Wedge sole boots are popular because they help reduce impact stress on the foot and limit the amount of mud build-up on the boot. If you are shopping for a wedge sole cowboy boot, I like the Tecovas “Knox” boots because they are made with treated leather and weatherproof seaming, and they feature premium Vibram 4014 wedge outsoles, which, in my experience, last longer than other types of wedge soles.
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These are my choices for best wedge sole cowboy boots:
- Tecovas “The Knox” Vibram Wedge Sole Roper Boots (click here to view)
- Rhodes Footwear Wedge Sole Roper Boot Caliber (click here to view)
- Ariat Rambler Square Toe Wedge Sole Western Boots (click here to view)
- Twisted X Men’s 10″ Wedge Sole Cowboy Boots (click here to view)
- Old West Square Toe Flat Sole Cowboy Boots (click here to view)
Wedge soles are unique because they allow you to blend modern comfort with the classic design of western boots. As I mentioned above, not only do wedge soles reduce impact stress, they also track less mud, which can be beneficial to those working in sloppy conditions familiar to barnyards and construction sites.
The Tecovas “Knox” wedge sole roper boots are made using the Vibram Cristy 4014 outsole, which is widely considered to be the best wedge outsole on the market today. The Vibram 4014 is popular because it is long-lasting, comfortable, and because it has the flat, shallow lug pattern needed to increase contact surface-area and improve grip.
Here are my Tecovas “Knox” 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.
The Tecovas “Knox” boot is built using a Goodyear welt construction which means you can get them re-soled at some point if needed. The Vibram Cristy 4014 is widely known for being comfortable but also very durable compared to other types of outsoles, so expect to get your money’s worth out of the Vibram Cristy soles.
In this article let’s take a closer look at the best wedge 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 flat sole cowboy boots.
My Favorite Wedge Sole Cowboy Boots
Tecovas “The Knox” Vibram Wedge Sole Roper Boots
These Tecovas Knox boots are my favorite type of wedge sole western boots. Although they come in three different colors, I own the “Midnight” version.
Here is a look at my Tecovas wedge sole boots:
This is the current price of these Tecovas wedge sole western boots available at Tecovas.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Tecovas.com). In my experience, these boots fit true to size.
As I mentioned earlier, one reason I like the Tecovas “Knox” boots is they are made with premium Vibram outsoles, that, in my experience, last longer than other types of outsoles. These boots use the popular Vibram Cristy 4014 outsoles, which are well-liked due to their comfort, and the fact that the shallow lug pattern offers larger surface-area contact and superior grip.
Here is a look at the Vibram 4014 soles on my Tecovas boots:
This Vibram Cristy 4014 outsole is so popular that even though it was originally designed for work boots (specifically construction and industrial footwear) it has since made a transition to casual, city-style footwear due to the comfort and grip it provides. These wedge outsoles provide a sort of hybrid design, that can transition well from outdoor to indoor environments.
Regarding the leather, these Tecovas Knox wedge sole cowboy boots are made using treated leather that has a durable, but soft feel to it. They aren’t too stiff and, when combined with the wedge sole, have a flexible design.
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 need Tecovas work boots for muddy conditions and need to take a hose to these boots every once in a while, they are built to handle that.
Yes, Vibram outsoles are long-lasting, but because Tecovas builds such a quality boot, there is a good chance the upper will outlast the outsole. The good news is these Tecovas Knox boots are built using a Goodyear welt construction, which means you can easily get these boots re-soled if needed.
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:
This boot has a 10-inch shaft that finishes near the mid-calf area. The shaft opening is wide enough to comfortably slide your foot in and out so you don’t have to wrestle with these boots. Yes, they also have pull tabs to help slide the boots on:
Another thing worth mentioning is the footbeds in these boots are removeable. This means if you need to clean or swap these insoles, you can easily do so. The insoles are thick and provide nice comfort under the foot. And Tecovas uses thick cork midsoles which help absorb shock:
Overall, when you buy this Tecovas “Knox” 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, in my opinion, the best wedge outsole on the market today: the Vibram 4014.
Together, this creates a dependable boot that is built to last longer than cheaper competitors.
Click here to buy these Tecovas Knox wedge 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 Wedge Sole Cowboy Boots to Consider
Ariat Rambler Square Toe Wedge Sole Western Boots
Ariat is another popular boot brand, and they make a wide range of pull on boots, including a wedge sole western boot. These Rambler boots are made with full-grain leather and have oil and slip-resisting properties.
Just like the Tecovas boots from above, these Ariat boots have a 10-inch shaft height that will finish mid calf. The main difference compared to those Tecovas boots is these Ariat Rambler flat sole cowboy boots have a square-toe design.
And one drawback to consider is the Tecovas boots above used the premium Vibram wedge outsoles, and these Ariat boots do not use Vibram. In my experience, non-Vibram outsoles usually don’t last as long. But using non-Vibram outsoles does make this boot a bit more affordable.
Click here to view these Ariat Rambler wedge sole cowboy boots available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Wide sizing is available for these flat sole cowboy boots.
Rhodes Footwear Wedge Sole Roper Boot Caliber
These Rhodes Footwear Wedge Sole Roper Boots use a slightly different type of wedge outsole. This wedge outsole is made with a polyurethane material in an attempt to add even more cushion to the bottom of the boot.
These flat sole cowboy boots are made with waxed cowhide uppers designed to be odor resistant. The Goodyear welt construction means you can get these boots re-soled when needed.
One drawback here is the shaft on these boots is a bit narrow, so it might not be the easiest boot to slide on if you have wide feet. Over time, the leather should stretch to better fit your foot.
Click here to view these Rhodes Footwear wedge sole roper boots available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These flat sole cowboy boots are not available in wide sizing, so if you have wide feet, it would be best to size up a half size, which will provide space for the boots to shape to the size of your foot over time.
Twisted X Men’s 10″ Wedge Sole Cowboy Boots
Twisted X is a relatively new footwear brand (founded in 2005) that has seen its popularity grow quite rapidly due to some of their unique pull-on designs.
They originally began creating only western boots, but have since expanded their line to offer both casual and work boots. They do offer this flat sole cowboy boot that, just like the Tecovas wedge sole cowboy boots we discussed earlier, are built with a 10-inch shaft and a round-toe design.
Bot those Tecovas boots use the premium Vibram wedge outsoles, and these Twisted X boots do not use Vibram. Also, the weatherproofed seams on the Tecovas boots might make it a better option if you need to occasionally hose the boot down.
Click here to view these Twisted X wedge sole western boots available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These flat sole cowboy boots are available in wide sizing.
Old West Square Toe Flat Sole Cowboy Boots
These Old West wedge sole cowboy boots have a wide square toe for extra room in the toe box area. One things that stands out about these boots compared to other options on this list is they have the western stitch detailing on the top of the boot.
These flat sole cowboy boots have a 9-inch shaft which means they will fit a bit shorter on the calf than some of the other wedge sole western boots on this page. They are made with full-grain leather uppers and, yes, feature a wedge sole for comfort.
Click here to view these Old West wedge sole cowboy boots available at Sheplers (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These flat sole cowboy boots are not available in wide sizing, so if you have wide feet, it would be best to size up a half size, which will provide space for the boots to shape to the size of your foot over time.
What to Consider When Buying Wedge Sole Cowboy Boots
Benefits of Flat Wedge Soles
- Comfort – Wedge soles are comfortable, in part, because the flat sole helps evenly distribute the stress across the entire bottom of the foot. Standard raised heel boots, although rugged and great for uneven terrain, focus the majority of the stress to specific spots on your foot, like your heel or toe pad. This can lead to irritation.
- Mud – Wedge sole boots have shallow lug patterns that reduce mud build-up. This may be particularly useful for those of you working in sloppy barnyards, or fresh construction sites.
- Weight – Wedge soles often weigh less than other types of outsoles. The blown-rubber crepe style of wedge outsoles creates tiny little air pockets within the outsole which not only create a soft comfort, but also help reduce weight.
- Transition – Think of wedge sole boots as a nice option that can be used both indoors and outdoors. No, they won’t be great for uneven terrain, but they maximize surface grip which can be useful in outdoor conditions (on smooth surfaces), but also add comfort inside on concrete and industrial floors.
Drawbacks of Flat Wedge Soles
- Traction – Wedge sole boots do offer premium grip because they maximize the contact surface area on the bottom of your boot. This can prove to be useful on surfaces like wet concrete. But if you are working on uneven, rocky terrain, a boot with a deeper lug pattern will likely be the better option. A raised heel rubber outsole cowboy boot would be better.
- Riding and Climbing – Because wedge sole cowboy boots don’t have a raised heel, they don’t make for good riding boots. This is also a drawback if you are climbing ladders all day.
Can You Resole Wedge Work Boots?
Yes, you can resole a flat sole cowboy boot as long as that boot has the correct type of construction. You want a boot that uses a Goodyear welt construction. This allows for the boot to be re-built.
For example, the Tecovas “Knox” boots I featured earlier in the article have a full Goodyear welt build, so they can be re-soled. And even though the Vibram soles are well-known for being a long-lasting outsole, because the build of Tecovas boots is so dependable, it is likely that the upper will outlast the outsole, so re-soling the boots will likely be needed at some point.
To read more, visit my article about re-soling boots.
Other Wedge Sole Boots to Consider
If you are interested in wedge sole boots (or cowboy boots), visit our other resources linked below:
- Steel Toe Wedge Work Boots
- Vibram Wedge Sole Boots
- Waterproof Wedge Sole Work Boots
- Insulated Wedge Sole Boots
- Wedge Sole Boots Made in USA
- Steel Toe Cowboy Boots
- Wedge Sole Wellington Boots
Toe Shape
You will want to consider the toe shape of your wedge 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 “Knox” wedge sole roper boots.