When I first got my Horse Power Top Hand suede boots (model 9500) about a year and a half ago, I was immediately impressed by how great they looked for the price. Fast forward to today, after clearing brush, wrestling stumps, and working to clear the area for a fencing project around the new house, I’ve had plenty of time to see how these boots hold up in the real world. Here’s everything I’ve learned.
How Do the Horse Power Top Hand 9500 Boots Look?
These boots just look right. The camel-colored suede paired with forest green tops and an orange and cream stitch pattern makes them stand out without screaming for attention. The cutter toe gives them a sleek, modern Western shape, and the suede develops a lived-in character over time that looks even better once it’s been worked in a bit.
Sure, suede attracts dirt, but I think that’s part of the charm. A roughout boot that shows a little wear tells a story and these clean up easily when you need them to.
How Do They Perform During Real Work?
I’ve worn these boots for lots of jobs and chores in all different kinds of weather from clearing brush to stacking hay. The hybrid outsole has been a game changer. It’s mostly leather but reinforced with a strip of rubber in the high-wear zone. That combo gives you solid grip and longer wear life while keeping the lightweight, flexible feel of a leather outsole.
They’re built with a Goodyear welt, so they can be resoled once you finally wear through that hybrid sole. The 1½-inch stacked leather heel has also held up beautifully even after muddy days and surprise snowfalls.
Are They Comfortable for Long Days?
Yes. With a few notes. The Top Hand line offers narrow, average, and wide widths, which helps you dial in your fit. Inside, they’ve got removable insoles that are decent but not top-tier. After a year and a half, mine are starting to show some fraying on the top fabric layer.
The fit runs a little big, so if you’re between sizes, I’d suggest sizing down half a size. I wear mine with Thorlos 12-hour work shift socks, which are cushioned enough to take up the extra space, a perfect combo for long hours on your feet.
How Does the Top Hand Line Compare to Other Horse Power Boots?
There’s a big difference between regular Horse Power boots and the Top Hand line. The Top Hands are better built. Closer to the quality of Anderson Bean boots, which makes sense since they’re all part of the same family of brands (Anderson Bean, Rios of Mercedes, Olathe, Horse Power, and Macie Bean).
Regular Horse Power boots cut a few corners, but Top Hand boots feel solid. They’re made in Mexico, with better materials and construction. Honestly, I like what Horse Power is doing with this line even more than Anderson Bean lately.
How’s the Value Compared to Other Brands?
For the money, these are hard to beat. At full price, they’re already competitive, but if you use my promo code “JeremiahCraig” at CarterBoots.com, you can knock 10% off, bringing them to around $270.
That’s about $70–$80 cheaper than a comparable Tecovas suede boot and those don’t have a hybrid outsole or as many width options. So you’re getting more boot for less money.
Would You Buy Them Again?
Absolutely. Between their durability, style, and comfort, these Horse Power Top Hand 9500s have proven themselves over the past year and a half. They’re the kind of boots that can handle hard work but still clean up nice for a night out.
In my Cutter Toe ranking video, these came in fourth overall, behind only Black Jack and a pair I made myself and that says a lot.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a western boot that balances craftsmanship, comfort, and cost, the Horse Power Top Hand 9500 is a solid pick. They look good, perform even better, and come from a family of bootmakers that knows what they’re doing.
You can grab them at carterboots.com, save 10% with code JeremiahCraig, and support a small business while you’re at it.
And if you want to see these boots in action, dirt, sweat, stumps, and all then check out the update video on my YouTube channel.