Whether you’re ready to reinvent your style, or continue sporting your signature western look, you’ve come to the right place. The brands featured here are famous for their western apparel and deliver exactly what they promise: quality clothing with timeless styles that are right on trend.
Let’s dive into the top five western wear brands so you can pick your new favourite source of stylish clothing for both work and play.
Top Brands You Need for Your Western Wardrobe
There are plenty of western wear companies out there, but well made western wear is worth its weight in gold. Whether you’re mucking out stalls or headed to dinner, these five brands have you covered with stylish picks that go the distance.
Wrangler
All cowboys and cowgirls need a good pair of jeans—that’s a non-negotiable. And Wrangler has the best denim for all kinds of wild westerners.
Aptly named “Wrangler” in 1947, this American brand’s vision has always been to make jeans for the working cowboy/cowgirl. And they’ve upheld this standard in every regard. Like the people who wear them, these jeans are tough, durable, and look dang good. In 1974, Wrangler became the first, and still only, brand to be officially endorsed by the American Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association.
Wrangler Western credibility is simply unsurpassed:
- Wranglers have the heaviest denim, 15.25 oz available.
- On selected Wrangler styles you’ll find 7 belt loops, not a measly 5.
- Wranglers have starched denim styles available. This separates the real cowboys from those who would like to be a cowboy.
- “King of Country” George Strait endorses lines of jeans and shirts by Wrangler
- The default supplier of branded sponsor clothing.
- Here’s the reality: when you’re aiming to make a buck and make a career in rodeo you need sponsors, and some of the most likely sponsors are truck dealerships. Wrangler makes rodeo-ready shirts with a “Ford” logo on the side and back. It’s pretty amazing to think of the commitment by Wrangler, the rider, the dealership and Ford itself to enable these shirts to be in demand, year after year. No other Western brand does this.
When you check out Wei’s Top Western Brands for 2024, will Wrangler be on the list? In a word, “Yep.” As long as there’s a desire for authentic Western style, Wrangler will be on the list.
Ariat
From a start in the 1990s, Ariat has become a huge Western and Work brand. Ariat has lots of credibility, lots of innovation, and lots of style.
Ariat got its start, and its name, from equestrian products that were enthusiastically supported by riders, leading to an international following almost from the start. Then Ariat was able to increase their fans as the brand expanded to other Western apparel, often by being willing to look outside its horse blinders and borrowing concepts from athletic shoes.
Here also Ariat is innovative, because they might apply the borrowed athleti concept not only to Western footwear but also clothing. Of course they have the idea patented when they can.
We at Wei’s are pretty consistently impressed by the innovation of Ariat. Nobody can deny that Olathe, Justin, and Lucchese are the original American cowboy boots, but where Ariat might lack 100 years of history, it wins people over with style and fit.
Ariat is proud of their approach to in-house technology and innovation. Wei’s customers consistently tell us how comfortable Ariats are, right out of the box, and as a result, Ariat Western and Work boots fly off the shelves.
With Ariat, you don’t have to compromise between style and functionality. You will have no trouble finding both in any pair of Ariat boots as theirs are designed to look good in the saddle. Whether because of the actual organization of the company or some other reason, Ariat is among the very best at bringing out technology and style together.
That’s why Ariat makes Wei’s 2023 Best Western Brands list. Whether you’re actually riding a horse or just want to look like you’re ready to ride a horse, you have to consider Ariat.
Boulet Boots
Another fantastic option for buying western footwear is Boulet Boots. This company was the very first in Canada to manufacture and sell cowboy boots. Boulet Boots is the OG boot source, so don’t sleep on them if you’re in the market for trendy but quality-made boots.
Since its foundation in the 1930s, Boulet Boots has produced and sold thousands upon thousands of high quality, durable, and stylish cowboy boots. Canadians should take pride in sporting their Boulet Boots. Wei’s even has custom-made styles if you’re looking for something totally unique.
Canada West Boots
This family-owned and operated company is based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It’s another great option for consumers in search of quality Canadian apparel made close to home.
Canada West Boots uses fine leather to craft their timelessly stylish cowboy/cowgirl boots. Their footwear completes any western wear outfit and comes in a wide range of looks for men and women to choose the style that best suits you.
The most popular styles include Brahma boots, Western style premium leathers with steel tempered shanks and stylish shafts. Also check out the full line of Work Westerns, and their CSA approved best-selling work boots.
Recently an out of town customer called Wei’s, looking for the Canada West Romeo style of short boot (like a Blundstone Chelsea). He wanted 2 pairs of a size and colour combination, and said “These are the most comfortable boots I have ever worn,” adding that he has worked for 25 years. High praise indeed!
Brand loyalty like this is one of the reasons why Wei’s stocks dozens of styles of Canada West.
Lucchese
One of the first American-made cowboy boots, Lucchese is joined by Olathe and Justin in a small group of originators. (If we included shoes, we could think about adding Frye’s.)
So, why is Lucchese on the list instead of the other 2, which are also stocked at Wei’s?
“Olathe is known by the working cowboys,” explains Wei’s second generation owner, Chung Mah. “But Lucchese has taken their time to brand themselves as the Cadillac of Western boots.” He explains that a well-off cowboy is more likely to buy Lucchese boots.
One cowboy who’s not afraid to show off their boots is country music superstar Blake Shelton who, according to several sources, wears the Lucchese Charles style with leather and caiman.
A budget-conscious consumer should consider both the initial cost and the longevity of their pieces. After all, the more wear you get out of something, the lower the cost truly is. So, keep in mind that while Lucchese is on the pricier side, you’re paying for top-notch quality boots that will stand the test of time (and style).
Honourable Mention: Roper
This article could not, in good conscience, end without mentioning Roper. This brand is proud to manufacture all things cowboy-wear for their fellow North Americans. With Roper, you can find quality clothing, footwear, and accessories for men and women to ride into 2023 with style.
Roper even makes children’s sizes for the mini cowboys and cowgirls in the making! From basic but colourful plaid to Western shirts with flair, and women’s styles with fringes or modern geometric prints, Roper probably has something for you and your family.
Choosing Smart Western Wear
Wrangler, Ariat, Boulet Boots, Canada West Boots, Lucchese, and Roper are all companies dedicated to dressing modern cowboys and cowgirls in style without sacrificing comfort or function. They’ve all quickly adapted to the Americana trend and deliver trendy looks that go from work to play with ease.
These brands are popular for good reason, and that reason is because they’re good choices to make. It’s as simple as that.
Check out Wei’s curated selection of these legendary brands so that you can start incorporating comfortable, durable, and stylish western wear into your wardrobe.