Do you remember your first pair of cowboy boots? Maybe you were playing in your grandpa’s closet and stumbled over his vintage crocodile Western boots, and you slipped your little toes inside and clomped around for a while, make-believing that you were a Wild West outlaw.
Or maybe you ripped the paper off a brightly-colored birthday present and unboxed a pair of fresh cowboy boots in exactly your size, embroidered with little flowers in your favorite color. Maybe you wore them to elementary school for a month straight. Maybe you never wanted to take them off.
However you were introduced to Western wear, cowboy boots hold fond memories for a lot of folks, and they’d like to pass those warm fuzzies down to the next generation. That’s where we come in. Here, we’ve outlined a bunch of different Western boot brands that have great kids lines. Ariat kids boots are definitely one of the top contenders, but they’re also just a drop in the bucket when it comes to Western wear for future cowboys. Ariat Western boots have a lot of different options for anybody out there wanting to outfit the next generation of cowboys and girls, and so do a lot of other brands. Let’s dive in.
Ariat Kids Boots
Ariat Western boots are focused on real cowboys. The company sponsors many top rodeo athletes, and they’re focused on Western heritage. It’s the performance aspect of Ariat Western boots that really sets them apart from many of their competitors. That makes Ariat kids boots a prime candidate for your little one’s first foray into the Western style.
Ariat kids boots are some of the most sought-after on the market right now. Ariat Western boots come in a wide range of styles for adults and kids alike. You’ll mostly find Ariat kids boots for somewhere between $60 and $100, which might sound like a lot to pay for a pair of boots your little stomper will quickly grow out of. However, you need to look at the price of adult Ariat Western boots for context. They’ll run you around twice as much, if not more. Exotic Ariat Western boots can even cost upwards of $500.
You can turn to Ariat kids boots for classic Western styles made kid-friendly. They’ve got some options in bright, child-like colors, and they’ve got plenty of more feminine and masculine styles. Ariat Western boots are a great choice for little cowboys-to-be.
Corral Boots
Unlike Ariat kids boots, which have plenty of options for both cowboys and cowgirls, Corral kids boots cater more toward those with more feminine tastes. Their boots tend to be highly decorated with intricate embroidery and lots of sparkly details. As such, they also tend to be a little more expensive than most Ariat kids boots. They’re more likely to be in the $100 to $150 range, and they’re mainly meant for older kids.
Corral kids boots can be a great option for those Western kids that have more delicate sensibilities. They’re definitely an alternative to Ariat kids boots worth looking into.
Durango Boots
This is another kids boot brand that is proud of Western heritage. Like Ariat kids boots, they create styles for a wide range of kids, younger ones and older ones alike. They also have a wider range of colors and styles than many other brands. From hot pink to muted green, you’re likely to find a Western boot style that fits your little one’s preferred aesthetic from this brand, no matter what they’re drawn to.
Like Ariat Western boots, there are classic styles as well as more contemporary ones. The price range is pretty similar to Ariat kids boots, too, but some of the pricier styles will go over $100. Look into Durango boots for your little one if you’re trying to find something more suited to their favorite kind of look.
Justin Boots
In a similar vein as Ariat Western boots and Durango boots, this brand is Western through and through, and their boots are designed to draw on their long history as cowboy boot makers. Justin Boot Company can trace its roots back to 1879. So, you know they’ve got a long track record of making iconic Western boots.
This is true of their kids boots, too. They don’t have as many options as Ariat kids boots, for example, but the ones they do have are, for the most part, very classic. They’ll typically run you somewhere between $70 and $100.
If you’re comparing Justin Boots to Ariat Western boots, then Justin clearly wins in terms of longevity. But Ariat kids boots definitely encompass a more diverse set of styles. It all depends on what you prioritize.
Laredo
Fans of Laredo Western Wear know that although they don’t have as long of a history as a company like Justin, but that doesn’t mean they’re not quality. They have a more contemporary bent than many of their peers, and that shows up in the bright colors and patterns of their boots geared toward kids. Most brands, like Ariat Western boots, will use leather or faux leather to build their kids’ boots, but what sets Laredo apart are the rubber and fabric options.
Of course, Laredo has leather and leather-look-alike options as well. They boast of popularity and affordability along with their high quality standards. However, their kids selection is significantly smaller than brands like Ariat kids boots. It might be hard to find what you’re looking for in the kids’ department here.
Blazin Roxx
This is a bright and colorful Western boot brand made especially for kids. Blazin Roxx boots aren’t going to be your grandma’s cowgirl boots; they’re vibrant and contemporary. More classic boot lovers will be drawn to brands like Ariat Western boots that have deep roots in classic Western culture.
However, if you’d rather jump into cowboy boots of the 21st century made for Zoomers, then this brand is the right one for you. Check out the bright pink boots, dramatic fringe, and bold patterns. For the little girl who is a fashionista and a burgeoning cowgirl, Blazin Roxx boots might be just the thing.
The prices for Blazin Roxx kids boots are going to be a bit on the lower side, which makes them all the more accessible. Definitely check these boots out.
DBL Barrel
This is Blazin Roxx’s more masculine counterpart. You’ve got American flag prints, darker colors, and more classic designs. They don’t just stop at boots, though. You can also find moccasin-type shoes with a bit of a Western flair for your kids and toddlers.
Like Blazin Roxx, these types of boots and other Western-style footwear tend to be fairly affordable, compared to many other brands we’ve listed here. They also encompass a wider age range than several of the other brands, and they’ve got a fairly sizable selection to choose from. They’re worth a quick search to see if there are any DBL Barrel boots that you think your little one would like.
Roper
Like Ariat Western boots, Roper is a company deeply steeped in the whole culture around cowboy boots. They’ve got a full line of Western boots for all ages. Your little kids will be served just as well by Roper boots as your grandfather would.
They even have an incredibly adorable infant line. They’re called cowbaby boots, and we’ve never been more in love. From cradle to cowboy and rubber duckies to rodeos, Roper has got your little one covered.
This will all come at a higher cost than several other of the kids boot brands we’ve listed here. Of course, what you spend will be dependent on what type of boots you’re getting, but even the cowbaby boots are mostly in the $40 to $50 range.
Deer Stags
Not everybody prioritizes deep roots in cowboy culture when they’re shopping for their little one’s first pair of Western boots. Deer Stags might be a good fit for this type of shopper. This brand has less of a Western focus, unlike many Ariat kids boots, but you’ll still find some good options for your little cow wranglers.
Mixed into their offerings are dress shoes, sneakers, and hiking boots. So, there aren’t as many cowboy boots here for you to choose from. However, if you’re looking for a more well-rounded brand, Deer Stags would be one worth looking into. How much you’re willing to spend is another important consideration when shopping for, well, really anything, and Deer Stags is definitely on the more affordable side of things (in the $65 range). That makes them ideal for many shoppers.
Smoky Mountain Boots
This is a company that stakes its reputation on catering to the consumer. They strive to sit at the intersection of high quality, fashion, and affordability. To get all three of those is definitely not easy to do.
They have one of the wider selections of Western boots designed specifically for children, and they’re all fairly traditional. They won’t cater to infants like some of the brands on this list, but they do offer a fairly sizable collection of toddler-sized boots. Aesthetically, their pint-sized offerings are quite a bit more sophisticated than many of the other brands we’ve listed here. They’ve got a traditional and high-quality bent. As such, they don’t look quite as youthful as some of your other options. However, they’re also cowboy boots that aren’t going to go out of style any time soon.
Dan Post
For those who value a traditional look, Dan Post Boots can be a good choice. The number of children’s boots on offer is pretty small, but they’re all highly wearable. They’ll fit right in with pretty much any Western-style outfit your kid could dream up.
Their tried-and-true classics are great staples to add to your kids’ wardrobes. It’s not a very large line, unlike Ariat kids boots, but it is a worthwhile one. Check it out if you’re interested.
Tin Haul
These boots are colorful and playful. Many of them have painted soles, giving your little cowboy a fun little surprise on the bottom of their shoes. As such, they come with a pretty steep price tag compared with most of the other brands we’ve mentioned here. Most of their offerings are going to cost you over $130.
Tin Haul separates its kids boots into boys, girls, and infants, so the brand caters to a wide range of kids. The painted soles have a variety of images on them, ranging from classic Western motifs, like cacti and horses, to less Western-inspired pictures, like sharks and dinosaurs. They also come in a lot of different colors.
A brand like this is not going to suit everyone, since their products are often less than traditional. However, they’re definitely designed with kids in mind. If you’ve got a little extra cash on hand to go for a more expensive (and expressive) pair of boots for the aspiring cowboy in your life, give Tin Haul a look.
Get your kids’ cowboy boots today.
Now that we’ve gone over many of the major players in the market today, you should have the knowledge you need to go out and choose the right brand for your budding cowboy. Of course, though, we couldn’t cover all of your options in a single blog post. There are plenty more boot brands where these came from.
Plenty of manufacturers, like Ariat Western boots, make quality cowboy-worthy footwear for the whole family. You just need to find the brand that specializes in the style of boot that suits your cowboy-to-be’s aesthetic. Some brands and lines focus in on more classic Western styles. They stick to basic colors and traditional styles of ornamentation. Other brands like to push the boundaries. With those, you’ll find lots of bright colors and patterns that you wouldn’t find on adult Western boots. If the child you’re shopping for likes that sort of thing, then definitely be on the lookout for more colorful and youthful boots.
No matter what type of boots you decide to opt for, whether they’re Ariat Western boots or from some other reputable brand, we hope you and your little cowboy have a lot of fun with them. Contact us if you have any questions.