I could post this on the Houston board, but OB knows stuff. I'm in the market for some new daily wear boots. I'm too poor to spend a ton on high end custom boots, but I'm looking for a step up from Cavenders. Ideally trying to find something under $500. And honestly that might be a stretch.

Recommendations?

For under $500 you're still not in good custom range, so Boot Barn or Cavenders for a pair of Lucchese seems to be the ticket.

Also: In

Got some choc brown lizard boots from Tecovas and have been very happy

where's our guy who's uncle has the boot store: safari wild exotics or something like that...Gives the texags discount?

Astroag said:

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where's our guy who's uncle has the boot store: safari wild exotics or something like that...Gives the texags discount?

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I remember hearing about that place years ago. Was wondering if it's still operating.

And yes, I'm well aware that good custom boots are out of that range.

Sorry for the detail but remind me again who y'all recommend for boot repairs in Houston area? I've got 2-3 pair that need some love

Safari Exotic Leather down in Houston was the store. Was posted about more on the Houston board than the OB.

I have a pair dark brown croc from there that I got in 2014 and still wear weekly. Good boots and the price was under $400 if I remember right. No clue if they're still open or not.

Double H boots have been my favorite. Bought some a decade ago for under $200 in high school. Same pair is still my daily wear pair.

Thanks for the tips. Will probably just start at Cavender's and/or boot barn and browse the selection. Will have to try on some Double H. I may just get some Luccheses and call it a day.

I have wide feet, so I've been getting Dan Post from Boot Barn. They fit as well as the custom fit I bought once. Got some caimans for $400.

I've used Great Western Boots and have been pleased with results.

At that price range I'd go tecovas. In my opinion these days I'd either buy tecovas or have a pair custom made.

Just to add, personal fave off the rack for comfort

Luchese
Ariat
Anderson Bean

Anderson Beans. The only answer.

You can get really nice Anderson Beans for sub $500, and IMO they are of comparable quality to Luchesse.

Yeah tecovas if you havent tried em yet. Built well and my ropers are comfy, spent appx 300. Will buy again.

Outback Western Wear in Magnolia. Got a pair of Ariats and Lucchese boots from there years ago. Reasonable pricing. Owner was helpful in finding what I needed price range/comfort for diabetic feet.

https://www.outbackww.com/

Custom sea turtle boots are the official boot of texags.

Tecovas.com for that price range.

Ropers look great in blue jeans or a suit.

The blonde wonder and I got our wedding boots from Safari. Had a LOT of very cool stuff. I ended up with crocodile and the wife ended up with some calfskin boots that had a very unique coloration to the leather. I wear shorts and flip flops 99% of my life so haven't gotten more but if I did wear boots a lot, I'd definitely get more from them. And... they have a Texags price but will also negotiate on top of that.

Chisos > tevocas

Better made

For off-the-shelf look at Lucchess Classics. That's the handmade line. Will push your budget but they are outstanding!

Probably not what you are looking for, so just an FYI for anyone that might be interested, but the Red Wing store on Katy Fwy has the Pecos 1187 Nailseat with the nitrile/cork soles. These soles are very heat resistant, so you can rest them directly on a fire ring with no issues. Its the roper version. Just a good boot to have for the office and field if you are in a line of work that requires both on the same day. The pair I bought in '93 and used on construction sites (no steel toe) for a few years before using for once and a while/ deerlease camp wear off and on since finally wore out. These boots are not a normal production boot anymore, but the store on Katy Fwy. makes two big orders a year, and Red Wing will make them for that store. They sell so many of them, they beat the other stores that might have them by about 15%, making them a $215 pair of boots.

Pinto Ranch, but I doubt they have anything under $500

Pinto has an outlet, I've never been, but might be an option for your budget.

+1 on AB, I like their hybrid sole (leather sole with crepe insert) for daily wear.

JSKolache said:

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Yeah tecovas if you havent tried em yet. Built well and my ropers are comfy, spent appx 300. Will buy again.

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Cueros apparently uses the same Mexican models/production contractor, just different names and a bit cheaper, from what I've heard/read, and they are priced a little lower. Very good boots according to the guy I use to re-sole stuff from time to time. I vaguely recall they had a deal to be in a few big box outdoor stores but can't remember the name of the chain (cabellas or bass pro?)

nortex97 said:

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JSKolache said:

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Yeah tecovas if you havent tried em yet. Built well and my ropers are comfy, spent appx 300. Will buy again.

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Cueros apparently uses the same Mexican models/production contractor, just different names and a bit cheaper, from what I've heard/read, and they are priced a little lower. Very good boots according to the guy I use to re-sole stuff from time to time. I vaguely recall they had a deal to be in a few big box outdoor stores but can't remember the name of the chain (cabellas or bass pro?)

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Is this rtic, just rebranded to now rip off successful boot companies vs cooler companies?

LOL, I don't have a dog in the hunt, and don't know who owns which company etc. Just a topic that came up about 3 or 6 months ago I think.

I don't own anything from Yeti or RTIC either!

Went with some Anderson Bean antelopes with the hybrid sole in a 12EE. Its hard to find boots that fit my foot shape and it seemed only ariat would do the job in an off-the-rack boot sub 500. I'm sticking with ABs from now on.

I'm looking for a nice pair of baby ducks if anyone has a line on those....

Anderson Bean

Great boots