Cowboy boot

The classic style is distinguished by a tall boot shaft, going to at least mid-calf, with an angled "cowboy" heel, usually over one inch high.

Fashion magazines from 1850 and 1860 show the cowboy boot with top stitching, geometric or other natural elements cutouts, and underslung heel.

[citation needed] The American-style boot was taken up by bootmakers in the cattle ranching areas of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

[6] When mounting and, especially, dismounting, the slick, treadless leather sole of the boot allowed easy insertion and removal of the foot into the stirrup of the Western saddle.

While an extremely pointed toe is a modern stylization appearing in the 1940s, it adds no practical benefit and can be uncomfortable in a working boot.

While in the saddle, the tall heel minimized the risk of the foot sliding forward through the stirrup, which could be life-threatening if it happened and the rider was unseated.

While mounted, the shaft also protected the lower leg and ankle from rubbing on the stirrup leathers, as well as fending off brush and thorns, particularly if also worn with chaps or chinks.

While dismounted, the shaft helped protect the leg and foot from rocks, brush, thorns, and rattlesnakes.

The high tops helped prevent the boot from filling with mud and water in wet weather or creek crossings.

Still, as custom boots were made, cowboys asked for decorative stitching, cutouts in the high tops (early on, often Texas stars), and different materials.

The interaction of wild west shows and, later, western movies influenced styles that working cowboys sometimes adopted.