Cowboy boot care

[sandman2234]

I guess I have to be the odd guy out. Almost all of mine are square toe...

You won't be the odd man out, as I was one of only two at Church Sunday with pointed boots!
David from jax

 

[sandman2234]

These are my Tony Lamas that I bought in the 60’s. I haven’t worn them for 10 or 15 years. I have never treated them with anything. They have been standing upright in my closet all that time.

Maybe they built them better back then.

View attachment 771534

You might have touched on something there....
Tony Lama was bought out by Justin in 1990 and I am pretty sure the quality went slightly downhill from there. However I only have a small amount of experience in Tony Lama boots since that time. Justin is buying out their competition that is making things in USA and outsourcing the work but selling the Brands to capitalize on their investment when people don't realize that the Made in USA is no longer stamped in the boot. (or Mexico, etc)
David from jax

 

[WinterDeere]

I was wondering what y'all used to keep your cowboy boots from falling over? I was hanging mine but that is causing friction with my Bride who needs more closet space.

Just never take them off! When your wife catches you wearing boots in bed, she'll free up some closet space for you, again.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Empty 2 liter pop bottle in every pair I have.

 

[two_bit_score]

I like Lucchese for dress boots, Redwing for work boots.

Since Capitol Saddlery in Austin closed and boot maker Charlie Dunn passed the best boots are said to be Leddy Boots. M.L. Leddy's | Fort Worth | San Angelo

Back in the early 1970's everyone who even came to Austin wanted a pair of Charlie Dunn boots and a Manny Gammage Hat from Texas Hatters. Day Trips

Charlie Dunn’s Bootmaking Tradition Lives On At His Original Austin Shop

Lee Miller now runs Texas Traditions, but started as an apprentice for hot-tempered Dunn, who made boots for famous musicians and celebrities.

www.texasstandard.org

https://www.sacbee.com/news/business/real-estate-news/article242056151.html

 

[Wagtail]

Wagtail - nice boots but beyond my budget, most footwear lasts me less than a year (due to my gait, dragging toe or whatever it is ?)

i should get my brother to find me a pair, he's in NSW

I understand... one (of the many) great things about an R.M.Williams boot is that their address is woven into the 'tabs' and that they will re-sole any of their leather soled boots if you send them to them, postage paid!

I've had both of mine done over the years. Quality shines, eh?

 

[Torvy]

I like Lucchese for dress boots, Redwing for work boots.

Lucchese are expensive. I'd like them, too, but I doubt I'll ever have that kind of money. Too many implements and other things ahead of really nice boots on my priority list.

I've got a solid pair of Ariat. Hard to find boots to fit my wide feet and high arches.

 

[sandman2234]

Lucchese are expensive. I'd like them, too, but I doubt I'll ever have that kind of money. Too many implements and other things ahead of really nice boots on my priority list.

I've got a solid pair of Ariat. Hard to find boots to fit my wide feet and high arches.

Lucchese was also bought out, or maybe a couple of times since the original owner. I suspect those suede boots in the previous picture with my highwater/capri pants were not made in Texas, as there is no markings of the country of origin inside the boot like the smooth leather pair I have. Lucchese has now started making them using their "global suppliers" as to where they get their materials, and I have no idea where they are assembled. Some of the extreme high dollars handmade pairs are still assembled in Texas, but I doubt all are.
My Tony Lama's are marked made in USA or made in Mexico, depending on the age of the pair you are looking at. My Nocoma's are marked made in USA but are late 70's vintage, long before Justin took over them.
Wide feet and high arches, I definitely understand! A pair of Tony Lama's in black bullhide are very comfortable, but it is all the Wife can do to pull them off of me when I am done wearing them, as the arch doesn't allow my foot to slide right out! I keep thinking that they will get easier as they age, but it is time for them to go get re-soled and they are still a pain to get off! I recently sprayed some Bickmore boot stretch in that area and it helps. Maybe more will help even more?
David from jax

 

[bigtiller]

I went to the local Kenny Shoe Store in the big city several decades ago to buy a pair of dress cowboy boots. I picked a style that I liked and the salesman went into the back room to get my size.

I put my index finger through the pull straps and gave them a slight tug when my foot hit the arch. The boot didn't go on. Instead, the pull straps stretched way out of shape.

The salesman said to never pull the boots with that tab, it is purely cosmetic. He said the boots are ruined now, and that it is my fault and I need to buy them before I left the store.

I chuckled, told him he was wrong and walked out of the store.

 

[sandman2234]

I went to the local Kenny Shoe Store in the big city several decades ago to buy a pair of dress cowboy boots. I picked a style that I liked and the salesman went into the back room to get my size.

I put my index finger through the pull straps and gave them a slight tug when my foot hit the arch. The boot didn't go on. Instead, the pull straps stretched way out of shape.

The salesman said to never pull the boots with that tab, it is purely cosmetic. He said the boots are ruined now, and that it is my fault and I need to buy them before I left the store.

I chuckled, told him he was wrong and walked out of the store.

So how did he expect you to pull them on? I wouldn't buy a set of boots that the pullstraps wouldn't hold up either!!
David from jax

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Cowboys wear longer pants. So they don't look like they are ready to wade into some high water
Get some cowboy length pants and nobody will ever see it. Google cowboy stacked jeans

Some of my paints is so long you could sew the ends closed and save me on socks.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Ok Gentlemen, now that we have discussed my ineptitude of caring for boots and my high water/capri pants...how about telling me what kind of polish or cream do you use to extend the life of your boots. The cracking of the leather around the area where the boot "falls over" is why I was trying to support the shafts, but maybe I just need to keep the leather from drying out.
Suggestions might also include what type of material you are applying it to, as I am sure bullhide, Ostrich, snake and suede are possibly different.
For the record, my Bride has threatened to shoot any snake boots that walk into her house with the foot still in it!
David from jax

You asked. I use leftover grease from browning hamburger meat. What's hamburger? Chopped ham? No, it's chopped beef. What's better for the leather than the fat that grows with it. Just greased a couple pairs last week. I did use bacon grease, but was attracting too many stray dogs. Been greasing my boots since I had boots, almost 50 years now, I'm older than 50. But I think I got my first pair of dad's used up lace up sears and roebuck work boots when I was pretty young. Packed a ball of newspaper in the toes. Thinking dad was 9 1/2 so I wore them until I was a 10 size. Now I'm a 12 and dad's old boots are of no good to me. At least I walked some miles in his shoes.

 

[two_bit_score]

Lucchese are expensive. I'd like them, too, but I doubt I'll ever have that kind of money. Too many implements and other things ahead of really nice boots on my priority list.

I've got a solid pair of Ariat. Hard to find boots to fit my wide feet and high arches.

I have high arches but wear a D width. Lucchese are a perfect fit for me on dress boots. I have some that are over 20 years old that I still wear. But, then again, some of my neckties have gone out of style and come back in more than once. I only wear my dress boots and ties frequently during the first 140 or so days every other year.

 

[two_bit_score]

These Red Wing boots are still made in the USA.

Country of Origin

Made in USA

NailSeat | RedWing

Classic pull-on work boot offers absolute toughness, durability and traction for heavy industrial work. Shop Now At Red Wing Shoes.

www.redwingshoes.com

They are very popular in Texas and, again, Ive been told, that the factory makes two runs of these a year to supply, mostly, Texas. So they sometimes run out of stock between runs.

 

[bigtiller]

I have high arches but wear a D width. Lucchese are a perfect fit for me on dress boots. I have some that are over 20 years old that I still wear. But, then again, some of my neckties have gone out of style and come back in more than once. I only wear my dress boots and ties frequently during the first 140 or so days every other year.

Now you've done it...you've gone and made me ask why?

 

[sandman2234]

I have high arches but wear a D width. Lucchese are a perfect fit for me on dress boots. I have some that are over 20 years old that I still wear. But, then again, some of my neckties have gone out of style and come back in more than once. I only wear my dress boots and ties frequently during the first 140 or so days every other year.

Inquiring minds want to know...
David from jax

 

[two_bit_score]

Now you've done it...you've gone and made me ask why?

That is the only time I actually work in an environment that I am expected to wear 'nice' clothes and boots/shoes. Coincides with the legislative session.

 

[alexpops]

Lobbyist or Legistor?

 

[two_bit_score]

Lobbyist or Legistor?

janitor

 

[sandman2234]

janitor

Texas doesn't need cleaning up, its DC that needs it, and BADLY!!