I Found Walkable Cowboy Boots for City Girls

I learned about Dream Pairs, which make everything from Frye dupes to Birkenstock knockoffs, while searching for the perfect pair of Fuggs two winters ago. Like Dream Pairs’ off-brand UGGs, these cowboy boots are a nice approximation of the boot for someone who doesn’t want to splurge. They have some bells and whistles, like a generously cushy footbed and extra wide calf opening, but the lower price likely comes from the material, a faux leather that’s more flimsy than I was looking for. I’d recommend them for anyone who’s planning a very occasional cowgirl cosplay, but I was looking for something more durable.

These are perfect for the person who’s still lukewarm about the cowboy-boot trend. Larroudé describes them as a “sleek reimagining of a Western boot,” and if you didn’t see the pointed toe and boxy heel, you might not even notice its cowgirl roots. Still, I was prioritizing fashion over function, so I gave these a try. Unfortunately, every time I wore them, my toes protested after a few thousand steps. If you’re not wide-footed like me, that shouldn’t be a problem — the shoe is made from beautiful weathered leather, and the sole is nice and cushy. However, if you have wide feet, there are other options below.

These boots have a spacious square toe and sturdy footbed that almost makes me want to walk with a wide gait like I’ve just gotten off a horse. When I wear them, I feel like a true cowgirl, but they’re too technical for what I was looking for. There are some nice design elements, like a ventilated shaft with mesh lining and a memory-foam footbed, but when I look at the bulky silhouette of my feet while I’m wearing them, I don’t recognize myself. I was looking for something more palatable — feminine, even — that matches my city lifestyle.

I tried these on the recommendation of my colleague Dominique Pariso, who applauded their lack of break-in time and compatibility with thick calves. While I can’t say the same about the break-in period — it took several hours-long walks to decrease the heel slippage and toe pinching — the shoes are the platonic ideal of a cowboy boot. The shaft isn’t too busy, there’s the classic pointed toe, and they’re made from beautiful leather that stands up on its own. The sole has some cushion to it as well. These lost points for the break-in period, but they’re a nice option for someone who plans to make them their day-to-day boot.

Compared to the Larroudé boots above, these are slightly more traditional thanks to the rounded silhouette at the top of the shaft. I wish they were available in half sizes as the size seven was too roomy for my 6.5s, but they’re still a comfortable option. Quince has perfected the plush insole, which is cushiony and supportive enough for my high arches. Unlike other items of Quince leather I’ve tested, these also didn’t have a weird smell out of the box.

Here’s another option for the person who doesn’t want to fully commit to the cowboy-boot bit. They have the embroidery detailing you’d usually find on boots of that style, but that’s where the similarities end. There’s no curve at the top of the shaft or any semblance of a traditional toe (be it pointed or square), but I still liked them — even if they weren’t the perfect fit for the cowboy-boot-shaped hole in my wardrobe. Perhaps that’s the charm, though: The first time I wore them, they were one of two shoes I packed for a weekend trip to Boston. I could wear them everywhere from dinner with the parents to a tailgate at my sister’s college without issue. Best of all, there was no break-in period.

If these were less bulky, they may have made the winner’s circle. They’re made of real suede for a relatively reasonable price — as my other colleagues have noted, boots are very expensive these days. The sole is cushy and supportive, too. I love the natural slouch they form around knee-high socks and the elevated western vibe they bring to any outfit anchored by a jean skirt. Underneath my favorite wide-leg jeans, though, these just had too much fabric. Whenever I wore them, I found myself regularly adjusting the bunching of my jeans and the boots. I was looking for a pair that’d pair nicely — and without any hassle — with any outfit.

I felt like a western Cinderella when I tried on these boots. Compared to many of the other pairs I tried, which had tedious break-in periods and silhouettes that didn’t fit quite right, these fit just right out of the box. There was a small break-in period (about two wears) during which I had to mold the heel and toe box to my foot, but they’ve only gotten more comfortable since. They have a dainty pointed toe, some subtle stitching on the shaft, and a more modest version of the slouch that I loved in the Dolce Vita boots. Plus, the price is right for a pair of real leather boots I can wear with everything from jeans to a little black dress. If I have one complaint, it’s that the slouch of the shaft is so sculptural that taking the shoes on and off can be difficult. After several wears, I can do it on my own, but I definitely needed an extra hand to pull them off the first few times.

These Ariat boots have the feminine touch I was looking for in the square-toed Durango pair above. The shaft is busier than I had initially been looking for, but the floral stitching is so beautiful that I don’t mind at all. Down at the square toe, the silhouette is less boxy than the Durango pair, and the shoe is less heavy as a whole — no wide gait needed to get my feet off the ground while wearing them. I appreciate that there’s a medium and a wide option, and I found that the wide was almost too roomy for my wide-ish feet — good news for those who struggle to find shoes for less represented feet. And if you’re not looking for a brown pair of boots like me, there are black and tan ones too with the same sturdy leather outsole and soft, supportive footbed that helped wrangle this pair into the winner’s circle.