History of Cowboy Boots
Cowboys Boots are an American favorite, donned by the American Cowboy and his most prized possession after his horse and saddle. Originating as a practical item of footwear, the cowboy boot has become a modern day fashion statement and is worn by cowboys and cowgirls all around the world.
Although there were many types and styles of riding boots which pre-dated the Cowboy Boot including equestrian boots, vaquero boots, the Hessian boot and the Wellington; the actual American Cowboy boot did not originate until the era of the Cattle Drive.
The early cowboys had to wear whatever footwear they could afford and many of them wore their military issued boots from the civil war. The footwear that the early cowboys were wearing was just not suited for the long cattle drives. There were many dangers and conditions on the trail that cowboys would encounter such as rattle snakes and harsh terrain. They needed a boot that would protect them as well as allow them to better ride their horse. Finally someone went to a shoemaker and asked him to make him a boot with taller shaft, a more rounded and pointy toe,and a larger taller heel. A cowboy needed a taller shaft to protect his legs from thorns of trees and other brush, snakes (mainly rattle snakes), barbed wire, and other dangers. The purpose of the more rounded and pointy toe was to allow the rider to easily enter and exit the stirrup of the saddle. A cowboy also needed a larger and taller heel so that his foot would not slip all the way through the stirrup which could cause him to get tangled up and stuck in the saddle. With these features the cowboy boot was born.
Cowboy boots were first produced mainly for work purposes and as a tool for the cowboy, and usually were custom made. Soon cowboy boots were being mass produced and available through mail order boot companies and eventually in stores. Cowboys boots were mainly made for cowboys, any others didn’t really have a practical use for them. But as time went on cowboy boots started to change and evolve in style and design. By the 1920s and 1930s cowboy boots started to become a fashion item as a result of movies about the Wild West. In the 1940s cowboy boots started to become more and more colorful and images were incorporated into the design. Cowboy boots became popularized by old western movies idolizing the cowboy and the emergence of country music. Cowboys were no longer the only ones wearing these special boots. People from all different lifestyles starting buying cowboy boots, ranging from Hollywood stars, to Rock N’ Roll singers, all the way to the “Average Joe.” No matter who you are or what you do, there is nothing like a good pair of cowboy boots.
So what are you waiting for? Let RCC, “the experts in style and fit” outfit you in a unique and comfortable pair of cowboy boots today!