Cowboy Boots Vs Riding Boots: What’s the Difference?

Whenever one hears the word cowboy, all that comes to mind is someone with a striped shirt, leather jacket, straight jeans, classy boots and just riding majestically atop a horse smoking a cigar, and wielding a gun.

So, when we see the two terms cowboy boots and riding boots side by side, all we can think of would probably be aren’t they both the same??

But honestly, these are two distinct types of boots with unique features and a few obvious similarities. To understand them better and find out which one is the winner when pitted against each other, READ ON!!!!!!

Cowboy Boots 

Ahoyyy Mateyyyyyssss!!!! The most iconic footwear in the West. You can’t even think about the American countryside without these stylish boots popping up in your mind.

Originally made to cater to the equestrian needs of our cowboys, these modish boots have become a grand icon of the American culture.

Since the cowboys did have to take care of the livestock at the ranch, farm and ride as well, these boots are indeed equipped for both riding and being on the ground. 

With their signature high shaft, lace-less design, pointed shoes and high heels these cowboy boots do indeed make quite an impression. Fads have come and gone but the cowboy boots have stood the test of time.

The dapper look makes it an all-occasion and all-season boot and from riders to models, people don them with finesse and pride as they have been for decades. 

Made with expertise and exotic hides, they do have ornate decorations that make these boots come off as a classy and fashionable footwear.

They don’t just give us a few good looks but also manages to give us a good level of protection from cuts, bites and the elements. 

Riding Boots

There are indeed a lot of similarities among cowboy boots and riding boots as they are both meant for horse riding purposes.

Whereas cowboy boots also cater to the requirements of farming life, the riding boot’s sole purpose is to keep you safe and comfy atop your horse. 

The shaft is pretty high, almost reaching the knee to prevent any scratches or discomfort that might be caused by the leg rubbing against the leather of the saddle. Another feature which is quite similar to that of cowboy boots 

Cowboy Boots vs Riding Boots 

A quick look at the other popular names of cowboy boots and riding boots are enough to give you an idea about one of the stark differences between the two- its origin.

Riding boots are also known as English tall boots and cowboy boots are popularly known as western riding boots as these names does the explaining for the previous statement.

But despite these simple differences so as to figure out which one is which you will require some serious comparative analysis. Read on to know more about the same

Let us delve a bit deeper into the comparison by taking a look at the most notable features of the two. So lets commence with the most obvious features, ie, their appearances.

1.) Appearance

The riding boot has got the typical straight-cut shaft and is usually taller than the cowboy ones. Cowboy boots have shafts in a variety of styles and comes with a v-notch and straps for better comfort.

The traditional riding boot has a rounded-wide toe and short square heels whereas there are a lot more styles and designs when it comes to cowboy boots’ heels and toes.

The extensive decorative adornments on the cowboy boots does indeed sets then apart from the rather plain design of the riding boots. 

That’s pretty much everything there is to discuss about the external appearances of these two contenders. Now its time to check how well these two compete in the utility/functionality segment.

2.) Functionality

Riding boots are better suited for just riding as they are heavier and not really that comfortable to wear when you have to walk around all day.

Cowboy boots are more comfortable to wear all day. The cowboy boots are made with more breathable materials which minimizes the chance of overheating or excessive sweating.

Cowboy boots do have narrower toes which can result in some discomfort when worn for a long period of time. Riding boots come with a lot of padding which would definitely reduce the chances of boils or blisters even though they are not that suitable for walking or running. 

When it comes to safety/protection, the riding boots do score comparatively more. With the thick padding and toe-caps and shock absorbent structure, riding boots are well equipped to keep the feet safe from bruises and scratches one might come across during those bumpy rides.

Even though specialized cowboy boots do come with certain protective reinforcements, they are not really a match against the cutting-edge safety tech in riding boots.

The thick padding and shock absorbent structure of riding boots also provide great ankle protection and this definitely gives it an upper hand against cowboy boots in the protection segment. 

Cowboy boots with high quality leather and fine craftsmanship would definitely outlive riding boots and would score higher in the durability section.

When it comes to versatility as well the cowboy boots score comparatively higher than riding boots as there are more colors, designs and types of the prior available in the market. 

The following table sums up the elaborate comparison we had carried out in the previous section:

The table gives you a clear idea as to which favorable features are owned by each of the two contenders. A well informed purchased can be made if you can locate which all features are more desirable here. 

Can they be used instead of each other? 

A quick glance at the table of comparison of the two boots would be rather useful in answering this question. Even though the two boots do look a lot alike and does indeed have similar functions, it is not really advisable to use them instead of each other.

Depending on your requirements you can opt one among the two. If you are planning on just being a rider all day then go for the riding boots for a day of comfort and safety, but if you are planning on working on the ground and running around then it is better to go with the cowboy boots instead.

But using them instead of each other won’t be a great idea as they differ quite a lot when it comes to functionality.