Over the years, I have written posts on this blog expressing my opinion about wearing cowboy boots while operating a motorcycle.
Like other guys, I like to wear cowboy boots. I began wearing them at age 10 and didn’t stop. Over many years, I developed quite a large cowboy boot collection.
Most traditional, dress western, and older cowboy boots have smooth leather soles. Such soles are a bad choice to wear while riding a motorcycle because the soles provide no traction at all. The slightest amount of water or oil on the road makes these boots slide on those soles.
Back in 2013 or so, more boot manufacturers began applying rubber soles, Vibram soles, and/or lug soles on cowboy boots. I bought my first pair of Chippewa cowboy boots with a Vibram sole that were perfect for using on my Harley.
Nowadays, many boot manufacturers offer a cowboy boot / work boot with rugged rubber soles.
As an experienced rider, I choose …
… Vibram soles on the boots I wear while riding. And more lately, I have enjoyed the comfort, appearance, and traction on Tecovas Bandera Boots. (These boots have a non-marking “yellow plug” Vibram sole).
This style of boots was introduced in 2020 as part of the company’s “Ranch Wear” line.
I have worn these boots a heck of a lot for doing renovations on my house, and also while riding my Harley.
These boots are very comfortable, rugged, water-resistant (though not actually waterproof; they can leak if soaked), and have superb Vibram soles for great traction.
Since Chippewa has discontinued their iconic motorcycle boots (harness and engineers) as well as their cowboy boots, the Tecovas Bandera are an affordable and good alternative — if you’re looking for a cowboy boot to wear while riding a motorcycle. (Here are mine)
These boots are made in Mexico, which has among the best boot production in the world. Far better than some boots from other manufacturers that offshore production to China. (If the price is low, the boots are probably, at least in my personal opinion, crap.)
Life is short: ride with solid lug soled boots on your feet when you ride. (Leave the sneakers in your gym bag and flip-flops in the garbage can.)