Quintessential item of apparel for both the urban and ranch cowpoke. Its history dates back to the Spanish Conquistadors who invaded Mexico in the 16th Century. Spaniards taught the natives the art of fine boot construction. This tradition has persisted to modern times with today’s most acclaimed artisans being descendants of those early Mexicans.
In the latter part of the 19th Century, approximately 600 bootmakers practiced their craft in Texas. Now, no more than 50 to 60 artisans fashion products the old fashioned way — totally by hand. the very highest quality boots marketed today employ manual labor throughout the process — only hand-cutting and hand-stitching are utilized. The classic boot had its origins as a work shoe.
It was designed with the ranch cowboy’s daily routine in mind. The pointed toe permitted the boot to be easily slipped into the stirrup on the saddle. Once seated, the elevated arch and heel operated to hold the foot firmly in place. The sleeve, or upper part of the boot, functioned as protection for the wearer’s ankle and lower leg from brambles, barbed wire, snakes and the saddle itself.
Now texas produces more boots than any other area in the world. In the 1960’s, popularity of the boot with city dwellers caused demand to explode far beyond the capacity of the hand-crafted suppliers. Machines and factories sprang up to cater to this surge in boot wearers; the cottage-industry craftsman remained to serve the upscale, pricier segment of a much larger market. When shopping for a pair of either custom, or off-the-shelf bootwear, be certain you follow these guidelines to assure proper fit and comfort: Heel - should slip a bit on a new boot, because the sole is rigid. With wear the sole will begin to flex and the hee slipping will disappear. If there is no heel movement in a new boot, you should be aware that it is too tight — resulting in blisters and buyer distress. Instep - best if it is quite snug — even hard to get on — at first. If boot slides on easily, it’s often a tell-tail sign boot is to large. Try a narrower size. Ball & Toe - ball of the foot should be aligned with the widest part of the boot. If ball of the foot is forward of the widest part, it‘s too small and your toes will be jammed into the toe box of the boot. If ball sits behind the wide part, the boot is too large, often resulting in a painfully chafed foot. Arch - the boot shank, a metal support between heel and toe, should be both long and wide enough to cover the entire arch of your foot.