The boots most often listed as “on sale” are the ones that were overpriced at full retail. Real cowgirl boot deals exist, but they require knowing when brands actually discount and which retailers price honestly year-round.
I’ve bought seven pairs of cowgirl boots over five years and I’ve paid full retail exactly twice. The other five came from actual sales, outlet pricing, or secondhand purchases where the boots were barely worn. There is a system to finding real discounts in this category, and the biggest piece of it is understanding which brands mark things up in order to mark them down versus which brands price honestly. For the broader budget-pairing context, see Cowgirl Boots Cheap for where cheap pairs actually live. The Cowgirl Boots anchor covers the category. Here’s the sale-shopping playbook.
When cowgirl boots actually go on sale
The western boot sale calendar is more predictable than people think:
Early spring (February-March)
Fall/winter boot clearance. This is when tall and heavy leather pairs see the deepest cuts — 40-60% off at major retailers, because the season has ended and inventory needs to move. Best time to buy tall or dark-leather pairs.
Late summer (July-August)
Summer styles (lighter colors, shorter shafts) go on clearance. Tan, cream, and short western boots often hit 30-50% off. Less deep than spring but more variety.
Black Friday / Cyber Monday
Every major brand runs sales. Ariat, Tecovas, Justin, Durango — all participate. Discounts are modest (15-25%) but apply to current-season inventory that isn’t otherwise discounted.
Rodeo season-end (varies by region)
Regional western retailers clear inventory after major rodeo events. If you’re near a real western retail market (Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona), this is when to shop locally.
Avoiding sale periods: Ariat and Tecovas almost never discount their most popular lines outside of these windows. If you want a Tecovas pair at 40% off, you’re usually waiting for an outlet sale or a once-a-year event.
Where to find honest cowgirl boot sales
Brand-direct outlets
Ariat, Justin, Durango, and Lucchese all run outlet stores (physical and online). Inventory is past-season or overstock, prices are legitimate discounts. Ariat’s outlet site runs 30-60% off most listings.
Boot Barn Clearance
Boot Barn’s clearance section carries genuine overstock at real discounts. The selection rotates fast.
Sheplers
Western retailer with a strong sale section. Prices are honest; discounts are real.
Nordstrom Rack
Carries western boots occasionally — Tecovas and other premium brands show up at 30-50% off retail.
6pm.com
Zappos’ clearance channel. Western boot section is smaller than their main selection but prices are legitimate.
Amazon
Amazon’s western boot section is a mixed bag — honest discounts on some brands (Ariat, Justin) and inflated “was/now” pricing on others. Cross-check any “sale” price against the brand’s own site.
Poshmark and Depop
Secondhand western boots are where the real bargains are. Premium pairs (Tecovas, Lucchese) sell for 30-60% of retail, often lightly worn or new-with-tags. Downside: size and color options are random. See Cowgirl Boots Cheap for more on secondhand.
Brands that don’t really “go on sale”
Some brands rarely discount:
- Tecovas: Direct-to-consumer pricing model. Occasional small seasonal sales but never deep discounts on current styles.
- Lucchese: Premium pricing holds. Outlet has limited selection.
- Miron Crosby, Fenoglio, custom bootmakers: Essentially never on sale.
If you want these brands at a discount, look secondhand or wait for specific seasonal clearance events.
Brands that go on sale constantly
Other brands run perpetual “sales” — which means the MSRP is inflated and the sale price is close to the honest retail:
- Most fashion-western labels (Matisse, Dolce Vita variations)
- Budget-oriented western brands at department stores
- Fast-fashion western (Forever 21, SHEIN western options — avoid these anyway)
When a brand’s boots are “always on sale,” compare the sale price against what Ariat or Justin charges for comparable construction. If the sale price still sits above Ariat’s full retail for a similar pair, the deal isn’t actually a deal.
How to spot a fake sale
Red flags:
- “Was/Now” pricing with no history — check CamelCamelCamel for Amazon or the brand’s direct-site price to verify the original price.
- Evergreen sales — if the “sale” price has been the same for six months, it’s just the regular price.
- Unfamiliar brand names with huge discounts — 80% off a brand you’ve never heard of usually means a low-quality import.
- Counterfeit concerns — deeply-discounted Lucchese or Tecovas from unverified sellers on Amazon are worth investigating before purchase. Real brand outlets list the seller as the brand itself.
My best-ever cowgirl boot deal
A pair of Ariat Heritage Ropers in distressed brown from Ariat’s outlet site, end-of-season, 55% off retail. They were last-year’s color but brand-new, shipped from the brand directly, full warranty. Four years later they’re my most-worn pair. Total outlay: $89 versus the $199 retail. That’s the model for real deal-hunting in this category — brand outlets, past-season but new, deep off-season discounts.
The verdict
Real cowgirl boot sales exist but require patience and source-checking. Shop brand outlets (Ariat’s is best) rather than “on sale” listings at general retailers. Secondhand via Poshmark captures premium pairs at 30-60% off retail. Avoid fashion-western “perpetual sale” brands — their sale prices aren’t competitive with honest retail from Ariat or Justin. The best single move for sale-shopping is signing up for brand newsletters from Ariat, Tecovas, and Lucchese — actual sales go to subscribers first. Browse Cowgirl Boots On Sale Women on Amazon or check Cowgirl Boots on Poshmark for secondhand options.
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FAQ
When is the best time to buy cowgirl boots on sale?
Early spring (February-March) for fall/winter styles, late summer (July-August) for spring/summer colors. Black Friday for modest discounts across current inventory.
Does Ariat ever go on sale?
Yes — Ariat runs an outlet site with genuine discounts, plus occasional full-site sales during major holidays. Current-season bestsellers rarely discount.
Where can I find real Lucchese sales?
Lucchese’s outlet store (physical locations and online) is the legitimate source. Avoid deeply-discounted Lucchese on general marketplaces without verifying the seller.
Are secondhand cowgirl boots a good deal?
Often yes. Poshmark and Depop carry premium pairs at 30-60% off retail, frequently barely-worn. Check fit carefully since returns are harder.
