of manmade materials in them. A comparison between double H and Justin might be good though.
Ayy, that's a great sponsor. Friends of mine are a Tactile dealer and they genuinely do make excellent stuff. Love seeing a company like that instead of the usual UA-cam sponsor brands, and you all know the ones I'm talking about.
I'd agree that tecovas are the Thursday boots of the cowboy boot world. Most of their boots are meant for show more than work, but if you get the chance it would be cool to see a comparison to something like the bandera from their ranch wear line that is built more for work.
I own a pair of Umber Bovine banderas. I bought them for work because I didn’t have “work” boots. I own several pairs of Tecovas and one pair of Tony Lama’s. My Bandera work boots are amazing.
@@ivanibarra6542 I am really looking at the Tecovas Stockton to replace my Georgia Boot Giant Wellington but don't know anyone that has a pair of Tecovas. Any advice is appreciated.
@@nbrider7235 brotha I got both the bandera and the stonckton. I love the Stockton just because it’s a roper style boot so does have a smaller heel than the bandera. BUT the bandera has a comfort level right out the box that is unmatched. The Stockton took me about a week of heavy work to break in. You can’t go wrong with either one!
I had a pair of Tecovas once. And muddy conditions the lemon wood pegs pulled out. They replaced the boots for free. My second pair got super wet and never dried properly. I switched to Nicks because I needed a boot to fit my job better. But the time I wore the boots I really enjoyed them over other cowboy boots.
Seconded. Their customer service is insanely good. I ordered a pair of The Jake ropers in 10 1/2 regular width, to find out that I really needed EE width. After wearing the second pair for nearly 60 hours, I found out my feet were 10 1/2” in running shoes and weren’t really 10 1/2” in cowboy boots. They just asked to see pictures of the boots to make sure they were in decent condition and exchanged them for 11” EE without any fuss. 10/10 service.
I was a first time Cowboy Boot buyer...Tried on over 6 brands and 20 styles. Tecova's won me over easily. I'm also not super country so I wanted a more modern style to wear out in the city. Tecova's are extremely well made for the price
@@liamsbarber maybe down the line, I picked up some of the Tecovas The Knox since I wanted no lace boots w/o the cowboy style heel. So far so good on them.
@@Ko-ff5ej I'm not sure Rios or similar offer anything for the price to make them that much better as work boots than like a higher-end Ariat pair that you can get for less than $250. If you want a lifetime work boot you really have to go to Nicks or maybe Whites.
I have 4 pair of Tecovas boots ranging from strictly dress boot to work boot. I also have them in Calfskin, cowhide leather, and ostrich. I also have pairs from other companies, that I love, but Tecovas really stands out amongst the competition. Style, durability, and comfort with the price point makes them, for me, the hands down winner. That being said, I think your videos are always fair, and I love watching them. I bought some Thursday brand sneakers after using your videos to do a little research. Thank you for all the hard work, and consistency.
this video came at a time right when i’m looking to pick up boots. being here in Austin, i could go into Tecovas myself but having this knowledge going into it all, really helps.
Crazy to me they would use superior materials throughout and then have such a terrible counter and toe material. Also they are $50 more than the TL which are often found heavily discounted. DTC has been a mixed bag for me. Best product so far has been BOSS shotshell.
I walked into my first Tecovas this week as I have been doing some work there. Was impressed with the store, staff, & definitely the boots. That calfskin upper & liner was buttery soft & supple. They also have a cross section of one of the boots innthe shop which I analyzed before coming here. I don't where cowboy boots, but appreciate good craftsmanship & workbooks which is what cowboy boots are intended to be. I don't know where Tony Lamas are made but if it's not made here in the States having leather goods handmade in Léon Mexico is the place you want leather goods made, & especially boots. I met a few of their corporate guys & they were cool (both in TX) & seemed passionate about their product & branding. Another big plus is my store has discounted (outlet) sales so we can get some savings, & they treat their employees right all of whom have multiple pairs of Tecovas due to the company being really cool about getting their employees product & good discounts. Whike this is the under $300 (& you can even get the outlet stuff under $200!) I really like their goat & bison (they also have exotics like Ostruch, Caiman, etc). They also offer some Vibram soled boots for those of us that need good traction & want a well built cowboy boot style for work. I have never owned cowboy boots & rarely ride, but am often tempted to grab a pair tomorrow especially after watching this to ensure the quality.
Man, I should have used spellcheck or self edited before posting, but it has been a long day & spending time w/ my kiddos. I want to add Tecova's in additionnto having great knowledgeable staff offers complimentary beer (all three were local brews as well!) & Garrison Brothers bourbon. Sure would make shopping a bit more enjoyable after all the only thing better than a cold beer is free beer, & good bourbon tops that!
These seem pretty good value considering the materials and man hours going into making them. However the heel on these Tecovas is not angled properly, that might create a pressure point at the arch.
It's not noticeable to me at least unless I'm sitting and my feet are on the ground and the boot wants to use the front of the heel as a fulcrum. Kind of annoying but has definetly gotten better over time.
Exactly what I was going to say. Had the same problem with a pair of Mexican made boots that hurt you sole in front of the heel as once you stand in them the heel pushes flat on the ground and the front of heel flexes the shank and pushes the front the heel up into your foot. Fixed them myself by grinding down the heel so it sat flat on a table 1/16” of an inch at the front tapering back to 0”.
He's got a pair in the lineup on his first video in the cowboy boot series at 2:13. I'm curious about that old cow leather tag line Chisos uses. ua-cam.com/video/Jbop5bTB2HA/v-deo.html
I have a pair of Tony Lama boots that I bought in 1996 that I still wear occasionally. The wood arch is starting to come apart, possibly from my over-oiling the boots, but they still wear great.
I hadn't worn boots on a daily basis for years. I Bought some Tecovas 3 years ago and now that's all I wear. I recently switch to their zipper boots and they fit so much better. I have high arches so instead of getting a wide boot to help get them on now I can wear a narrower boot with a much more of a snug fit. Big fan of the Tecovas.
My oldest Tony Lamas have made it 30 years with only one resole. They've been ridden hard and put away wet, but even with abuse, they fit like a glove and look great with all of their battle scars. A little mink oil and polish makes them suitable for polite company. My other pair is 20 years old and still on the original soles.The USA Tony Lamas are hard to beat, they do what they're supposed to do, like a good horse.
I can tell you right now that the Tony lamas will last longer than the tecovas for actual ranch work. The tecovas have that frail material in the heel and the toe and because of that, long exposure to the south Texas heat quite literally melts it and leaves the boots warped. Threw them out after about 1 week of working in them.
Also from South Texas ….. there is a reason Tony Lamas are built the way they are after 100 years…. They get cowboy return customers and know what is important and what is not.
Great series so far. One thing about tecovas is a big part of their marketing is getting more people into the western lifestyle. Most of their boots are more designed for casual/dressy wear. They do have some styles more suited for ranch work and horsemanship. Overall having had both tecovas and Justin's made in the same factory as most tony lamas I'd go with tecovas.
You are spot on regarding the thermal plastic heel counter. I have a pair of Ariat boots I accidentally smashed the heel on and the fit has never been the same.
I'm 69 years young and have been wearing western boots and western style work boots since I was a teenager. I've worn Tony Lama, Luchese, Wrangler, and others over the years, but now have Tecovas in calfskin, python, bovine leather, lizard, and plain leather. The bovine leather came with a zipper, and I had zippers installed in the python and lizard, and I believe the Tecovas are the most comfortable boots I've work outside of one pair of deer hide boots I had decades ago. They are high quality, fit and feel great, and are still comfortable after a 10-hour day that includes an hour of driving to and from work.
My old Tony Lama "Black Label" boots are nothing like these. No cotton drill in the vamp. They are fully leather lined. Leather heel stack, too. Lets see some Lucchese boots cut in half...
I have some old ones as well that are the same and was surprised to see the lack of leather lining and the composite heels. I guess they've changed the way they're made over the years.
@@BayernLean exactly. Not only do mine have the full leather lining but some of the double stitching on the outer boot carries over into the inner lining as well. As I said, great boots.
Fair accessment I'd say. This by a boot retailer and repairer myself since 1976. That said I'm proud to offer Tony Lama and Justin boots in my business today as my family sold them when I was in grade school.
I have a real issue with the plastic inner in the Tecovas and how easy it is to break/crack, and I'm wondering if Tony Llama has changed their design over the years. I have a pair from the 80's that have the smooth inner lining. They were special ordered so maybe I ordered them that way, it's been so long I don't remember. I've only worn them on rare occasions over the years and they've been exposed to horseback and stables in the past but they've kept their great appearance thanks to the care I've given. I can wear them all day with absolutely no foot issues. Can't even say that about my sneakers. Love those boots!
Truth is most of these big brands don’t make their boots how they used too. Vintage boots like your Lamas are pure quality. There’s a reason why boots from the 70s and 80s are still around. If you are wanting new quality ,some good brands would be Rios of Mercedes, Lucchese Classics and Black Jack… all traditionally made in the USA.
I’ve just started getting into boots more seriously and investing more money on higher quality footwear that’ll last me. Used your reviews on Solovair vs Docs and now deciding if I want to move up from Ariat to another cowboy boot brand. Thanks for these reviews and breakdowns, they’re super helpful and so useful as someone very conscious about my spending - I want to make sure I’m not wasting my money! Had my eye on some Tecovas recently and this just sealed the deal for me!
I have the Tecovas. There are as Advertised. Extremely well built. Very nice Full grain Outer Leather. Completely Lined Calf Leather inside. I believe you didn’t mention all the Lemon Tree Pegs in the Tecovas? I almost had a Stroke when you cut both boots in half. One you used a knife. The Tecovas you had to use a saw. Great Review Thank You
Great video - thanks. This class of boots makes up a huge fraction of the market. I really hope these aren't the only two boots in this class you cut apart (Double H, Ariat...)
The only boots I’ve worn have been ariat boots, they’re comfortable and durable, I’ve recently been purchasing Thursday boots and those are amazing. I’ve been wanting tecovas and now they’re is a store right down the street from me and I’ll definitely be checking those out and getting me a pair.
Your testing is very thorough and informative. It would be interesting to see how some of the legacy brands have changed throughout the years to see if what was once a very high-end brand has been slowly declining in material and workmanship quality throughout the years. Another good comparison would be comparable lines of the same parent brand like Justin vs. Tony Lama, vs. Nocona.
i have a pair of tony lamas i bought 40 years ago. i never wore them much and they look almost new. the top part looks like it was made inside out with about a one inch strip covering the outside seam. the outside all matches and the inside is nice and smooth. i took them to my shoe repair guy to see if he could stretch them as my foot and calf is a lot bigger. no way it would work and i thought that would be the case. he did say these old ones are so much better than the new ones that people are looking to find the older ones. i don’t know anyone who wants them or that they would fit the 11/d that these are. i’d cringe if you wanted to dissect them but i’d send them to you to do that or give them a nice home.
My wife bought me a pair of Tecovas a few years back, they looked very nice. However my foot would not fit due to my high arch. I sent them back. Then we went and tried on other, found my foot easily fit in the other brands, so we ended up with Ariats. I still like the way Tecovas look.
Tecovas is definitely a fashion boot line, but they’re doing great. Just remember not to roll your jeans when wearing cowboy boots! You have to stack them on the heel of your boots.
its not a fashion boot line. they have some fashion boots - and plenty of real boots. what do you think? A $1000 Luchesse is a fashion boot. most real workers wear ariat work boots anyway. i hate comments like this.
I love the comparison aspect to this! And I was wondering about Tecovas, they’re about the only big-name kind of cowboy boots I don’t have in my collection!
Exactly what I said in the comments of the Tony Lama video - Tecovas are the Thursday boots of the cowboy boot world. I like the simple roper style boots they have much more than the square toe. Seem to be worth the price to me if you’re into cowboy boots
Appreciate the review. Just now considering the purchase of a pair of Tecovas boots. Like many of their models on the website. Choosing one is the tough part. You nailed many of the important build points.
WOW. I’ve been wanting a pair of Tecovas boots (THE WYATT, COLOR: PECAN, MATERIAL: OSTRICH) for a long time, but can’t afford a pair, and now I see you cutting a pair of Tecovas in half? That hurts. But a great comparison review. Thanks
I appreciate these cowboy boot reviews! I wonder, could you please include in this series a cowboy boot from Canada West Boot Company? I hear good things about their boots, and am curious how they compare with Tecovas, Tony L, and other brands you test. Many thanks for a great channel!
I have Canada West and Boulets. Canada West romeo boots are basically goodyear-welted Blundstones, quality is pretty good. Boulet makes a nicer quality boot in my opinion, they also have a great leather/rubber hybrid sole. However the highest quality Canadian boots I own are my Alberta Boots, I’d like to see him compare those to some Anderson Beans or Luccheses
Got a pair of Tecovas Midlands about 6 months ago and loved them. They are very comfortable and the vibram soles held up very well. Unfortunately that single stitch around the heel box he talked about, well when that went i now have to use a shoe horn to get them off! I'm probably harder on work boots than most, but I was hoping to have them longer than 6 months. The outer leather held up, but the inside of the boots fell apart pretty quickly.
Ive had the tecova Jason’s for about 3 months and loved them for being so comfortable but my right foot has walked completely through the leather insole down to the wood only complaint
I don’t know if this would help, but maybe try getting some of the other types of lamas from the El Paso line or the 1911 line. They tend to be more traditional that the pair in the video and focus more on the “art” of the cowboy boot. I don’t know if they still make the black label line but that was their premium line as well.
I love my Tecovas. I have a pair of black Cartwright's, and I plan on getting another pair in Bourbon calf next year. Very comfortable with a classy look.
Loving the Cartwrights? I love the style. That’ll be my next pair. I only have a Suede pair currently called The Johnny. They’re very nice. Cannot wait to expand my collection.
As a Texan I’m happy for Tecovas but it’s hard to pass up on Lucchese because even though they moved to El Paso they are still made in Texas. I love my crocodile pair.
I own 4 pair of Tacovas and love them all. I've tried my whole life to find cowboy boots and could never lock down any I liked to wear until I bought a pair of these. I'm on my second set of soles on my suede pair (love that they will send you a box so you can ship them back and get them resoled in house by them). I also have some limited editions they did in a gray dyed Python, a set of the short zipper sided ones and a pair of the Vibram soled work boots. I've never purchased any Tony Lama because they always looked to me, like cheap pair of kid boots from Walmart.
As a wearer of TL boots now for going on 10 years or so, I really love how they fit MY feet. They are very comfortable, last, and look good for years on end. I’ve tried a handful of different boot manufacturers, and keep coming back to TL. That said, I’m looking to get a black pair this summer, and I got my eye on “The Doc”, by Tecovas. They are right around my price point (for non exotic) for boots and they look really good. No idea of how they will actually fit and feel though. I herd that they run a half to full size smaller as well. Wondering if anyone can comment on that. I will be blind ordering the size as there is not a store around me that sells them. 🤠
Out of all my boots my tecovas are definitely the most comfortable by far. Are they my daily boot yes, would I work in them probably not. I’d put on my ariats
I have a pair of made-in-the-USA Justins that have a liner in the upper and it makes it way better when boots are new. Those big seams are rough right on my ankle when breaking in new boots. I have not bought any Takovas yet, but they're on my list.
Bought my first pair of cowboy boots, and purchased a pair of Tacovas. Although I am new to this kind of boot, they are well made, very comfortable and as a bonus, smell great!
I would love to see how a pair of Ariat work boots that are styled like cowboy boots compare. I personally use them for work and i also used the regular cowboy boots and love them both. Ariat is pretty much king around my whole area they sell out fast.
My most comfortable pair of boots were my sierra steel toe for work. The only issue I had was they get uncomfortable after about 2 years. I put alot of pressure on the balls of my feet though
Ive only had two pairs of boots and nothing too major to say i like wearing boots. I prefer shoes such as sneakers. I only had them for parties or to wear them for a special event. I visited a mall outside San antonio and walked into a Tecovas store and tried on some boots and they were the most comfortable pair of boots I’ve ever worn. I had to buy them. There was no break in period like with the boots I owned they were still stiff. Ever since then I only wear boots when I go out and have nearly stopped wearing sneakers completely! I have 3 pairs of tecovas now and 1 pair of Tony Lamas that when I wore was very comfortable with no break in required.
I suggest you to check out the Dan Post boots, i'm interested on how well constructed the boots are because my father gave me his old dan post and they held up pretty good so i'm interested to look how they're made
Ive had both, for the level of boot, for the money, I prefer the tecovas. If you are willing to spend more money you can get a much better boot, but I feel like you have to spend a decent chunk of money to step up a little bit of quality.
I have two pairs of tecovas boots, the Earl and the Bandera boots. I have had the earls for about 4 years, and I love them. Take care of them and they do the same to you; however, they do need to be resoled. I've had the Banderas for 2 years and the rubber heel cap is already coming off, on both of them.
Tecovas was my first pair of cowboy boots. I love them because they aren't super showy, especially in black they can just look like dress shoes but have the cowboy aesthetic, quite comfortable for me. Something like Ariat didn't fit as well with my small narrow feet and you can't beat that price.
@@joshuasteele5108 You aint lying. Tecovas are pretty comfy, but your foot just melts into Chisos. I was personally sceptical about spending that much but holy cow what a difference.
I have a pair of Tony's that I have worn for 20 years & made in the USA! I also have a pair of genuine Ostrich skin Tony's that are made in Elpaso TX U.S.A. and won't trade them for 2 pair of anything else! I think you tested probably the low end of Tony's & a high end of Tecovas, but all in all a great video, I do think you are slightly biased towards the Tecovas brand; but that's OK, I've been wearing Tony's made in El paso longer than you've been alive,so I'm biased to my Tony's!
Glad you're doing the cowboy series. I see Tecova's a lot but one thing I saw on Jeremiah Craigs channel was he showed a bar graph that rated all the cowboy boot brands and I believed it was based on popularity/solid boot, the brand Lucchese blew out everybody by a lot. Tecovas came in second but they weren't anywhere near the vote count on Lucchese. That being said, Lucchese is really expensive and I'm curious if they're worth dropping the extra money. Are you also going to do a review on some other brands such as Cody James, Ariat, etc? For sure do a Lucchese review. I would definitely like to see that one. Thanks for doing the Cowboy reviews!
Shop around for used luccs in your size online. They're very popular so you can usually find what you're looking for in your size and even though you aren't getting the same custom fit the original buyer got for their $1500+, a bit of stretching and such can still dial them in. Since there are so many on the used market the price is unreasonably cheap. I got the exact ostrich pair from their classic line that I wanted for an upcoming wedding for like $325 plus $120 at a local shop for a resole that came with a refinish (though you can do that part yourself) and $25 for some adjustments. They're a lifetime boot anyway so as long as there's no damage the age is meaningless beyond whether they need a resole. Under $500 total and I have very close to the same product as would cost over $1500+taxes. Watch out for people selling the cheaper lucc lines though. They're only $700-800 new (for exotics, can be cheaper otherwise) and are only a bit better than a $450 pair of similar Tecovas. But people post them online for the same prices you can usually get the classic line for (which are $1500+ and only equaled in quality by a few other brands that are in the same price range, maybe a few hundred cheaper at most). The first letters in the serial number inside tell you which line they are and you can easily identify which are the high end boots and which are the cheap ones. Otherwise if you want to then go into a Lucchese (or Rios or whatever) store in person and get custom fitted and order the exact pair you want, if you're willing to spend the money. What you should not do is choose to go with the Lucchese name but then compromise on price and buy new, off-the-shelf "Lucchese Bootmakers" lines because those are more like overpriced versions of Lama or Dan Post or Tecovas. Also don't buy any new dress boots over ~$1000 without getting custom fitted because then what's the point of buying new when there are so many quality used sets out there?
Lucchese is the magic word! Those boots fit like a glove with little break-in needed. Yes, they can get quite expensive with exotic leathers and fancy tooling. I got mine in Dallas in 1996 on sale...not so many styles then.
Check out Will Roman’s video where he cuts up Tecovas, Lucchese and his own brand, Chisos. Chisos boots appear to have superior construction throughout but the price point is higher than Tecovas. My experience is that Tecovas and Lucchese are on about the same level but Lucchese is twice the price. And then have a look at Rujo boots which are priced lower than Tecovas but with just as good leathers but a much stronger counter from what I can feel. Summary as I would rank them personally… Tecovas vs Lucchese vs Rujo: Rujo is best for the money for dress boots. (Tecovas Ranch Wear is a different and more durable line, by the way) And then Chisos takes it all to a much higher level. Durability and great looks. Higher price but you get what you pay for in their case. I think with Lucchese, you’re paying for a legacy name but without the legacy quality any longer. Again, just my personal experience.
@@toddpalmer7790 Again there's a big difference between the modern entry level Lucchese lines and a pair of classics. If you buy their truly high end boots you get appropriate quality for the price, similar to other high end bootmakers. If you buy their cheapest boots they're just more expensive versions of budget/mid-tier brands. Chisos do look interesting but it's a very limited lineup and their few premium exotics are very much on par in price with other ultra-premium brands. $1200 for ostrich ropers and $4k for limited edition alligator. If I could get the roughout in a medium toe I'd probably buy a pair right now. In general even with Tecovas and Rujo the selection becomes a problem. None of them have the dark cherry color that I love for example, and overall the selection is the best at Lucchese even if you aren't ordering a custom pair. Most buyers are compromising on something (preferred toe, heel, hide, finish, color, upper, sole material, etc) from those other brands. And ultimately streamlined production with less options for buyers is a big part of how they keep the costs low, so you still essentially get what you pay for most of the time at the end of the day.
Can u do a pressure test on the Tecovas thermal plastic counter and toe material to determine how much pressure it really takes to cause irreversible damage? It may be much more resistant when embedded inside leather.
My uncle has always worn Tony Lama Signature series boots. I haven’t done much research as to what goes into the signature series but he claims with good maintenance and resoling, he gets 10 years of daily wear out of them.
Have tried putting on Tecova boots, but with a wide foot (11EE) and a high instep, my foot will not go through the throat to get my foot inside. Pain I had to return them. Had been wearing Ariat till they started using the Chinese leather. Wear boots year round up here in the rain, snow and pasture, and my Tony Lamas always go at least 4-5 years. Need to make sure you are conditioning them if you want to keep these expensive boots a long time.
I love my tecovas. I have the Prescott, and it's a super tough boot. I'm hard on my boots being in southwest Kansas, and so far they have tested out well. They are a round toe, which is my one complaint, but it's very minut in the grand scheme of things.
May i know that is the shaft of the cowboy boots collapses and does not stand tall like your boots at video at 3:51, does it mean mine is a cheap version?
I have that heel material that breaks down in my hiking boots. It got so bad it folded over and i had to cut the inside of the boot open to straiten it out. It had all crumbled.
100% love my Tecovas boots, even though they sent one as a 10 and the other as a 10.5. Check your size before wearing them, lol. Will absolutely be buying another pair!
Im going with tecovas because with the stockton and bandera models, they’re a features/style combo nobody else quite makes without it being a full custom boot.
Looking at the Tecovas boot, when they are side by side do not look like the same height, one boot looks bigger than the other. Also the heel doesn't plant 100% on the ground.
I’ve purchased from several different bookmakers. Each has it’s value point. After my first Tecovas ‘purchase I learned their real value is’0’ break-in period. You can wear them all day on the you get them.
Double H, Twisted X, and Ariat would all be good boots to try. Have a pair of Twisted X boots that's have lasted 5 plus years of hard work the counter cover is the only big issue.
I ordered a pair of the bison doc’s and I’ve received 3 pair with a cut in the left boot where the stitching meets the leather on the outside of the boot before the arch starts. If anyone has a pair you should take a look and see if you have a cut too. It was from a batch in 11/22 and 01/23. Their QC has an issue
You mentioned you don't like the Thermo Plastic Counter. I watched your Chisos video and you mentioned they use a Celastic Counter, are they different? Because you did't mention you didn't like Chisos's Counter. In either case, who makes a boot with a Counter you like?
something about ariat, tony lama, and other boot-store only brands just is off to me. like the materials don’t have as much character, and the boots almost look synthetic or just not quite right. i like how the tecovas seem to have some nice character and proportions
I'd love to see ariat work hogs or sierra boots. They're rubber soled so they're slip resistant and have tread but they seem more disposable than a leather soled boot. Mine were super comfy for about 2 years until the padding compacted I think. Buying another pair definitely
Family moved from Chicago to El Paso in 1975... I was 7yo. My 1st pair of cowboy boots were Tony Lamas. Friends of mine had parents who worked at Tony Lamas... later, some of those friends went on to work there as well. I still favor Tony Lamas. Light, comfortable, attractive, made in Texas, USA boots that I can afford.
I know cowboy boots are popular in the US, especially in the south, but I never thought so many people bought them, always thought of them as a bit of a niche market. From London, UK
It would be interesting to see outdoor brands series ... brands like Garmont, Zamberlan, Meindl, Hanwag... would it be possible? Some of these brands also make moc toes - Hanwag Hans, Hanwag Wagner ... are they better made or worse than US brands?
As a big fan of western boots including Tecovas, this was a great video!! Definitely one of the better boot reviews I’ve seen. Well executed video!! Subscribed
Get a high quality wallet, belt or MORE in the Rose Anvil shop here - bit.ly/44jXLNu
Can you make a vid about Justin boots
As a lifelong boot wearer, both for work and for a night out with my wife, I can say I'm very impressed with my Tecovas. I have three pairs and that are very comfortable and I love the calf skin uppers.
Now if you have the money, nothing beats a custom pair of boots made exclusively for you, but that's a minimum of $2500 and that's a luxury.
But a $300 Tecovas, is a very handsome boot in my opinion.
I prefer going to Leon, Guanajuato for custom made boots
I agree I have the Prescott shark skin. Very tough riding boot
Agreed
But for $200 more you can get some chisos and not really have to worry about it at all 🤷♂️
_minimum_ of 2500? You're just buying a brand, 800 will get you custom made boots with exotic leather. If you *NEED* to get your foot out of a stirrup quickly to avoid dying, any Walmart boot will work ie: If all you're doing is sitting on a saddle, the cheapest pair will do just fine, it does the exact same thing. If you're walking around/working and actually _using_ them outside of riding, why the hell would you buy a western boot in the first place? They're worse in every single way from construction to wear to support. The slip-on factor and no laces is great but thats it and doesn't justify any premium, much less 2x what any hand made in USA bootmaker charges. If you like the look and just want something to shit on the plebians with you don't need to spend 1 - 2 - 5 - 10k on a brand name.
If a horse steps on your foot, you’re going to have bigger things to worry about that a crease in your boot…
That depends. If you're around horses for enough years, there's a good chance you'll get stepped on. We have two horses. The bigger one is 16.5 hands tall and weighs about 1,200 lbs. She has stepped on my foot 3 times now. I suppose the key is that it has never been on a hard surface like a driveway. It happened once in a stall where we keep a soft ground covering, once in a pasture, and once on a sand/dirt mix. I have some steel-toe work boots, but they're too big and clunky for riding. The stirrups would bounce off of them. I've considered getting safety-toe western boots but haven't yet. I look around at other people with horses who know more than I do and wonder about it. Yet, _no one_ that I've seen does that. I'm not worried about how it'll look; it's more that I'm thinking, "If it's a problem, I would see at least a few people wearing them."
As a retired cobbler, among many other trades, I agree with your analysis. However, I wore a pair of Tony Llama boots for years while working in my leather shop that were the most well-balanced pair of foot-ware that I have ever had on my feet. I am naturally not very graceful on my feet, but that pair of boots were almost like walking bare-footed. Quality of materials? That's another topic; mine were great, but that was 30 years ago.
I've been wearing cowboy boots for 30 years. The last 3 years I have been wearing Tecovas Boots. I must say that customer service has been great. My first pair I ordered the same size as I had been wearing and they didn't fit. Tecovas paid for return shipping and sent me the right size immediately.
I love the quality of the boots from the materials especially the lining, to the leather stack heels. They are comfortable to wear all day. In fact they are more comfortable than my sneakers.
Finally I love my boot jack. The boots have a snug fit when putting them on, but that means there is not a lot of slip and slide. I have never gotten a blister. The boot jack makes taking the boots off much easier for a stiff old man.
What would you say is the comparison between Justin sizing and Tecovas?
Love the video. I’ve been wearing Lamas for 20 yrs. My oldest pair was my father’s. He bought then back in 1979. All my boots from Lama have held up. I won’t wear any other boot.
The stiffer leather, stitching, and center piping on the Tony Lamas are there to keep the shaft from sagging and falling over. I'd give them a slight edge on shaft durability, otherwise agree with everything else.
That and the Tony lamas have a bunch of pieces stitched together on the inside, and I can’t imagine that’s cheaper than the texcova one style lining
i can't stand a saggy shaft.
@@jamrogjan1509 that's what she said
@@jamrogjan1509 -
Sounds like you might’ve tried “Shooting pool with a rope”….
Never ever had a problem with shafts getting damaged
It’s a weird time for retail sales. I happed to stop in a boot store recently. All the $200 dollar boots had plastic soles and synthetic inner linings. (For the most part.). Many of the major brands were also made in China. Most of the boots on the shelf comparable to the Tecovas were $300-$400.
I realize some boots are meant for work, but for $275, if I’m buying dress boots, I’d buy the Tecovas because of the better materials and being made likely by actual people nearby. As opposed to a massive factory that ships millions of boots by cargo ship.
I've said that before, myself! Tecovas boots are the Thursday Boots of the cowboy boot world. I have five pair: The Jasper, Earl, Nolan, Cooper, and Townes. Definitely more for "show" than hard use in my opinion, but that's fine because I don't work on a ranch, I wear them casually!
damn good way of putting it, and always happy to see thursday boots mentioned.
You have any recommendations for harder wearing cowboy boots?
@@Stackobones honestly, I'm not the one to answer that question for cowboy boots as my work/hard use boots are Nick's Builder Pros, not cowboy boots.
Love my TL. Don't think I would invest in tecovas. The heal and especially that toe plastic was a total turn off. For a more durable boot the Double H brand is hard to beat! Thanks again 🤠👍
Have you tried the Banderas yet?
You gotta include Double H. Over 65 years of western boots made in the USA. I know Pennsylvania isn't exactly a western heritage mecca, but a long history of boot making none the less.
I agree. I would like to see Double H tested
Hated double H worse than ariats
@@troyb6128 they're owned by cove and I certainly expect to see a lot of manmade materials in them.
A comparison between double H and Justin might be good though.
The Stetson company was started and operated in Philadelphia for over a century.
I have a pair of Abilene’s, also made in Pennsylvania. Likely not top notch but lots of bang for the buck and very attractive.
Ayy, that's a great sponsor. Friends of mine are a Tactile dealer and they genuinely do make excellent stuff. Love seeing a company like that instead of the usual UA-cam sponsor brands, and you all know the ones I'm talking about.
I have numerous pens from Tactile Turn and couldn't agree more. Very high quality engineering, craftsmanship, and support.
I'd agree that tecovas are the Thursday boots of the cowboy boot world. Most of their boots are meant for show more than work, but if you get the chance it would be cool to see a comparison to something like the bandera from their ranch wear line that is built more for work.
I own a pair of Umber Bovine banderas. I bought them for work because I didn’t have “work” boots. I own several pairs of Tecovas and one pair of Tony Lama’s. My Bandera work boots are amazing.
@@ivanibarra6542 I am really looking at the Tecovas Stockton to replace my Georgia Boot Giant Wellington but don't know anyone that has a pair of Tecovas. Any advice is appreciated.
@@nbrider7235 brotha I got both the bandera and the stonckton. I love the Stockton just because it’s a roper style boot so does have a smaller heel than the bandera. BUT the bandera has a comfort level right out the box that is unmatched. The Stockton took me about a week of heavy work to break in. You can’t go wrong with either one!
I had a pair of Tecovas once. And muddy conditions the lemon wood pegs pulled out. They replaced the boots for free. My second pair got super wet and never dried properly.
I switched to Nicks because I needed a boot to fit my job better. But the time I wore the boots I really enjoyed them over other cowboy boots.
Seconded. Their customer service is insanely good. I ordered a pair of The Jake ropers in 10 1/2 regular width, to find out that I really needed EE width. After wearing the second pair for nearly 60 hours, I found out my feet were 10 1/2” in running shoes and weren’t really 10 1/2” in cowboy boots. They just asked to see pictures of the boots to make sure they were in decent condition and exchanged them for 11” EE without any fuss. 10/10 service.
I was a first time Cowboy Boot buyer...Tried on over 6 brands and 20 styles. Tecova's won me over easily. I'm also not super country so I wanted a more modern style to wear out in the city. Tecova's are extremely well made for the price
What's your take on the Knox boot by them?
Give Chisos a shot! They’re next level comfort and durability, worth the extra cash!
@@liamsbarber maybe down the line, I picked up some of the Tecovas The Knox since I wanted no lace boots w/o the cowboy style heel. So far so good on them.
@@Ko-ff5ej I'm not sure Rios or similar offer anything for the price to make them that much better as work boots than like a higher-end Ariat pair that you can get for less than $250. If you want a lifetime work boot you really have to go to Nicks or maybe Whites.
@@liamsbarber I'd be curious to see the No 5 roughout stress tested to see how it holds up as a daily work boot. Could be legit.
I have 4 pair of Tecovas boots ranging from strictly dress boot to work boot. I also have them in Calfskin, cowhide leather, and ostrich. I also have pairs from other companies, that I love, but Tecovas really stands out amongst the competition. Style, durability, and comfort with the price point makes them, for me, the hands down winner. That being said, I think your videos are always fair, and I love watching them. I bought some Thursday brand sneakers after using your videos to do a little research. Thank you for all the hard work, and consistency.
this video came at a time right when i’m looking to pick up boots. being here in Austin, i could go into Tecovas myself but having this knowledge going into it all, really helps.
Crazy to me they would use superior materials throughout and then have such a terrible counter and toe material. Also they are $50 more than the TL which are often found heavily discounted. DTC has been a mixed bag for me. Best product so far has been BOSS shotshell.
I walked into my first Tecovas this week as I have been doing some work there. Was impressed with the store, staff, & definitely the boots. That calfskin upper & liner was buttery soft & supple. They also have a cross section of one of the boots innthe shop which I analyzed before coming here. I don't where cowboy boots, but appreciate good craftsmanship & workbooks which is what cowboy boots are intended to be. I don't know where Tony Lamas are made but if it's not made here in the States having leather goods handmade in Léon Mexico is the place you want leather goods made, & especially boots. I met a few of their corporate guys & they were cool (both in TX) & seemed passionate about their product & branding. Another big plus is my store has discounted (outlet) sales so we can get some savings, & they treat their employees right all of whom have multiple pairs of Tecovas due to the company being really cool about getting their employees product & good discounts. Whike this is the under $300 (& you can even get the outlet stuff under $200!) I really like their goat & bison (they also have exotics like Ostruch, Caiman, etc). They also offer some Vibram soled boots for those of us that need good traction & want a well built cowboy boot style for work. I have never owned cowboy boots & rarely ride, but am often tempted to grab a pair tomorrow especially after watching this to ensure the quality.
Man, I should have used spellcheck or self edited before posting, but it has been a long day & spending time w/ my kiddos.
I want to add Tecova's in additionnto having great knowledgeable staff offers complimentary beer (all three were local brews as well!) & Garrison Brothers bourbon. Sure would make shopping a bit more enjoyable after all the only thing better than a cold beer is free beer, & good bourbon tops that!
These seem pretty good value considering the materials and man hours going into making them.
However the heel on these Tecovas is not angled properly, that might create a pressure point at the arch.
It's not noticeable to me at least unless I'm sitting and my feet are on the ground and the boot wants to use the front of the heel as a fulcrum. Kind of annoying but has definetly gotten better over time.
Had to return a pair for this exact problem
everyone else on the channel who's not wearing cowboy shoes/not from USA 🤔
Exactly what I was going to say. Had the same problem with a pair of Mexican made boots that hurt you sole in front of the heel as once you stand in them the heel pushes flat on the ground and the front of heel flexes the shank and pushes the front the heel up into your foot.
Fixed them myself by grinding down the heel so it sat flat on a table 1/16” of an inch at the front tapering back to 0”.
I'd love to see you cut apart some Chisos boots. The owner is a really interesting guy and has garnered a cult-like love for his boots!
He's got a pair in the lineup on his first video in the cowboy boot series at 2:13. I'm curious about that old cow leather tag line Chisos uses.
ua-cam.com/video/Jbop5bTB2HA/v-deo.html
I have a pair of Tony Lama boots that I bought in 1996 that I still wear occasionally. The wood arch is starting to come apart, possibly from my over-oiling the boots, but they still wear great.
I hadn't worn boots on a daily basis for years. I Bought some Tecovas 3 years ago and now that's all I wear. I recently switch to their zipper boots and they fit so much better. I have high arches so instead of getting a wide boot to help get them on now I can wear a narrower boot with a much more of a snug fit. Big fan of the Tecovas.
My oldest Tony Lamas have made it 30 years with only one resole. They've been ridden hard and put away wet, but even with abuse, they fit like a glove and look great with all of their battle scars. A little mink oil and polish makes them suitable for polite company. My other pair is 20 years old and still on the original soles.The USA Tony Lamas are hard to beat, they do what they're supposed to do, like a good horse.
I can tell you right now that the Tony lamas will last longer than the tecovas for actual ranch work. The tecovas have that frail material in the heel and the toe and because of that, long exposure to the south Texas heat quite literally melts it and leaves the boots warped. Threw them out after about 1 week of working in them.
Also from South Texas ….. there is a reason Tony Lamas are built the way they are after 100 years…. They get cowboy return customers and know what is important and what is not.
Tecovas has a line of boots specifically made for ranch work that are much more durable than their dress boots
If your buying a leather bottomed boot for ranch work I don’t think your comment has any validity 😂
@@xspitfirex354 Right because no one has done ranch work in a leather bottom boot before
@@xspitfirex354 you forgot about the vast majority of human history
Great series so far. One thing about tecovas is a big part of their marketing is getting more people into the western lifestyle. Most of their boots are more designed for casual/dressy wear. They do have some styles more suited for ranch work and horsemanship. Overall having had both tecovas and Justin's made in the same factory as most tony lamas I'd go with tecovas.
You are spot on regarding the thermal plastic heel counter. I have a pair of Ariat boots I accidentally smashed the heel on and the fit has never been the same.
He never did say what the Toni Lama heel counter was made of .
I have some 20+ year old Toni Lama boots that are still going strong .
@@davidgregg2778 Believe he said the Tony llamas were made with a leather hill counter unlike the Tacovas
@@davidgregg2778 Do they say El Paso on the heal?
I'm 69 years young and have been wearing western boots and western style work boots since I was a teenager. I've worn Tony Lama, Luchese, Wrangler, and others over the years, but now have Tecovas in calfskin, python, bovine leather, lizard, and plain leather. The bovine leather came with a zipper, and I had zippers installed in the python and lizard, and I believe the Tecovas are the most comfortable boots I've work outside of one pair of deer hide boots I had decades ago. They are high quality, fit and feel great, and are still comfortable after a 10-hour day that includes an hour of driving to and from work.
My old Tony Lama "Black Label" boots are nothing like these. No cotton drill in the vamp. They are fully leather lined. Leather heel stack, too.
Lets see some Lucchese boots cut in half...
I have some old ones as well that are the same and was surprised to see the lack of leather lining and the composite heels. I guess they've changed the way they're made over the years.
Same. Either Tony Lamas are way different now, or this particular boot is one of their lower quality ones. I suspect the latter.
@@BayernLean exactly. Not only do mine have the full leather lining but some of the double stitching on the outer boot carries over into the inner lining as well. As I said, great boots.
Fair accessment I'd say. This by a boot retailer and repairer myself since 1976. That said I'm proud to offer Tony Lama and Justin boots in my business today as my family sold them when I was in grade school.
I have a real issue with the plastic inner in the Tecovas and how easy it is to break/crack, and I'm wondering if Tony Llama has changed their design over the years. I have a pair from the 80's that have the smooth inner lining. They were special ordered so maybe I ordered them that way, it's been so long I don't remember. I've only worn them on rare occasions over the years and they've been exposed to horseback and stables in the past but they've kept their great appearance thanks to the care I've given. I can wear them all day with absolutely no foot issues. Can't even say that about my sneakers.
Love those boots!
*_You know they did all that plastic stuff didn't exist when Tony Lama was around but wouldn't it be cool if he could comment on some of this stuff._*
Truth is most of these big brands don’t make their boots how they used too. Vintage boots like your Lamas are pure quality. There’s a reason why boots from the 70s and 80s are still around. If you are wanting new quality ,some good brands would be Rios of Mercedes, Lucchese Classics and Black Jack… all traditionally made in the USA.
I’ve just started getting into boots more seriously and investing more money on higher quality footwear that’ll last me. Used your reviews on Solovair vs Docs and now deciding if I want to move up from Ariat to another cowboy boot brand. Thanks for these reviews and breakdowns, they’re super helpful and so useful as someone very conscious about my spending - I want to make sure I’m not wasting my money! Had my eye on some Tecovas recently and this just sealed the deal for me!
Miranda Lambert says Tony Lamas are dope.
I have the Tecovas.
There are as Advertised. Extremely well built.
Very nice Full grain Outer Leather. Completely Lined Calf Leather inside.
I believe you didn’t mention all the Lemon Tree Pegs in the Tecovas?
I almost had a Stroke when you cut both boots in half. One you used a knife. The Tecovas you had to use a saw.
Great Review
Thank You
I have a pair of the tecovas “Midland”work boots in Bison. Hard to break in but worthwhile- tough work boots. Love to see your take on it.
Great video - thanks. This class of boots makes up a huge fraction of the market. I really hope these aren't the only two boots in this class you cut apart (Double H, Ariat...)
The only boots I’ve worn have been ariat boots, they’re comfortable and durable, I’ve recently been purchasing Thursday boots and those are amazing. I’ve been wanting tecovas and now they’re is a store right down the street from me and I’ll definitely be checking those out and getting me a pair.
Your testing is very thorough and informative. It would be interesting to see how some of the legacy brands have changed throughout the years to see if what was once a very high-end brand has been slowly declining in material and workmanship quality throughout the years.
Another good comparison would be comparable lines of the same parent brand like Justin vs. Tony Lama, vs. Nocona.
i have a pair of tony lamas i bought 40 years ago. i never wore them much and they look almost new. the top part looks like it was made inside out with about a one inch strip covering the outside seam. the outside all matches and the inside is nice and smooth.
i took them to my shoe repair guy to see if he could stretch them as my foot and calf is a lot bigger. no way it would work and i thought that would be the case. he did say these old ones are so much better than the new ones that people are looking to find the older ones. i don’t know anyone who wants them or that they would fit the 11/d that these are. i’d cringe if you wanted to dissect them but i’d send them to you to do that or give them a nice home.
I wear a 10.5D dress shoe. I wouldn't think an 11 would be too big for me.
They still available?
My wife bought me a pair of Tecovas a few years back, they looked very nice. However my foot would not fit due to my high arch. I sent them back. Then we went and tried on other, found my foot easily fit in the other brands, so we ended up with Ariats. I still like the way Tecovas look.
Tecovas is definitely a fashion boot line, but they’re doing great. Just remember not to roll your jeans when wearing cowboy boots! You have to stack them on the heel of your boots.
Yancos
I am interest boot where is Bangladesh showroom
Rolled pant legs looks very effeminate
its not a fashion boot line. they have some fashion boots - and plenty of real boots. what do you think? A $1000 Luchesse is a fashion boot. most real workers wear ariat work boots anyway. i hate comments like this.
No you don’t. That’s the new style. Not everyone is down with that
I love the comparison aspect to this! And I was wondering about Tecovas, they’re about the only big-name kind of cowboy boots I don’t have in my collection!
This chanel is literally the best, the scientist of shoes ! and so entertaining!
Exactly what I said in the comments of the Tony Lama video - Tecovas are the Thursday boots of the cowboy boot world. I like the simple roper style boots they have much more than the square toe. Seem to be worth the price to me if you’re into cowboy boots
Appreciate the review. Just now considering the purchase of a pair of Tecovas boots. Like many of their models on the website. Choosing one is the tough part. You nailed many of the important build points.
WOW. I’ve been wanting a pair of Tecovas boots
(THE WYATT, COLOR: PECAN, MATERIAL: OSTRICH)
for a long time, but can’t afford a pair, and now I see you cutting a pair of Tecovas in half? That hurts. But a great comparison review. Thanks
I’ve had a pair of sand shark Tecovas for about a year now. Love them. I’m pretty rough on my boots and have no issues yet and wear them most days
For the rattle snake test, consider aadding denim and layer of sock since that's extra material needed to bite through
I appreciate these cowboy boot reviews! I wonder, could you please include in this series a cowboy boot from Canada West Boot Company? I hear good things about their boots, and am curious how they compare with Tecovas, Tony L, and other brands you test. Many thanks for a great channel!
Will also have to include Boulet Boots if you are gonna go Canadian
I have Canada West and Boulets. Canada West romeo boots are basically goodyear-welted Blundstones, quality is pretty good. Boulet makes a nicer quality boot in my opinion, they also have a great leather/rubber hybrid sole. However the highest quality Canadian boots I own are my Alberta Boots, I’d like to see him compare those to some Anderson Beans or Luccheses
Got a pair of Tecovas Midlands about 6 months ago and loved them. They are very comfortable and the vibram soles held up very well. Unfortunately that single stitch around the heel box he talked about, well when that went i now have to use a shoe horn to get them off! I'm probably harder on work boots than most, but I was hoping to have them longer than 6 months. The outer leather held up, but the inside of the boots fell apart pretty quickly.
Ive had the tecova Jason’s for about 3 months and loved them for being so comfortable but my right foot has walked completely through the leather insole down to the wood only complaint
I don’t know if this would help, but maybe try getting some of the other types of lamas from the El Paso line or the 1911 line. They tend to be more traditional that the pair in the video and focus more on the “art” of the cowboy boot. I don’t know if they still make the black label line but that was their premium line as well.
Lamas best boots nowadays are the signature series I believe. A Pinto Ranch exclusive.
I thought they got bought out by the Chinese, and only 5% is now made in El Paso is this the El Paso line you’re talking about?
@@ernestoherrera2755 it’s honestly a mix. Most are made in Mexico. Some are made in El Paso and some, mainly the work boots are made in china.
I love my Tecovas. I have a pair of black Cartwright's, and I plan on getting another pair in Bourbon calf next year. Very comfortable with a classy look.
Loving the Cartwrights? I love the style. That’ll be my next pair. I only have a Suede pair currently called The Johnny. They’re very nice. Cannot wait to expand my collection.
I have the ostrich Tecovas and they are my favorite boots, but then I only have 6 pairs. Lol.
As a Texan I’m happy for Tecovas but it’s hard to pass up on Lucchese because even though they moved to El Paso they are still made in Texas. I love my crocodile pair.
I own 4 pair of Tacovas and love them all. I've tried my whole life to find cowboy boots and could never lock down any I liked to wear until I bought a pair of these. I'm on my second set of soles on my suede pair (love that they will send you a box so you can ship them back and get them resoled in house by them). I also have some limited editions they did in a gray dyed Python, a set of the short zipper sided ones and a pair of the Vibram soled work boots. I've never purchased any Tony Lama because they always looked to me, like cheap pair of kid boots from Walmart.
As a wearer of TL boots now for going on 10 years or so, I really love how they fit MY feet. They are very comfortable, last, and look good for years on end. I’ve tried a handful of different boot manufacturers, and keep coming back to TL.
That said, I’m looking to get a black pair this summer, and I got my eye on “The Doc”, by Tecovas. They are right around my price point (for non exotic) for boots and they look really good. No idea of how they will actually fit and feel though. I herd that they run a half to full size smaller as well. Wondering if anyone can comment on that. I will be blind ordering the size as there is not a store around me that sells them. 🤠
Thinner boot shaft gets the win for me. Pants over boot is a must for people actually living in these things.
Out of all my boots my tecovas are definitely the most comfortable by far. Are they my daily boot yes, would I work in them probably not. I’d put on my ariats
I have a pair of made-in-the-USA Justins that have a liner in the upper and it makes it way better when boots are new. Those big seams are rough right on my ankle when breaking in new boots. I have not bought any Takovas yet, but they're on my list.
If you want to test snake boots, check out the Chippewa snake boots. It's what most use in south Texas
Any chance you'll do Chisos boots? That's my favorite boot brand. They make damn comfortable boots.
Bought my first pair of cowboy boots, and purchased a pair of Tacovas. Although I am new to this kind of boot, they are well made, very comfortable and as a bonus, smell great!
I would love to see how a pair of Ariat work boots that are styled like cowboy boots compare. I personally use them for work and i also used the regular cowboy boots and love them both. Ariat is pretty much king around my whole area they sell out fast.
My most comfortable pair of boots were my sierra steel toe for work. The only issue I had was they get uncomfortable after about 2 years. I put alot of pressure on the balls of my feet though
Ive only had two pairs of boots and nothing too major to say i like wearing boots. I prefer shoes such as sneakers.
I only had them for parties or to wear them for a special event. I visited a mall outside San antonio and walked into a Tecovas store and tried on some boots and they were the most comfortable pair of boots I’ve ever worn. I had to buy them. There was no break in period like with the boots I owned they were still stiff. Ever since then I only wear boots when I go out and have nearly stopped wearing sneakers completely! I have 3 pairs of tecovas now and 1 pair of Tony Lamas that when I wore was very comfortable with no break in required.
I suggest you to check out the Dan Post boots, i'm interested on how well constructed the boots are because my father gave me his old dan post and they held up pretty good so i'm interested to look how they're made
Ive had both, for the level of boot, for the money, I prefer the tecovas. If you are willing to spend more money you can get a much better boot, but I feel like you have to spend a decent chunk of money to step up a little bit of quality.
I have two pairs of tecovas boots, the Earl and the Bandera boots.
I have had the earls for about 4 years, and I love them. Take care of them and they do the same to you; however, they do need to be resoled.
I've had the Banderas for 2 years and the rubber heel cap is already coming off, on both of them.
Tecovas was my first pair of cowboy boots. I love them because they aren't super showy, especially in black they can just look like dress shoes but have the cowboy aesthetic, quite comfortable for me. Something like Ariat didn't fit as well with my small narrow feet and you can't beat that price.
I’ve had Tony L and currently have Tecovas. Tecovas are the most comfortable boots I’ve ever owned.
Try on a pair of chisos. Makes all other boots disappointing.
@@joshuasteele5108 You aint lying. Tecovas are pretty comfy, but your foot just melts into Chisos. I was personally sceptical about spending that much but holy cow what a difference.
@@michealbates6369 it's really ruined other boots for me. Now anything else I buy is special a occasion boot.
@@joshuasteele5108 thanks for the tip. I don’t know if I’m willing to spend that on a pair of boots.
@@michealbates6369 Is there a good place to try on Chisos? Are they leather insoled?
I have a pair of Tony's that I have worn for 20 years & made in the USA! I also have a pair of genuine Ostrich skin Tony's that are made in Elpaso TX U.S.A. and won't trade them for 2 pair of anything else! I think you tested probably the low end of Tony's & a high end of Tecovas, but all in all a great video, I do think you are slightly biased towards the Tecovas brand; but that's OK, I've been wearing Tony's made in El paso longer than you've been alive,so I'm biased to my Tony's!
Glad you're doing the cowboy series. I see Tecova's a lot but one thing I saw on Jeremiah Craigs channel was he showed a bar graph that rated all the cowboy boot brands and I believed it was based on popularity/solid boot, the brand Lucchese blew out everybody by a lot. Tecovas came in second but they weren't anywhere near the vote count on Lucchese. That being said, Lucchese is really expensive and I'm curious if they're worth dropping the extra money. Are you also going to do a review on some other brands such as Cody James, Ariat, etc? For sure do a Lucchese review. I would definitely like to see that one. Thanks for doing the Cowboy reviews!
Shop around for used luccs in your size online. They're very popular so you can usually find what you're looking for in your size and even though you aren't getting the same custom fit the original buyer got for their $1500+, a bit of stretching and such can still dial them in. Since there are so many on the used market the price is unreasonably cheap. I got the exact ostrich pair from their classic line that I wanted for an upcoming wedding for like $325 plus $120 at a local shop for a resole that came with a refinish (though you can do that part yourself) and $25 for some adjustments. They're a lifetime boot anyway so as long as there's no damage the age is meaningless beyond whether they need a resole. Under $500 total and I have very close to the same product as would cost over $1500+taxes. Watch out for people selling the cheaper lucc lines though. They're only $700-800 new (for exotics, can be cheaper otherwise) and are only a bit better than a $450 pair of similar Tecovas. But people post them online for the same prices you can usually get the classic line for (which are $1500+ and only equaled in quality by a few other brands that are in the same price range, maybe a few hundred cheaper at most). The first letters in the serial number inside tell you which line they are and you can easily identify which are the high end boots and which are the cheap ones.
Otherwise if you want to then go into a Lucchese (or Rios or whatever) store in person and get custom fitted and order the exact pair you want, if you're willing to spend the money. What you should not do is choose to go with the Lucchese name but then compromise on price and buy new, off-the-shelf "Lucchese Bootmakers" lines because those are more like overpriced versions of Lama or Dan Post or Tecovas. Also don't buy any new dress boots over ~$1000 without getting custom fitted because then what's the point of buying new when there are so many quality used sets out there?
Lucchese is the magic word! Those boots fit like a glove with little break-in needed. Yes, they can get quite expensive with exotic leathers and fancy tooling. I got mine in Dallas in 1996 on sale...not so many styles then.
Check out Will Roman’s video where he cuts up Tecovas, Lucchese and his own brand, Chisos. Chisos boots appear to have superior construction throughout but the price point is higher than Tecovas.
My experience is that Tecovas and Lucchese are on about the same level but Lucchese is twice the price.
And then have a look at Rujo boots which are priced lower than Tecovas but with just as good leathers but a much stronger counter from what I can feel.
Summary as I would rank them personally…
Tecovas vs Lucchese vs Rujo: Rujo is best for the money for dress boots. (Tecovas Ranch Wear is a different and more durable line, by the way)
And then Chisos takes it all to a much higher level. Durability and great looks. Higher price but you get what you pay for in their case.
I think with Lucchese, you’re paying for a legacy name but without the legacy quality any longer. Again, just my personal experience.
@@toddpalmer7790 Again there's a big difference between the modern entry level Lucchese lines and a pair of classics. If you buy their truly high end boots you get appropriate quality for the price, similar to other high end bootmakers. If you buy their cheapest boots they're just more expensive versions of budget/mid-tier brands. Chisos do look interesting but it's a very limited lineup and their few premium exotics are very much on par in price with other ultra-premium brands. $1200 for ostrich ropers and $4k for limited edition alligator. If I could get the roughout in a medium toe I'd probably buy a pair right now. In general even with Tecovas and Rujo the selection becomes a problem. None of them have the dark cherry color that I love for example, and overall the selection is the best at Lucchese even if you aren't ordering a custom pair. Most buyers are compromising on something (preferred toe, heel, hide, finish, color, upper, sole material, etc) from those other brands. And ultimately streamlined production with less options for buyers is a big part of how they keep the costs low, so you still essentially get what you pay for most of the time at the end of the day.
Can u do a pressure test on the Tecovas thermal plastic counter and toe material to determine how much pressure it really takes to cause irreversible damage? It may be much more resistant when embedded inside leather.
My uncle has always worn Tony Lama Signature series boots. I haven’t done much research as to what goes into the signature series but he claims with good maintenance and resoling, he gets 10 years of daily wear out of them.
Have tried putting on Tecova boots, but with a wide foot (11EE) and a high instep, my foot will not go through the throat to get my foot inside. Pain I had to return them. Had been wearing Ariat till they started using the Chinese leather. Wear boots year round up here in the rain, snow and pasture, and my Tony Lamas always go at least 4-5 years. Need to make sure you are conditioning them if you want to keep these expensive boots a long time.
Great review and comparison. I just bought that exact style of Tecova Boot at their Austin store last month on my visit from Hawaii.
Would you consider cutting apart a pair of Stetson boots? They have a full lineup but I'm wondering what you'd get for $200-300 from them.
I love my tecovas. I have the Prescott, and it's a super tough boot. I'm hard on my boots being in southwest Kansas, and so far they have tested out well. They are a round toe, which is my one complaint, but it's very minut in the grand scheme of things.
Can you please do a Red Wing Pecos western boot? I love mine, and I would love to know what is inside. Thanks, and great video as always!!
May i know that is the shaft of the cowboy boots collapses and does not stand tall like your boots at video at 3:51, does it mean mine is a cheap version?
Could we get a review of the Viberg work boots and the Canada West Boots?
Now add Thursday western boots to the mix. Had mine a few months now and I'm happy so far but not cutting them in half.
I have that heel material that breaks down in my hiking boots. It got so bad it folded over and i had to cut the inside of the boot open to straiten it out. It had all crumbled.
100% love my Tecovas boots, even though they sent one as a 10 and the other as a 10.5. Check your size before wearing them, lol. Will absolutely be buying another pair!
My Tecova cowbiy boots are the most comfortable cowboy boots I've ever owned. They are not overly fancy but they are super comfortable
Im going with tecovas because with the stockton and bandera models, they’re a features/style combo nobody else quite makes without it being a full custom boot.
I have the Stockton in bison love them very comfortable and the rubber soul means I wear them anywhere.
Looking at the Tecovas boot, when they are side by side do not look like the same height, one boot looks bigger than the other. Also the heel doesn't plant 100% on the ground.
I’ve purchased from several different bookmakers. Each has it’s value point. After my first Tecovas ‘purchase I learned their real value is’0’ break-in period. You can wear them all day on the you get them.
Double H, Twisted X, and Ariat would all be good boots to try. Have a pair of Twisted X boots that's have lasted 5 plus years of hard work the counter cover is the only big issue.
I ordered a pair of the bison doc’s and I’ve received 3 pair with a cut in the left boot where the stitching meets the leather on the outside of the boot before the arch starts. If anyone has a pair you should take a look and see if you have a cut too. It was from a batch in 11/22 and 01/23. Their QC has an issue
You mentioned you don't like the Thermo Plastic Counter. I watched your Chisos video and you mentioned they use a Celastic Counter, are they different? Because you did't mention you didn't like Chisos's Counter. In either case, who makes a boot with a Counter you like?
According to the Tecovas site this particular boot lower is Bison leather.
That hurt watching you cut them in half. Good job explaining the differences
Love my Tecovas. I've owned them all Lucchese, TL, Justin, Walnut Springs custom, M L Leddy, Ariat.
Love my Tecovas. Hard to find cowboy boots here in Shitralia so I took the chance to buy some last time I was in Texas. Best decision ever.
something about ariat, tony lama, and other boot-store only brands just is off to me. like the materials don’t have as much character, and the boots almost look synthetic or just not quite right. i like how the tecovas seem to have some nice character and proportions
I'd love to see ariat work hogs or sierra boots. They're rubber soled so they're slip resistant and have tread but they seem more disposable than a leather soled boot. Mine were super comfy for about 2 years until the padding compacted I think. Buying another pair definitely
Love your reviews. Thanks for doing them. A review of a mid priced Dan Post and/or compared to a similar brand would be great.
Family moved from Chicago to El Paso in 1975... I was 7yo. My 1st pair of cowboy boots were Tony Lamas. Friends of mine had parents who worked at Tony Lamas... later, some of those friends went on to work there as well. I still favor Tony Lamas. Light, comfortable, attractive, made in Texas, USA boots that I can afford.
Not anymore
I know cowboy boots are popular in the US, especially in the south, but I never thought so many people bought them, always thought of them as a bit of a niche market. From London, UK
It would be interesting to see outdoor brands series ... brands like Garmont, Zamberlan, Meindl, Hanwag... would it be possible? Some of these brands also make moc toes - Hanwag Hans, Hanwag Wagner ... are they better made or worse than US brands?
As a big fan of western boots including Tecovas, this was a great video!! Definitely one of the better boot reviews I’ve seen. Well executed video!!
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Tecovas is all I've been buyn now no complaints here an I like that they give u a beer while u shop