Ariat Men’s Sport Western Boot Review This boot is ideal for someone who likes to wear a cowboy style boot for everyday use, and when there is possibility that they will be in a situation where mud, water, or snow will come into contact with their feet. I wear these boots when I am walking to class on cold, snowy, or rainy days, as well as when I plan on hunting, fishing, or working outside in my free time. The best part of these boots is that they are comfortable enough to wear when doing indoor activities but have the added benefit of being water-resistant and easy to clean. The factors used when reviewing these boots include visual appearance and style, comfort, durability and weather resistance, and maintenance. Visual Appearance and Style The visual appearance of this boot is very appealing. The product that I purchased came with a blue upper portion that is very appealing with quality stitching in the design. The upper part of the boot is generally not seen often though when worn because jeans will usually be pulled over the top of the boot. The lower portion of the boot looks very good as well with dark weathered leather and quality stitching attaching the sole. The square toe on this boot matches current boot trends without looking too blocky. Overall, I would say this is a very good-looking boot for its price level, but it does not look as nice or stylish as an expensive boot made with snake or alligator skin rather than leather. Comfort and Maintenance One issue with these boots is that they do require maintenance to keep the leather in good condition as well as retaining water-resistance, but most or all leather boots require this type of maintenance to ensure they last a long time. I wax these boots with a quality boot wax roughly once every three months, and this has allowed for the boots to remain waterproof, as well as condition the leather so it does not dry out and become brittle. With this maintenance, these boots have lasted over 2 years and still perform as if they are freshly broken in after purchase. These boots are very comfortable to wear for long periods of time after they are broken in and conditioned after purchase. These boots will take about 2 weeks of wearing to start to break in and feel comfortable to the customer. During this time the boots may feel tight around the toes and sides of your feet, as well as limiting ankle movement until the leather can be loosened up in those areas. After these boots are broken in they will be custom fit to the person wearing them and provide a lot of comfort. Durability and Weather Resistance I have worn these boots for over 2 years with very few durability issues. They have been very tough when it comes to abrasion resistance while I’m working in them. The exterior leather is high quality and very strong. The stitching that connects the sole to the leather has lasted very well also with only one out of hundreds of individual stitches coming loose. That loose stitch has not negatively affected the boot quality at all. The weather resistance of this boot has been very good as well. With proper maintenance, this boot will keep your foot dry unless to leave the stitching fully submerged in water for about a minute. Mud will stick to these boots and dry leaving a hard crust on the exterior of the boot. This is a little annoying but expected with any shoe. I have found that they are easily cleaned up by hitting the sole on a hard surface outside to remove most of the mud, and then using a dry brush to remove the rest. This leaves a nice weathered look on the boot but doesn’t leave any mud on to fall off while you’re walking indoors. Overall, I would give the Ariat men’s sport western boot 4 out of 5 stars because they are durable, comfortable, and stylish. These boots are ideal for someone who is always looking for adventure especially in a rural area. They are great for hunting, fishing, working, and enjoying the outdoors in any weather condition.
