Cowboy boots
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Cowboy boots refer to a specific style of boot, historically worn by
cowboys. They have a high heel, rounded to pointed toe, high shaft,
and no lacing. Cowboy boots are normally made from cowhide leather
but are also sometimes made from "exotic" skins such as alligator,
snake, ostrich, lizard, eel, elephant, sting ray, elk, buffalo, and
the like.
There are two basic types of cowboy boots, western and roper. The
western style is distinguished by an angled heel, usually over one
inch high. Although western boots can be customized with a wide
variety of toe shapes, they are usually made with a pointed toe. The
roper style will have a more rounded heel, usually one inch or
shorter, and will have the heel extend straight down. Roper boots
are usually made with rounded toes, but new styles are emerging with
a more squared toe. |
A cowboy needed to be able to quickly and surely mount and dismount
his horse in the course of work. In addition to working cattle, they
also worked and trained new horses. Much of their riding was
cross-country, conditions were rough and unpredictable, and weather
variable from summer heat to winter snow. Staying alive and
comfortable under these conditions drove the mutation of the cavalry
and other tall riding boot designs into what has come to be called
the "cowboy boot".
Most histories of the cowboy boot agree they were derived from the
cavalry boot used in the Civil War in the early 1860s and other
similar designs. Working cattlemen in the 1870s and 1880s asked boot
makers for modifications to better fit their working conditions.
Predictably, most of these boot makers were in the cattle ranching
areas of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. The two most renowned boot
makers of the era were Charles Hyer of Hyer Brothers Boots in
Olathe, Kansas, and "Big Daddy Joe" Justin of Justin Boots in
Spanish Fort, Texas.
While mounting, the slick, treadles leather sole of the boot allowed
easy insertion of the foot into the stirrup of the Western saddle.
While an extremely pointed toe is a modern stylization appearing in
the 1940s, the toe of the original boots retained the more rounded
shape of other boots. A slight point to the toe does make it
somewhat easier to quickly insert the foot in the stirrup, but an
extremely pointed toe is not helpful and not practical in a working
boot.
While mounted, the tall heel prevented the foot from sliding forward
through the stirrup, which could be life threatening if it happened
and the rider were to be unseated. The tall shaft, comfortably loose
fit and lack of lacing might save a cowboy's life since his body
weight would pull his foot out of the boot if he were unseated and
his boot remained stuck in the stirrup.
While dismounting, the slick sole allows the boot to easily come
free of the stirrup.
The tall leather shaft of the boot helped to hold it in place in the
absence of lacing. While mounted, the shaft protected the leg from
saddle rubbing, brush and thorns. While dismounted, the shaft helped
protect the leg and foot from rocks, brush, thorns, and snakes. In
wet weather or creek crossings, the high tops helped prevent the
boot from filling with mud and water.
Decoration varied widely. Early boots were plain leather, but as
custom boots were made, cowboys asked for decorative stitching,
cutouts in the high tops (early on, often Texas stars), and
different materials. Modern cowboy boots are available in all colors
of the rainbow and a pair has been made from just about every animal
whose skin can be made into leather.
Many cowboy boot companies have been in operation since the 19th
century. Their ability to stand this test of time has often depended
on their ability to understand the human foot and how to keep
people's feet happy. Each manufacturer has developed its own
proprietary lasts for producing boots, which are considered trade
secrets and are highly guarded. Because of this, standardization has
been slow, and fitting between companies is not always consistent.
When considering wearing a cowboy boot from a different
manufacturer, it is recommended to seek assistance from a
knowledgeable merchant who specializes in cowboy boots. Some wearers
will swear by one manufacturer's fit, while others will not perceive
any difference between brands. |
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