Riding and cowboy boots never seem to go out of style, and they aren’t just for equestrians and cowgirls. This is one of the many reasons Ariat boots have continued growing in popularity. The iconic American celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2023.
Although visually stunning, Ariat boots offer much more than a trendy look. The brand is renowned for its innovative footwear design!
Ariat’s Innovative Footwear Design
If you’re new to Ariat, they’re an outdoor footwear and clothing company known for their stylish, functional, durable, and comfortable boots.
Ariat is one of the top equestrian, outdoor, and work brands in the world
Ariat boots have a unique patented outsole, a layered lightweight sole, patented Advanced Torque Stability technology, and a gel sole with a heel stabilizer, making them perfect for riding, work, and outdoor activities.
They come in various styles, including western (also known as cowboy boots), English, work, outdoor, and lifestyle. They have been worn by Lucy Hale and famous country musicians like Blake Shelton and Ashley McBryde. There really is no better advertisement for Western boots than being worn by a country star!
The Story Behind Ariat: A Passion for Horses
The founder, Beth Cross, grew up surrounded by animals on a working horse farm in Pennsylvania, USA. She loved animals, frequently rode horseback, and spent time with the horses on the farm.
Beth Cross is the co-founder of Ariat International, a company that specializes in high-performance equestrian footwear and apparel
Cross fondly remembers sitting in front of her family’s TV in 1973, watching Secretariat win the Kentucky Derby. Secretariat went on to win the Triple Crown, setting records that have yet to be beaten.
Secretariat’s heart and competitive spirit are the inspiration behind the company’s name Ariat. Before starting Ariat, Cross was a Stanford Graduate School of Business student and worked for Bain & Company as a consultant for Reebok.
This experience gave Beth a better understanding of the technology behind athletic footwear. Combining her love for horses with her experience in athletic footwear, Cross launched Ariat as “The New Breed of Boot.”
In April 2017, Ariat opened a retail store in The Summit at Fritz Farm, a shopping mall in Lexington, Kentucky
What made it new was they were the first company to utilize the same technology commonly used in athletic footwear when making boots for equestrians. The footwear brand released its first two styles of boots in 1993, which were catered to equestrians.
Since their launch, they have seen tremendous international growth and massive sales. Today, Ariat is known for its innovative products for outdoor, riding, and work roles and everyday use.
Ariat, still based in the US, has substantially grown its product range to include clothing and footwear, encompassing denim, tees, workwear, jackets, and accessories. Their products are now available not only in the US but also in Europe, Australia, Mexico, and Japan.
Quality of Ariat Boots: Are They Worth It?
To put it bluntly, yes, but let me elaborate. Ariat is all about innovation! They are cutting-edge and arguably the best in the boot biz. Innovation is part of their DNA, so much so that they have over 150 patents for their sole technology alone.
They are never happy with the status quo and are always looking at how they can increase their boots’ performance, durability, and comfort.
The Everlite collection from Ariat features lightweight yet durable boots
With a history of quality footwear and a culture of creativity, it’s no surprise that Ariat attracts the best shoemakers in the business.
Their amazing team of engineers, designers, and testers often spend over 18 months designing and testing products.
Ariat boots are built to last, though you need to take care of your shoes. These boots will not last you a season or two; the company aims to design products that will last a lifetime!
Cross has said she still hears from customers who have had their boots for up to 20 years, often passed down to the next generation! Their design is timeless while stylish, appealing to multiple generations.
Ariat’s Circuit ombre boot features winning good looks and performance technology made for the ride
With craftsmanship and quality like that, you would expect their footwear to be expensive, right? It’s not! In fact, that’s one of the things the brand considers when designing its footwear. They want their items to be accessible and affordable.
Where Are Ariat Boots Made?
Ariat boots are made in the US, Mexico, Asia, and Europe. Quality control is crucial to the brand, and they ensure their factory partners and tanneries are the very best!
Ariat doesn’t make it clear on their website which boots are made where. If you want to find out where your specific pair of boots are made, you can check the inside of your boot for a number.
Ariat boots are made in the US, Mexico, Asia, and Europe
You can then call Ariat and provide them with this number, and they can look up where your pair of boots were made.
You’ll have a tough time finding this out before buying the boots, so if the manufacturing country is important to you, you may want to call customer service first.
Affordable Excellence: Ariat’s Pricing
As mentioned earlier, Ariat prides itself on making top-quality boots that won’t break the bank. Even with their unique technology and high-end material, they still have a reasonable price tag.
Ariat boots range in price, depending on the product and the craftsmanship that goes into it. To give you an idea, Ariat’s line of western boots ranges from $100 to $400, and the line of lifestyle footwear ranges from $80 to $170.
Where to Find Authentic Ariat Boots
If you want to get yourself a pair of these beautiful boots, you can purchase them directly from their website or an authorized retailer.
Many boutique shoe stores, outerwear retailers, and major shoe stores sell some of their most popular styles. The best shoe websites to buy Ariat boots are Nordstrom, Zappos, Amazon, and Ariat.
Jessica Alba wears Ariat’s popular Copper Creek sandals with a maxi dress and cardigan (Credit: WENN)
With the authorized retailer directory on their website, you can find a retailer located near you. You just have to select your country and enter your zip or postal code. Unfortunately, there are knock-offs out there.
To ensure you purchase authentic Ariat boots, check their website to find an authorized seller first.
Ensuring the Perfect Fit: Finding Your Size
Nothing is worse than a pair of boots that don’t fit. Boots that are too tight or loose can cause injury, and there’s a good chance you won’t wear them, and they’ll end up collecting dust in your closet.
Three ways tall boots are measured: shoe size, calf width, and height from floor to knee
Don’t do that to a pair of Ariat boots! They don’t deserve it. Fortunately, there are ways to ensure you have the perfect fit. First off, if you are buying online, you can refer to Ariat’s size chart to help select the correct size.
Once you have your boots, you can ensure they fit properly by pulling out the footbed and placing your foot from heel to toe on it. You should then be able to place your thumb above your toe and still not be at the end of the footbed, as this will allow for slippage.
Ariat makes boots in all sizes for women, men, and children
The next step is to put the unlaced boot on. Leave it unlaced and push your toes forward. When your toes are pushed forward, there should be some room behind your heel.
If there is no room behind your heel, your boots are likely too small, and you should go up a size. Next, center your foot in the boot and lace it up.
Your toes should not feel cramped; you should have some wiggle room. You can adjust the tightness with the laces; however, you will still notice a bit of lift (your heel) when you walk.
Make sure you get the appropriate style and fit for your boots
If the boot feels too loose and the laces are already tight, you should try a boot that’s ½ size smaller. How should tall riding boots fit? Learn how to fit tall boots with Ariat’s step-by-step video:
You can also learn how to fit cowgirl boots with this instructional video: