Cowboy Boots: Selecting Quality Western Apparel

If you've been a lifetime lover of western wear, and thus, cowboy boots, then you probably already know everything I'm about to discuss in this article. If you're new to boot-wearing, however, it might do you some good to stick around and learn about some standards. Even if you're buying boots for the first time, you should take it upon yourself to learn about the tastes of long time boot-wearers and stewards of western apparel. In other words, if you're gonna do it, you might as well do it right.

A custom made cowboy boot should have clean lines, a neat shape, be constructed from quality materials, and showcase exquisite craftsmanship. To ensure your new boots have all of these characteristics, run down your checklist. Both boots should look like a matched pair - same size, toe shape, heel height, etc. The boots should stand up on their own without need of support.

The craftsmanship of the boots should be immaculate, from the design to the stitching to the overall result. The stitching should be even, with the seams lined up as close as possible. Even the seams inside the boots should be smooth so they don't irritate your legs. The edges of the outside and the inlays of the boot should be smooth and sewed down. The edges of the sole and heel should also have a nice finish. This can be done by a process known as inking, or "dressing the heal." There should be no traces of glue and no loose threads anywhere on your boots!

The leather should be high quality with no pock marks or scratches, and the coloring should be consistent with a nice sheen. The boots should have a hidden steel shank inside the arch, with wooden pegs to hold it in place. They should also have stacked leather heels - not fake laminate ones. The counter, or the stiff area behind the heel, should be made of high quality, hard leather.

The sole of each boot should be made of durable, high quality leather. There should be a groove cut into each sole with the stitching hidden down inside the channel. The toe should be sturdy and contain no bulges or lumps. Overall, your boots should have a sleek, finished look. There is no perfect pair of cowboy boots, but there are some beautiful, quality boots out there. You'll always get more the more money you spend, so if you truly want a top notch pair of boots that will last a lifetime, be prepared to pay for it.

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Written by Kacy Suther. Brand name cowboy boots and western wear at The Boot Store online store for western apparel. Ariat boots, Justin boots more at western-wear-store.com .

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