Buying Ladies

Western Boots
Tips on choosing the
perfect pair based on comfort,
safety and style
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A Note From The Editor
Here at MyHorse Daily we are committed to bringing you
the latest information designed to keep you and your horse
healthy, happy and productive.
Enjoy the read!
Amy Herdy, Managing Editor
MyHorse Daily
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ets talk about Western boots.
Both you and your horse
need good footwear to put in
great performances. Fortunately,
people shoes are much easier to
deal with than horse shoes. Your
boots will last for years instead of six
weeks, and you hopefully wont pull off a
boot and lose it in a muddy pasture.
Nonetheless, there are several impor-
tant considerations when selecting boots
as a nishing touch to your show ring
presentation. Before you buy, lets ex-
amine construction, safety, comfort and
style to see how theyll affect your next
purchase of Western boots.
A Different Animal
Todays Western boots are not the
same animal as those made even a few
years ago. High-tech innovations like
molded one-piece soles with gel inserts
and carbon ber shanks (reinforcements)
are changing the way most boots are
made. Compared to traditional leather
soles, these composite soles usually last
much longer, seal out moisture better
and are often more comfortable than
traditional leather, but on the down-
side, high-tech soles usually cannot be
re-soled like leather. The other popular
choice in Western boot soles today is a
synthetic crepe material that is thicker
and softer than leather, insulates and
pads well and makes a terric sole if you
stand around in boots all day.
Whether boots have leather, crepe or
technical soles, the sole is usually glued
and stitched to the uppers. In inexpen-
sive boots, the uppers (both the foot and
the shaft, or leg, portion of the boot)
may be of a synthetic vinyl or plastic ma-
terial, but leatheran animal hide that
can be anything from cowhide to croco-
dile, ostrich, whipsnake or even eelis
the material of choice for boots. Leather
stretches, breathes and dries in such a
way that your feet will be more comfort-
able because they will be cooler than in a
synthetic boot. While synthetic boots are
attractively priced and a decent choice
for small children, investing in leather
boots with leather linings is good value
for comfort if youll wear your boots for
more than a few hours.
Safety First
Theres an important safety consid-
eration for riding boots: They must t
your foot well but they must also be
compatible with the stirrups you use to
allow your foot to slip from the stirrup
in an emergency. If you and your horse
part ways, you dont want your boot to
catch in the stirrup and drag the rest of
your body along with a frightened horse.
For safetys sake, avoid thick crepe-soled
boots for riding unless you know that
they will slip free of your stirrups.
Most Western stirrups are about 5
inches wide at their broadest point, but
the mostly at part of the tread is only
A how-to shopping guide for the most
important part of ladies Western wear:
a good pair of boots
Adapted from articles by Suzi Vlietstra, owner of Hobby
Horse Clothing Company, and Nicholas LoVerde
A leather
boot with leather
linings is good value.
A tall
boot protects
from brush and brambles.
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SUBSCRBE NOW
about 4 inches. Double-welted crepe-
soled boots in a womens size 9 me-
dium measure nearly 4 inches across,
versus about 3 for leather double-
welted solesand that extra of an
inch makes the crepe boots much too
snug to be safe in a standard stirrup.
The crepe soles also may look odd
in a stirrup, as they are often a very
noticeable pale cream color that will
look like you are wearing water skis
with dark chaps. Stick to composite
or leather soles for show, but by all
means enjoy comfortable crepe as a
work boot or allow plenty of extra
safety width in a stirrup.
Another safety consideration is the
boots heel design. Very high, under-
slung heels are sometimes considered
a drawback for riding as they, too, can
catch on the stirrup in an emergency.
Though a great traditional look for
A moderate
heel is a com-
fortable option,
whether on or
off a horse.
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buckaroo horsemen, high heels are anoth-
er dont bother design in the show ring.
A boots tops dont have much impact
on safety, especially as they are usually
wrapped by a layer of chaps and a layer of
pants, but moderate heels and slim soles
are worth looking for.
Comfort and Style
Now, lets look at some t and style
issues.
When it comes to boot comfort, dont
get a Cinderella complex. Remember
Cinderellas sisters trying to cram on the
glass slipper? Bad idea, even for a great
deal on your dream ostrich show boots.
Make sure your show boots are truly com-
fortable by either buying them from a
store that offers expert tting or by using a
brand and size that youve worn comfort-
ably in the past.
On the style front, Western boots, along
with hats, are the two symbols of real
cowboys. Whether you choose an exotic
leather in a wild color or simple boots that
can carry you into the show ring or the
grocery store, the shape and detailing of
Western boots add spice to your presenta-
tion and are a source of pride for most any-
one who appreciates ranch dressing.
But think about this: Only the toe of
your boot will show when you ride, so go
for sensible and simple show boots and
save up your bucks for some dancin boots
or extra entry fees. Think about how your
boot will look peeking out from under
your chaps, through your wide stirrup, and
next to your horses shoulder; then choose
something classic that will ll your needs.
A basic roper-style boot (semi-rounded
toe with low tops) with leather soles is
the all-around best bet for showing. It is
relatively inexpensive, safe in your stirrups
and ts great under the slim leg of your
chaps. Ropers are also the most popular
style of boot on the market, so theres a
tremendous variety of colors, leathers and
prices. Moderate roper heels are also com-
fortable to walk in, for those who show
in halter or showmanship. Lacer boots
are our second choice for show boots, but
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remember to remove the kiltie (fringed
panel at the bottom of the laces) to
eliminate bulk under the south edge of
your chaps.
Because your boots show only their
toes in the ring, color-matching boots to
chaps or show pants is not as critical as
you might think. Coordinate your boot
tone to your chaps or your horses shoul-
der color by either buying the correct
color boots or having a shoe repair shop
re-dye an existing pair of boots. Make sure
you keep extra dye for touch-ups, and
dont worry about the tops of the boots
theyll never show in the ring. Of course,
no matter what you spend for show
boots, they should be freshly polished
with good shoe polish and lots of elbow
grease for each show day, and dusted with
a dry, clean cloth before each class.
Remember, youll never get a second
chance to make a rst impression, so
strive to create a winning impression the
moment you step into the ring!
The Perfect Pair
From work boots that go straight from
the box to the mud, to a custom-made
pair that is strictly for special occasions,
there are nearly as many styles of boots
out there as there are stars in a Texas
night sky. With so many options to
choose from, how can you be sure of
the pair thats right for you? Jennifer
June, author of Cowboy Boots: The Art
and Sole (www.dimlights.com), gives
some advice on nding the perfect pair
of cowboy boots to suit your style.
Out on the Town: A night out or
special event can often benet from a
dressier boot. This is a good time to try
alligator, emu, ostrich or less durable
materials that can look more rened
but arent as rugged as leather. A higher
heel causes the foot to t further for-
ward, so you might try a half-size larger
when shopping for a dress boot.
The Casual: For general walk-
around cowboy boots, look for
something a little less fussy. A simple
all-leather boot goes with just about
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There are as
many styles of
boots as there
are stars in a
Texas night sky.
Shape and
detailing add
spice to your
presentation.
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CRAFTSMANSHIP
Set your boots down. Do they stand up straight or flop to the floor? Lift them up and check
the weight. Do they feel like boots or a pair of sneakers? Most quality boots weigh about four
pounds a pair.
FIT
Check the fit across the top of the boot. Since there arent any laces, the top of the
boot should fit snugly across the top of the foot. Try a variety of brands. Different brands fit
differently, so if one store or brand doesnt work, continue to shop around.
STYLE
Know your materials. Exotic leathers usually dont belong in the barn and rustic leather
can clash with formal attire. Decide where youre going to wear the boots most. The preferred
style in most rural areas in Oklahoma and Texas is a round toe with a lower heel, while folks in
urban areas such as San Antonio and Dallas currently prefer a pointed toe and a longer spur
shelf to keep longer jeans from touching the ground.
REGARDLESS OF THE
MAKE, THERE ARE THREE KEYS
TO CONSIDER:
anything. Shorter boots provide less
room for design and less protection, but
are cooler in the summer and can be
more comfortable. Look for a lower heel
and a rounded toe.
The Vintage: If the classic look of
vintage boots appeals to you, look for
boots that were made in the 1960s and
70s with subdued colors and a pointed
toe. This is a timeless look that will
blend well with todays fashions. Try
searching sites such as www.ebay.com
to turn up some rare nds, and remem-
ber that a tall boot allows more room
for a fun design.
The Worker: A working cowboyor
girlneeds function more than style. A
tall boot protects from brush, bramble
and broncs. A tough, durable leather en-
sures dependability and longevity, while
a lower heel (about 1
5
/8 inch) can still
easily grip the stirrup.
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Credits
Buying Ladies
Western Boots
This report is brought to you
by the editors of EquiSearch.
com, Horse&Rider magazine
and American Cowboy
magazine.
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