Ariat Sustainability: Responsible Leather Sourcing, Boot Repair, and Resale

Since our founding, we've made it a priority to understand the environmental impact of our business and put in place initiatives that allow us to operate more sustainably. It's how we protect the planet we love so much, so we can all keep enjoying it for years to come.

How Does Ariat Approach Sustainability Across a Product's Life?

Three programs sit at the center of that work, each with its own job. We source the majority of our leather through the Leather Working Group, who shape responsible leather sourcing and set manufacturing standards from the start. We partner with NuShoe to repair and refurbish eligible boots to extend their useful life. While Reboot allows our community to buy and sell pre-owned gear. It's not one program or one fix. It's a handful of decisions, made across every part of the business, that add up to boots and gear built to be worn for years, not thrown away in a season.

How Ariat Approaches Responsible Leather Sourcing

Sustainability at Ariat starts before a boot is ever built. Leather production is resource-intensive, and how a tannery manages its water, chemicals, and waste has a real impact on the communities and land around it, which is why the standards a supplier follows matter as much as the leather itself. Membership in the Leather Working Group isn't symbolic, it’s core to our business. It means every tannery we partner with is measured against a detailed protocol covering water use, chemical management, waste handling, and traceability, and it means we're accountable to that standard, not just to our own internal goals.

We're committed to sourcing our leathers responsibly, partnering with Leather Working Group-certified tanneries for the majority of our products, and working with all of our suppliers to improve their environmental stewardship. 

Those aren't just standards on paper. They show up in the boots on our shelves right now: 

It's the same philosophy that carries through the rest of a boot's life, long after it leaves our warehouse, which is where NuShoe and Reboot come in.

Built to Last, Not to Landfill: Extend the Life of Your Boots With NuShoe

Our boots are made to be worn in, not worn out. But even the best-loved pair can use a little help staying on the trail. That's why we built our Resole, Restore, Rewear program in partnership with NuShoe, For 25 years, their cobblers have been doing everything by hand, using authentic Ariat materials whenever possible, to bring worn boots back to life rather than sending them to the landfill.

The benefit is straightforward: a full restoration through NuShoe costs a fraction of a new pair, and it means the boot you've already broken in, the one that fits exactly right, gets to keep going instead of getting replaced. It's sustainability at its core.

What Ariat Boot Repairs Does NuShoe Offer?

Depending on availability and the product, NuShoe makes repairs for work, equestrian, and western boots:

• Sole replacement
• Re-stitching
• Insole replacement
• Zipper replacement
• Lace replacement
• Cleaning, conditioning, and polishing

Repair availability depends on the boot, and NuShoe uses authentic Ariat materials whenever possible.

What actually gets restored (and why it matters)

Restitching isn't just cosmetic. The stitching along a boot's welt is what holds the sole to the upper, so when it wears through, water and debris can work their way in and the sole can start to separate. Re-stitching seals that seam back up, giving the boot the same structural integrity it had on day one, which means another few years of wear instead of a trip to the trash.

The repair packages differ depending on what you're wearing:

• Western boots typically get a new sole, insole, re-stitching, and a full clean, condition, and polish.
• Equestrian tall boots and paddock boots are treated more delicately, since the leather and construction are more refined; repairs often focus on soles, zippers, and conditioning rather than heavier resoling work.
• Work boots get the toughest treatment: replacement soles built for durability, re-stitching, and hardware repair, since these are the boots put through the most wear.

How Does Ariat Boot Repair Work?

The process is easy:

1. Fill out the order form. Choose your repair package and boot type, and you'll get a prepaid shipping label.
2. Mail in your boots. Pack them up and send them to NuShoe using that label. No need to box up anything else.
3. Wait three to four weeks. This is where the hands-on work happens: NuShoe's cobblers inspect, repair, and rebuild each pair by hand, then clean and condition the leather before shipping them back to you looking (and fitting) like new.

Repair packages generally range from $80 to $165, depending on the type of boot and the repair needed.

Customers who've used the Resole, Restore, Rewear program couldn’t be happier:

“.. I just want to say THANK YOU! My boots are good as new! I love those boots and missed them. I see now they were in great hands. thank you for a great job well done. Also such great customer service. I so much appreciate you handling my project with care. I really appreciate all you have done!..” - Ariat 

If you have a pair of Ariat boots you’d like repaired, you can start the process here.

Giving Pre-Owned Gear Another Life With Ariat ReBoot

Not every boot needs to stay in the same closet forever. With Ariat Reboot, our peer-to-peer resale marketplace, you can buy and sell pre-loved Ariat clothing and boots, all vetted before they’re listed. Keeping great gear out of landfills and getting it back on someone's feet. ReBoot spans men's, women's, and kids' footwear and apparel, so it's not limited to boots alone.

How to Sell Pre-Owned Ariat Gear on ReBoot

1. Select the Ariat item you'd like to sell.
2. Provide information about its condition.
3. Upload photos and create the listing.
4. Ship the item once it sells.
5. Receive payment.

When you resell an item through Reboot, you're not just making a sale. You're connecting it with someone who'll get every last bit of adventure out of it, made to live on well beyond its first home.

If you have a pre-loved pair of ariat boots, feel free to check out how to sell them back here.

How to Shop on Ariat ReBoot

Shoppers can browse pre-loved Ariat boots, footwear, and apparel for men, women, and kids, with each listing vetted for quality before it goes up. It's especially useful for styles that have been discontinued or are hard to find in your size, since ReBoot's inventory comes from other owners' closets rather than a single production run.

Shop Ariat ReBoot 

How You Can Get Involved

Caring for the outdoors is a team effort, and there are a few easy ways to join in:

1. Be considerate with your purchases. Buy high-quality products and take care of them so they last many years instead of ending up in a landfill.
2. Rehome gently used or unworn items. If you're ready to part with something in your closet, give it a second life through Reboot rather than throwing it away.
3. Responsibly dispose of well-loved pieces. If your boots or apparel have truly reached the end of the road, look into local recycling programs before sending them to the trash.

None of this works without the people who wear our boots every day. Every pair built with Leather Working Group–certified leather, restored through NuShoe, resold through Reboot, or recycled through our denim program reflects the same commitment. We value the land on which we work, live, and play, and this is how we keep taking care of it, one pair at a time.

Ariat Sustainabilty FAQs

How can I repair my Ariat boots?

Many Ariat Work, Western, and Equestrian boots can be repaired through our partnership with NuShoe, though repairability depends on the specific boot. You can send NuShoe a photo of your boots before purchasing a repair package to find out whether your pair qualifies.

Can you buy used Ariat boots? 

Yes. Ariat ReBoot allows customers to shop pre-owned Ariat products sold by other customers, including boots, footwear, and apparel for men, women, and kids.

What is the Leather Working Group? 

The Leather Working Group is an international nonprofit that sets environmental standards for the leather manufacturing industry, covering areas like water use, chemical management, and traceability. Ariat is a member and partners with Leather Working Group–certified tanneries for the majority of its leather products.

How can I extend the life of my Ariat boots? 

Regular care goes a long way between repairs. Follow our guide to cleaning and conditioning cowboy boots to keep the leather in good shape after every wear. We also offer an Expert Care Guide on how to clean suede boots and riding boots. When a pair needs more than a clean and condition, like a new sole or re-stitching, our NuShoe repair program can bring it back to like-new condition instead of needing to be replaced.