It is amazing how popular cowboy boots are all over the planet, not just in the United States. While cowboy boots were originally created and designed to be worn by cowboys as a work boot more or less, they have achieved much more widespread popularity as a fashion item. These boots were originally introduced to the public market during the Civil War and were copied after cavalry boots worn by soldiers.
Soon afterwards cattlemen that worked the ranches of Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas petitioned the boot manufacturers to alter the boots in order to be better suited the specific work they did. Two of the most popular of these boot makers were Hyer Brothers out of Kansas and Justin Boots of Spanish Fort, Texas, a brand still popular today. I think mush of the appeal of cowboy boots lies in their unique styling, having a high main shaft, with a high heel and pointed or rounded toe together with no lacing.
In the beginning the boots were made from regular cowhide leather but later on the cowboys began desiring boots that were more decorative and elaborate and the evolution began into the fancier boots with a multitude of different materials and designs such as the Texas Stars that were popular then. This led to the cowboy boot industry we have today where it seems nearly everyone owns a pair! The boots of today are made in nearly any imaginable color and are constructed of not only plain leather but of elk, ostrich, elephant, snake, alligator, shark, and even stingray. The sharkskin and stingray are particularly tough and durable. If you are interested in buying cowboy boots, just bear in mind that they don't fit like any other shoe. You should have your foot measured and do so in the afternoon or evening when your feet have expanded. Buying any shoe or boot in the morning will result in them being too tight.
You also need to be concerned with the depth and width of your foot. If you have a wide foot, you should consider a wide width. Most cowboy boots are made in B width for women and in D width for men. Next you want to think about heel heights.
The heels of cowboy boots come on a wide assortment of thicknesses from very short to extremely tall, just go with what you like best. For general all purpose wear it is best to stay under two inches. Get your own pair of boots and see what all the fuss is about.
Gregg Hall is an author and internet marketing consultant living in Navarre Florida. Find more about western boots, work boots and cowboy boots cowboy boots at http://www.westernandworkboots.com
