Boots are a staple of every stylish cowboy and cowgirl’s wardrobe and are on trend for many reasons.
They can be worn on a variety of occasions and look great. However, there are a lot of brands to choose from; in which over the course of decades, two western shoe manufacturers Tony Lama and Ariat have designed some of the industry’s most desired boots and other footwear.
People swear by these two labels because of their superb construction and a wide variety of fashionable styles. So, when comparing these two who comes out on top, let’s find:
Comparison Table Between Ariat And Tony Lama:
| Ariat | Tony Lama |
|---|---|
| Founded in 1993 | Founded in 1911 |
| Western, Old English, Work, Lifestyle, Casual, and Outdoor wear. | Western Boots, Casual, Work boots, accessories |
| Variety of footwear options except for dress shoes | Wide variety of shoes and boots for nearly any occasion |
| Comfortable | More Comfortable |
| Expensive | More Costly |
| Comparatively less cushioned | Extra Padded |
| 150 steps construction | 130 steps manufacturing process |
| Popular | Globally Popular |
Overview of Ariat:
Ariat is a brand of footwear and clothing for men, women, and kids that specializes in equestrian performance wear inspired by western fashion trends. They are mostly known for their shoes and boots, which are made to be as comfortable and long-lasting as possible.
Ariat was founded in 1993 as “the new breed of the boot” and they innovated the use of athletic technologies in equestrian footwear.
Considering equestrian performance products are Ariat’s key selling point, it should not be surprising that its CEO, Beth Cross is a horse lover.
Also, she spent a great deal of her life working on a horse farm in Pennsylvania, surrounded by animals. The brand also partners with manufacturers all over the world to create unique shoe designs that offer superior comfort, and functionality.
Their selection of boots, shoes, and sneakers ranges from casual to professional, with so many popular options and one of their best-selling models being Ariat’s Groundbreaker Boots built to withstand the rigors of work in damp, slippery, or rather harsh environments.
Moreover, Ariat also puts its products through a comprehensive testing process with a wide range of people to ensure they always meet or exceed expectations in terms of performance and aesthetic appeal.
Overview of Tony Lama:
The brand Tony Lama has continuously proven throughout history to be the most well-known western boot brand in the world. Each pair of renowned Tony Lama boots is a unique work of art, delicately handcrafted from the best leathers, looks lively, and is immediately recognized.
Tony Lama, the founder of the company, was born in 1887 to Italian immigrant parents. At the young age of eleven, he began his career in the shoe industry as an employee in Syracuse, New York. Then he settled in El Paso, Texas, a border town with Mexico that was densely populated with men seeking western-style boots. Due to the great demand for Tony Lama’s skills, he formally established his own company on East Overland Street in El Paso in 1911.
His company began as a small shoe repair store that mended boots for Fort Bliss soldiers. However, as word of his expertise spread, he had to turn the store into a boot factory to keep up with the demand for custom footwear. In the 1950s, his company became an industry leader in terms of both fashion and technology, and business kept growing.
Low heels, expert craftsmanship, vibrant colors, and one-of-a-kind designs were only a few of the features of the boots they manufactured that made them popular not just with cowboys but with the general public as well.
In addition, the 11″ Rowel Brown Safari boot, which is their best seller from the 1911 collection maintains the brand’s renowned high quality and is a prime example of this legacy.
Today, Tony Lama is part of the Justin brands, but the company has kept its unique identity.
Major Differences between the brands:
To help you choose the best boots for your needs, we’ll compare these two popular brands to see which is superior.
1) Comfort:
Tony Lama and Ariat are known for making comfortable and well-made boots and other shoes. The leather used to manufacture Tony Lama boots is soft and durable, and it conforms to the contour of your foot to provide exceptional comfort and support.
Also, the cushioned rubber outsole and additional padding throughout the footbed and insole of their footwear work together to absorb shock and prevent strain and stress on the feet.
Conversely, Ariat’s ATS footbed technology helps in shock absorption, lower back stress reduction, and keeps your feet relaxed. Even though all of their shoes are made to be comfortable, certain styles are specifically made to be worn for a long time.
For the most comfort, it’s important to choose the right style and size for your feet. Moreover, the soles of Ariat boots may feel a little stiffer than those of a pair of Tony Lama.
According to our opinion, Tony Lama is a better choice for work and other activities in terms of comfort and support.
2) Popularity:
According to reports, Ariat is the leading manufacturer of equestrian footwear and clothing in the world. Moreover, the brand is the official footwear sponsor of the “Professional Bull Riders” and the title sponsor of the “Ariat World Series of Team Roping” which is the largest group of adult roping athletes.
Tony Lama is the most well-known brand of western boots globally. The brand is mostly recognized as “the boot of the American west” since its beginning. Their shoes are a popular choice among cowboys, riders, cowgirls, and adventurers.
3) Target Market:
Ariat has a wide range of customers aged between 25 to almost 35 years old in the equine industry. From those who compete to those who ride for fun, Ariat has a lot of choices.
On the other hand, the majority of Tony Lama’s products are mainly targeted toward men. The brand also offers its products for women, as well as a smaller selection for youngsters.
4) Price:
Western and work boots by Tony Lama are priced between $200 to around $300. Also, you can get casual shoe styles for under $100 on their website. Premier Tony Lama boots crafted from rare, premium materials can cost as much as $600 per pair, but they are well worth the investment.
Alternately, Ariat’s English riding boots are priced at $300-$500, while their Western boots range from $150 to $400.
5) Design:
Ariat believes that a world-class product demands design, materials, and craftsmanship of the same level. Everything about their boots and shoes is thoughtfully designed by their footwear team, from the number of stitches per inch in places where a boot gets a lot of use to the finish and reliability of the leather. They also incorporate “Duratread outsoles” that last three times longer than standard outsoles.
Moreover, the brand offers composite, carbon, and steel toe work boots, as well as a range of midsole and outsole technologies, for a variety of activities and professions.
On the other hand, Tony Lama is a one-stop shop for all your footwear needs, from casual to formal, dressy to work boots for men, women, or kids. They provide both traditional pointed-toe and contemporary square-toe boots in which calfskin, crocodile, kangaroo leather, and other rare materials can all be used.
From hand-cutting soft leathers to stitching soles, their professional bootmakers complete more than 130 steps to make a pair of boots. In addition, there is a focus on quality, premium leathers, and cutting-edge technologies which include the company’s unique “Lama Comfort” and “Cushion comfort” systems.
In short, their experts employ tried-and-true methods dating back decades to guarantee the authenticity of every pair of Tony Lama boots.
Conclusion: Which Is Better For You?
Tony Lama and Ariat both create their footwear to provide support and ease of movement. Their boots can be a bit slippery on flat surfaces right out of the box and need some breaking-in time.
However, Tony Lama offers traditional and contemporary western boots. Whether you are a horseman or a businessman, you must have a pair of Tony Lama because nothing will complement your lifestyle more.
Whereas, Ariat manufactures a variety of western and English riding boots that are ideal for riding, working, outing, and walking around town.
If you have to choose between Tony Lama and Ariat, the choice is ultimately yours. Before purchasing you should check their various styles and pricing and select a pair that meets your demands.
We hope this article was useful in your search to choose the best boots possible.