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Cowboy Boots

Messages
11,131
Location
Alabama
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Messages
11,131
Location
Alabama
I have always been curious about packers but never really interested, even to try on or look at closely when some nice ones could be found on the boot shelves at western stores at another time. Tony Lama has some beautiful examples and Justin put some out as well, and I’m not talking about the 6” flat heeled no arch lace up ropers.

A pair of Tony Lama packers and a conversation with a friend about them led to the Hathorns pictured. Anything like that ever happen to you guys? Anyway, that all started weeks ago and these made it in Friday. I don’t know anything about these other than I believe they are a division of White’s boots. A lower tier, I guess. I know nothing of Whites other than looking online and their reputation as a premier builder of logging, woodland firefighting boots and similar styles. I’ve seen a few Hathorns and White’s posted in the work boot thread.

These are made with a HEAVY oil tan leather, 10” tall with a 2” heel. Oil proof Vibram sole over a full leather sole. Well formed arch support secured with stitching and heavy nailing. Unlined and weigh 5 pounds 4 ounces. By far the heaviest boots I own or have ever held. I don’t have a pair of pull on cowboy boots that come within 18-20 ounces of these and my pair of Danner Ft. Lewis Go Devil boots with the full Vibram lug sole are a pound less.
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Woodtroll

One Too Many
Messages
1,211
Location
Mtns. of SW Virginia
I have always been curious about packers but never really interested, even to try on or look at closely when some nice ones could be found on the boot shelves at western stores at another time. Tony Lama has some beautiful examples and Justin put some out as well, and I’m not talking about the 6” flat heeled no arch lace up ropers.

A pair of Tony Lama packers and a conversation with a friend about them led to the Hathorns pictured. Anything like that ever happen to you guys? Anyway, that all started weeks ago and these made it in Friday. I don’t know anything about these other than I believe they are a division of White’s boots. A lower tier, I guess. I know nothing of Whites other than looking online and their reputation as a premier builder of logging, woodland firefighting boots and similar styles. I’ve seen a few Hathorns and White’s posted in the work boot thread.

These are made with a HEAVY oil tan leather, 10” tall with a 2” heel. Oil proof Vibram sole over a full leather sole. Well formed arch support secured with stitching and heavy nailing. Unlined and weigh 5 pounds 4 ounces. By far the heaviest boots I own or have ever held. I don’t have a pair of pull on cowboy boots that come within 18-20 ounces of these and my pair of Danner Ft. Lewis Go Devil boots with the full Vibram lug sole are a pound less.
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Packers are my only "cowboy" boots; I can't wear pull-ons any more because I crushed my right leg years ago and now my foot and ankle swell into the loose spots of the boot and I can't get them off. :( The lace-up packers and over-the-calf boot socks keep the swelling controlled. But I sure do enjoy seeing all the nice pull-on boots y'all post!

I have a pair of Hathorns just like those you posted, Bama, and a couple of pair of White's packers as well. The Hathorns are indeed made by White's, using a slightly different construction technique, but they are a very good value and a solid boot. I can't tell much difference between my pair of Hathorns and my two pair of White's packers, except that the White's both seem slightly heavier than the Hathorns. When I'm not wearing my "work" boots, I'm usually wearing one of these packers or a "Stockman" that is built almost identically but with a slightly lower heel. The custom fitting service, arch support, and overall construction of White's boots make them worth the money to someone who lives on their feet.

Thanks for posting, and making me feel "included"! ;):D
 
Last edited:
Messages
13,627
Location
down south
I have always been curious about packers but never really interested, even to try on or look at closely when some nice ones could be found on the boot shelves at western stores at another time. Tony Lama has some beautiful examples and Justin put some out as well, and I’m not talking about the 6” flat heeled no arch lace up ropers.

A pair of Tony Lama packers and a conversation with a friend about them led to the Hathorns pictured. Anything like that ever happen to you guys? Anyway, that all started weeks ago and these made it in Friday. I don’t know anything about these other than I believe they are a division of White’s boots. A lower tier, I guess. I know nothing of Whites other than looking online and their reputation as a premier builder of logging, woodland firefighting boots and similar styles. I’ve seen a few Hathorns and White’s posted in the work boot thread.

These are made with a HEAVY oil tan leather, 10” tall with a 2” heel. Oil proof Vibram sole over a full leather sole. Well formed arch support secured with stitching and heavy nailing. Unlined and weigh 5 pounds 4 ounces. By far the heaviest boots I own or have ever held. I don’t have a pair of pull on cowboy boots that come within 18-20 ounces of these and my pair of Danner Ft. Lewis Go Devil boots with the full Vibram lug sole are a pound less.
View attachment 228920 View attachment 228921 View attachment 228922 View attachment 228923 View attachment 228924
Those are some good looking boots, Cuz.....and some serious equipment. I have a pair of Hathorn loggers and they are built like a locomotive. Damn near heavy as one , too. You could survive Armageddon in those boots.....or at least your feet would.

You are correct that they are a sub-line of White's. Their "off the shelf" brand is how I think they call them. They are their mass produced boots.

If yours are made like mine, they have a rolled leather shank as opposed to a steel one. That has something to do with making them more fire-proof. Either way, those boots will last you the rest of your life and then some. Nice catch!
 
Messages
11,131
Location
Alabama
Packers are my only "cowboy" boots; I can't wear pull-ons any more because I crushed my right leg years ago and now my foot and ankle swell into the loose spots of the boot and I can't get them off. :( The lace-up packers and over-the-calf boot socks keep the swelling controlled. But I sure do enjoy seeing all the nice pull-on boots y'all post!

I have a pair of Hathorns just like those you posted, Bama, and a couple of pair of White's packers as well. The Hathorns are indeed made by White's, using a slightly different construction technique, but they are a very good value and a solid boot. I can't tell much difference between my pair of Hathorns and my two pair of White's packers, except that the White's both seem slightly heavier than the Hathorns. When I'm not wearing my "work" boots, I'm usually wearing one of these packers or a "Stockman" that is built almost identically but with a slightly lower heel.

Thanks for posting, and making me feel "included"! ;):D

WT, thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge about these. Helps my feelings about the purchase.

Those are some good looking boots, Cuz.....and some serious equipment. I have a pair of Hathorn loggers and they are built like a locomotive. Damn near heavy as one , too. You could survive Armageddon in those boots.....or at least your feet would.

You are correct that they are a sub-line of White's. Their "off the shelf" brand is how I think they call them. They are their mass produced boots.

If yours are made like mine, they have a rolled leather shank as opposed to a steel one. That has something to do with making them more fire-proof. Either way, those boots will last you the rest of your life and then some. Nice catch!

Thanks, Cuz. Locomotive or any other heavily built metaphor you want to use. I think I have read somewhere about the rolled leather shank. I’d like to know more about that process. I believe these could stand in oxbow stirrups all day.

Hope you and yours are faring well in B’ham. I’ve been keeping up with the numbers down there and thinking of you. We’re all fine up here other than cabin fever and I think I finished Netflix.

Hope Montgomery doesn’t bow too early to the pressure.
 
Messages
13,627
Location
down south
Thanks, Cuz. Locomotive or any other heavily built metaphor you want to use. I think I have read somewhere about the rolled leather shank. I’d like to know more about that process. I believe these could stand in oxbow stirrups all day.

Hope you and yours are faring well in B’ham. I’ve been keeping up with the numbers down there and thinking of you. We’re all fine up here other than cabin fever and I think I finished Netflix.

Hope Montgomery doesn’t bow too early to the pressure.

Thanks Cuz. Everybody's healthy at my house so far. Hope it stays that way. I'm pretty sure the writing is on the,wall for Montgomery. I really hope there's more folks with sense than without and that the situation will continue to improve regardless....but I ain't holding my breath. All I can do is continue to look out for me and my own. You do the same. We'll get together for a few when things get back to normal.
 

Terminator

Familiar Face
Messages
98
G’day all. I’m going through a phase of really wanting some peewees, I’m a 10D so if anyone is looking to part with a pair or has any good leads please let me know. I understand from reading through this thread (some beautiful examples here, by the way) that I’m probably looking for 10.5 up to even 11.5 in vintage Acmes. Many thanks.
 

Terminator

Familiar Face
Messages
98
Another question for the experts, if that’s ok? Are all RRL cowboy/western boots made by Rios of Mercedes? Is there an easy way to identify this? These ones have a different sole to ones which I know for certain were made by Rios, but they have have the same markings inside as other second hand ones which I have seen “sold” as being by Rios. Any intel is greatly appreciated!

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Messages
11,131
Location
Alabama
Another question for the experts, if that’s ok? Are all RRL cowboy/western boots made by Rios of Mercedes? Is there an easy way to identify this? These ones have a different sole to ones which I know for certain were made by Rios, but they have have the same markings inside as other second hand ones which I have seen “sold” as being by Rios. Any intel is greatly appreciated!

Not all RRL boots are/were made by Rios. They offered some a few years ago that were made in Italy. I picked up a pair of NOS RRL boots a few years ago and though they were never verified as Rios boots, looking at the stance of the boot, pegging and the toe bug, they appeared to be Rios and conversations with others familiar with RRL and Rios indicted the same. The toe bug on your boots looks like what Rios uses. Here’s an image I pulled off of the bay and every pair I looked at with a toe bug had the same style.
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Terminator

Familiar Face
Messages
98
Thank you Bama, that’s extremely helpful! I suppose I should have asked whether all USA made RRL western boots are made by Rios, as I would realize that made in Italy ones are something else altogether. Many thanks for taking the time to reply, I appreciate it!
 

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