Best Western Boots in Montana: Atomic 79's Award-Winning Custom Craftsmanship in Dillon

Young Cooper traveled from Belgrade to Dillon for one thing: his first pair of boots from Atomic 79. It wasn't just any shopping trip - his entire family has gotten their first boots here, and Cooper insists on continuing the tradition.

Meanwhile, Tobin made the drive from Bakersfield, California, to pick up his brand-new Dusty Bartlett bronc saddle. He couldn't wait to give it a try.

These aren't unusual stories at Atomic 79 Boots & Western Gear. They're what happens when a Dillon Montana business becomes something more - a place where families create traditions, where craftsmen still build custom boots by hand, and where the right piece of western wear is worth a cross-country drive.

But these stories do help to explain why Atomic 79 has earned recognition as home to the best western boots in Montana - a reputation built on award-winning craftsmanship and genuine western hospitality.

From Ranch Hand to Master Craftsman

Dan Schwarz's journey began at age six learning the cowboy trade, an experience that led him from boot repair into custom bootmaking. When he and his daughter, Keni, decided to master the craft in 1998, they traveled from Billings to the legendary boot shops of Saint Jo, Texas, to study under master craftsman Carl Chappell.

Back in Dillon, their commitment to quality earned recognition at the prestigious Art of the Cowboy Makers Association shows, where Schwarz Custom Boots took home multiple awards, including People's Choice. These accolades from the Art of the Cowboy Makers Association only confirmed what Montana customers already knew: that Schwarz Custom Boots represent the finest western boot craftsmanship available in the state. Aw hell, who are we kidding? They're some of the best in the world.

This tradition of excellence continues today. In 2025, Montana readers chose Atomic 79 as winners for Best Western Boots in Montana, Best Western Fashions in Montana, and Best Western Wear in Montana, while also earning Elite Top Three recognition for Best Cowboy Boots in Montana in the Best of Montana awards.

Why Atomic 79 Creates the Best Western Boots in Montana

In 2013, Dan and his wife Julia opened Atomic 79 in a renovated 120-year-old building that once housed the Eliel Brothers dry goods store. They chose the name for gold's atomic number - fitting for a region where prospectors once searched the hills, and where visitors today discover treasures of a different kind.

The eventual partnership with John Cieslowski transformed the venture into something unprecedented: a western outfitter that draws customers from Butte to Bozeman and beyond. In Beaverhead County, where 150,000 head of cattle outnumber the 9,400 residents by sixteen to one, Atomic 79 has become a gathering place for working ranchers, outdoor enthusiasts, and even cast members of Taylor Sheridan's "1923," who stop by during their time off, presumably to see how real cowboys dress.

Complete Western Gear and Boot Services

What makes people drive hundreds of miles to shop at Atomic 79? Well, in addition to Western hospitality of the finest vintage, it happens to offer a complete and comprehensive set of western wear and boot services under one historic roof:

Custom Bootmaking: Dan's handcrafted boots start at $3,500, with a three-year backlog that speaks to their reputation. Each pair is built using a detailed nine-point fitting process, with Dan personally measuring every customer.

Boot Repair: Professional resoling and restoration services for quality western boots, work boots, and hiking boots. If it's worth buying, it's worth repairing.

Western Wear: Carefully curated selection from premium makers like Kimes Ranch jeans, Italian leather goods, and authentic western accessories you won't find in chain stores.

Ranch Supplies: Professional-grade farrier supplies, ranch ropes, western tack, and tools for Montana's working cowboys and outdoor enthusiasts.

Specialty Services: Custom hat shaping, bootmaking classes, and personal fitting consultations with decades of expertise behind them.

And if that were it, Atomic 79 would already be a pilgrimage worth taking for any cowboy or aspiring cowboy. But what sets Atomic 79 apart as Montana's destination for the best western boots?

Walk in and you'll be offered coffee, a soda, or even a whiskey while you browse - hospitality that reflects genuine Montana values. Need advice on boots for specific ranch work? Want to learn about caring for leather goods? The staff provides expertise because they've lived the life, they know the products, and they know what works. In other words, they didn't just do a hasty internet research.

A Tradition Worth the Journey

The social media posts tell the story: Cooper continuing his family's boot tradition, Tobin making the California drive for the right saddle. Couples choose Atomic 79 for wedding ceremonies. Travelers between Glacier and Yellowstone make deliberate stops, knowing they'll find authentic western craftsmanship in a world of mass-produced goods.

In a region built on ranching, mining, and the enduring spirit of the American West, Dan and Julia Schwarz have created Montana's premier destination for authentic western boots. When customers from across the country make the journey to Dillon, they're not just buying boots - they're investing in the best western boot craftsmanship Montana has to offer.

The prospectors who once combed these Montana hills were searching for gold. At Atomic 79, generations of families have found something equally precious - authentic western traditions that honor both craftsmanship and community.

Atomic 79 Boots & Western Gear is located at 104 N Montana St, Dillon, Montana. For custom boots, western wear, boot repair services, or bootmaking schools, call 406-925-9465 or visit atomic79westerngear.com.