Cowboy boots are gussying up feet this season: Hit the trail to find the best selection

Here at NWsource, we have cowboy boots on the brain. We wrote about Western-inspired wear in our fall trends article, and we followed that up with an article about two local shops -- Insurrection and Horseshoe -- that sell superbly restored vintage boots.

Our obsession next led us in search of spankin'-new cowboy boots, and we discovered that you might have to get out of Dodge -- er, Seattle -- to find them. Read on to learn about three local shops that'll have you pulling yourself up by your bootstraps in style.

J. Gilbert Footwear
I think the real reason cowgirls get the blues is that they can't afford the butter-soft cowboy boots from Lucchese Boot Company of El Paso, Texas. If your world and your wallet haven't been rattled by our mean-as-a-snake economy, and you have the means to shop at posh J. Gilbert Footwear in Belltown, then treat yourself to the gorgeous boots from the Lucchese Classics collection.

The hand-crafted boots (made in the United States) are going to set you back at least $600, and possibly much more. But they are phenomenally comfortable, will treat you right for years (possibly even decades) to come, and can even stand up -- with help from a good waterproofing product -- to Seattle's soggy streets.

Renton Western Wear
I grew up in Renton, but didn't set foot in this friendly, family-owned Western emporium until just a couple of years ago. Too bad, because I could have discovered their fantastic selection of cowboy boots decades ago.

Renton Western Wear also offers Lucchese boots, but stocks selections from the label's more affordable collections, 1883 by Lucchese and Charlie 1 Horse. You'll also find ropers, exotics (boots made from lizard or ostrich skin), Western and slouch boots from Ariat, Resistol Ranch, Durango and Tony Lama. Boots at RWW will cost you a much more palatable $100 to about $500.

Stoney Creek Outfitters
There's just something right about buying cowboy boots in a town where you can still find cows. Stoney Creek Outfitters takes up a good portion of a strip mall in downtown Monroe, made easier to spot by the horse statue (no sitting, please) out front.

Stoney's Creek's staff is welcoming and helpful -- even to picky cityslickers more interested in form than function. The spacious store carries colorful, square-toed boots from Justin, a full repertoire of "babies" from Ariat (Fat Baby, Pro Baby, Doll Baby and Gem Baby), exotics from Lucchese and lace-ups and ropers from Heritage. Prices are about the same as at Renton Western Wear.

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