Western cowboy boots strike a unique balance between functional clothing, pop culture, and folk art. Despite the fact that they’ve remained popular over many decades, numerous men go through life without ever wearing cowboy boots. You don’t have to be a cowboy or even take up Western dancing to appreciate fabulous cowboy boots. Learning the ins and outs of Western cowboy boots will give you the confidence to invest in your first pair.

Why wear Western cowboy boots?

Western cowboy boots can be expensive and are meant to make a fashion statement. Unless you’ve grown up around men who wear cowboy boots regularly, it may be hard to understand their appeal. Western cowboy boots don’t offer the simple, versatile aesthetic of a classic dress shoe or loafer. Instead, their unique aesthetic brings an entire outfit together. You’ll be hard pressed to find anyone else in a room wearing the exact same pair of boots, creating an instant talking point.

Western cowboy boots come in four toe shapes: square, traditional, snip, and rounded. The toe width varies from one boot to the next, but there is always a distinct taper, contrasting beautifully with standard dress shoes. Western cowboy boots also sport a heel, which ranges from a half-inch to nearly two inches. Taller men tend to prefer half-inch heels while shorter men appreciate the height a full inch or two-inch heel adds.

Finally, most Western cowboy boots feature some decoration. There are numerous styles available with something for everyone. You’ll find detail visible beneath trouser cuffs with anything from leather tooling to vivid vegetable dyes to contrast-colored stitching. Wearing boots with decorative detail makes every social gathering a little more fun.

Parts of a Western cowboy boot

There are so many types of Western boots available that it’s often overwhelming for first-time boot buyers to narrow down a few pairs. Learning the basic terminology for Western cowboy boots makes the shopping process less intimidating. Most high-quality Western boots feature the following characteristics.

Cuban heel - A boot lacking an underslung, angled heel with a minimum ½” inch height isn’t a genuine western cowboy boot. Most Western cowboy boots have heels in the one- to 1.5-inch range, although you’ll find heels up to two inches. Lower heels or “walking heels” are more comfortable for extended wear involving lots of time on your feet. Taller heels are preferable for shorter men and for men intending to wear their boots for horseback riding, as taller heels hold your feet in the stirrups effectively.

High shaft - A Western cowboy boot shaft should come up to at least the midway section on the calf. Most boot tops are shaped with decorative cut-outs, although you do find some boots with a simple, round opening. The classic Western boot boasts a 10- to 14-inch shaft.

No laces - Cowboy boots are intended to be pulled on and off by hand. Most boots feature small leather loops or “bootstraps” to help wearers put on and take off the boots. Laces prove a safety hazard while riding, as they can catch on a stirrup when a rider falls or prevent the rider from kicking himself free of the horse if the boot catches, leaving the rider vulnerable to dragging and potentially getting trampled.

The best way to determine whether you’d like to buy a pair of cowboy boots is to try them on for yourself. Visit your local Western goods store and wear the boots around the store, so you can decide which pair suits your style and personal preferences the best.  When you are ready to buy, rely on quality handmade cowboy boots from Beck Boots.

If you are in the market for quality handmade working cowboy boots or custom handmade cowboy boots, Beck Boots is the right choice.  With true artisans making your next pair of cowboy boots you are guaranteed to get the best.  Our customer satisfaction is extremely important to us so we ensure every customer is happy and that their fit is perfect.  If you don’t know your exact size, no problem.  Just go online and request one of our FREE sizing kits.  We will send it to you right away. Call Beck Boots today 806-373-1600.  If you are in the area, visit our showroom located at 723 S. Georgia Street in Amarillo Texas.  Shop online our full line of in-stock cowboy boots and our working cowboy boots special, plan your custom cowboy boots purchase and shop our great line of cowboy boot accessories.