Originally cowboy boots were designed to perform a specific purpose which was to provide protection to cowboys who wore them while tending to their cattle driving duties. This popular style of footwear was first introduced during the Civil War and got their original design from cavalry boots that soldiers wore. Over the next ten years from the 1870s to the 1880s many of the cowboys working in Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas began to seek bootmakers to alter the cowboy boots they had to make them more specific for their job. This is where the true cowboy boots began with two of the better known makers of that time Hyer Brothers and Justin Boots, which continues to be popular today. No one has to tell you that you are looking at a cowboy boot when you see one, they have their own unique look with a rounded and pointed toe, high shaft and zero lacing.
When these boots first came out they were only made of regular leather but as the cowboys began wanting their boots to be more decorative the boot makers started implementing fancy stitching and using more exotic materials to make them. Of course, today these boots are far from being made only for cowboys and they can now be purchased in nearly any color you can imagine and in a wide variety of exotic materials such as elephant, alligator, snake, ostrich, buffalo, and elk. Some of the more durable boots sold today are made from shark and stingray skins! When you are trying on a pair of cowboy boots you have to know that they fit quite a bit differently than other shoes. You should have your foot measured by a shoe salesman, even if you intend to buy your footwear online and you should have this done later in the day.
The reason for this is that your feet expand during the day and if you buy boots based on a morning measurement or fitting they will be tight in the morning. Some people have a great deal of difference in each foot as well so be sure to measure both of your feet! The next consideration you have to think about is what type of toe you want on your boots. As you may well know, the toes on this specialty footwear are made in many different ways with some being boxy, some rounded and still some pointed. Consider how you are going to wear yours before choosing the type of toe. When it comes to heel heights most people will wan to go for moderation but it is a personal consideration.
Some ladies may want a shorter heel for regular everyday wear and then choose a higher heel for dancing and clubbing. The cowboy boot is showing no signs of slowing down in popularity so get out there and get yourself a pair.
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as cowboy boots at http://www.westernandworkboots.com
