No matter what you purchase, you want to make sure that it is a quality item. From your first pair of cowboy boots to replacing the old and worn pieces of western wear that you’ve had in your closet for the past twenty years, you want something that will last. What’s the purpose of buying something that that is poor quality, that will wear out quickly, especially if you’re paying a price that isn’t dramatically less than what a higher quality version would cost. If you want a ten dollar piece of western apparel, be prepared to only get ten dollars worth of wear out of it. Frankly, western wear is probably the one place where many people understand the value of quality, in part because of how often these pieces are purchased to be worn, not just for fashion, but for actual work.
When it comes to cowboy boots, you want to have something both practical and durable, as well as aesthetically pleasing. The ultimate in comfort and style would be custom made boots, but if those are out of your current price range or not a possibility, there are things that you can look for in manufactured boots to ensure that you are buying a quality item. Here are a few details that you will want to pay attention to when selecting your next pair of cowboy boots:
When it comes to cowboy boots, you want to have something both practical and durable, as well as aesthetically pleasing. The ultimate in comfort and style would be custom made boots, but if those are out of your current price range or not a possibility, there are things that you can look for in manufactured boots to ensure that you are buying a quality item. Here are a few details that you will want to pay attention to when selecting your next pair of cowboy boots:
- Well-formed boots- the toe should either be rounded or pointed with a clean, smooth line (meaning no lumps, bumps or irregularities)
- A clean finish- no loose strings, no dried glue, no unfinished elements
- Free-standing boots- they shouldn’t need to be propped up, cowboy boots are built to stand on their own
- Quality materials- stacked leather heels, a hard leather counter, and smooth leather are all standards of high quality boots
- Quality construction- look for even stitching, the inlay should be firmly glued in place, the shank should be steel and held in place by wooden pegs
- Uniformity- the two boots should look exactly alike (save for any custom work you’ve had done in terms of sizing)
When you try your boots on in the store, remember that you should be able to pull the boots on using just the straps provided. When you walk, a slight shifting of the heel out of the boot is normal. You don’t want your boots to be so tight that they can’t be pulled off easily, especially if you actually plan to do any riding in them. A boot that can be pulled off your foot is a boot that won’t leave you trapped and tangled under your horse if there is any kind of accident.
By Kacy Suther
