Cowboy Boots

[Woodtroll]

Bought a pair of Loblan 295 harness boots this week, after a long time of looking for a pair of brown harness boots not in a waxy finish. I really like them - shiny, 'rub off' look in a finish I believe they call tobacco.

I do have a question about fit. I tried them on in the office for the first time (socks on, no plastic bag). Difficult to get into, but once on a great fit. Getting them off again was a bit more of a struggle on my own. Once on, they feel a good fit round my feet. Snugger all round than an engineer boot - which is part of the attraction, of course. What I'm now not sure about is whether I need to return them (purchased by mail) and ask for a size up, or whether they will break in with use.

I did a few years ago have a similar issue with a pair of Chippewa Engineer boots, which broke in and slipped on and off nicely after a few weeks of regular wear. Are Loblans the same, or do I really need to size up? I'd hate to size up now and then find in a couple of months' time they were too big...

I would repeat the advice you've already received. If they fit well while they're on, I'd stick with that size. There's few things worse than trying to walk around in sloppy-fitting pull-on boots. Boot jacks to get them off, at least for now, and a long shoe horn (the long style made for physically disabled folks or those recovering from hip or knee surgery) will help get them on. In time, you won't need the shoehorn, but you may want to keep the boot jack.

Good luck!

 

[Woodtroll]

This guy does it.
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Yeah, but he's a rough-looking character!

Hope you are well, Bowen!

 

[Bamaboots]

This guy does it.
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With all of the BS around this site, not a bad call, B.

Every time you post some of your Stewart’s, I think of the history associated with them.

I grabbed a pair of “Hollywood” boots sometime ago. Just for the shelf.

Some years back, toward the end of Stewart’s run, I think, they did a remake of the boot James Dean wore in Giant for a company called the Phoenix Project. I always thought it was a good looking boot.

 

[Edward]

If they fit when you've got them on, then I'd say go with it. They will stretch out over time and you don't want them flopping around too loose on your foot. In the meantime, get yourself a boot jack to make it easier getting them off. You can get a plain wooden one for pretty cheap, or go down the rabbit hole of vintage ones. Usually cast iron, you can find steer heads, giant bugs, saucy ladies with their legs in the air....the possibilities are endless..
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I would repeat the advice you've already received. If they fit well while they're on, I'd stick with that size. There's few things worse than trying to walk around in sloppy-fitting pull-on boots. Boot jacks to get them off, at least for now, and a long shoe horn (the long style made for physically disabled folks or those recovering from hip or knee surgery) will help get them on. In time, you won't need the shoehorn, but you may want to keep the boot jack.

Good luck!

Thanks, gents. I'll try them on again this evening (they're in my office, I'll be there again later), without socks this time and see - I think that will give me a good line of comparison with the Chips too. I have my eye on another pair in a different model, but will hold back til I see how I go with these. These have the wide, square toe while the others are a mid-width toe, so might mean going up a size in them. Footwear is tricky that way - can take a while to figure it out, and an expensive learning experience. Advice much appreciated and really helpful - thanks!

 

[BobHufford]

Found these at a flea market in Licking, Missouri (pop. 3,500) for $30.00. Paul Bond’s from 2002 — I think they are calf and shark (I’ll defer to the leather experts). Six rows of stitching. Too small for me unfortunately. The original owner is 96 (I didn’t find an obit).

 

[Bamaboots]

Found these at a flea market in Licking, Missouri (pop. 3,500) for $30.00. Paul Bond’s from 2002 — I think they are calf and shark (I’ll defer to the leather experts). Six rows of stitching. Too small for me unfortunately. The original owner is 96 (I didn’t find an obit).

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Interesting color combo. Shark on the collars and counters.

 

[Bamaboots]

Stallion

 

[jonbuilder]

I just picked these D W Frommer boots from eBay. The boots do not fit at the instep where it,s so tight I can not get the left boot on. I working with an instep stretcher and hair dryer and have ordered leather stretcher spray. I injured my left ankle in a motorcycle accident when a car turn in front of e froa stop sign. MY left ankle is swollen and does not straighten completely. I broke my left foot at the insept during a high side.
I can not get the images to load wrong format so here is the link
https://www.ebay.com/itm/296437917757

 

[Bamaboots]

I just picked these D W Frommer boots from eBay. The boots do not fit at the instep where it,s so tight I can not get the left boot on. I working with an instep stretcher and hair dryer and have ordered leather stretcher spray. I injured my left ankle in a motorcycle accident when a car turn in front of e froa stop sign. MY left ankle is swollen and does not straighten completely. I broke my left foot at the insept during a high side.
I can not get the images to load wrong format so here is the link
https://www.ebay.com/itm/296437917757

Jon, those are beautiful. I wish you luck in stretching them. D. W. crimped his vamps before construction taking a lot of stretch out of the leather and ostrich can be tough to stretch anyway. In lieu of stretching spray you can make your own from a 50/50 mix of distilled water and isopropyl alcohol. Get them good and damp. Go slow. When they're ready to try on again a little food grade silicone spray can help with easing them on.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Antique boot stretchers at local auction.

 

[DanielPetmr]

I've worn cowboy boots off and on since I was a kid. Mom was pretty adamant early on that cowboy boots were not the best thing for your feet. Her father could attest to that later in life. I remember my mother messaging my Grandfather's feet many times. Now I better understand why. I've seem plenty of old cowboys hobble along later in life, because of bad feet. Hobbled up by bad horses/cows, hard labor and cowboy boots. My guess is more bad boots than bad animals. Now decades alter I too can testify to just how bad even the best custom made boots are for most feet.

I literally have baskets full of high dollar custom boots from many makers I can no longer wear because of arthritis in my feet.

I have little choice but to wear boots or sell out and make a significant change of life style. I wear out a pair of good boots almost every year. Some store bought boots will last 2 years if I rotate them often enough. Abought the time they are "good to go" they are gone Good pair of custom boots? Wouldn't make it a year of daily wear here.

Water and heat, and we have an abundance of both 6 months of the year, is a death sentence for any boot website.

Ariat's. Good for a 2 year stretch generally if they get rotated a lot and kept out of the irrigated grass and the arena's sand box as muchas possible. With a lick of a good leather conditioner, once dry again , these should make it till Spring before the tops cracking.

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I still like pointed toe cowboy boots..medium toe. I have 4 pair of Noconas with medium toes and cowboy heels. Two awesome full quill ostrich, an antiqued cowhide, and regular cowhide. They're the best thing ever for driving a pickup. That tapered heel lays flat on the floorboard and pivots perfect on the gas and brake pedal. I like my boots a bit looser than most. My feet sweat and swell and get stuck if not loose. Son only wears square toe. I tell him he's a fashion slave. If people ask about my ranch I tell 'em it's the Los Bebe Pina we have about 30,000.
Pine trees.

 

[58panheadfan]

Mecixana Boots for today

 

[Bamaboots]

I ran across one of Judi Buie's obits this morning and that sent me off on a search for some of her boots. I know that a couple of my boot books have some info on her and a pic or two. Online, I have only located one pair and that's being worn by Meryl Streep. There are a number of pics of her wearing these boots in different settings. Since Buie brought cowboy boots to NYC before Ralph, I thought there might be a few more pics out there. Buie's boots were made by TL. Maybe others but I don't know.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Buie's boots were made by TL. Maybe others but I don't know.

I was thinking from memory that Buie worked everything thru Enid Justin & Nocona. I think that info comes from the John Justin book.

 

[Bamaboots]

I was thinking from memory that Buie worked everything thru Enid Justin & Nocona. I think that info comes from the John Justin book.

On that I'm not sure. I'll have to see what I can find in my books. The story accompanying the Streep pic lists the boots as TL's.

 

[RossRYoung]

A few that caught my eye on IG over the last couple months:

 

[Bamaboots]

A few that caught my eye on IG over the last couple months:

Those are some great ones Ross. I was poking around on Tres Outlaws site yesterday. I'm always fascinated by the number of designs they put out. They make a great boot as well. Never heard of saboteusebespoke but she makes a good looking boot, though philosophically we might clash. I spent some time on her page and website looking for who she may have learned from and found she apprenticed under Jimmy Luke Covington. He was a MA boot maker who moved to Elizabeth CO several years ago. He made some beautiful boots. I really like the toe and heel of her boots along with the overall profile. These caught my eye.

Those Lisa Sorrell boots were made as part of a raffle in support of a Blugrass organisation. I hope my $20 is spent well. They are a copy of a design she originally made for one of the Malpas Bros. The originals were inspired by the Louvin Bros. album cover of Satan is Real.

 

[RossRYoung]

Thanks for the thoughts and research BB. It’s always good to hear your perspective, I’m still at the novice level of boots but I’m putting some time into them.

 

[Bamaboots]

You’re welcome. I’ve been following some of these makers since the long defunct Custom Cowboy Boots and Shoes Forum was a thing. Lisa Sorrel is one of those. Find some of the boots she’s made for Arnold.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

tresoutlawsbootco

Ive always been unclear on the connection between Tres Outlaw & Falconhead. When I bought my pair of Tres Outlaw boots in the early 1990’s I was made to believe the two boot makers were best of friends but separate companies; that their boots were similar in construction & style, but Tres Outlaws were known for their stitch work while Falconhead was known more for their inlay & overlay work. When they merged, one bought the other out, etc I’m unsure of.