Retiring and moving to Texas this weekend. Lots of people talking about cowboy boots. I always reply- You ever seen me on a horse? Then the wife chimes in with "Babe, you should get some boots" Well shit. So off to Boot Barn I go. Whats the big deal, I'll get some boots and if the need to kick some shit comes up, bam I'm there.

I saunter in the Barn, and am greeted by an old guy. Wearing a cowboy hat. Ok, I get it, its part of the costume. He asks if he can help, and I say I need some boots. What do you need them for? How do I answer this? Shit kicking, sheep wrastling, cattle rustling, boot scooting- hell I don't know. I tell him I just need some casual boots that are good for general purpose. He looks at my feet, and asks "have you ever worn boots before"? OK, here we go. I'm wearing Asolo heavy hiking boots. I guess these don't count. I also have a pair of Whites. I tell him, just these and Whites.

Obviously none of this counts. he shows me 7000 pairs of boots. They all pretty much have slick soles. Can I get these re-soled with a Vibram lugged sole? Why would you want to do that, he wants to know. I want to shout- because I'll break my damn neck walking up carpeted stairs on these skis, and I'll never need them to slide into a stirrup. Do you wax the bottom? And hour and a half later I leave with some
Caiman boots. I kinda like them. Probably wont wear them alot. I'm considering taking a file to the bottom. Now, about that hat......

Rough the bottom up a bit on a curb just like new dress shoes with leather soles. You'll be fine.

If you got Mexican pointy boots, I can't help.

You can get cowboy-style boots with textured rubber soles. Usually sold as "Western work boots".

You just don't want to go riding in them.

The slick soles on most cowboy boots allows your foot to slide in and out of the stirrups on your horse. With a textured sole, if you fall or get thrown/bucked off the horse, your boot will stick in the stirrup, and you'll get dragged and trampled until the horse gets tired of running. Likely to your death.

The soles aren't really a problem, 'cept on really slick surfaces such as ice.

I've worn j-toe boots for years. Never crashed wearin' 'em yet .

Warning: Depending on a variety of factors, break-in can be both lengthy and... uncomfortable. My most comfortable boots took months to break in. But now, even after years, they're still nearly as comfortable as a pair of sneakers.

If I'm ever in danger of getting bucked off a horse- you all have my permission to unplug it!

I had to look up Jtoe. I got square toe, but not wide square. Maybe clip toe. Hell I don't know. Toe style never came up.

You’ll grow to love them. I wore boots to work every day for about 15 years and I’m not sure I even owned a pair of shoes. I was a agricultural banker in a small cattle town. When in Rome.

I eventually wore them out and don’t own a pair today.

I have a pair of lucchese goatskin ropers that are about the most comfortable shoes/boots I have. Boots are great - minus the crazy pointy ones.

I hadn't worn boots since I was a kid. Bought a pair of Ariat earlier this year.
Didn't expect to, but wear them all the time.

Good boot socks are my recommendation, I still need a get a few more pairs.

I buy and sell old cowboy boots all the time. 7,000 pair in the store wouldn't be an exaggeration. Never had a problem with the smooth sole. A file wouldn't be necessary as they will wear just fine over time. Some boot makers will manufacture boots with a rubber insert in the leather sole. Most just have the rubber heel pads.

Do I have a horse? No. A good pair of boots can last for many years and you may not want to wear anything else.

Congrats on your retirement.

Word of advice. Boots and shorts don't mix. (Unless you're a woman.) Don't be that guy.

Welcome to the fraternity. I've got Justin Calf, Lucchese Caiman, and Caborca Crocodile.

Love a good pair of boots.

“for some reason.”

Just tuck your pant legs inside the boots and walk around town till comfortably broken in.

"You'll be fine," they said as he was sent along his way.

Pictures, cowpoke.

In the word's of Klein's favorite son, Lyle Lovett:

"So won't you let me help you mister
Just pull your hat down the way I do
And buy your pants just a little longer
And next time somebody laughs at you."

Make sure your pants are long enough for boots. Go up two inches from your pants for regular shoes.

And in the same song, Lyle also sings:

"That's right, you're not from Texas
But Texas wants you anyway."

Welcome to the Lone Star State.

I'm up to three pair. I'm entertaining the idea of buying a pair of these, come fall: Tecovas The Cartwright


Now... hats... Good luck with that. I'm up to about a dozen: Felt, beaver (I think), oilskin, straw. Some with stampede straps, some not. One or two closer to a fedora than a cowboy hat, most unmistakably cowboy hats. Which one I wear depends upon what else I'm wearing and the weather.

You are escaping CA to a welcoming TX.

Maybe it's time to just go with the flow?

I have lived in TX my whole life. Cowboy boots are definitely not a requirement. IN the cities few wear them. They are big in Ft. Worth, San Antonio and out in the country. You don't need a cowboy hat either and nobody commutes to work on a horse.

quote:

Lucchese

These will ruin you for life.
Not in a bad way.

quote:

Originally posted by Prefontaine:
... and nobody commutes to work on a horse.

I bet somebody, somewhere, does

quote:

Originally posted by Georgeair:

quote:

Lucchese

These will ruin you for life.
Not in a bad way.

'Cept for your pocketbook.

I was in the same camp as you when a buddy talked me into buying a pair. After I got used to them I loved them, so much so that I bought a second pair that I could wear with a suit