Jul 14 2009
Looking Back: Cowboy Boot History
As Cowboy eluded to in his first post, cowboy boots have been around for a long time. Shoes have been worn for thousands of years, and boots offered protection to the wearer’s entire lower leg, not just the foot. As horses were domesticated and ridden, having a shoe with a heel was imperative in order to keep the rider’s foot in the stirrup. Developed from calvary boots, the modern cowboy boot has come a long way, especially in the last 100 years.
Image Courtesy of Boot City
It’s thought that as cowboys earned more pay, the demand for better boots rose. This meant stitching and design, better leather, higher heels and an overall fancy touch to what were simple and dull calvary boots. Just like the cowboys of today, everyone wanted a unique pair of boots that showcased their style. Hyer Brothers Boots and Justin Boots are among the best-known American boot makers of the late 19th century. Both started a trend that would last longer than their lifetimes, and reach farther than either could have imagined. Hyer and Justin’s meager beginnings brought cowboy boots into the mainstream — today millions worldwide, of every culture, love their boots.
Famous Ties: President Bush (father and son), President Clinton, President Reagan, Bob Dylan, Johnny Depp and Arnold Schwarzenegger have sported cowboy boots.
