- Cowboys lead a rough and rugged lifestyle, which makes it important for them to find a boot that will withstand a beating. A high-quality Western boot has thick, genuine leather that can withstand the elements. In the more bountiful days of the Cattle Drive from 1866 to 1884, cowboys received higher pay and were able to buy more expensive boots. The higher-priced boots provided cowboys with unmatched style and durability.
- The cowboy lifestyle sometimes calls for quick response when, for example, a predator alerts the cattle. This requires the cowboy to immediately hop on his horse and gather the herd. To do this, he needs a slick sole to easily slip into the saddle stirrups. With one swift motion, the avid cowboy will be able to assume the riding position and have his horse galloping.
- The high heel on the Western boot allows the cowboy to insert his foot into the saddle stirrup without putting it in too far. Western boots usually feature a slab at the front of the boot that allows cowboys to put the stirrup in a crevasse. This is a particularly useful feature to a cowboy who is standing up while riding the horse. Without the high heel and front slab, the cowboy risks falling off his horse if the boots slip out from the stirrup.
- A cowgirl is sometimes required to travel with her cattle for days, transferring them to a different location on what is called cattle drives. She eats, sleeps and rides in her boots. The boots' tall shaft protects the bottom of her legs from getting cuts, and prevents water, mud, pebbles and other debris from getting under her feet. The shaft also keeps her leg from rubbing against the horse's stirrup. She is also protected from snake bites and thorny bushes.
Durability
Ease
Safety
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