Cowboy boots always carry a sense of hidden beauty, allure, and uniqueness. In today’s world, where most boots fall short of reaching heights of 13″ to 14″, cowboy boots proudly stand tall, boasting a distinct feature that sets them apart.
To understand why cowboy boots have such lofty heights, let’s take a step back in time to an era when farmers in the western United States needed boots that could handle the rugged demands of farm work while keeping them safe.
The solution was cowboy boots with high shafts, designed to tackle various challenges like intense sun, heavy rain, snow, and even potential encounters with dangerous creatures like snakes and scorpions.
Yet, the very qualities that contribute to the charm and safety of cowboy boots can sometimes pose a problem for wearers: the tall shaft can make getting these boots off a bit of a struggle.
Today, we’re here to guide you through a simple and gentle method to easily free your feet from the snug grip of cowboy boots:
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Why are Cowboy Boots so Hard to Get Off?
Cowboy boots can be challenging to remove due to various factors related to their design and fit. Here’s why:
- Snug Fit:
Cowboy boots often feature a snug fit to provide support and maintain the boot’s shape. While this is advantageous when wearing them, it can make the removal process more challenging.
- Stiff Leather:
High-quality leather used in cowboy boots can be quite stiff, especially when they are new. Over time, the leather may gradually soften, making the removal process easier.
- Narrow Shaft:
Many cowboy boots have a narrow shaft opening, which means your foot has to navigate through a tight space to come out. This narrowness can be compounded by the height of the shaft.
- Tall Shaft:
The height of the shaft, which is a distinctive feature of cowboy boots, can also contribute to the difficulty of removal.
The taller the shaft, the more your foot has to travel upward before it can be comfortably released from the boot.
- Tight Fitting or Small Size:
If your cowboy boots are particularly tight-fitting or slightly smaller than your regular shoe size, it can amplify the challenge of removing them. A more constricted fit creates increased resistance during the removal process.
- Wet Boots:
Wet cowboy boots can exacerbate the challenge of removal. Moisture can temporarily alter the shape and flexibility of the leather, making the boots less pliable and more difficult to take off.
How To Remove Cowboy Boots?
All the above combined can create a situation where taking off cowboy boots requires patience, technique, and a gentle approach.
It’s important to avoid using excessive force, as this can potentially damage the boots or lead to discomfort.
1. Use a boot jack
- Stained hardwood- This bootjack is made from stained hardwood
- Easily remove boots- This bootjack will help you easily remove your boots
- Boot protection- This large bootjack has boot protection built inside the jack
Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Boot jack is a specialized product to help remove cowboy boots quickly and easily so that you don’t bend over to do that.
The boot jack’s design exploits the principles of leverage, making the act of pulling off the boot effortless.
Here’s how to use it:
- Positioning the Boot Jack:
Place the boot jack on a stable surface, ensuring that it won’t move or slide while you’re using it. It’s a good idea to use it on a flat and non-slippery area.
- Inserting the Heel:
Stand facing the boot jack and position one of your cowboy boot heels into the U-shaped opening at the top of the boot jack. The heel should fit comfortably within the U-shape, and the shaft of the boot should extend upward.
- Applying Pressure:
With your heel securely placed in the U-shaped slot, use your other foot to gently press down on the boot’s toe or sole. As you do this, the boot jack’s lever action comes into play. This action multiplies the force you apply, gradually pushing the heel of the boot downward.
- Sliding the Foot Out:
As you press down on the boot’s sole, you’ll notice that the heel of the boot is lifted upwards due to the leverage created by the boot jack. This creates enough space for your foot to easily slide out of the boot, with minimal resistance.
- Removing the Boot:
Continue pressing down until your foot is fully out of the boot. Once your foot is free, you can easily lift the boot off the boot jack.
If you often wear cowboy boots (or different types of boots), or you have back and hip pain, then you should have a boot jack to easily remove cowboy boots.
2. Boot Horn
- SHOE HORN METAL- at 16.5” long, our extended shoe horn (also known as a Shoe Spoon or Wear Shoe...
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Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Another gift for you is the shoe horn. This product will help you remove cowboy boots very quickly, especially narrow heel cowboy boots.
A shoe horn is a practical tool that facilitates the process of removing cowboy boots. Its smooth and curved design aids in gently guiding your foot out of the boot.
Many people still think shoe horns can only be used for shoes because they are too short. But, you gotta miss something out there.
Today, there are many shoe horns out there with much longer lengths than you might think. Their existence is to help you remove cowboy boots easier.
Click image for more information on Amazon
You should choose a shoe horn (or a boot horn) with a length of more than 14 inches, this way you can handle your boots easily.
- Positioning the Boot Horn:
Stand facing the boot you want to remove. Hold the boot horn with one hand, grasping it near the wider end, which is the handle. The narrower, curved end will be inserted into the boot.
- Inserting the Boot Horn:
Gently insert the curved end of the boot horn into the top of the boot, between the heel of the boot and your ankle. Ensure that the boot horn is positioned comfortably and securely.
- Applying Pressure:
With the boot horn inserted, use your free hand to hold onto the boot’s shaft for stability. Now, gently press down on the boot horn’s handle. As you do this, the curved end of the boot horn will create a controlled opening in the boot’s shaft.
- Easing the Foot Out:
As you press down on the handle of the boot horn, the front of the boot’s shaft will widen slightly, easing the pressure on your foot. With this gentle assistance, your foot will be able to slide out of the boot with minimal effort.
- Removing the Boot Horn:
Once your foot is out of the boot, carefully remove the boot horn from the boot’s shaft. It’s a good practice to keep the boot horn nearby for the next time you need to remove your boots.
3. Use Household Powder, Hair Dryer, Boot Dryer
If cowboy boots are wet, it is quite difficult to remove them from your feet, so all you need to do is keep them dry.
There are many ways to dry cowboy boots, such as using a hair/boot dryer to dry them, or using household powder.
If your cowboy boots are wet and you need to dry them quickly, then take advantage of your wife’s hairdryer.
If your cowboy boots are still moist, use household powder (talcum powder, baby powder, cornstarch) and apply it inside your cowboy boots to absorb moisture.
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- Thicken Sauces & Gravies. Great for Baking
Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Household powders are very helpful in dehumidifying, they also make your cowboy boots more slippery to pull out your feet easily.
Where cowboy boots are tight, massage them with household powder, then you can remove cowboy boots easily.
4. Wear socks
Using socks is a good way to limit the moisture in cowboy boots, as you know that moisture makes it difficult to remove cowboy boots from the feet.
Socks for cowboy boots are taller than mid-calf and can cover your entire calf. Besides, socks also increase the smoothness of the legs, which makes it easier to pull out cowboy boots.
If your feet sweat regularly, you should use socks to refrain from moisturizing cowboy boots.
In addition to helping you easily remove cowboy boots, cowboy boot socks often have good arch support, which is great for those with flat feet or high arches.
- Moisture-wicking socks each featuring ribbed leg and half-cushioned foot with arch support
- Smooth toe seam reduces bulk and irritation for a seamless feel
- Half cushion foot for added comfort and arch support to reduce foot fatigue
Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- Note: Keep your socks dry, do not wear wet socks with cowboy boots, this just makes it difficult to remove the cowboy boots.
Read more: Best socks for cowboy boots
5. Stretch your cowboy boots
Another effective method for tight cowboy boots is to stretch them.
There are many methods to stretch cowboy boots, such as wearing them more often, steam inside cowboy boots, using a hair dryer, using ice, using a boot stretcher…
As long as you remove the cowboy boots properly, you can do that easily.
We have a very thorough article on how to stretch cowboy boots at home here!
However, take note that you should stretch them to some extent, do not let them become too wide.
6. Use boot slip
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Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Boot slip is also a useful product to support those who often wear cowboy boots.
A boot slip can be described as a plastic bag that covers your entire calf, heel and instep, making it easy for your feet to slip in or slip out of cowboy boots.
You may not know, when wearing cowboy boots, the instep and heel area are important, they must be snugly fit to keep your feet neat and prevent slipping off the boots.
And vice versa, these very positions also make it difficult to remove cowboy boots from your feet. A boot slip is just what you need right now.
In fact, the boot slip is designed to help you put on cowboy boots, rather than remove them.
Because after putting on the boots, you will tear the plastic bag and throw it in the trash.
You may not need to tear the plastic bag so you can easily remove the cowboy boots later. However, if you do that, your legs may feel hot!
7. Use boot trees and boot shapers
Last update on 2023-09-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
After a long time of use, cowboy boots will shrink, especially in the winter. This is challenging to remove cowboy boots.
To avoid that, you need to use boot trees. Boot trees will keep your cowboy boots in shape, making it easier to remove them.
Wet is also a major cause that makes it difficult to remove cowboy boots. Boot trees will help cowboy boots stay dry thanks to their ability to absorb moisture.
Another product to keep cowboy boots in shape is a boot shaper.
This product will keep your cowboy boots upright and wrinkle-free. From there, you can easily remove them from your feet for sure.
What is the Easiest Way to Remove Cowboy Boots?
To make the process of taking off cowboy boots easier, consider using the following tools:
- Boot Jack:
A boot jack is a simple and effective tool that assists in removing boots.
Place the heel of the boot into the U-shaped slot of the boot jack and apply downward pressure with your other foot. This action helps you slide your foot out effortlessly.
The boot jack requires minimal physical effort on your part. It reduces the need to bend over or struggle with pulling the boot off, which can be especially beneficial if your boots are snug or if you have limited mobility.
Using a boot jack provides a consistent and controlled motion for removing the boot. This helps prevent sudden movements that might cause discomfort or unbalance.
- Boot Horn:
A boot horn is another handy tool. It acts as a lever, allowing you to gently push down on the boot’s heel while your foot slides out with minimal resistance.
The boot horn’s curved shape and smooth surface create a gentle and gradual exit path for your foot. It eliminates the friction and resistance that can occur when your foot rubs against the inside of the boot.
Since the boot horn ensures your foot follows a controlled trajectory, there’s less risk of accidentally distorting or damaging the shape of the boot during the removal process.
Both the boot jack and boot horn are designed to reduce the effort required to remove cowboy boots, making the task more comfortable and convenient.
Before you leave
If you’re a devoted enthusiast of cowboy boots or an avid collector, or if cowboy boots are a staple in your regular wardrobe, the methods mentioned above are nothing short of lifesavers.
These approaches not only stand out as the simplest but also the most budget-friendly solutions that you can effortlessly execute right at home. Their straightforward nature ensures that they won’t consume much of your time.
Wishing you all the best!
Howdy y’all, and welcome to From The Guest Room, your ultimate guide to all things Western! I’m Jay Gatz, a lifelong cowboy boot enthusiast with over 5 years of experience in the Western style world. I’m excited to share my knowledge with you and help you discover the perfect cowboy boots and western gear to elevate your style. Let’s explore the rich history and timeless appeal of Western fashion together!
