Your bull riding apparel is more than a piece of fabric. It protects your body against harsh rodeo conditions and defines who you are as a rider.
So, when shopping for bull riding clothes, you want the perfect intersection of style, comfort, and durability. Unfortunately, modern manufacturing processes make finding reliable brands that hold up to rodeo conditions near impossible.
If you're looking to cultivate a bull riding style that is built to last and look good, you've come to the right article. Read along to find out where you can get the best bull riding apparel.
History of Bull Riding Apparel
You're not ready to cultivate your own bull riding style until you understand the history of bull riding apparel. As long as the sport has been around, riders have been dressing the part.
The first professional rodeo was held in Prescott, Arizona in 1888. By that time, cowboys had been wearing their best clothes for quite some time, creating a distinct style even outsiders could recognize. Cowboys wore what they called chaps. These pants made from leather or rawhide got decorated with fringe and silver conchos that jingled when they walked and rode.
Today's bull riders wear similar clothing, although it is now much more advanced than it used to be. While the chaps have remained despite experts suggesting they do not help for safety, modern innovation paved the way for actual safety developments.
For example, many modern bull riders like to add spikes to their hats and boots so they can stick into a bull's back if necessary. These innovations help riders stay on the bull longer, protecting riders from getting trampled.
Modern riders also must wear protective vests. While traditional bull riding vests were beautifully handcrafted with leather, modern vests offer more protection. Their padding is essential in preventing broken ribs or injuries if the rider gets stepped on.
Other riders choose to forgo the hat as an option and instead choose to wear a helmet. Helmets are more protective than hats but lack that cowboy flair that many riders wish to achieve.
How To Create A Winning Look
A winning bull riding style starts with the basics. Be sure to have your spurs, chaps, gloves, and vest in order before you even think about picking out a ranch shirt or hat. These essential pieces focus on a vital aspect of pro bull riding apparel- safety.
Pro bull riding looks fun, but it is a dangerous sport. Not only does the PBR mandate their riders to wear the protective vest and chaps, but you should also consider other safety gear as a part of your kit.
Some items we recommend are thick gloves and proper footwear. Once you’ve got these items down, it’s time to start thinking about how to integrate style into your pro bull riding look.
Selecting a Shirt
While the rodeo is all about tradition, there are some modern trends that can really take your look from good to great. Start by selecting a durable shirt. While there are many different types of shirts that you can wear for bull riding, one of our favorites is a short-sleeve button-up shirt.
Since bull riders need their arms free in order to hold on, they usually don’t want anything too long or loose. Button-up shirts allow you to keep your shirt secure while still giving you a full range of motion. But, if the button-up doesn't suit your style, you can also kick it back casual style with a durable long-sleeve ranch shirt from YNOT.
Add a Bandana, Hat, or Helmet
If you're looking for a hat to help complete your pro bull riding style, we recommend going with something simple like an American flag bandana or a trucker hat. Trucker hats have been popular among professional bull riders since they were first introduced by legendary cowboy Dale Brumley back in 1989. They've been worn by top names such as Ty Murray, Tuff Hedeman, and most recently Cody Lambert.
Of course, you may also opt for a more traditional look. Cowboy hats are quite popular among professional bull riders and never go out of style in western fashion. If you’re going to wear cowboy hats while riding bulls, it’s important to make sure they fit properly so that they don’t fall off your head mid-ride.
Don't Forget the Boots
One of the most important pieces of bull riding gear is your boots. Bull riding boots come in many styles, though riders often wear traditional leather cowboy boots. Remember to break in your boots before hitting the rodeo to avoid painful sores and blisters.
When it comes to cowboy boots, there’s no such thing as too much breaking-in time—that’s because a good pair of boots will last you years and years if they’re properly cared for. So if you want your new pair of PBR bull riding apparel to last, be sure to wear them around before taking them out on the range.
Finish Strong With a Belt Buckle
Finally, if you want something flashy and eye-catching for an event like The National Finals Rodeo, consider going with a colored belt buckle instead of just black or silver. This will give off more of an event-ready vibe than just being another cowboy in traditional gear.
Colorful buckles and bold designs are also a fun way to show off your personality. Don’t be afraid to add some color or personality to your look!
Choosing The Best Colors
Colors impact your persona as a bull rider in a few ways. First, they show off your personal style. Color psychology suggests that different colors communicate different things to other people.
For example, people associate red with passion and intensity. But, purple may communicate royalty or luxury. Think about what you want the audience to perceive as you select your colors.
The colors you choose also set you apart from other riders. Bold color choices or mono-color outfits will draw attention to your style. If you’re looking for a way to stand out from other riders, you might want to choose an eye-catching color like red or orange.
Finally, color choice is necessary for safety reasons. Mild, neutral colors will make it hard to find you in the dust if you fall and hurt yourself.
The most common colors for bull riding apparel are black and red. But that doesn’t mean you have to stick with those hues if you don’t want to. Try to stray away from brown and beige bull riding apparel.
What Accessories Will I Need?
While accessories aren't necessary for professional bull riding, many participants like to flaunt a little anyway. So, select your favorite accessories to have everything you need to wear your bull riding apparel with pride.
Don't forget a hat, belt buckle, and sunglasses. You will also need to get a good pair of boots that stand up to your rodeo activities.
If you're looking for a great deal on bull riding accessories, check out YNOT's selection of apparel and accessories. We have a massive selection of bull riding clothes for sale at affordable prices.
We also offer free shipping on US orders over $125, so you can save even more money when shopping with us. And if you don't see what you're looking for online, just contact us and we'll be happy to help find it for you!
Which Brands Should I Go For?
When selecting a bull riding apparel brand, always search for quality. Bull riding apparel brands often specialize in certain items. So, you will often need to shop at a few different stores to build your entire ensemble.
Where to Buy Bull-Riding Apparel and Hats
Some of our favorite brands include YNOT clothing and PBR. YNOT clothing is a ranch lifestyle clothing brand. We are known for our stylish designs and high-quality materials.
As one of the leading companies in rodeo fashion, we've been around since 2015 and have dressed some of the best riders in pro bull riding today.
YNOT specializes in t-shirts and trucker hats and offers a wide variety of styles that are perfect for men and women alike. If you’re looking to take your ride to another level, we recommend going with one of our super-durable shirts.
PBR is another one of the most well-known names in rodeo culture today. They’ve been around since 1992 and have dressed some of our favorite riders, including J.B. Mauney and Silvano Alves.
PBR offers a wide variety of clothing options, including shirts, hats, hoodies, and even socks. If you’re looking for something that stands out from your competitors, go with their graphic tees or custom embroidered hats.
Where to Buy Bull Riding Shoes
While many people would argue that cowboy boots are an essential part of a rodeo outfit, you can still find a great pair at many major retailers. Brands like Ariat, Justin, and Chippewa offer high-quality pairs for competitive prices. If you plan on riding bulls in competitions, we recommend going with more durable materials like Ariat’s Authentic Pro.
Where to Buy Safety Clothing
There are a few places to buy quality safety gear like chaps, vests, and even helmets. Most riders only wear chaps while they ride and will often wear a vest while they’re practicing. Because rodeo safety is of high importance, we recommend shopping at a local western apparel shop for these items, if possible. If you’re on a budget, YNOT Clothing has some great all-purpose vests that can be worn at any rodeo.
Where to Buy Bull Riding Accessories
In addition to apparel, you want to spice up your rodeo look with flashy belt buckles and other accessories. Some of our favorite places to buy these items include Zorrels, PBR, and YNOT Clothing. Each of these companies has a wide variety of different styles that will match any rider’s personality.
If you’re interested in getting started with these brands or others like them, be sure to check out some of our other articles on bull riding apparel.
Style Tips For Getting Your Bull Riding Clothes Right
Now that you have an idea of what gear you need and where to shop, you can try to build your rodeo ensemble. Before you hit up online stores like YNOT, consider these tips for finding bull riding clothes that are appropriate to your event.
If you're at a PBR event or in a country rodeo, there's no need to hide your animal prints and cowboy boots. If you want to wear those things but want to make sure they're accepted, we recommend bringing a friend who has been before and asking around.
People with first-hand experiences can help give you an idea of what is and is not acceptable apparel. But, as long as you don't go overboard with gaudy rhinestones, gold chains, and boots with heels, you should be fine!
For PRCA events (or at any other corporate rodeo), think more like a business professional. That means denim jeans instead of leather chaps and shirts instead of vests.
There are tons of options out there so take some time to shop around! If you're having trouble, try visiting the YNOT blog for style ideas and inspiration.
Shop YNOT For Pro Bull Riding Apparel
Start building your bull riding wardrobe at YNOT today. Our range of bull riding apparel styles for both men and women will make you look great without breaking the bank.
Shop our full collection of bull riding shirts, hats, and accessories to find what you need to take it all the way to a rodeo near you. For a limited time, check out our sale selection and take advantage of our great deals and closeout prices. Visit the YNOT shop today!