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10 Weird Facts About Old West Cowboy Boots

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Big hats, bigger dresses, and of course, the iconic look of old west cowboy boots.

The wild west had a unique sense of fashion that still resonates to this day. But do you know the whole story behind the West’s most iconic type of footwear?

Here are 10 weird facts about old cowboy boots that you may not have heard.

1. The History of Cowboy Boots Begins in Britain

The first reported archetype of the cowboy boot actually didn’t come from the west at all, but instead came from England.

We owe the cowboy boot to the Arthur Wesley, the first Duke of Wellington. Wesley loved how comfortable and stylish the boot was and it quickly became a symbol or aristocracy.

2. The Final Design Has a Spanish Influence

England wasn’t the only country that contributed to the overall design of old cowboy boots.

In fact, Americans may owe more to the Mexicans and Spanish than the English.

Reportedly, cattle ranchers in Mexico and Spain used a similarly designed boot, though the flat-bottomed shoes made it hard to chase after cattle.

3. The Pointed Design Serves a Purpose

Have you ever wondered why nearly all cowboy boots have a pointed toe?

It’s not just a fashion statement, but a matter of practicality. The pointed toe made it easier for cowboys to get in and out of the saddle.

Previously, if a cowboy was trapped in a saddle and dragged behind their horse, they’d end up gravely injured or dead.

4. American Cowboy Boots Originated in Kansas

While there’s quite a bit of debate over who exactly created what we’ve come to expect from a cowboy boot, much of the credit is given to Kansas’ Charles Hyer.

As the story goes, a farmer from Colorado stopped by to inquire about riding boots. Hyer created a customized boot for the rider, which was so handy that the cowboy evangelized Hyer’s work to anyone who would listen.

5. You Can Make a Boot From Just About Anything

We tend to think of cowboy boots as leather, but it’s possible to make a boot from nearly any animal hide.

From snakeskin to bullfrog to shark, there are boots made from just about any animal you can imagine.

6. The Bend Near the Toe Has a Name

Most cowboy boots have a slight curve near the toe. This part of the boot is known as the toe wrinkle.

7. Spurs Are For More Than Just Looks

If you’ve ever seen a western movie, you’ve probably seen the rounded wheels with jagged edges on the end.

These boot additions, known as spurs, help cowboys maximize their horse’s speed. To make the horse go faster, they simply kick the spur into the side of the horse.

It’s not the most humane treatment, to put it mildly, but apparently, it works.

8. Most Modern Cowboy Boots Are Used For Line Dancing

Sure, old cowboy boots were more about utility than looks, but the line dancing community has adopted the West’s favorite footwear as its own.

Go to any country bar or line dance and you’re sure to see plenty of cowboy boots.

9. Hollywood Brought Them Back

Cowboy boots never disappeared, per say, but their popularity did wane for a while.

Until that is, Hollywood’s obsession with cowboy culture began. Thanks to the popularity of westerns, cowboy boots came back in style in the 1940s.

10. They’re Sticking Around

The cowboy boot industry is so popular that you can buy them anywhere that sells footwear. Sites like www.froutlet.com even offer specialty cowboy boots.

There’s No Denying The Popularity of Old West Cowboy Boots

Whether you’re a fan of the old west cowboy boots style or the sleeker, refined offerings of today, it’s clear that cowboy boots are one of the most enduring types of footwear available for a reason.

Thanks to their comfort and practicality, they’re a great choice to cut a rug or wrangle some cattle.

Want more weird facts? Be sure to check back with our popular weirdness page to learn more interesting and bizarre facts about anything and everything.

Weirdomatic is the place where all weird things come to life through the amazing world of photographs – a corner of our wild imagination or the whimsical face of the reality?

 

 


Source: https://weirdomatic.com/10-weird-facts-about-old-west-cowboy-boots.html


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