Rubber sole cowboy boots are popular because they handle wet and slippery conditions much better than leather sole cowboy boots, and therefore are more versatile. But often times the rubber outsole ruins the look of cowboy boots. That’s why I love the Tecovas “Jake” Boots. They still use a stacked leather heel but combine it with a matching Vibram rubber outsole that blends in naturally with the rest of the boot (which preserves the classic cowboy style).
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These are my choices for best rubber sole cowboy boots:
- *My Favorite* Tecovas “The Jake” Vibram Rubber Sole Boots (click here to view)
- Tecovas “The Jason” Vibram Rubber Sole Cowboy Boots (click here to view)
- Lucchese Rudy Rubber Sole Square Toe Cowboy Boots (click here to view)
- Filson Men’s Vibram Rubber Sole Roper Boots (click here to view)
- Ariat Men’s Quickdraw Rubber Sole Western Boots (click here to view)
- Durango Men’s Rebel Rubber Sole Western Boots (click here to view)
I like the Tecovas Jake Boots but I also listed the Tecovas Jason Boots above. These boots are very similar (both have rubber soles with bovine uppers), but the Jake boot uses a straight roper heel and the Jason uses a taller angled heel.
One thing I really like about these Tecovas Jake boots is the rubber outsole extends across the entire boot (this isn’t just a rubber heel cap like many types of boots). You get the full rubber protection across the entire bottom of your boot. And because the bovine leather on the upper is water-resistant, these boots are capable of taking on wet and mucky environments even though they look like classic dress boots.
Here are my Tecovas “Jake” boots:
I like Tecovas boots because they use more traditional boot-making methods, which lead to better long-term results. For example, they use hand-hammered lemonwood pegging to attach the midsole. These lemonwood pegs are more malleable than modern nailing, and they expand and contract properly when exposed to moisture.
In this article let’s take a closer look at the best rubber sole cowboy boots so you can find an option that fits your specific needs. I also want to discuss several things to consider when buying these types of cowboy boots.
My Favorite Rubber Sole Cowboy Boots
Tecovas “The Jake” Rubber Sole Western Boots
These Tecovas Jake boots are my favorite type of rubber sole cowboy boots. Although they come in multiple colors, I own the “Caramel” version.
Here is a look at mine:
These boots have a traditional dress boot style, but are built for rain and mucky conditions. Not only does the rubber sole add weather protection, but the upper is built with water-resistant bovine leather that helps shield off precipitation.
Here is a look at the material on my boots:
As I mentioned earlier, one reason I like the Tecovas “Jake” boots is they are made with premium Vibram outsoles that actually match the color of the boot. This allows the boot to still have the profile of a classic dress boot but the versatility needed to make it weather-ready as a work boot (types of Tecovas work boots).
The rubber outsole blends in nicely with the 1 1/8 inch stacked-leather straight roper heel (list of Tecovas Roper Boots).
As I mentioned earlier, if you prefer a more traditional, taller cowboy heel, the Tecovas Jason boot is very similar to these Jake boots, but uses the taller heel. Click here to view the Tecovas Jason boots that use the taller heel (affiliate link takes you to Tecovas.com).
Here is a close up look at the stacked leather heel and Vibram rubber soles on my Tecovas rubber sole cowboy boots:
When you take a close-up look at the rubber outsole, you can see how it is channeled to help provide adequate grip in wet environments:
This Vibram rubber outsole not only helps improve grip in wet conditions, it also can improve grip indoors. If you’ve ever worn leather sole boots, you know that they can feel slippery even indoors on certain types of flooring like thin carpet. If you’re worried about grip, these boots might be exactly what you need.
Another benefit I like about the rubber outsole that I never see other people mention is noise. These boots are so much quieter on my wood floors that other types of boots I own. The rubber sole does a great job at absorbing impact noise when I walk.
I found my boots to feel comfortable and flexible straight out of the box. The break in period was very short and I truly felt comfortable in them on the first wear.
This is the current price of these Tecovas rubber sole western boots available at Tecovas.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Tecovas.com). In my experience, they fit true to size.
The bovine leather upper is treated and combined with weatherproof seams which allows this boot to be hosed off when needed. No, don’t expect this boot to be completely waterproof, but if you occasionally work in mucky conditions and need to take a quick hose to these boots every once in a while, they are built to handle that (I’d do a quick towel dry right after).
I like Tecovas boots because they use more traditional boot-making methods, which lead to better long-term results. For example, they use hand-hammered lemonwood pegging to attach the midsole. These lemonwood pegs are more malleable than modern nailing, and they expand and contract properly when exposed to moisture.
I also really appreciate the fact that Tecovas uses an “inside-out” stitching approach which helps hide the seams, and means the seams won’t cause irritation against my foot or leg. As you can see inside my boots below, the stitching is not exposed:
In the photo above you can also see that this boot has a leather insole, which conforms to the the unique shape of your foot over time. I really like leather insoles, however, one thing I don’t like is this leather insole is not removable. Leather insoles are long lasting, but I still like the option to swap mine if needed.
These Tecovas Jake rubber sole cowboy boots use a 10-inch shaft that finishes near the mid-calf area. The shaft opening is wide enough to slide my foot in and out (but I did have to use the pull tabs).
In the photo below I tried to capture how nicely the rubber outsole on my Tecovas boot blends in with the stacked leather heel. I personally like this design better than a black rubber outsole combined with a brown leather heel stack. I think it preserves the dress style of the boot better.
Overall, when you buy this Tecovas “Jake” boot, you’re buying a boot that has an upper made with premium bovine leather. The boot is handmade using traditional boot-making methods which help increase the life-span of the boots. And they combine that with a Vibram rubber outsole that blends in perfectly to preserve the classic style of these boots.
Together, this creates a dependable boot that is built to be both versatile and stylish.
Click here to buy these Tecovas Jake rubber sole cowboy boots available at Tecovas.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Tecovas.com). As I mentioned earlier, in my experience, these fit true to size. Wide sizing is available for these boots.
Other Rubber Sole Cowboy Boots to Consider
Ariat Quickdraw Square Toe Rubber Sole Western Boots
Ariat is another popular boot brand, and they make a wide range of pull on boots, including many types of rubber sole western boots. These Ariat Quickdraw boots are similar to the Tecovas boots in that they implement the rubber sole whiles still trying to preserve the look of a cowboy dress boot. I just like the way Tecovas blends their outsole better.
However, these Ariat boots are available in square toe, so they might be the better option if you prefer square toe design. Click here to view these Ariat Quickdraw rubber sole cowboy boots available at Ariat.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Ariat.com). Wide sizing is available for these boots.
Filson Rubber Sole Roper Boots
These Filson rubber sole roper boots will be a good choice for those who want a shorter heel. The roper heel is not as tall as traditional cowboy boots (and not as tall as the heel on the Tecovas Jake Boots).
These Filson boots use premium Vibram rubber outsoles that provide grip and durability. They have a 10-inch shaft, which means they will finish mid calf just like the Tecovas Jake Boots.
Click here to view these Filson rubber sole roper boots available at Filson.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Filson.com). These boots run big, so it’s probably best to size down if you are between sizes.
Lucchese Rudy Rubber Sole Square Toe Cowboy Boots
If you are a fan of Lucchese boots, they have several types of rubber soled boots. Perhaps the most popular is the Lucchese Rudy boots.
The Lucchese Rudy boot is part of their barn boots collection because it is built to handle wet and mucky barnyards and work sites. These boots use cowhide leather and have a 12-inch shaft and are available in both round toe and square toe designs.
Click here to view these Lucchese Rudy men’s rubber sole western boots available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These boots are available in wide sizing.
What to Consider When Buying Rubber Sole Cowboy Boots
Benefits of Rubber Soles
- Price – Many rubber outsoles are cheaper to produce than leather outsole boots, and also easier to care for, therefore reducing the overall price of the boot.
- Weather Protection – Rubber outsole cowboy boots are popular because they handle wet, mucky conditions much better than leather outsole boots. For work, this is a necessity, but it is also important for those who want to wear their boots casually in wet conditions.
- Grip – The grip and traction provided by rubber outsoles is superior to that of leather outsoles. This is obviously true for wet weather (as we discussed above), but it is also true even for certain types of indoor flooring like thin carpet (which can be slippery for leather outsoles).
Drawbacks of Rubber Soles
- Style – Rubber sole western boots do not always have the look of classic cowboy dress boots. That’s why I like the Tecovas Jake Boots because the Vibram outsole blends in nicely with the stacked leather heel to preserve the dress boot style.
- Form Fitting – Leather soles are popular because they do a great job of form-fitting to your foot over time. With rubber soles, you won’t have as much of that (especially if the entire sole is rubber and not combined with a stacked leather heel).
- Riding – Rubber outsoles make it a bit harder to get in and out of stirrups if you are riding. This is one of the few drawbacks of increased grip.
Can You Resole Rubber Outsoles?
Whether or not you can re-sole rubber outsoles will be dependent on how the boot is made.
My Tecovas Jake Boots use a 3/4 Goodyear Welt construction which is can be restored. Here is a look at the Goodyear Welt on my Tecovas boots:
To read more, visit my article about re-soling boots.
Design
You will want to consider the toe shape of your rubber sole cowboy boots. Although a square toe design is sometimes better for wide feet, it usually just comes down to your personal preference in design.
I prefer a round toe design and that is one reason I like the Tecovas “Jake” rubber sole cowboy boots.
Some people who shop for rubber sole western boots actually want a wedge outsole (like my boots pictured above). Wedge outsoles do not have a raised heel, but often provide more comfort under the foot.
Wedge outsoles help even distribute impact stress across the entire bottom of the foot (instead of localizing it to the heel and toe pad). They also don’t track as much mud and can actually increase grip on flat surfaces.