Ariat is an American brand and Ariat boots are known globally, especially in the equine industry. Not only do they have riding boots but they also have work boots, clothing, and accessories. Men, women, and children definitely have a lot of options if they want to buy Ariat products. As an American company, you might think that their products are made in the United States.
Not all Ariat boots are actually made in the United States. Ariat boots are designed and developed in the U.S., but they are manufactured in different countries such as China, Mexico, Italy, and sometimes Vietnam.
If Ariat boots are not made in the U.S., you might wonder if they are still high-quality boots. Well, we definitely have an answer to that. We have looked up why Ariat does not make their products in the U.S. and we will tell you if they are still worth buying. Read to find out!
What Is Ariat?
Ariat was founded by Beth Cross and Pam Parker in 1993 with its headquarters being located in Union City, California.
They started out as a boot company and was even founded as “The New Breed of Boot”. They have since expanded into a brand that sells clothing, accessories, and different kinds of footwear for every job.
Ariat takes pride in its athletic footwear technology that is used in equestrian athletes’ boots. The company continues to build innovative products for its customers. Not only do they have riding boots, but they have products for different types of outdoor and work environments.
Ariat’s commitment to its craft is tied to its company values which are “a commitment to innovation, quality, integrity, teamwork, and respect”. As a big company, Ariat has also been keeping up with its environmental responsibilities by having sustainable products.
Why Is It Called Ariat?
The name Ariat was inspired by the legendary racehorse named Secretariat. Secretariat was an American Thoroughbred racehorse with a chestnut coat who won the Triple Crown in 1973.
Ariat was inspired by Secretariat’s athleticism and non-competitive spirit, that’s why they chose to name their brand after the legendary stallion.
Where Are Ariat Boots Made
As an American company, you would think that their products are made in the United States. Well, you would probably be surprised to know that not all of Ariat’s boots are made in the U.S.
While their boot design department is located in the U.S., they mostly manufacture their boots in Mexico, China, Italy, and sometimes in Vietnam.
If you look at Ariat’s website, they do say that they have designed and developed their products in the United States. But, Ariat does not specifically say on their website where exactly their products are manufactured. They just stated that their products are “manufactured around the world” [1].
If you’ve ever come across an Ariat boot, some of the tags will say that they were made in China, and some in Mexico. Amazon reviews have also stated that they were surprised that the boots were not made in the USA but in China.
Many large footwear companies do outsource their production of shoes and that also seems to be the case with Ariat. Tony Lama and Justin are among some of the brands that do outsourcing. Outsourced labor is often cheaper which is why companies prefer to outsource than manufacture their products locally.
But, Ariat does have boots that are made in the U.S. – this is the Ariat Two24 line.
If Ariat boots are made elsewhere, does it mean they are of bad quality?
Are Ariat Boots Good Quality?
Ariat is committed to providing its customers with high-quality products. Their boots are not only popular in the equine industry, but also in other work environments as well. Ariat boots are made with high-quality leather that provides comfort and durability to their wearer.
Products that are made in China always get a bad rep.
American products not made in the United States do not mean they are of bad quality. Just like not all products that are made in China are bad. While you can find some faulty items that are made in China, there are manufacturing companies that still produce high-quality products.
So, while most Ariat boots are made in countries such as China, Mexico, Italy, and Vietnam, their boots and other products are still considered high-quality by a lot of people.
Do Ariat Boots Have A Lifetime Warranty?
Ariat does not offer a lifetime warranty but, they do offer 12 months of warranty for all of their products.
Keep in mind that the warranty only extends to products that have manufacturing defects. Damage due to unauthorized repairs, wear and tear, misuse, accident, or modification does not apply to their warranty policy.
If your Ariat boots are defective, you can send an email to their customer service regarding your concern. If you want to know more about Ariat’s warranty policy, you can go to their website.
Where To Buy Ariat Boots
You can order Ariat boots directly on their website. They offer expedited shipping depending on your shipping address. According to Ariat, expedited orders that are placed before 8 AM EST from Mondays thru Fridays will be shipped the same day.
Aside from ordering online, you can find Ariat brand stores in Tennessee, Texas, Kentucky, Florida, California, Utah, and Arizona. You can also check if there are Ariat-authorized retailers in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Long Do Ariat Boots Last?
Ariat boots were made to be durable but, of course, their lifespan will depend on how often they are used. If you wear your boots every day, they will wear down quickly. Ariat boots can last for many years with proper care.
How Do You Break In A New Pair Of Ariat Boots?
Wearing the boots regularly is the easiest way to break them in. You can break your Ariat boots within days or weeks depending on how often you use them.
Another way to break in Ariat boots is to wear two pairs of socks to help stretch the boots out. However, this is not advisable if it causes you discomfort from wearing two pairs of socks in your boots.
If you have a boot tree, you can put your boots in it and use a hair dryer to carefully heat up the boots. You can apply the lowest heat setting at three-second intervals.
Important: Do not let the boots get too hot as they will be damaged.
Are Ariat Boots Worth The Money
For a footwear company that has been making boots for decades, we’d say yes.
Ariat boots are often used for English and Western horseback riding. They are also in partnership with different organizations such as the United States Equestrian Federation and the Professional Bull Riders (PBR). Ariat boots have also been used by many rodeo athletes so you can be sure of their quality.
Is Ariat A Cowboy Boots Brand?
Ariat is a popular footwear company for English and Western horseback riding. They do have cowboy boots, but they also cater to different industries with their safety work boots, casual shoes, and other products such as clothing and accessories.
Are Ariat Boots Good For Your Feet?
Ariat boots offer decent arch support but, at the end of the day, it will still be your own personal preference whether their boots are good for you. It may be good for others and not for you or vice versa.
Conclusion
Although Ariat boots are mostly made in China and other countries, we can say that their boots are still of high quality. Outsourced products get a bad rep, but not all outsourced labor has a bad output. It will still depend on whether a company decides to use high-quality materials vs cheaper ones.
As long as Ariat produces high-quality products, you can be sure that you are getting your money’s worth.
