Ariat

For riders and people on their feet all day, most owners say yes. Ariat grew out of applying athletic-shoe technology to riding boots, so comfort and durability are the brand's whole premise, and as of 2023 it is the largest equestrian sports brand in the world. They are not cheap, but they are built as long-haul performance footwear rather than fashion boots. If you actually ride, work outdoors or want a boot that lasts, they tend to justify the spend.

Quality and durability are central to the design. Co-founder Beth Cross worked with biomechanical research groups and testing labs when developing Ariat's boots, which are engineered to be durable in outdoor environments. The brand makes boots in the United States, Mexico, Asia and Europe. As with any boot, fit varies by line and foot shape, so buying from a retailer with a fair return policy is sensible.

Both are heavyweight names in Western and work boots, so it often comes down to fit and philosophy. Ariat's whole origin is athletic-shoe technology applied to riding boots, giving it a performance, comfort-tech reputation. Many shoppers cross-shop the two and choose on foot width, comfort and whether they lean modern-performance or traditional. Try both on if you can, since sizing and shape differ between brands.

Riding is where the brand began. While consulting to Reebok, the founders saw a chance to apply athletic shoe technology to English and Western riding boots, and the very year it launched Ariat released its first two boot styles. That heritage is why it became a leader in performance footwear for horseback riding and, as of 2023, the largest equestrian sports brand in the world.

The name honours a legendary racehorse. Ariat is named after Secretariat, the famous Triple Crown champion, chosen in tribute to his "huge heart and competitive spirit." It is a fitting origin for a brand built around equestrian performance.

Ariat was launched in 1993 by Beth Cross and Pam Parker, who were Stanford Business School classmates. They were working at Bain & Company and consulting to Reebok when they spotted the opportunity to bring athletic shoe technology to riding boots. The company is based in San Leandro, California.

Yes. In the years after launch Ariat expanded into performance Western and English apparel as well as workwear. In 2006 it moved into Western apparel including woven shirts, tops and outdoor clothing for men and women, much of it built with flame-resistant technology that came into demand from the oil workers of Colorado. So the range spans riding, work and outdoor life.

It came directly from a real workplace need. When Ariat ventured into Western and outdoor apparel in 2006, it incorporated flame-resistant technology that was driven by demand from the oil workers of Colorado. That makes it a genuine workwear line rather than a styling gimmick, suited to people in hazardous trades.

Ariat manufactures its boots in the United States, Mexico, Asia and Europe. The boots are designed to be durable in outdoor environments, developed with input from biomechanical research groups and testing labs. So production spans several regions rather than a single country of origin.

Sponsorship is a big part of the brand's identity. Ariat became the official boot sponsor of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) in 2009 and is the title sponsor of the Ariat World Series of Team Roping. It also signed a deal with the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) in 2015 and sponsors teams in the PBR Team Series. That deep involvement in rodeo and equestrian sport keeps it front and centre.

Yes, its reach goes beyond the arena. Ariat is featured in the 2015 Nicholas Sparks film The Longest Ride, which centres on a PBR athlete. Since 2024 it has also sponsored San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, and in 2025 it became the official boot sponsor of the Stagecoach country music festival. Those crossovers show how far the brand has moved beyond pure equestrian circles.