There are few footwear options that are as instantly recognizable as the cowboy boot. These tall boots have been associated with rural life and country music stars for decades, and although they’re mostly known as something you’d only ever wear on a farm, these rugged boots are now an essential part of many men’s urban outfits. However, finding the right pair can be tricky given their unique design. The fit of your cowboy boots is essential to ensuring you get plenty of wear out of them. A badly fitting pair will not only look terrible but also be uncomfortable to wear and shorten the lifespan of your footwear. There are several factors to take into account when trying to find the perfect fitting pair of cowboy boots, including whether or not there is enough room in the toe area without straining the shaft; whether or not there is enough space in the shaft without straining your toes; and whether or not there is sufficient arch support. Here we’ll explain exactly how your cowboy boots should fit so that you can find the perfect pair for your feet.
What you should look for in a cowboy boot
While there are plenty of cowboy boots on the market, not all of them are worth your time or money. Ideally, you want to find a pair with a classic design and plenty of color options. A classic design will ensure your footwear remains stylish for years to come and will look great with a wide variety of outfits. There are also several materials that you should look for in a pair of cowboy boots. Cowboy boots are usually made from one of two types of materials – leather or suede. Both of these materials work well for the construction of cowboy boots and provide the wearer with plenty of traction on a variety of surfaces. Cowboy boots made from either of these materials are often exceptionally durable and can last you a long time.
Toe Room
When trying on a pair of cowboy boots, make sure you have plenty of toe room. You want to avoid having the toe area of your footwear be too tight by just a few millimeters. If the toe of your boot is too tight, it will lead to discomfort and blisters and cause the boot to prematurely wear out. If there is too much toe room, however, the rest of the boot will not be secure and could fall apart. Toe room is particularly important when purchasing cowboy boots with a square toe design. A square-toed boot is designed with an extra room around the front to accommodate the wearer’s foot movement and prevent the toes from squishing together and causing discomfort. This is particularly important if you regularly wear your cowboy boots during work or while performing some other physical activity.
Shaft Room
When trying on a pair of cowboy boots, you also want to make sure there is sufficient shaft room. The shaft of cowboy boots should not be tight enough to make you uncomfortable, but it should also not be too loose so that the boot drags on the floor. If the shaft of your boot is too tight, it will put unnecessary pressure on your feet and cause discomfort while you wear them. If the shaft is too loose, however, you run the risk of the shoes falling off while you walk. Ideally, the shaft of your cowboy boots should end at your ankle bone or just above it, which will help ensure they stay securely in place when you walk.
Arch Support
The last thing you want to think about when you’re wearing your favorite pair of cowboy boots is that your feet are in pain. While cowboy boots have a reputation for being uncomfortable, many modern designs have plenty of support and can be worn for long periods of time without any foot pain. Before purchasing a pair of cowboy boots, try to determine what type of material they’re made from. Cowboy boots made from suede or nubuck leather will offer plenty of arch support, while those made from full-grain leather will have less support but last longer. If you know you require more arch support, ask a sales associate if you can try on a pair made with a different material so that you can make an informed decision.
Cowboy boot fit tips
Now that we’ve covered what you should look for in a pair of cowboy boots, let’s take a look at how to correctly fit a pair so that you end up with a great-fitting pair of footwear. There are a few key things to keep in mind when trying on a new pair of cowboy boots, including the length of the shaft, the width of the shaft, the length of the footbed, the width of the footbed, and the amount of room within the toe box. The length of the shaft should end just above your ankle bone, while the width of the shaft should be narrow enough to prevent it from rubbing against your leg while you walk. The length of the footbed should end at the tip of your toes, while the width of the footbed should be narrow enough to prevent it from rubbing against your other foot. Finally, the amount of toe room should be just enough so that there is no pressure against your toes but not so much that your foot slides around in the boot.
How to break in your new cowboy boots
If you buy a new pair of cowboy boots that are too stiff, they may feel uncomfortable and even injure your feet while you wear them. Many cowboy boot lovers swear by a method known as “breaking in” their new footwear to make them more comfortable. There are a few ways you can break in new cowboy boots, including giving them a daily wear for a few weeks, spraying them with water and walking with them until they dry, or pouring coffee grounds into a paper bag and placing your boots inside. Whichever method you choose, be sure to give them a thorough break-in before deciding if they’re comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time. Once your cowboy boots are broken in, they’ll be as comfortable as any other pair of footwear. While they may take some time to break in, they’re worth it. Cowboy boots are some of the most classic footwear available and are fantastic for both formal and casual outfits. If you follow our tips and advice on how to pick the perfect pair of cowboy boots, you’ll be able to enjoy them for years to come.
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