We Know: How To Buy Cowboy Boots What are cowboy boots for? Cowboy boots are designed to help in Western style horse-back riding. The heel of the boot is normally 1 3/4", the perfect height to fit over the stirrup. Another benefit of cowboy boots is that they protect your feet if a horse steps on them. Properly made and fitted boots will add to the enjoyment of riding, not to mention making a fashion statement. What kinds of boots are there? Cowboy boots come in an array of colors, textures, and designs. The first thing to consider is your basic needs as a rider. There are several major styles. The most traditional and popular type of boot is the roper. When people think of a cowboy boot, this is probably what they imagine. The heel is on the low side and the toe is rounded. It is a boot designed for working in. The second most popular style of cowboy boot is the packer. These lace-up style boots are excellent for when more walking will be required, such as when training a horse. Packers are generally not made of as high a quality leather as ropers. The lacer style of cowboy boot closely resembles that of a roper, but the lace-up style fits them closer to the ankle and leg What kinds of styles are available? Once you decide what type of boot suits you, you still have a lot to decide about what you want them to look like. Are you a plain boot person, or do you want some fancy scroll work up the side of the boot? Are you looking for a basic black boot that can be worn with a variety of clothes or do you want to draw everyone's eyes to your feet in your electric blue boots? A big part of these decisions will involve what you are using the boots for. Someone who does a lot of show riding will want a flasher pair of boots, while simple and sturdy may be all that is needed for regular wear. Decent boots will probably cost upwards of $100, though bargains can be found. Be wary of very inexpensive boots, they may cause soreness and the cheap materials may not do as good a job of protecting your feet. Do you know how to get a good fit? Getting a good fit is essential when you buy cowboy boots. If the boots are uncomfortable, chances are you won't wear them long enough to even break them in and with the high cost of cowboy boots now days, that can mean hundreds of dollars down the drain. Assure a good fit by having your foot measured every time you shop for new boots. Make sure that you buy boots that have a toe that mirrors the shape of your own toes. Pay attention to the depth of your foot from the arch to the toe. If your feet are very deep, chances are your boots will bind. If your foot is wide, order special wide width boots or if you are a woman, peruse the boy's section and see if they fit your feet a little better than the narrow boots found in the women's aisle. Although going to a real store is optimal for assuring the best fit, most online stores have excellent return policies that mean you can try them on at home and return them so long as you do not wear them on a hard surface. How do you try boots on in the store? When you try a boot on in the store, start by rolling your pant leg up all the way to your knee. Pull the boot up by the sides or tabs, making sure that it glides easily into place. Once the boot is on it should fit comfortably with out binding or slipping. The leg should not be too tight, and the area around your foot should be gently snug.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use © 2003-2009, ineed2know.org Sponsored by ineed2know.org proudly supports