Ariat Combines Traditional Western Style With the Comfort Pros Need
When there are so many options out there, it can be hard to narrow down the Best Work Boots for your particular needs. Today, we’re focusing on a pair that keeps a traditional Western style for ranchers and tradesmen who prefer a mix between design and comfort. What else do the Ariat Sport Herdsman Boots have to offer? We tested them out to give you our perspective.
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Ariat Sport Herdsman Boots: Overview
- 100% full-grain leather
- Five-row stitch pattern
- 4LR lightweight stabilizing shank
- Synthetic air mesh lining
- Mid-calf shaft length
- 1-inch heel
- Square-toe profile
These boots feature 100% full-grain leather on the foot and upper. A five-row stitched pattern on the shaft gives the Herdsman boots a traditional Western look and adds some character to your color choice.
You can choose between Powder Brown (pictured), the darker Brooklyn Brown, and Peanut Butter, which mixes a lighter brown on the foot and a darker brown on the shaft.
On the inside of these boots, you’ll find a synthetic air mesh lining to allow airflow into the boot, as well as a 4LR lightweight shank for stabilization.
Design and Fit
These boots have a squared, soft-toe design. The heel measures about 1 inch and the shaft on the Herdsmen boots measures around 11 inches tall, which comes up to about the mid-calf level.
Performance and Comfort
After wearing these boots for several weeks, I found them both comfortable and durable. The tread provides adequate grip for landscaping and general work tasks. I’d not recommend these for a jobsite where you might have to deal with the likelihood of nail penetration.
I also found the metatarsal area of the boot to be tighter than many other Western boots I’ve worn. While the fit is perfect, getting them on can force your heel against the inside back of the boot. To avoid any potential long-term issues, I grabbed an inexpensive long shoehorn. It made it much easier to put on these boots and protects the internal rear stitching.
Overall, these boots work well as a dress boot and as a general Western cowboy boot. The design, build quality, and durability are all top-notch. Be sure to try a pair on if you get the chance—or just order a pair and take my word for it!
Ariat Sport Herdsman Boots Price
These boots retail for $179.95 and you can find them wherever Ariat products are sold. They come in sizes 7 through 15 men’s and you can choose between D and EE width options.
Final Thoughts
Wearing a traditional western boot is what many landscapers, farmers, and ranchers prefer. As such, we really wanted to try out a pair and see if they held up well to daily use. As it turns out, cowboy boots still present a great solution for those who don’t need some of the elements of a traditional work boot. That means, if you don’t need EH (electrical hazard) protection, a steel toe, or an aggressive sole, then a cowboy boot can work really well. If you do happen to need some of those more traditional work boot features, an Ariat hybrid boot might make more sense.
