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Iron Heart Fall/Winter 2025 Collection Preview - Now Live

Cowboy boots

Footwear
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  • C
    Chris
    Raw and Unwashed
    Joined: 28 Jun 2010

    Not really a fan of the roper style; much as IJ says, not ballsy enough.  I feel like if you're going to get cowboy boots, they should look more traditional- tall tops (min 12"), higher heels (min 1.5") and either a square or pointed toe.  Square is really old, circa 1880s-90s.  Personally, I also like brightly colored tops and stitching or inlays.  That might be a bit much for some, though.

    As for the pair you linked to, they look pretty solid.  Lucchese quality is generally good (the Handmade line is best) and the leather should be respectable.  Never shopped at Allen Boots, but their reputation is outstanding.  They're something of an Austin icon.  I really need to go there one of these days…

    last edited by 8 Jun 2012, 19:39 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
    • M
      michaeljcr
      Raw and Unwashed
      Joined: 14 Oct 2010

      Cheers Chris, all advice appreciated! Allen Boots ship to the UK for a not-too-bad price ($50), so it's good to know they're a good company. Style-wise, I like the ropers, but I'm having another look to see if there's anything more full-on in my price range…

      last edited by 8 Jun 2012, 20:06 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • G
        Giles
        IHUK Crew
        Joined: 22 Sept 2009

        I'm with Chris, get Lucchese….

        "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

        last edited by 8 Jun 2012, 20:46 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • C
          Chris
          Raw and Unwashed
          Joined: 28 Jun 2010

          Ropers are really more practical for most people.  The rounder toe, lower top and flatter heel are more shoe-like, so they're less of a dramatic change in feel and appearance.  If you're not used to wearing cowboy boots, or don't wear them often, they're a good way to mix boots into your footwear rotation.

          As a side note on ropers, they were invented by John Justin (grandson of the founder of Justin Boots and nephew of Enid Justin, founder of Nocona Boots) for cowboys competing in calf roping competitions, thus the name. 🙂

          last edited by 8 Jun 2012, 20:54 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • S
            Seul
            Joined: 24 Nov 2009

            Still thinking about the Lucchese ostriche boots…

            last edited by 9 Jun 2012, 13:54 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • F
              Finn666
              Joined: 20 Jan 2011

              i would vote for "cop!"…that´s just me though 😉

              last edited by 9 Jun 2012, 13:55 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • C
                Chris
                Raw and Unwashed
                Joined: 28 Jun 2010

                If they fit well and the price is right, why not?  Ostrich is great leather- soft, light and tough.  Very comfortable and low maintenance.

                last edited by 9 Jun 2012, 14:24 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • T
                  tmg
                  Joined: 10 Sept 2010

                  I've been thinking about those myself, but can't find anywhere in the UK that sells them, and it's too much of a gamble to just buy from a US site without having ever tried on a pair of cowboy boots, let alone these particular ones. May need to wait until the family trip to Disney World next year 🙂

                  Are there any restrictions importing ostrich skin boots into the UK?

                  last edited by 11 Jun 2012, 11:37 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • C
                    Chris
                    Raw and Unwashed
                    Joined: 28 Jun 2010

                    None that I know of, but I'm not an expert.  Ostrich isn't an endangered species and most hides come from commercially farmed birds, so it should be fine.

                    last edited by 11 Jun 2012, 13:51 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • T
                      tmg
                      Joined: 10 Sept 2010

                      @Chris:

                      None that I know of, but I'm not an expert.  Ostrich isn't an endangered species and most hides come from commercially farmed birds, so it should be fine.

                      Thanks Chris, that confirms what I thought.

                      I'm sure I can find a reason to get a work trip out to the US this year, know of any good boot shops in New Orleans?

                      last edited by 11 Jun 2012, 18:56 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • C
                        Chris
                        Raw and Unwashed
                        Joined: 28 Jun 2010

                        Sorry, but no.  I haven't been to New Orleans in years, and have close to zero knowledge of the city.  I used to know a guy from Louisiana who bought all his boots in Texas and Arizona, which makes me think the options in his own state are pretty poor.

                        I'll check around and see if I can find something useful for you, though.

                        last edited by 13 Jun 2012, 03:36 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • G
                          gbougard
                          Raw and Unwashed
                          Joined: 20 Apr 2010

                          @tmg:

                          .
                          I'm sure I can find a reason to get a work trip out to the US this year, know of any good boot shops in New Orleans?

                          First checkout the Lucchese website, And http://www.grapevinehill.com/
                          then go to http://www.dimlights.com/ and peruse through June's site for bootmakers names and links if you want custom made boots. She also has a fb page
                          In NO, check out if they have a Cavenders store
                          Try and see if there is a cowboy boot store in your area to try on and get a feel for sizing. It was really helpful for me when i bought a pair of luccheses.

                          Sly Dunbar bigs up IH on YT
                          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t2OM738mKY
                          Sly & Robbie A Run Tings
                          Gregory Isaacs Liveth 4 I-ver

                          Renault: What in heaven’s name brought you to Casablanca?
                          Rick: My health. I came to Casablanca for the waters.
                          Renault: The waters? What waters? We’re in the desert.
                          Ric

                          last edited by 13 Jun 2012, 06:47 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • I
                            illumin8em
                            Joined: 24 Dec 2011

                            Hey folks, I am selling two great pair of Red Wing Cowboy boots if anyone is interested

                            last edited by 14 Jun 2012, 20:03 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • T
                              tmg
                              Joined: 10 Sept 2010

                              Yep, and I've just sent you a pm 🙂

                              last edited by 14 Jun 2012, 20:36 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • M
                                michaeljcr
                                Raw and Unwashed
                                Joined: 14 Oct 2010

                                Bought the Lucchese Mad Dog Ropers. Not the most adventurous choice, but I like 'em.

                                last edited by 15 Jun 2012, 18:23 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • G
                                  gbougard
                                  Raw and Unwashed
                                  Joined: 20 Apr 2010

                                  @michaeljcr:

                                  Bought the Lucchese Mad Dog Ropers. Not the most adventurous choice, but I like 'em.

                                  Ropers dont have the same sole and heel construction as cowboy boots, and will feel more like shoes than boots. But their line of ropers are very nice. I have one in ostrich which I rarely wear because I'm too busy wearing boots.

                                  Next week, I'm supposed to receive a custom made pair made by Little Boots in San Antonio. Cant wait…
                                  And this coming August, I'll be back in Texas and I have this nasty feeling I'll order another custom made pair...
                                  Check this boot porn

                                  http://www.davelittleboots.com/cust.html

                                  Sly Dunbar bigs up IH on YT
                                  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t2OM738mKY
                                  Sly & Robbie A Run Tings
                                  Gregory Isaacs Liveth 4 I-ver

                                  Renault: What in heaven’s name brought you to Casablanca?
                                  Rick: My health. I came to Casablanca for the waters.
                                  Renault: The waters? What waters? We’re in the desert.
                                  Ric

                                  last edited by 21 Jun 2012, 06:50 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • astrogojiA
                                    astrogoji
                                    Joined: 25 Mar 2011

                                    Hey gbougard, how did those littles turn out?  Elephant is like the anvil of leathers, tough as nails (not that people here shy away from that sort of thing 🙂  Bullhide also wears pretty tough but then starts to develop a really great patina, these are mine after years of service:

                                    I'm in the market for my first custom pair myself and would be awesome to hear your thoughts/experiences/reccomendations with any custom bootmakers you've dealt with.  Lee Miller's stuff is incredible but I read that lee miller's wait list is now up to 4 years for new customers and he isn't taking any ATM.  Ever checked out Tres Outlaws' customs over at http://www.falconhead.com ?  some lovely bootporn 🙂

                                    Also, maybe I can pick your brain on leather choices for a day to day dress type boot that will look better over time…kangaroo seems like an awesome choice because it's tough but also breaks in pretty soft.  read a lot about water buffalo...python or cobra look pretty badass and i love the texture but have no idea how they'd wear over time.

                                    last edited by 7 Mar 2012, 19:57 3 Jul 2012, 19:51 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • G
                                      gbougard
                                      Raw and Unwashed
                                      Joined: 20 Apr 2010

                                      The elephant boots are fucking amazing. Very stiff, almost like
                                      Lee miller is indeed not taking new customers. You might want to try Little's in San Antonio, thats the company who made my elephant boots, and they are top quality. http://www.davelittleboots.com/
                                      Very nice people, too
                                      Tres Outlaws? I for one dont think so, way too much "hollywood" in what I see
                                      If you do a search for 25 best bootmakers in texas, you'll find a great article and then follow the links (or search them, too)? Here it is http://www.joenickp.com/texas/bootmakers.html

                                      Im totally droooling on stallion
                                      http://www.stallionboots.com/index.html

                                      And leddy

                                      Your boots are very nice, by the way. Love that patina

                                      Sly Dunbar bigs up IH on YT
                                      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t2OM738mKY
                                      Sly & Robbie A Run Tings
                                      Gregory Isaacs Liveth 4 I-ver

                                      Renault: What in heaven’s name brought you to Casablanca?
                                      Rick: My health. I came to Casablanca for the waters.
                                      Renault: The waters? What waters? We’re in the desert.
                                      Ric

                                      last edited by 3 Jul 2012, 22:06 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • C
                                        Chris
                                        Raw and Unwashed
                                        Joined: 28 Jun 2010

                                        Elephant isn't much heavier or stiffer than bullhide.  In fact, depending on the tanning process, elephant can be really supple from the very start.  I have a couple of pairs that have never given me a moment's trouble.  I highly recommend elephant hide as a boot leather choice.

                                        On the other hand, if you're looking for something for regular everyday wear, I wouldn't recommend water buffalo or any reptile hide.  Water buffalo is pretty light and needs a backing leather to be strong enough for boots.  It also scuffs really easily, in my experience.  All reptile hides, whether snake, lizard, alligator or crocodile, tend to split between the scales.  You'll have to be really careful with keeping them clean and conditioned.  Snake is also pretty thin and needs a backing leather to work in boots.

                                        Strong, good looking leather for dressier boots would be kangaroo, ostrich (you can get either full quill or smooth) or a simple calf skin.  Depending on the rest of the details, you can make a pretty dressy boot with elephant or shark, despite the texture.  Talking with your bootmaker will help narrow down the best choice for your needs.

                                        Be careful with that Top 25 list, too.  It's from 2002 and much of the information is out of date.  Tex Coleman is semi-retired and has moved to Abilene, Maida's has either relocated or closed, J.L. Mercer died and the shop closed, Rusty Franklin retired and sold his shop to Robert Brest (who makes great quality boots, by the way), M.L. Leddy only has their factory in San Angelo and runs all their sales out of the Ft. Worth store, and there are probably more changes that I don't know about right off the top of my head.

                                        last edited by 5 Jul 2012, 02:05 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • G
                                          gbougard
                                          Raw and Unwashed
                                          Joined: 20 Apr 2010

                                          Chris is 100% right

                                          I just stumbled upon this  in the cowboy boot forum. Check out the pix on Duck Menzie. Way cool.

                                          http://www.quicktopic.com/25/H/8BcDPHgDYXz6/p

                                          also, I had put together a small spreadsheet last year when I visited Texas, hope it helps

                                          City Name Address Website Tel

                                          Houston Wheeler 4115 Willowbend (713) 665-0224
                                          Abilene Tex Robin 2081 Sayles bld, 79605 (325) 691 5700
                                          Austin Capitol Saddlery
                                          Abilene Brian Thomas 325-672-2344.
                                          Bowie Mike Vaughn
                                          Vernon Dew Westover
                                          Houston RJ’s Boot Company 3321 Ella Blvd, Houston, Texas 77018
                                          Saint Jo C.T. Chappell Boot Shop 105 S. Main (940) 995-2901
                                          Houston Palace Boot Shop
                                          Austin Heritage Boot 117 West 8th Street (512) 326-8577
                                          Mercedes Rios of Mercedes
                                          San Antonio Little's Boots 110 Division Ave, San Antonio, Texas 78214 (210) 923-2221
                                          Stonewall 830 - 372 4470
                                          Richard Cook 9150 FM 1101 Seguin TX 78155 830 - 456 9411
                                          Austin Lee Miller

                                          I didnt get to visit them all, my wife and kids would have killed me.

                                          last, https://www.facebook.com/dimlights.cowboy.boots this page belongs to a woman who has written books and has a website, but this is more current

                                          Sly Dunbar bigs up IH on YT
                                          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t2OM738mKY
                                          Sly & Robbie A Run Tings
                                          Gregory Isaacs Liveth 4 I-ver

                                          Renault: What in heaven’s name brought you to Casablanca?
                                          Rick: My health. I came to Casablanca for the waters.
                                          Renault: The waters? What waters? We’re in the desert.
                                          Ric

                                          last edited by 5 Jul 2012, 06:56 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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