The Cowboy Boot

Since the year 1873 before the historic railroad was constructed, most of the custom bootmakers were in Olathe, Kansas located near the stock yards where the cattle drives ended. Being one of the best bootmakers of the time, Olathe boots made boots for a range of folk heroes including Jesse James and Wild Bill Hickok.

One does not need to be notorious however to wear Olathe boots because these boots were not only made for riding but also for cowboys who worked in ranches and farms. Boots coming from Olathe later on became the center for bootmaking and today after over a century, Olathe boots are still available in the market.  The boots that Olathe produces are of course still of high quality and are definitely one of the best one can find in the market.

Although the Olathe Boot Co. started in Olathe, Kansas, production was moved to Texas in 2001 –still near where early cattle drives began. For over a hundred years, Olathe Boots still make sturdy and high quality boots. One can bee sure that upon purchasing a pair of cowboy boots from the company that it will be a good pair of boots that will last the cowboy a very long time.

Olathe Boot Co. believes in quality over quantity no matter what making this brand a wonderful choice if one wants a good pair of boots.

The Olathe Difference

What makes Olathe cowboy boots different from other cowboy boots? First and foremost, boots from the Olathe Boot Co. are made from the finest upper leathers, have sole leather heel counters, spring steel shanks, quality outsoles, select treated leather insoles, and fully leather-lined vamp and leg. Another wonderful thing about Olathe boots is that they are made by experienced craftsmen who have over a century of knowledge in bootmaking.

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Founded in 1865 by John B. Stetson, the John B. Stetson Company is today’s no.1 cowboy hat maker. Although the company stopped manufacturing in the year 1970 and Stetsons were later manufactured by Hatco Inc., the quality of a Stetson was retained. Hatco Inc. also produces other leading cowboy hat brands such as Charlie 1 Horse and Resistol.

After a 10 year hiatus, Stetson went back to manufacturing its hats in the 80s but unfortunately went bankrupt by 86.

The contemporary history of the brand may be somewhat sad but its early days are definitely something that cowboy hat lovers should always remember. The Philadelphia company started making cowboy hats when they were needed for a western expedition. The most well known of the Stetson hats is the boss of the plains, the hat that still serves as today’s prototype for a great cowboy hat.

The factory is now located in Galveston Texas and still produces the iconic boss of the plains along with other cowboy hat variations made for both men and women.

It is not only its popularity that makes the Stetson special though because it is also a symbol of pride and bravery of the Old West. The Stetson has been worn by many a western heroes including John Wayne, Garth Brooks and Clayton Moore.

Although the Stetson is a badge of the west in general, the Texas State Historical Association says that it is the badge of a Texan. The Stetson hat, no matter where you are from in the American west, is definitely a true badge of a cowboy –a badge of honor too if you may since the cowboy hat has its own rules of usage and its own rules pertaining to respect for others. This includes the removal of the hat when one is passing by someone you know or when passing by clergy men or women.

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A lightweight hat used for all types of weather, the Boss of the Plains is not just a design done by John B. Stetson but also an icon when it comes to cowboy hats. This hat is a part of history and definitely something a cowboy would want to have.

This elegant yet durable hat is waterproof but what makes it special is that it is the boss among all cowboy hats. It has the refinements of an elegant hat and the sturdiness required by every cowboy. It has a hat band for tightening and had a brim that was stiffened just the right way. The Boss of the Plains’ design includes a high crown made to give better insulation to the top of the head of the wearer. It had a wide brim and a stiff one too as means of sheltering the wearer from the elements protecting not only the face but also the neck and the shoulders.

The Boss of the Plains did not just come out as the perfect hat the first time it was made though because for years, John B. Stetson worried so much on how to waterproof the hat. He later on decided to make them from beaver felt. According to history, it took about 42 belly pelts from the beaver to make a high quality Stetson hat –high quality Boss of the Plains to be exact. Because of the quality of the felt and the stitching style used for it, this particular hat was sturdy enough to be waterproof. What is actually impressive about this hat is that it was also used as a bucket by cowboys of old –making the boss a multipurpose garment for every cowboy. One of the most popular cowboy stories is that of a man whose canteen had a leak. He saved his water by putting it on his Stetson.

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The popularity of women’s cowboy boots is undeniable but what are the reasons behind this popularity? According to experts, the no.1 reason is sheer sex appeal. While the design of the cowboy boot is merely functional in origin, all of the features of the shoe are associated with sensuality and often, passion.

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Although it is also reminiscent of the hardships in the Old West, today, cowboy boots for women, have a different vibe altogether. Cowboy boots are usually worn by fashionable women and even if they aren’t really bad girls, the bad girl profile is associated with them just because they are wearing cowboy boots. And they turn a few heads –that is undeniable.

Cowboy Boots and Hollywood

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Hollywood has had and still has a long standing love affair with the Wild West and along with its sheer sex appeal, cowboy boots for women are also featured in many a western films. According to psychologists, since this time period is so full of passion and romance and often, excitement, lots of women are attracted to western boots. Most of these women wear these boots too.

A Return to a Glorious Past

It is no secret that peoples from allover the globe say that America is just a place for a fast paced life i.e. fast food, e-commerce, etc. This is the reason why many go back to one of the most nostalgic parts of its history –the Old West when life was less harried and people were more adventurous and passionate about the things they do. America as a whole of course is still very passionate about certain things but no longer that passionate or as romantic as the Old West.

Women’s Cowboy Boots In Today’s Market

Western cowboy boots for women are available in a range of styles and colors. They are made from different materials too. With the increasing popularity of this fashion item, cowboy boot makers are now using exotic skin to make cowboy boots for women. This includes lizard, eel, snake, alligator, stingray and ostrich leather.

Photo Via thehorsecorner.com

For those who love to ride, you may need to take a look at boots that fall under the English riding category.  These boots are of course very English for a lack of better term but it pays to know how boots in general have evolved from one country to the other.

There are a number of riding boot designs and these boots look different depending on what they are intended for i.e. whether it is for pleasure riding or for horse shows.

Field Boots. These boots have lacing on the ankle part allowing the rider some flexibility. These boots are preferred for all jumping disciplines  such as show jumping, eventing, hunt seat equitation and fox hunting.

Dress Boots. These boots do not feature any type of lacing. They are stiffer than regular riding boots and are usually used by dress riders, those on a fox hunt and eventers. Sometimes these boots are also used by show jumpers.

Paddocks. Also known to some as Jodhpur boots, these boots are short and end just above the wearer’s ankle. More often than not, Paddocks are used for pleasure riding and since its conception was also used for everyday wear.

Cowboy Boots. This is not English of course but they are used as riding boots by western riders. They are either high heeled or have walking heels. The low heeled style is categorized as the roper. It is interesting to note that ropers are more like English riding boots –they end just above the wearer’s ankle but an inch higher than Paddocks. The usual length however is mid-calf to keep the western saddle from hurting the ankle and calf.

Tall cowboy boots on the other hand are seldom seen in riding since they are usually fashion items. These boots generally reaches the knees and are elaborately decorated.

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Most ladies agree that there is just something about a man in a cowboy hat. Apart of course from the sheer sexiness of a cowboy hat and Hollywood’s projection of it, a good cowboy hat will surely make a woman drool –pardon us.

According to cowboy hat experts, it takes about 2 to 6 hours to make a good cowboy hat and that on its own is a telltale sign that cowboy hats aren’t cheap. Although there are the inexpensive kind that one can buy from the department store, getting a cowboy hat from the assembly line is definitely not the same as getting a Stetson.

The Stetson Hat Company has been making great cowboy hats since 1865 –remember boss of the plains? Yep, there you go. It is interesting to note that cowboys from history wore Stetsons and this even includes Calamity Jane.

So what makes a cowboy hat sexy? According to our search for data online, many women think cowboy hats are sexy because well, they could not explain it actually but one thing is for sure –it makes women sigh.

Cowboys are different. In fact, they are a different brand of men. Against the metrosexual, the cowboy is definitely the better choice for those who want to be treated as women. This is of course a bias among those who are in love with cowboy hats and men who wear them but hey, cowboy hats are super sexy and this is something many women cannot deny.

If you are looking into buying your first cowboy hat, make sure that you get a felt hat. The more Xs there are in the hat, the better but buyer beware, this can be quite expensive. Not to worry though because the more beaver there is in a cowboy hat, the longer it will last.

Cowboy boots date back to the time of Genghis Khan but in America, cowboy boots started in the early 1600s. The first pair of western boots had high tops, were pointy-toed, and were well heeled i.e. up to 2 inches in height giving the cowboy a boost. Through the years, different designs were introduced in the market depending on what the cowboy boots were used for. Riding boots were invented but other than that, boots were also made for the military and some for the aristocracy. It wasn’t until the 1880s however that the cowboy boots we know today got its distinctive style.

Styles have evolved though and today, various styles and colors have been introduced giving the bootmaking market more space for creativity. Although there are many different styles of cowboy boots, an expert will still be able to tell which region a certain pair of boots comes from basing of course on its style.

If you are thinking of buying new cowboy boots, you may refer to the list below:

Sheplers –the company offers a huge selection of cowboy boots and this includes boots for all ages. One can visit Sheplers.com to take a look at the selection of boots offered.

Cowtown Boots – this is a bootmaking company based in Texas and is one of the leading retailers in the west. Cowtown offers Acme, Dingo and Dan Post boots as well as a range of other cowboy boots made from exotic leather.

Langstons – this company established in 1913 is a western wear retailer known for its wide selection of cowboy boots. They have a store in Oklahoma and also has a website.

Justin Boots –Justin is a venerable brand now owned by the Berkshire Hathaway company. It has been producing sturdy and comfortable boots since 1879.

There are other cowboy boot brands of course and this includes Tony Lama, Lucchese, L.M. Easterling, Olathe Boot among others.

If you love your cowboy hat, whether you are a real cowboy or someone who just loves western wear, you should take good care of your hat.

Water Damage

Use a non-silicone based protector to protect your cowboy hat from water damage. Some often wear their felt cowboy hats in the rain and if done so without a non-silicone based protector the hat will definitely get a few rain stains. There is a brand called “The Protector” that helps keep your felt cowboy hats in tiptop shape –at least when it comes to water damage.

Regular Brushing

Your wife probably does this to her hair but did you know that if you apply regular brushing technique to your cowboy hat (felt), you would keep your hat looking brand new? Yes you got that right gentlemen. Use a brim brush to get rid of dirt and dust. Make sure that you brush clockwise on the underside and counter clockwise on top.

Cleaning

If you want to clean your felt cowboy hat, you can always use lukewarm water, a sponge and mild soap. Do not use a detergent to clean it because this will only ruin your hat. Let the hat dry naturally after cleaning it. NEVER use a blow dryer –that is for your wife’s or girlfriend’s hair.

Reblocking

If you mishandled your cowboy hat and it has now lost its original shape, you can always go to a professional and get it fixed. Professionals can fix this problem through reblocking i.e. putting the hat on a shaping block and later on steaming it to get its original shape. If you just need  minor adjustments, you can always go to a hat or western store –they can do that for you. Remember however not to expose your felt hat to heat or moisture as this will not only affect its integrity and beauty but also its shape.