Tecovas vs. Lucchese vs. Chisos vs. Tony Lama: Which One is the Best Option?

• Tecovas

Tecovas History and Origin

Founded by Paul Hedrick in 2015,Tecovas is a young brand.The story goes that Paul, a Texas native, was living in Connecticut and was having a hard time finding a good pair of cowboy boots in the city. Eventually, the nostalgia was too strong, and he was itching to start his own company and leave the corporate lifestyle and big city behind. So he returned to his roots in Austin and started Tecovas. 

Though the brand is relatively new, its mission is to provide timeless cowboy boots handcrafted from materials that are meant to last decades—and remain stylish for just as long. Favoring more understated designs with longevity in mind, Tecovas boots are meticulously made by hand in Léon, Mexico in a process that requires over 200 steps. Every boot is crafted with top-quality materials under the expert eyes and hands of Tecovas’ team of artisans.

The brand offers a limited range of cowboy boots in both men's and women's sizes, but almost every style is available in a variety of colorways and materials, from bovine to suede. Tecovas also creates their boots in multiple lengths, with the shortest being an ankle-height mule and the tallest a knee-high boot. In addition to cowboy boots, Tecovas also sells apparel, bags, and accessories, though they were not included in this test.

Tecovas Boots Prices

Unlike those rarified luxury bootmakers, Tecovas offers their goods at surprisingly affordable prices since they cut out third-party retailers.What you get is a traditionally handmade cowboy boot with premium leather — including many exotics like sharkskin, stacked leather heels, and authentic lemon wood pegging. These are some of the best cowboy boots you can get, especially at this price point. 

Tecovas offer handmade western boots for men and women. For women, the price range is just north of $210 up to about $995. For men, it’s similar – although there are a few premium exotic styles that top out at $1,995.In my opinion, Tecovas is the way to go if you’re looking for a traditional cowboy boot at a reasonable price. 

Tecovas Boots Design & Style

Tecovas focuses on a more refined, classic Western aesthetic.The brand offers a few different combinations of boot designs, but in essence, it breaks down to a combination of round or square toe, and short or tall heel (a few more variations include a wedge sole, zipper shaft, and Chelsea.) From there, each style is defined by a combination of design features and a different hide. 

While Tecovas currently offers 11 cowboy boot styles for women, there are over 40 variations to choose from, thanks to the many colorways and materials available in each design. 

Tecovas Boots Quality & Material

Tecovas boots are made in Leon, Mexico, by a skilled team of craftspeople. Each boot undergoes around 200 separate stages of construction. The firm claims their quality is twice that of similarly priced brands, and compares to that of boots costing twice as much.Here are some of the materials commonly used in Tecovas boots:

• Full-grain leather: Tecovas boots are made with full-grain leather, which is the highest quality and most durable type of leather. Full-grain leather is made from the top layer of the cowhide and retains the natural grain and texture of the hide, giving the boots a rich, natural look and feel.

• Cowhide lining: The interior of Tecovas boots is lined with soft, supple cowhide leather, which provides a comfortable fit and helps the boots conform to the wearer’s feet over time.

• Leather outsole: Tecovas boots feature a leather outsole, which is durable and provides good traction. The leather outsole is also more breathable than synthetic materials, helping to keep the feet cool and dry.

• Cushioned insole: Tecovas boots come with a cushioned insole that provides additional comfort and support. The insole is designed to conform to the shape of the foot, providing a customized fit.

• Steel shank: Tecovas boots feature a steel shank in the midsole, which provides additional support and stability. The steel shank helps to distribute weight evenly across the foot, reducing foot fatigue and improving comfort.

Tecovas Boots Pros and Cons

Where to Buy Tecovas Boots?

Tecovas boots are only available for purchase online or at their retail stores.You can buy cowbot boots from their official website.

• Lucchese

Lucchese History and Origin

When a 140-year tradition of boot making excellence meets a resolute unwillingness to compromise quality in the face of a changing footwear industry, you get Lucchese, a luxury label making some of the very best cowboy boots in the world.Lucchese is one of the most historic cowboy boot brands – founded in 1883 by Italian immigrants.This company’s cowboy boots have been worn throughout history by celebrities, presidents, and the rich and famous.Celebrities who have worn Lucchese boots include Bing Crosby, Gary Cooper, Gregory Peck, John Wayne, and Jimmy Stewart. 

Lucchese is known for its premium-quality, handcrafted boots. The company manufactures in El Paso, Texas, and also partners with factories around the world. Each pair of Lucchese cowboy boots are beautiful and unique because they are made by hand in a lengthy and intense process.

Lucchese Boots Prices

Lucchese cowboy boots start at $375 and go up to $16,000. The label only uses the highest quality leather and other materials in its boots that go through 150 steps and take more than two weeks to create. But like other luxury labels, the price also reflects the cachet of owning a pair. Lucchese also has a great range of boots in the $400 to $500 range that are a good jumping off point to discover the brand for yourself. 

Lucchese Boots Design & Style

One of the most notable features of Lucchese boots is the use of exotic materials such as alligator, ostrich, and caiman crocodile. These luxurious materials add a touch of sophistication to the boots and make them stand out. Lucchese boots become more beautiful over the years as the leather begins to form distinct marks and creases, adding character and history to the boot. To create the look of an heirloom boot, Lucchese engineers developed a “10 year old stonewash” method—a similar process that is used to distress denim. A Lucchese artisan will begin by sanding down the leather and then coat the boots with a dark gloss. The boots will finally be distressed with dry coarse rocks, giving the boots a vintage look.

Lucchese also offers a variety of fashion-forward styles that incorporate modern design elements while still maintaining the brand's traditional Western roots. These styles include boots with bold patterns and colors, as well as boots with unique embellishments like studs and embroidery. Whether you're looking for a classic cowboy boot or a more contemporary style, Lucchese has a boot that will suit your taste.

Lucchese Boots Quality & Material

Lucchese uses time-honored craftsmanship techniques to build handmade boots of unrivaled quality, fit, comfort and style. In virtually every step of their bootmaking process, they rely on human hands to complete centuries-old tasks to perfection. First, boot crafters handpick the leather and skin for the boots, then by hand they stitch the unique patterns onto the material. After that, each boot is hand tooled and carefully finished before being shipped to your door.This delicate manufacturing process ensures that your boots will keep their shape and last for years and years.

Lucchese is famed for its high-quality skins, and two crocodilian skins are used to make one pair of boots. To make one perfectly matched pair, bootmakers intently study each skin's unique markings, tile size and pattern. At times, up to 20 to 30 different skins are compared side-by-side before finding a close enough match, as each one is as individual as a fingerprint. At Lucchese, perfection lies in such details.

Lucchese Boots Pros and Cons

Where to Buy Lucchese Boots?

Lucchese official website

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• Chisos

Chisos History and Origin

Chisos is a modern cowboy boot brand founded in 2019 by Will Roman,deep in the heart of Texas.But Will Roman didn’t do it the typical way. He didn’t raise a bunch of cash, hire a huge team, and mass produce boots that would appear to be handcrafted. Instead, he headed south to Guanajuato, Mexico to learn about the art of bootmaking for himself. Fast forward a few years, and Chisos boasts a dozen different styles—all made in small batches in the same family-run shop in Mexico where Will learned everything he knows about high-end, handcrafted cowboy kicks.

Chisos Boots Prices

From $545 to $4,950.these boots are not cheap, but consider that they are half the price of some well-known cowboy boot brands and feature superior craftsmanship to them.

Chisos Boots Design & Style

Chisos tends to focus on traditional western styling with a refined aesthetic.Some styles allow for customization in color and design. The leather develops a beautiful, personalized patina over time with wear. 

Chisos Boots Quality & Material

Chisos heritage leathers come from hand-selected dairy cow hides, sourced from regional farms and ranches. They are unique, durable.They put quality over quantity. In an industry dominated by mass-production and shoddy“craftsmanship,” Chisos exists to build small-batch cowboy boots that last decades—not seasons.

All Chisos boots are made in the same family-run shop in Mexico, where safe working conditions and fair compensation are top priorities.

Chisos Boots Pros and Cons

Where to Buy Chisos Boots?

Chisos boots are only available for purchase online.You can buy cowbot boots from their official website.

• Tony Lama

Tony Lama History and Origin

Founded in 1912 by Tony Lama, an Italian immigrant who learned the boot trade as a child.Lama found work as a saddlemaker after moving to El Paso, Texas, from Lucca, Italy. He later expanded into the boot-making business. In 1922, he opened his boot shop after working briefly as a custom bootmaker for El Paso Saddlery. His attention to detail quickly earned him notoriety, and his boots became popular among El Paso’s Mexican-American community.In addition to his custom-made boots, he began producing pre-made boot styles and eventually gained national attention when Elvis Presley wore a pair of Tony Lama boots in the 1964 film “Viva Las Vegas”.

In August of 1990, Tony Lama Company, Inc. was purchased by Justin Industries. Today various brands such as Tony Lama, Justin, Nocona Boots, and Chippewa, all fall under the Justin Brands umbrella owned by Berkshire Hathaway. Although many Lama generations have passed on, you can still find Tony Lama Sr.’s living on today through his grandson, Joe Lama, who still works as a leather purchaser at the company today.

Tony Lama Boots Prices

The cowboy boots they produce stateside range in price from around $210 to $835. 

Tony Lama Boots Design & Style

Each pair of prized Tony Lama boots is a true work of art, meticulously built by hand, crafted of the finest leathers, always inspiring, always recognizable.You're sure to standout in these beauties and since they include the brand's patented comfort system you'll feel as good as you look.

Tony Lama has more heavy work boot options and implicated designs.

Tony Lama Boots Quality & Material

Tony Lama takes pride in using only the highest quality leathers when crafting boots. From full quill ostrich to traditional cowhide leather, their expert boot makers strive to find the very best leathers from all around the world.

Tony Lama construction is one of the oldest, most durable and comfortable methods in the industry.To this day, their expert product designers and skilled boot makers combine industry leading technology and components to construct high-quality boots you can depend on.

Tony Lama Boots Pros and Cons

Where to Buy Tony Lama Boots?

Tony Lama official website

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Conclusion: Which is Best for You?

Tecovas,Lucchese,Chisos and Tony Lama are boot companies known for their quality and craftsmanship,so it’s up to you which boot you should opt for.

Lucchese boasts a long history and reputation as a top-tier cowboy boot brand,while Tecovas offers a great balance of quality and price with a focus on modern comfort, making it a popular choice for those seeking a more accessible luxury option.

Chisos is a newer brand known for its high-quality materials and craftsmanship at a slightly lower price point than Lucchese.Their boots fill a unique niche in the cowboy boot industry. They're traditionally made but offer the added benefit of a unique insole that sets them apart. If you're searching for a high-quality boot with the craftsmanship of old but with modern comfort, Chisos should be on your radar.

The Tony Lama is considered a reliable, mid-range option with a wider variety of styles and price points. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What sets Tecovas apart from other high quality boot brands?

Compared to other brands selling boots at similar prices, the construction and quality of Tecovas boots is a noticeable step up. The full-leather mid-sole, the Goodyear-welt, the lemonwood and brass pegs—these natural materials and old-school construction techniques make Tecovas a certified Good Deal.

Are Tecovas boots made in China?

Tecovas hand-crafts their boots in Leon, Mexico, which is basically the motherland of all western boots. They feature traditional cowboy boot construction methods like a Goodyear welt, traditional cording, and lemonwood pegs in the leather outsole. 

Do Tecovas run big or small?

Their cowboy boots are designed to fit true to standard U.S. sizing, and each boot style is available in D and EE-widths for an all-around comfortable fit, no matter which boot style you prefer.

Do Tecovas break in?

All leather footwear will break-in over time. However, with Tecovas, the boots are more comfortable out of the box because of the EVA foam insole. 

Can Tecovas be resoled?

Tecovas takes pride in its goodyear welt construction—a traditional method that allows for repeated resoling without compromising the boot's integrity.

Are Lucchese or Tecovas better?

The Tecovas are fine, but on the Lucchese the seams ar flatter and more even, the stitching is cleaner and tighter and the insole is much better. All else being equal I would get the Lucchese. Be aware, though, that they fit very differently. The Lucchese have thinner shafts and tighter inspets.

Do cowboys wear Lucchese?

Yes.Lucchese was trusted by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders since 2011

What makes Lucchese boots so special?

Established in 1883, Texas-bred Lucchese uses time-honored craftsmanship techniques to build handmade boots of unrivaled quality, fit, comfort and style. In virtually every step of their bootmaking process, they rely on human hands to complete centuries-old tasks to perfection.

Are Lucchese made in China?

In addition to manufacturing from our own factory in El Paso, Texas, Lucchese partners with factories around the world that excel in their trade.

Are any Lucchese boots made in Mexico?

Yes.Like many brands based in the United States, Lucchese has moved the production of some boots to Mexico. They've been one of the top brands for years and their Mexican made boots are still extremely high quality!

Why are luccheses so expensive?

They are handcrafted and made with premium-quality leather – it is what sets them apart from the rest. The company has been around for over a century, and people recognize them for their quality.

How long does it take to break in Lucchese?

For the first 6-8 outings, try for at least 2-3 hours of wear. Continued wear allows your body heat and moisture to permeate the boots, softening the leather. Over time, Lucchese's leather heel, insole and outsole conform to the shape of your foot, providing a more flexible and comfortable fit.

What leather does Lucchese use?

They work with Nile Crocodile and Caiman crocodile leathers—both known for their durability and texture.

Do Lucchese run big or small?

Lucchese boots generally run true to size, but don't be surprised if your western boot's size is slightly smaller than your dress shoe size due to its construction. The best way to find your fit is to confirm your foot size with a boot expert.

Where are Chisos boots made?

State of Guanajuato.

How long do Chisos boots last?

Your Chisos boots will last decades with appropriate attention. 

Do Tony Lama cowboy boots run small?

Their boots generally run true to the size of dress shoes and are typically one size smaller than athletic shoes. Make sure your toes feel comfortable in the forepart of the boot and the ball of your foot should be at the broadest part of the boot.

Can Tony Lama boots be resoled?

Yes. This time-tested bootmaking technique offers higher quality craftsmanship and a signature fit with the ability to resole. 

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