5 Types of Cowboy Boot Leather: Pros & Cons

5 Types of Cowboy Boot Leather: Pros & Cons

September 23, 2022

Cowboy boots make the ultimate wardrobe staple. Their versatility, flexibility, durability, stylishness, and overall practicality make them the go-to boots for everyday wear. Since they’re made from different types of leather for cowboy boots ranging from traditional to exotic, they’re still as popular as they were in the good old days. However, before you buy your next or first pair, it pays to know the best leather for cowboy boots and its advantages and disadvantages. Here are the five types we thought you should know, including their pros and cons.

1. Cowhide Leather

Due to its popularity, cowhide leather is still considered the traditional and primary leather for cowboy boots. You will find cowhide in almost anything you wear, including clothes, belts, wallets, handbags and shoes.

Pros:

  • Perfect for a sturdy pair of work boots.
  • Highly durable and difficult to puncture or tear.
  • Can withstand harsh weather and any challenging condition.
  • Flexible and versatile.
  • Require little or no maintenance.

Cons:

  • It’s easy to come across fake cowhide leather.
  • Exotic leather is expensive.

2. Snake Leather

Snake is an exotic leather that’s gaining popularity not just in making boots but also in wallets, belts, handbags and clothing. That’s because manufacturers use snakeskin from different snakes, notably python, rattlesnake and anaconda. To keep scales supple, you must regularly apply boot conditioner to this leather.

Pros:

  • Unique and complex patterns from various snakes.
  • It provides a tough finish, particularly in python skins.

Cons:

  • Require high standards of maintenance and care.
  • Skin can turn yellow with time.

3. Elephant Leather

Elephant leather is one of the rarest and the most valuable leather you’ll come across for a common reason: it’s hard to obtain. Regulations require that leather be obtained from elephants that have died of natural causes.

Pros:

  • Strong and scuff-proof.
  • Offers unique tanning options.
  • Durable and available in multiple variations.

Cons:

  • It’s the most difficult to obtain due to strict regulations.
  • Requires more care than regular cowhide leather cowboy boots.

4. Ostrich Leather

Ostrich leather is considered one of the most exotic leathers available. The extensive production process and the fact that there isn’t much skin on the ostrich make a special luxury product.

Pros:

  • Comes with unique designs and patterns obtained from various parts of the animal.
  • Durable, comfortable and breathable due to its softness.
  • Natural oils prevent cracking.

Cons:

  • There isn’t much skin.
  • Expensive and rare.
  • Requires extensive production.

5. Caiman and Alligator Leather

Alligators and caimans are both crocodilians. Their skins are used to manufacture classic leather that you see in some of the most durable and elegant leather products in the world today. The most critical part is the caiman belly due to its unique qualities.

Pros:

  • Soft and supple, making it the best for fine cowboy boots.
  • Produces cowboy boots that are considered best for wearing in formal events.
  • It has a rich, deep, and unique color and tile pattern.

Cons:

  • It’s among the most expensive leather.
  • Require extra care to prevent cracking.

Get Your Dream Leather Boots Today!

If you’re looking for a pair of boots to add to your collection, Acadian Leather is the place to go. We’ve been in business since 1993, specializing in leather products such as boots, shoes, belts, and wallets. Give us a call today to explore our extensive inventory.

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