Cowboy boots are an American tradition when it comes to casual wear of a Western nature as well as for those working on a ranch or farm. These types of footwear refer to riding footwear associated with western attire. They generally have a high heel and a rounded or pointed toe. Traditionally, these have no laces, but innovative new styles today do indeed have laces. These were historically made of cowhide leather but today you can find more exotic and unique designs made of ostrich, snake, alligator, eel, elk, buffalo, elephant, or even more exotic type hides.

The traditional cowboy boots have an extremely high heel with the shaft going well up the leg to at least mid-calf. This style of riding footwear has been an important part of equestrian lifestyle for many centuries. Once upon a time, these popular types of footwear were each handmade in a variety of styles depending a great deal on the culture involved. The history of these types of footwear can be seen all the way back to the 1500s and the Spaniards. Today, Mexico carries on this highly traditional look and feel.

The lack of laces was an important part of the entire design. Laces are easily captured or trapped in the riding gear causing danger to the rider and the animal in question. The basic design is built for safety even before safety was considered of an importance within the workplace environment. The double side tabs make it easier than ever to get into in a pinch. In addition, the raised sole offer added support to the body as well as added safety purposes.

The pointed tip is a more modern convenience added for looks and uniqueness. In fact, the traditional styles had a slightly rounded tip with a smooth surface on the top and the bottom. When needing to mount, getting the slightly rounded tip into the stirrup was considerably easier, and the sharp points today can actually be uncomfortable in a riding shoe or working footwear. In fact, the extreme points were not added to this style until the late 1940s.

The shaft was raised to add protection and comfort to the equestrian rider. This will keep a protective layer between animal and person making it less likely to experience chafing or rubbing that can cause injury, discomfort, or worse. When dismounted, the high shaft protected against brush, snake bites, rocks, and thorns. In addition, if crossing a creek or experiencing heavy run or mud, the high shaft would keep the inside from flooding and weighing the person down.

The stitching is always extremely durable, and today, you will find cowboy boots in a variety of shafts ranging from 9-inches on down. Of course, the traditional model is always available as well. Usually, the reinforced stitching is double stitched for optimal support and maintenance.

It is quite common for discoloration of the leather used over time. In fact, this discoloration gives those cowboy boots style and class. When it comes to getting more, you can expect these high quality designs to offer you more of a good thing for longer.