Category Archives: Cowboy Boots

Boot Questions via Google

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Every now and then, I gather questions that people enter into internet searches that direct people to this blog or my website.  I never cease to be amazed at what people are asking.  Here goes:

What’s the difference between a laredo boot and a tony lama boot?

A:  It’s the manufacturer.  Laredo boots are cheap and are not the quality of Tony Lama boots.  If you want the good stuff, go with Tony Lama.  There aren’t many other differences in style, height, or appearance.  However, there is (to me) a big difference in the comfort.  Machine-made Laredo boots are not nearly as comfortable as Tony Lamas.

tuck in jeans or not with cowboy boots?

A:  Yes.  See this post or this one.

what type of jeans should be worn with boots?

A:  Blue.  Black.  Sometimes brown.  Wranglers (to me) look best.  Levis work well.  So do Dickies or other off-brands.  Jeans & boots are a natural combination.

how long does leather lined sole boots last?

I think the question is “low long do leather soles last on cowboy boots?”

A:  It depends.  Good quality boots made with all-leather soles, such as Lucchese Classics, will last a long time.  The measurement of time is in number of hours worn — not in months or years you have owned them.  Look at the soles.  Do you see little round holes on the sole between the heel and the foot?  If so, you are seeing “pegs.”  Boots that have pegged soles are of much better quality than boots that have soles that are sewn on.  Boots with pegged leather soles will wear for thousands of hours.  Boots with sewn (not pegged) soles will wear out more quickly, as in hundreds but not thousands of hours.  Of course, it depends where you wear the boots — on ordinary sidewalks and such.  Wearing leather-soled boots on rough pavement, rocky terrain, or in water will make them wear out much more quickly.

do wearing boots make me a cowboy?

A:  I doubt this guy will “become” a cowboy simply by wearing boots.  I wear cowboy boots often, but I am not a cowboy.  I don’t ride horses (any more) nor work on a ranch.  Cowboys work with cattle, horses, and often on ranches or farms.  A cowboy is who is he by what he does, not by what he wears on his feet.

can you only wear cowboy boots with jeans?

Can you only what?  huh?  I think this means, “do you wear cowboy boots only with jeans?”  (The writer was from Texas, by the way).

A: No.  One can wear cowboy boots with a suit, with leather pants, and even though I wouldn’t do it, I have seen some guys wear cowboy boots with shorts.  What you wear with cowboy boots is your choice.  My personal opinion, however, is that cowboy boots look best with jeans, but dress cowboy boots look great with a business suit, too.  A few guys can pull off an interesting look with a pair of cowboy boots and a pair of leather jeans.  While I’m sharing opinions, I think wearing cowboy boots with anything other than long pants looks silly.

Are western boots acceptable with khakis?

A: If you have to ask this question, put your sneakers or loafers back on and put your boots away.

Sure:  western (cowboy) boots are fine with khakis.  I wear that combination sometimes when my jeans are in the wash or I’m going to a semi-dressy informal event, such a gathering as my yuppie-brother-in-law’s home or something.

Cowboy boots and belts usually made with which bird’s skin?

A:  Good question!  Ostrich is usually chosen to make a pair of boots and a belt to match.  I have seen other skins from lizard (teju lizard) and even alligator used for boots/belt combos, but mostly it’s ostrich.  Why?  Ostriches are farmed for their hides to use for bootmaking, and some of the hides (or parts of hides) are so narrow that they cannot be used for boots, so belts are made from those remainders.

Where to buy leather boot stretch liquid?

A:  In the drugstore.  It’s called “rubbing alcohol.”  Seriously, it’s the same thing. Don’t be fooled by paying 5x as much for “boot stretching liquid.”  When you read the label, you’ll find that the contents is rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol, which costs less than US$1/bottle in most drugstores.

What’s roughout leather on Wesco boots?

A:  A hide from which boots are made comes with two sides:  the smooth side and the rough side.  Roughout leather is the rough side of the skin.  A pair of roughout boots is made with the rough side on the outside, rather than on the inside.  Beware:  the hide used for a pair of roughout boots is not any more expensive than “regular” leather.  But the West Coast Shoe Company (Wesco) charges more for a pair of their boots made with the rough side showing because the perception of higher value exists and because they can.  Not for any other reason.

Can you wear cowboy boots in a horse show?

A:  I could go so many places with this, but let’s suffice to say, “yes.”

Boots inside or outside boots?

A:  Yes, this was an actual question entered into a Google search.  My answer would be….

Life is short:  wear your feet inside your boots at all times.  (The opposite is so much messier.)

Putting My Boot Down

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I was talking with my partner the other day about former department stores that once were part of the landscape in the area where we live.  My partner is quite a store history buff.  But what I remember wasn’t really the stores, as much as it was my emergence as a “Bootman” at the expense of department store offerings of kids’ shoes.

I remember during the week between Christmas and New Year’s when I was 10 years old, my Mom took me to one of these department stores, insisting that I get a new pair of shoes for school.

She bought me a pair, and while I tried them on in the store, I didn’t wear them so I didn’t know that they really didn’t fit well.  I remember later that week, Mom had me wear them to some family get-together, and by the time I got home, I pulled those suckers off and told Mom that I wasn’t going to wear them.  They hurt!  They looked awful!  I hated them!

I told her that I was going to wear my cowboy boots.  I had a pair of cowboy boots that I wore every day in Oklahoma.  But that time of year (holidays), we were back home in Maryland.  Mom had left my boots back on the ranch in Oklahoma.  I was bootless….

But by the mighty age of 10, I had developed enough independence that I told Mom that I wanted a pair of boots, and I would wear them to school.  At the time, “hard shoes” were required and sneakers were only allowed to be worn during physical education classes.

Mom was incredulous.  “You want to wear boots?  Why?”

Well, “because.  Because I like them.  I think they look good.  I like how they feel.”

Mom wasn’t one to argue.  She let us make our own decisions and learn from our mistakes, if what we were doing wouldn’t harm anyone.  So she took me to a store that sold boots.  I found a pair.  They were Dingos.  Not traditional cowboy boots, but I couldn’t find that style “back east.”  But Dingos with the broad square toe and clunky heels and tall shaft (for a 10-year old, anything over 6″ was “tall”) … man, they fit the bill.

I put on those boots and wore them to school when it started in January.  Most of my friends noticed, and some made comments like, “howdy, pardner” or “where’s your horse?”  But I could tell that some of my friends sorta envied my boots.  A couple friends got their own Dingos and began wearing them to school now and then.  I wore mine all the time, until I wore them out.

Mom thought I would find them uncomfortable, especially as the weather got warmer.  On the contrary, I was determined to LIKE the boots.  I must admit, now that I’m older, those boots hurt, too.  They weren’t made well and the footbed felt like nails.  But it didn’t matter.  They were boots, and this budding Bootman was born.

Since then, I’ve had hundreds of pairs of boots.  I never have reverted to wearing shoes again.  Even for weddings, formal occasions, or serving as the Best Man in my brother’s and some other friends’ weddings.  I’m your 100% Bootman.  Was 43 years ago, and still am today.

Life is short:  wear boots!

Cognac Boots and Blue Jeans

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Cognac is a name of an alcoholic beverage, and also a name of a color for cowboy boots, derived from the color of the beverage.

There’s something striking about the color contrast with blue jeans and a pair of cognac cowboy boots … be they just plain leather, like these Lucchese Classic goatskin boots, or a pair of ostrich cowboy boots, which are a staple in a cowboy’s dress boots collection.

I really like how this color combination goes together … just the jeans, over the boots.  I think straight-leg jeans look best with these boots, so you can see more of the boot on each foot.

I dunno, I think any kind of cowboy boots look good with a pair of Wranglers, my preferred bluejeans.  But I think cognac-colored cowboy boots look best.

Life is short:  wear boots!

Flip-Flop Cowboy Boots

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I detest flip-flops. You know, those rubber-footed things (I can’t even call them footwear) that some people wear — usually at the beach or at a swimming pool. When people walk in them, you hear the noise that gives them their name — a snap sound as the bottom of the rubber foot snaps up to strike the bottom of the heel. “Flip-flop, flip-flop” sounds so… awful. Some nut-cases have been seen wearing them while operating a motorcycle, which is incredibly stooopid, but as I have said before, Darwinian principles apply in those cases.

I digress… here’s my story about a pair of cowboy boots that sound like flip-flops. On my recent business trip, I brought three pairs of boots with me. One pair was a pair of hikers that I wore while doing my morning brisk walk exercise. Two other pairs were dress Lucchese cowboy boots, one pair in cognac, and another pair in dark grey.

The dark grey boots are not broken in yet. The boot shafts are still very stiff. As I walk in them, I hear a noise that sounds much like flip-flops do — when the back of the boot shaft strikes the back of my leg each time a take a step. “Flip-flop, flip-flop” go the boots. Sounds awful! Usually, I hear a more traditional “clunk” sound of the boot heel striking the floor. In this case, though, that sound is suppressed and has been replaced by a “flip-flop” noise. Yikes! I may suffer a damaged reputation as a cowboy boot-wearer! Aaaaahhhh!

I will continue to wear these boots to break them in, and hopefully the noise will cease. Meanwhile, I think I will wear taller socks, so the noise of the back of the boot shaft striking my leg will be muffled.

Oh… the trials of a Bootman who has a reputation to protect (LOL!)

Life is short: wear boots!

Internet Searches That Land Here

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Every now and then, I look at what people are entering into search engines that drive visitors to this blog.  Most of the searches are real, honest-to-goodness questions.  But some of them are, um, “interesting.”  The latest examples are below, with my attempts at answers.

  • can you spray leather protectant on boots and walk in the rain (California)

>> well, you “can” but the question is, will it work and will it cause damage to your boots?  If your boots are all leather and are dark in color, then it won’t change the color.  But what this stuff does is clog the pores in the leather, making it eventually become hard and brittle.  Don’t use it.  Instead, use a good quality leather conditioner and a good polish.  If the boots get wet, then allow them to dry naturally (out of the sun) in a place with good ventilation.  That will prevent mold.  Then shine ’em up again.  And don’t wear boots made of exotic skins like snake, alligator, crocodile, etc. if it is raining.  Those skins are made of scales which will curl when they get wet and won’t “uncurl.” 

  • how to wear male cowboy boots  (North Dakota)

>> Well, I didn’t know that boots had a gender.  Hmmm, gotta think about that one.  Otherwise, if you’re asking how a man wears boots — quick answer — on his feet.

  • do men still where [sic] cowboy boots (New Jersey)

>> Yes, men “still” wear cowboy boots.  Where?  Again… on their feet.  Just look down.  Or read this recent blog post.  Perhaps not as many men in New Jersey wear boots as in other states, but real men “still” wear boots.  Try wearing a pair.  You’ll look good and it’s likely you will get plenty of compliments on the boots, but perhaps not your spelling.

  • how do you wear boots for men  (Jacksonville, Florida)

>>hmmm, how to wear boots “for” men?  Well, men like to see other people who are wearing boots standing tall, smiling, and looking confident.  Regardless if they are gay or straight, a woman or a man wearing boots and who walks proudly and stands tall gets appreciation, interest, approving looks, and respect.

  • best motorcycle boots that don’t look gay  (San Francisco, California)

>> gee, this is an interesting question, particularly considering where it came from.  I already answered this as recently as this post dated September 8, 2010.  Check it out — then get over your hang-ups about “boots looking gay.”  I really would like to know sometime about what motorcycle boots “look gay.”  They look like boots to me.  And I’ve never seen boots making out with each other, but perhaps boots act differently on the Left Coast.

  • meaning of tucking pants in your boots   (Oklahoma)

>> Okay, here’s the secret — only a guy with a huge boot collection like me knows the real answer.  Glad you asked.  Here goes.  Ready?

It means that the guy likes his boots and wants to wear them so people can see them.  That’s all.  Period.  End-of-story.  Don’t read anything else into wearing jeans tucked into boots than is there.  Nothing is there.  Okay, done.  End-of-rant.  Again.  Or see this recent blog post.

  • the correct way to walk in cowboy boats [sic]  (Texas)

>> Yep, they have a lot of cowboy stuff in Texas, and while I have visited that state on many occasions over the years, I have yet to see a cowboy boat.  I guess the answer is: walk carefully and hold the handrail until you get your sealegs.

  • why to gays were cowboy boots [sic]  (Leesburg, Virginia)

>>this just illustrates so much… but I’ll refrain from making statements that would lower me to this guy’s level. Suffice it to say, there are some people who could be better educated.

Life is short: watch what you search for — your search could end up getting quoted here!

Lucchese Crazy

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Lately I’ve just gone off the deep end… such is the life of a Bootman.  I bought a pair of Lucchese Classic boots in September in dark grey, that I really like.  They are sturdy, well-constructed, and exceptionally comfortable boots.  They’re for dress occasions, such as for wearing to work.  These boots hold a prominent place in my bedroom boot closet, and I look forward to wearing them to work.

The company from which I bought them, Grapevinehill, sells boots via Amazon for very good prices — much lower than from the manufacturer direct or from other on-line sources.

I liked those dark grey Lucchese Classics so much, I bought not one, but two more pairs in brown and light brown.  I dunno, call me crazy, but … these boots arrived last week and they are just as great as the grey ones.

What I like best about them is how rugged they are.  The leather is firm.  They don’t flop around when you take them, off, as the cheaper, low-end Lucchese “1883” boots do.  They make a classic sound when you walk in them.  And I’ve noticed that others notice.

So for fall, I’ve gone with autumn colors for some new classic cowboy boots.  They’ll all look good with dress clothes for work, or with jeans, which is my customary attire when I’m kickin’ around the neighborhood (provided I’m not on my Harley or in full leather.)  These boots are great, but their smooth leather soles aren’t suitable for the traction I require when I ride my bike.  They also don’t quite match my leather (LOL!)  But I am an all-around, equal-opportunity Bootman, so I wear different boots for the different things that I do.  And because I change boots two, three, or four times each day, these boots will get plenty of use when rotated through the collection.

Life is short:  wear boots!

Anthracite Is the New Grey for Boots

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I am absolutely the last one to be obsessed with fashion.  In fact, if you ask me, “what’s in style for men these days,” I’ll give you a blank stare.  Who cares?  (Sorry to offend anyone who does.  I don’t.)

Anyway, I occasionally come upon some great boot finds.  A couple weeks ago, I found a great deal for a pair of dark grey Lucchese Classic cowboy boots which will be great for my new workplace. 

I’ve always liked grey cowboy boots.  Back in my early work career at a University, a couple of students showed up for a meeting, both wearing grey cowboy boots.  Man, I couldn’t take my eyes off those boots!  I got myself a pair, and subsequently have almost worn them out.  

As I surfed around looking for an affordable pair of grey cowboy boots, I discovered this pair of Lucchese ostrich cowboy boots that looked grey in the photo, but the color on the listing was called “anthracite.” 

Anthracite?  What’s that?  Oh yeah, it’s a form of coal.  I looked it up on line, and the natural rock is grey.  I even sent a message to the company selling the boots, and their response was the same, “it’s grey.”

So, “anthracite” is the new “grey” for boots.  Just so ‘ya know … particularly for the more fashion conscious among ‘ya.

Life is short:  wear boots!

How To Wear A Boot

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Why on Earth would anyone enter the question, “how to wear a boot?” into google?  But that’s what two people have done in the past two days.  Here are some answers:

1.  Sit down.  Pull up your pants leg.  Identify your left foot.  Identify the left boot.  Pull it on the left foot.
 
2.  Repeat with the right leg and foot.

3.  Stand up.

You’re done.  So that’s how to wear a boot.  Well, actually two boots, but you get the gist.  🙂

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Option two:

1.  Do the procedure as in Option one above, but begin with the right leg and right foot, and repeat with the left leg and left foot.

2.  It doesn’t mean a thing if you put your boots on starting with one leg or the other.  Some guys are left-booted and some guys are right-booted.   

————————
Option three:

Answer:  on your feet.  Boots look better than than on your hands, for example.

Life is short:  wear boots!

Cowboy Boots for Work

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While I really do prefer to stomp in the mud sometimes or wear leather regularly, I admit, muddy boots or full leather won’t quite work in the office (giggle). Fortunately, I won’t have to dress like this, either. A relaxed dress code doesn’t require coat & tie for daily office wear where I’m going.

However, dress slacks and shirts with a collar are required. Fine, I can live with that as long as I don’t have to wear a noose very often, or a restrictive, hot jacket. Face it, as I have said often on this blog, I’m a jeans-n-boots-n-leather kinda guy.

Anyway, as a present to myself, I looked for a pair of new dress cowboy boots to wear to work when I start. I have always liked Lucchese Classics, but their prices were beyond what I wanted to pay. I mean, $700 for a pair of cowboy boots that look identical to a pair that cost 1/3 as much?

I know there is a quality difference, but I just didn’t want to pay that much for boots. However… as I surfed around, I found a pair of Lucchese Classic cowboy boots in dark grey that were on a close-out. I picked ’em up for a really great price. I ordered them on a Wednesday and they were delivered on Friday, with no charge for shipping.

The only thing was that these boots were one-half size larger than I usually wear. That’s fine — I bought a pair of Dr. Scholl’s gel insoles and put them in the boots. The insoles take up the extra room and make the boots very comfortable for all-day wear.

So… I’m well-booted for work… can’t wait to start….

Life is short: wear boots to work!

Where to Wear Cowboy Boots?

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Another amusing question entered into Google and directed to my website: “Where to wear cowboy boots?” The person was from Connecticut, in the northeastern United States, where cowboy boots are seldom seen.

So, where do you wear cowboy boots? Wherever you please. Cowboy boots look good with Wranglers, especially. But they also work with business clothes. Even suits. Yes, men wear boots with a variety of attire, from casual to dressy.

As shown, I wore a pair of dress cowboy boots to an interview for a job. Yes, the boots were noticed, but in a nice way. The boss complimented me on them. But he and the interview team were much more concerned with what I brought to the company and how I would be able to do the job. They didn’t care what was on my feet. So if you have concerns what people would think about you wearing boots in the workplace: forget about it. It really doesn’t matter. Those type of concerns are in your head. Get over it.

Lots of guys in places other than the traditional locations where cowboy boots are worn more regularly by men — as in the U.S. Southwest — wear cowboy boots. That is if they are confident, secure, and don’t have hang-ups about other people’s perceptions.

As I so often say, issues about where to wear cowboy boots are more in the head of the one asking that question than actually among those who the person sees on a day-to-day basis.

Life is short: have confidence to be secure enough to wear boots where you like, and with clothing suited what you’re doing — going to work, out to eat, visiting friends, shopping, or whatever.