As someone who loves rugged boot styles but also cares about quality and value, I was keen to review Alfa Western Wear‘s range of handmade cowboy boots and apparel. This Texas-based brand aims to embody the free-spirited nature of the American West with its bold designs made from premium leathers.
With over 100k Instagram followers and 400k Facebook likes, Alfa has earned its fair share of fans. But does their products live up to the hype? I ordered three pairs of their boots to find out.
Read on for my thorough hands-on review of Alfa Western Wear, including detailed feedback on:
- Boot construction and materials
- Style options for men and women
- Fit, comfort and sizing
- Shopping experience and customer service
- Prices and value
- How Alfa compares to other western wear brands
I‘ll help you decide if these cowboy-chic kicks are your next boot scootin‘ boogie!
Overview of Alfa Western Wear
Back in 2001, founders Al and Faizan Alim opened the first Alfa Western Wear store in Texas to sell American-made cowboy boots and apparel.
Today, the company operates five stores across the Lone Star State along with their ecommerce site that ships nationwide.
All Alfa‘s products are handcrafted by expert bootmakers and tanneries in the USA. They use premium exotic leathers like ostrich, alligator, python, and more.
Beyond the rich materials and quality construction, Alfa‘s boots pack plenty of Texas attitude. The square toes and intricate overlays ooze Wild West cowboy vibes in the best possible way.
Some key advantages of shopping Alfa Western Wear:
- Huge selection of unique cowboy boot styles
- Made in USA from high-end leathers
- Free shipping over $50 in the contiguous US
- Afterpay financing available
- Discount deals on the website
Next, let‘s get up close and personal with some of Alfa‘s most popular men‘s and women‘s western boots!
Alfa Men‘s Boots Review
I ordered the Rattlesnake Western Boots for men to get a feel for Alfa‘s exotic leatherwork and craftsmanship.
These specialized python cowboy boots immediately command attention with their bold patchwork of black and white scales. They have a definite "bad boy" edge while retaining classic western styling.
The exotic rattlesnake leather upper molds comfortably to the feet and ankles thanks to the softness and the rounded toe box.
Underneath, a leather welt and midsole provide flexibility. The outsoles have a defined heel and sufficient traction for walking or dancing the night away at your favorite honky tonk bar.
For rugged cowboy boots, they feel pleasingly lightweight at just 4 pounds per pair (Size 10).
In terms of quality, the hand-stitching and ornamental overlays reflect superb workmanship. The only downside is the rattlesnake leather lacks the rich suppleness of fine calfskin. But the exotic allure outweighs that issue.
Overall, Alfa‘s men‘s Rattlesnake Western Boots offer true-blue cowboy flair paired with durable construction. Just be prepared to pay a premium for these USA-made beauties at $450 per pair.
More Top Alfa Boots for Men
Beyond the rattlesnake style, I came across several other intriguing men‘s boots from Alfa:
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Alligator Cowboy Boots – Handcrafted from genuine American alligator hide in a fierce black hue. The mini diamond textured outsole provides reliable traction. $599
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Ostrich Leg Boots – Showcasing intricate leather quilting, these rich brown boots are built from genuine ostrich leg leather for a one-of-a-kind look. $349
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Shark Skin Boots – For boot connoisseurs, check out this avant-garde navy and ivory sharkskin leather pair with mosaic stitch accents. $499
I appreciate how Alfa pushes the boundaries of traditional cowboy boot styles with these exotic, artistic designs sure to get you noticed!
Next let‘s see how Alfa‘s women‘s western boots stack up.
Alfa Women‘s Boots Review
Channeling my inner cowgirl, I tried out the Gorgeous Floral Snip Toe Boots in dusty brown. One glance at the vibrant sunflower overlays and I felt a Natalie Maines vibe coming on!
The distressed brown leather has a worn-in look while feeling sturdy and substantial on the feet. The snip toe shape is flattering and comfortable for walking.
Under the flowers, patches of contrast white give the design extra dimension. Plus, the mid-height 16-inch shaft hugs the calves snugly without sagging.
Inside, a leather lining absorbs moisture and allows ample airflow. My feet stayed dry even on 90-degree days.
The double stitched welt gives these western boots added strength and structure. The slight heel felt stable while looking femme and a touch flirty!
For $250, the superb quality and eye-catching floral motif make Alfa’s Gorgeous Snip Toe Boots a fun investment piece for your cowboy couture wardrobe.
More Fab Finds: Alfa Women‘s Western Boots
Beyond the gorgeous floral pair, check out these other Alfa bestsellers for women:
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Ostrich Cowboy Boots – Striking chocolate and peach exotics leather in a classic square toe silhouette. Perforated wingtip overlays provide ventilation. $349
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Python Snip Toe – Sleek stone-gray genuine python leather boots with a rich sheen. Features vibrant turquoise stitching in a distinctive snip toe shape. $499
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Mad Cat Pointy Toe Boots – Walk on the wild side in these black heels made from wild "mad cat" haircalf leather. Trendy pointed toe profile. $350
Beyond chic cowboy boots, Alfa also sells women‘s western apparel like patchwork leather jackets, cowprint shirts and unique belt buckles hand-tooled by Mexican artisans.
So for anywhere from the ranch to the saloon, Alfa has stylish ladies covered!
Shopping Experience and Customer Service
Ordering through Alfa‘s website felt smooth and user-friendly. Their policy of free shipping over $50 to the lower 48 states is generous too.
My packages arrived within 5 business days of ordering. The boots came professionally packaged in their signature boxes with a thick layer of tissue. No damage during shipping either.
For returns or exchanges, you’ll need to contact Alfa’s customer service team directly. I emailed them a question about fit and heard back promptly within 24 hours. Their quick response left me confident they stand behind their products.
Scouring external review sites, I noticed some mixed feedback around shipping delays and quality concerns. But the majority of buyers described a positive experience overall.
Checking sites like TrustPilot and the Better Business Bureau, Alfa maintains a strong average rating despite some outliers. Their extensive social media following also speaks to satisfied brand devotees.
So while the occasional hiccup occurs, Alfa Western Wear remains a recommended source for authentic cowboy boots and apparel made in the USA.
Comparing Alfa Western Wear to Other Brands
In the western wear world, Alfa competes with heritage names like Justin Boots, Tony Lama, Ariat, and more. How do they stack up?
Alfa‘s main advantage is producing small-batch boots completely by hand rather than mass manufacturing. This results in more personalized, premium quality cowboys boots versus "factory line" styles.
They also offer far more exotic leathers and ornate overlays than traditional brands catering to working ranchers.
The downside is Alfa‘s inflated prices averaging over $300 per pair. Competitors like Justin and Ariat sell well-made leather boots from $179 to $600 for top-grain exotics.
Regarding fit and comfort, Alfa runs slightly narrow in the toe box (especially squared styles) while feeling soft and breathable. Justins have a wider profile but can feel overly stiff.
For slimmer feet or those wanting Lion King-worthy cowboy statement pieces, Alfa excels. Value-focused buyers should consider other western labels first, however.
Is Alfa Western Wear Worth the Costs?
In my opinion, Alfa‘s boots warrant their lofty price tags if exotic leathers and made-in-USA quality rank as priorities for you. The superior craftsmanship shines through.
For shoppers on tighter budgets though, better deals exist for more modest 100% leather cowboy boots from reputable brands. I wouldn‘t recommend cheap synthetic boots anywhere.
Ultimately, assessing your budget, foot shape, and personal style preferences will determine if Alfa Western Wear works for you. Discerning boot lovers and Texan fashionistas will find them a sound investment.
The Verdict: Who Should Buy Alfa Western Wear?
In summary, Alfa Western Wear hits the target for:
- Boot connoisseurs wanting exotic leather like rattlesnake, ostrich, stingray
- Shoppers who value quality construction and USA-made craftsmanship
- Cowgirls and cowboys wanting trend-forward western boots
- Slim or narrow feet suited to Alfa’s leaner toe box
- Texans keen to support an authentic homegrown brand
On the other hand, Alfa may disappoint folks wanting:
- Wide toe boxes (consider Justin or Tony Lama first)
- Deep sales or discounts
- A huge selection of work boots
While not the cheapest around, Alfa Western Wear brings serious cowboy swagger and originality worthy of its pricing. Their risky, artistic spirit injects excitement into the western wear scene. And that‘s something this born-and-bred Texan can get behind!
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