Ariat Vs Justin Boots – Who Wins the Duel?

Western boots are some of the most fashionable footwear styles you’ll encounter. Ariat and Justin manufacture stylish Western-style boots with high-performance features that can be maximized for leisure and professional use. These two brands offer superior-quality footwear options, using only high-grade materials, advanced technology, and tried-and-tested construction methods. They also manufacture clothing products such as shirts and jackets that perform just as well in different conditions. We’ve tested a few Western boots from both brands, and here are our observations regarding the qualities that make Ariat and Justin stand out among their competitors.

Ariat Vs Justin Work Boots – Evaluation

Comfort

Ariat and Justin are both dedicated to producing high-quality Western boots that perform well and are comfortable.

Ariat has 9 distinct technologies that focus on enhancing foot comfort – through special sole designs and materials – while improving overall performance on the job. Its entry-level comfort technology, dubbed 4LR (Four Layer Rebound) delivers superior cushioning and support without significantly increasing the boots’ weight. Meanwhile, Ariat’s more advanced technologies provide varying levels of comfort-enhancing qualities. These include shock absorption, moisture management, ergonomic flexibility, and temperature regulation.

Justin also uses exclusive technologies to keep its boots as comfortable as possible. Its signature J-Flex Flexible Comfort System features a padded insole and triple-density base, delivering remarkable comfort even with all-day boot use. Justin also uses stabilization technology to make moving easier for the foot to manage without sacrificing efficiency and comfort at work. Combining high-quality materials – such as premium leather and TPU in the outsole – results in Western boots that fight foot fatigue through long hours of staying upright.

Winner: Both brands do their best to produce comfortable Western boots, but Ariat edges out Justin in the comfort department. Ariat uses innovative technology to equip the boots with varying levels of comfort, which correspond to equally changing comfort requirements on the job.

Safety Features

Justin and Ariat have Western work boots with safety features for better protection in challenging work conditions.

Justin uses different safety toe cap materials to shield the toes against hazardous impact and compression. Styles may have steel, composite, nano-composite, or aluminum alloy toe caps that form barriers to keep the toes safe from being crushed. Electrical hazard protection increases the boots’ ability to protect against electric shock, while metatarsal guards protect the top of the foot from serious harm. Some Justin boots also have puncture-resistant midsoles that stop sharp objects from piercing the foot from the bottom. Justin has partnered with Vibram to create outsoles that are slip-resistant and long-lasting. However, it’s worth noting that the brand’s Western boots with leather outsoles have significantly weaker grip.

On the other hand, Ariat uses steel, carbon, and composite materials for the boots’ protective toe caps. Some Ariat work boots with Western styles also have electrical hazard-safe designs that minimize the threat of electrocution around open circuits. The brand also uses metatarsal guards incorporated in some boot styles to improve protection against compression risks in hazardous work areas. Penetration resistance is also featured in some of Ariat boots to shield the foot against serious puncture injuries when accidentally stepping on sharp objects. Ariat uses an exclusive Duratread compound for outsoles in certain models to deliver a strong grip for steadier steps on tricky surfaces. However, the ones with leather outsoles are less grippy.

Winner: Justin is on top in this category. This is because it offers more Western boots with safety features compared to Ariat which only has a few offerings with these enhancements for more demanding work settings.

Quality & Durability

Ariat and Justin use top-quality materials and construction procedures to build Western boots that perform well in different conditions.

Ariat uses leather that’s been rated Gold by the Leather Working Group. This rating signifies that the leather is sourced from tanneries that meet LWG’s standards for environmental friendliness. This ensures that the boots’ leather uppers are of the highest quality and have been prepared using eco-friendly practices. The outsoles are built with different materials that deliver varying comfort levels, flexibility, support, and traction. Combining high-quality materials and exclusive technologies results in outsoles that are made to last through demanding settings and activities. Ariat Western boots with Duratread outsoles have a high resistance to barnyard acids, which won’t easily degrade the sole structure.

Justin uses only the finest quality leather and other components to create tough yet comfortable to use Western boots. The company has expert boot makers who work on handcrafting the different boot styles, although some are now being built using machine technology. The signature J-Bar technology features leather strongly resistant to barnyard acids, ensuring that the boots won’t deteriorate when exposed to harsh chemicals often encountered in outdoor work environments. Meanwhile, an exclusive technology called Grip on Demand makes outsoles grippy on stirrups and wet surfaces. Justin’s partnership with Vibram created outsoles that specifically cater to outdoor leisure and work activities.

Winner: Ariat and Justin are both winners when it comes to quality and durability. They both use superior-quality materials and innovative methods to build high-performance Western boots that resist normal wear and tear over long periods.

Main Differences

Company Age/History

While both companies have strong roots in producing high-quality Western boots, the age of Ariat and Justin – and how they started as companies – differ.

Justin has a long tradition of making superior-quality Western boots. It was initially established as a boot repair business in 1879 by Herman Joseph Justin in Gainesville. Texas. He wanted to start a custom boot shop but didn’t have the funds to do so. Justin convinced the barbershop owner (where his business was located) that he can manufacture the world’s best boots, and he was eventually given the $35 he needed to jumpstart Justin Boots. The first designs had straightforward designs that were built with lasting strength. Justin then moved on to incorporating detailed stitching and other accents, getting more creative as his boots gained popularity even among celebrities. H.J. Justin was known for being the first to use rows of stitching to stiffen the leather at the top of boots, preventing it from collapsing to the ankle. His sons took over the company when he passed away in 1918, and the headquarters was moved to Fort Worth. This period also saw the company start using machine technology to produce high-quality boots in its factories.

Meanwhile, Ariat was founded more than a century later in 1993 by Pam Parker and Beth Cross, former classmates and employees of Reebok. They wanted to come up with riding boots that were more comfortable and performed better than conventional designs that were typically stiff and unwieldy. The company was named Ariat, taken from Secretariat, the legendary racehorse that won the Triple Crown in the 1973 Kentucky Derby, and whose heart was three times the size of an average thoroughbred. The founders eventually created the “New Breed of Boot”, and Ariat became the first company to integrate advanced footwear technology to make riding boots as comfortable as athletic footwear. Ariat is also part of the Leather Working Group, a non-profit organization dedicated to responsible leather sourcing.

Winner: Justin comes out on top when it comes to the length of time manufacturing top-notch Western boots. It’s been around for 144 years and continues to evolve by integrating advanced systems and technology into its products. Even if it’s much younger as a company, Ariat remains a formidable challenger in the Western boots industry.

Exclusive Technologies

Both brands utilize exclusive technologies to boost their Western boots’ comfort and overall performance.

Ariat has nine technologies offering varying comfort levels in different Western boot models. These systems are showcased in the soles’ construction, helping boots perform and feel better on the job. They deliver different comfort enhancements, including shock absorption, cushioning, rebound, stability, moisture and temperature management, flexibility, and arch support. Ariat also has its exclusive outsoles offering different levels of traction, resistance to various harsh substances, flexibility, and wear resistance in specific Western boot styles. These exclusive outsole designs impact not only the boots’ performance but also their appearance. Ariat also has waterproofing technologies called Waterproof PRO and DRYShield to keep the feet comfortable in wet conditions.

Justin also uses patented technology to boost the function and comfort of its Western boots. An exclusive Stabilization Technology features dual-density memory foam to keep the feet comfortable and in proper positions without compromising their ability to move naturally. The J-Bar technology reinforces Western boots with leather that resists barnyard acids, enabling the footwear to withstand exposure to harsh substances such as saturated lime, urine, and oleic acid. Justin’s Grip on Demand technology uses special design enhancements to boost the outsoles’ grip. Outsoles are built with grooves for a stronger hold on the stirrup when the boot flexes, while easily letting go of its grip once the sole is flattened. This design also strengthens the outsoles’ grip on slick surfaces.

Winner: While both brands use proprietary technologies on their Western boots, Ariat emerges as the winner. Ariat has more comfort technology systems working to deliver different levels of comfort and support, allowing specific models to better address the varying needs of wearers in equally variable work conditions. In addition, Ariat has proprietary technologies that make the boots waterproof for better performance and safety in wet environments.

Availability of Waterproof Options

Ariat has proprietary technologies for water resistance called Waterproof PRO and DRYShield. These technologies make the boots better equipped to keep the feet dry by sealing out liquids while in wet conditions. However, these are mostly used in work boots that don’t have Western styles. At the moment, (at the moment) Ariat only has three Western boot models that are waterproof.

Justin uses reliable construction methods and waterproof leather to prevent water and other wet elements from entering. The company doesn’t have an exclusive waterproofing system, but it offers a lot more waterproof Western boot styles (approximately 50 options) than Ariat. Some of Justin’s waterproof boots have a Dri-Lex cover as a barrier against moisture penetration.

Winner: Justin wins regarding the availability of waterproof options. It offers more product options for high-quality, waterproof Western boots addressing varying workplace needs.

Work Boot Varieties

Ariat and Justin are popular for their Western boots but also manufacture other boot styles.

Ariat has various Western boot styles with different features and accents. It offers many other boot style options, including Chelsea, chukka, moc-toe, hiking, athletic or sneaker silhouettes, and traditional lace-up work boots.

On the other hand, Justin focuses almost exclusively on Western boot styles. It has a few options for lace-up boot styles, including several in traditional work boot silhouettes and even fewer with moc-toe designs.

Winner: Ariat has considerably more varieties for work boot styles. The company offers more options catering to varying comfort and performance requirements on the job, with a wider variety of styles compared to Justin.

Who’s the Overall Winner?

Justin and Ariat are head-to-head in the Western boots category. They both manufacture top-notch products using only high-quality leather, and sturdy soles. The boots feature Western-style touches ranging from subtle stitching details to intricate, multi-colored accents catering to varying style preferences. Western boots made by Ariat and Justin are built to last long, using advanced technologies to deliver superior levels of comfort, support, protection, and overall performance that are crucial for work environments.

Recap

Choose Ariat boots if you:

• Want more style options to choose from
• Are looking for stylish yet durable Western boots
• Prefer comfortable Western boots with exclusive technologies

Go for Justin boots for:

• More options for Western boots with safety features
• A reliable brand with a long history of making top-quality Western boots
• A wider selection of waterproof Western boots

Personal Testing Experience

We’d like to share our experiences using two remarkable Western boots from Justin and Ariat. The Justin Stampede Driller Boot came with a tough-looking design that easily withstood more than normal wear and tear without easily falling apart. It had an ageless Western boot profile showcasing multi-colored stitching and a square, soft-toe profile. We happily discovered the boot’s comfort, thanks to gel cushioning on the heel and forefoot areas and a flexible insole structure. The boot’s thick outsole was exceptionally grippy, preventing slipping on slick surfaces. However, we don’t recommend it for hazardous environments because it doesn’t have waterproof materials or safety toes. Meanwhile, the Ariat Hybrid VentTEK Western Boot had an Energy Max insole that stopped foot fatigue on its tracks by providing a high level of rebound. The Goodyear Welt construction helped increase the boot’s resistance to liquid absorption, while a Duratread sole resisted the damaging effects of barnyard acids. We were impressed with the elaborate five-row stitch detail on the colored shaft that gave the boot a stylishly bold look. The heel was designed to soak up and diffuse the shock for longer hours of comfortable walking. However, this boot didn’t have waterproof components and was challenging to wear and remove.

Conclusion

Justin and Ariat are the most well-known and trusted brands for superior Western boots. Both brands maximize advanced technologies and the finest materials to craft long-lasting boots that keep the feet comfortable without compromising overall function. Ariat offers more work boot style varieties and uses exclusive technologies. On the other hand, Justin for Western boots with safety features and waterproofing. Both brands continue to produce stylish Western boots that can be relied on for leisure or work, depending on your chosen models.