An interesting search landed a visitor to my most-visited web page, wearing cowboy boots.

The question was, “what is the most common heel style for everyday wear on cowboy boots?” It was searched by someone in Texas, where cowboy boots are worn often.

Generally, there are three heel heights on cowboy boots — a walking heel, which is about 1″ (2.5cm); a riding heel, which is about 2″ (5cm); and a heel height that splits the difference and is about 1-1/2″ to 1-5/8″ (3.8 to 4.1cm) high.

As far as heel style goes — walking (roper) heels are usually flat and blocky, with little if any slant. Riding heels are usually what’s called “underslung.” That means that the heels are larger at the place where they are attached to the sole and taper to a smaller size at the bottom. However, unlike high heels on women’s shoes, underslung cowboy boot heels usually have a fairly large area at the bottom, rather than taper to a point.

Walking heels are found on boots like ropers which are very commonly worn in the U.S. West and Midwest. Ropers are affordable and easy to wear while walking or working.

Cowboy boots worn for riding (a horse) are usually about 2″ (5cm) high and are usually underslung (tapered). These heels make it easier to hold the boot in stirrups and control a horse. However, heels of this height are harder for men to walk in. Most men are unaccustomed to wearing “high heels.” Also, some men are afraid to wear higher heels because of their fear of ridicule or labeling, but I won’t go there….

The vast majority of traditional cowboy boots split the difference, and have heels that are half-way between a walking heel and a riding heel. Various bootmakers call this heel height by different names — cowboy heel, low riding heel, or walking heel even. Regardless of what it may be called, heels of this height are the most common (to answer this question). These heels also usually taper slightly from the where it meets the sole to the bottom where it meets the floor — but the tapering is minor in comparison with a true underslung heel.

This traditional heel height allows for pants (trousers) or jeans to stack (fold) softly across the foot of the boot and not come down below the place where the back of the leather on the foot is attached to the heel. If pants come lower than that, then they can become worn and frayed at the edges.

It is also easy enough for most men to learn how to walk in boots with a heel of this height. Men who do not wear boots often may at first have some trouble walking in boots with this heel height. Sometimes, men may miss a step (that is, catch the heel on a step because he did not raise his foot high enough to clear the heel on the next step.)

One thing to note as well about the physics of cowboy boot heels, besides how the height affects walking, is how the height affects sound. Generally speaking, the higher the heel and the more mass (size) it has, the more sound the heel will make on the floor, sidewalk, or pavement. Think about it something like a drum — the bigger the size of the drum, the more deep, resounding sound it makes. About the same thing is true for cowboy boot heels. That’s why many men’s dress cowboy boots have rubber sole plates on them — to dampen the sound.

Hearing the sound of a “cowboy boot clunk” is music to some guys’ ears and an annoyance to others. I know some guys who have replaced a rubber sole plate with a wooden one they made themselves, so their boots can be heard! I know other guys who have a cobbler install a double-sole plate made of soft rubber, to dampen the sound. It really varies. (What do I do? I leave my boots the way they come. If they clunk, that’s fine. If they don’t, that’s okay with me, too.)

So now you know — what is the most common cowboy boot heel style? A heel that is slightly slanted, but not deeply underslung, and of a height that is about 1-1/2″ to 1-5/8″ (3.8 to 4.1cm).

Life is short: wear cowboy boots!

It is (or has been) back-to-school time. Traffic is heavier as all the families with children have returned from summer vacations and school buses are back on the roads.

Over the last week or so, I have noticed that some people from high schools (that’s what their servers show) have entered into a search engine, “Can you wear cowboy boots to school?” or “is it cool to wear cowboy boots to school?” or “How can I wear cowboy boots to school.”

I won’t bother correcting the English — of course you “can” wear cowboy boots “to” school but the real questions remain, “do you want to wear them all day while in school?” as well as how you perceive what others may think about you wearing cowboy boots.

Here’s the deal — second issue first.

High school students continue to be exceptionally concerned with the clothes that they wear, including footwear. They notice what other classmates are wearing and usually choose to wear what is popular and considered the current style. Seldom (while there is a lot of talk about it), high school students cannot assert independent choices in the matter of clothing and footwear. They get all wrapped up in worrying about what other people will think of them.

Consider this a lesson of high school: as you become older and more mature, you will learn that worrying about current fashion and style, as well as what other people think about what you are wearing, is kiddie stuff. Seriously, it really doesn’t matter.

Now, on the matter of whether you want to wear cowboy boots all day while in school — that has a lot to do with how far you have to walk and how much you have to stand. Generally, well-made cowboy boots have well-constructed footbeds and insoles, meaning that they are comfortable to walk in and to stand in, such as in lines for various things. But walking miles in cowboy boots or standing for hours can take its toll on your feet. Consider that.

Also, let me warn you — pay less than US$100 for a pair of cowboy boots, and you probably will be very sorry about buying them. Cheap boots are usually very uncomfortable. They are usually made in China by machine, assembled with glue instead of stitching, and the materials and craftsmanship are awful. You’ll be sorry — so if you can’t afford to get a decent pair of cowboy boots on the entry-level (US$150 – $200), such as made by Justin, Dan Post, or Tony Lama, for example, then continue wearing sneakers.

A lot of guys choose roper-style cowboy boots, rather than traditional 13″ cowboy boots. And that’s of any age, not just younger guys. Personally, I’m old-fashioned and like the traditional cowboy boots instead of ropers, but that is a personal opinion and is not a reflection on the style of boot itself.

When I was in high school, I wore boots every day (except in gym class, when I had to wear sneakers.) That was back in the ’70s, so the most popular boot style for guys was Frye harness or campus boots. But I also switched out and wore several pairs of cowboy boots throughout my high school years.

I admit, sometimes some other kids would make a wisecrack. At first I was way too sensitive and their comments hurt my feelings. Kids can be very cruel to each other. But I continued to wear boots because I liked them. Eventually my classmates stopped making wisecracks and remarks because I stopped responding to them. Plus, at least in the 70s, Frye boots were the “cool boots” to wear, and lots of other guys were wearing them.

These days, particularly on the U.S. East Coast where I live, few high school boys wear boots. But I have noticed at least one exception — a student who lives down the street from me. I have seen him wear cowboy boots to school a lot — I see him as he is walking home while I am returning from work. Sometimes I stop and give him a ride, particularly in bad weather. He has asked me about boots and told me that he likes to wear them. He thinks his classmates give a nod of approval, because he said that others have called the boots “cool.” He also said that a few of his friends have begun to wear boots to school because he started the trend. Good for him!

In summary, some independent-minded, free-spirited, “I could-care-less-what-others-think” guys will choose to wear cowboy boots to school. I just recommend that if you do that, get good quality boots so they will be comfortable. I think you will be pleased at the compliments you’ll get from others by wearing boots to school.

Life is short: wear boots!