It is a fact that cowboy boots are actually much harder to put on than other types of footwear. This is explained by their high construction, not to mention that leather is not a soft material like fabric.
Honestly, I don’t mean to denigrate cowboy boots. Though leather and high construction are the dominant features that set cowboy boots apart from the rest, their construction still brings a lot of trouble.
However, the good news is that it is really easy to fix this defect! Today’s article will tell you the most basic reasons why you always find it difficult to put on boots.
Let’s check it out!
Key Takeaways
- Cowboy boots that have not yet been broken in are often very stiff and lack flexibility, making it hard to slip your feet in.
- If cowboy boots are too tight at the ankle or heel, it is a challenge to put on them because your feet can get stuck easily.
- Cowboy boots that don’t hold their shape but are wrinkled (maybe due to wetness, or too loose, or too old) will cause you trouble when you want to pull them up.
- Buckaroo-style cowboy boots with quite high shafts at 16 inches are also annoying to put on.
- Cowboy boots of older generation bootmakers may not come with a pull strap, so you don’t really have anything to grab and pull the boots up.
- Jeans that do not have enough room to tuck the boot shaft in, or conversely, a boot shaft that does not have enough room to tuck jeans in also make it difficult to put on your boots.
Quick Navigation
Are cowboy boots hard to put on?
Although some cowboy boots are troublesome when it comes to putting on, the reality is that not all of them are like that.
In fact, if cowboy boots have a good fit, most of them are easy to put on. These days, bootmakers often add pull straps to cowboy boots so you can easily grab and pull the boots up.
If your cowboy boots are currently hard to put on, don’t worry too much, as there are many effective methods to solve that problem.
Today, there are many products that support wearing boots such as boot slips, boot horns, etc.
In addition, if cowboy boots are difficult to put on because they are too tight, you can stretch them in many ways.
We wrote an article on how to make cowboy boots easier to put on. If you want more details, here’s the gift for you!
What you need to remember is that cowboy boots are not supposed to be hard to put on! It may depend on many factors that we will list for you shortly.
Continue reading!
Why are cowboy boots so hard to put on?
Cowboy boots with 11-inch to 14-inch tall construction will be a challenge for wearers. This ensures that they can fit in the calves and feet.
Besides that, cowboy boots do not have laces. So if they are tight (especially on the instep), it is difficult for you to put them on as it is impossible to loosen them.
In addition, it is also challenging when wearing new cowboy boots, because when they are new, the leather is still hard and not flexible.
So don’t be surprised if you can not pull on boots easily from the beginning.
In addition, cowboy boots that are too loose, too old or get wet can lead to sagging and slouching, which causes them to continuously slip off your feet.
We’ll list all of the reasons why it is difficult to put on a cowboy boot and how to tackle it. Let’s check it out!
Cowboy boots are too new, too stiff
One of the most common reasons is that cowboy boots are too new, so it is difficult to put on them.
Why is that? Because the leather of new cowboy boots is stiff and doesn’t fully fit your feet. That’s why you have some difficulty getting your feet in.
This problem usually disappears after a period of use, when your cowboy boots have gone through the break-in process.
Or you can use some ways to speed up the break-in process like using conditioner, alcohol, steam inside, etc.
Lucky for you, we have listed them all here!
These methods will quickly make the cowboy boots softer and easier to put on!
Cowboy boots are too tight
Tight cowboy boots are one of the main reasons why it is difficult to put on them. This is indisputable!
If you are thinking of changing cowboy boots bought online that are too tight, then you should search for ways to choose the right cowboy boot size here!
But if you have bought a pair of tight cowboy boots and the exchange time is up, your last resort is to stretch them.
Normally, if cowboy boots are too tight at the instep, it will be difficult to wear them, so you need some methods to stretch cowboy boots at the instep here!
Stretching solutions like steaming inside cowboy boots, using the boot stretcher, boot stretch spray can help cowboy boots to stretch more quickly, thereby it’s much easier to put on them!
A boot horn is also one of the popular tools nowadays to assist you in wearing tight cowboy boots.
Boot horns, in general, are similar to shoehorns but they have longer handles (up to 16 inches). So, you can easily tuck boot horns into cowboy boots while holding the handle and keep them to support sliding your feet in.
Boot horns are very effective when your cowboy boots are tight at the instep, or narrow at the heel or leather around the calf.
Cowboy boots are too loose, too old, too soft or get wet
Cowboy boots are too loose, too old, too soft, or get wet will cause them to sag and slouch, thus making it difficult to put on them.
If your cowboy boots are too loose around the calves, you might find it a bit easier when first getting your feet on them. But they come out easily and won’t hold up well!
You should know the methods to help cowboy boots fit tighter around the calf here!
Such methods may include wearing thick socks, double-up socks, using string leather, etc.
Tecovas Boot Socks | Image copyright Tecovas Boot Company | #CommissionEarned | Click image for more info
But if your cowboy boots are too old and constantly slouching, then it’s quite difficult to fix. It seems you should turn your cowboy boots into bonsai pots and get a new pair for yourself.
But what if your cowboy boots are too soft? Let’s make them stiff to get rid of the slouching or sagging problems.
We scrolled through the internet and found some DIY methods, but we have not verified how effective they are.
As soon as we have enough information, we will let you know! In the meantime, you can check out our article: How Do I Keep My Cowboy Boots From Sagging, Slouching?
Besides, if cowboy boots get wet, you will also have trouble putting on them, as they will easily slip off. So, always keep them dry!
The most simple and effective methods of drying cowboy boots are using a boot dryer, boot trees, and hairdryer.
Image copyright Tecovas Boot Company | #CommissionEarned | Click image for more info
Cowboy boots are too high
Some buckaroo boots are awfully tall, ranging from 14 inches to over 16 inches. You will definitely have problems putting on them.
Well, there’s almost no way to fix it, because once you choose to wear them, take their benefits, you also have to bear the risks they pose.
But my advice when choosing cowboy boots between 14 inches and 16 inches is to get the right size.
How are cowboy boots supposed to fit? Choose cowboy boots that fit snugly at the instep, slightly loose at the calves, and have enough room at the ball of the feet.
Your jeans don’t have enough room to fit cowboy boots and vice versa
One of the popular styles when wearing cowboy boots for men is to let jeans cover the entire boot shaft for a clean look.
Therefore, many people prefer bootcut jeans because they flare towards the bottom legs. From there, there is enough room to cover the entire boot shaft.
However, people in modern times prefer different types of pants to wear with cowboy boots, straight-cut jeans are one of them. This type of pants does not have much room to tuck the boot shaft in, thereby hindering you from putting on boots.
To solve this problem, you may have to cut the side seams of the jeans to extend the bottom legs. However, the most effective way is still to choose jeans that have enough length and width at the bottom to tuck the boot shaft in.
And luckily, we have an article on how to choose jeans for a great fit over the boot shaft here!
On the contrary, many girls have a hobby of tucking jeans into cowboy boots. Similarly, you will have a hard time if your boots don’t have enough room in the leather around the calf.
If so, you’ll need to know a few tips on how to stretch cowboy boots around the calf here.
Or, you have to make sure your jeans fit tight, like skinny jeans. This ensures you don’t need a lot of room in the shaft of your boots.
Cowboy boots do not have pull straps
What if one day you realize that the cowboy boot pull straps are torn and come off? What a disaster!
You can still put on cowboy boots without the pull straps, but you might face a lot of problems then.
Sew pull straps to your cowboy boots if you are skillful enough. If not, then look for a good cobbler, he will do it for you!
How hard should cowboy boots be to put on?
Normally, if you have just got a pair of new cowboy boots, then you will have difficulty putting them on because the leather is hard and new.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t put on cowboy boots when they’re still new, you just have a little bit of trouble in the beginning. Over time, when they have gone through the break-in process, everything will be very easy.
But if your cowboy boots are too tight, you shouldn’t try to stretch them, you can exchange your boots (if possible).
Because cowboy boots have a very sturdy structure, they will not easily stretch if they are still new.
You should choose cowboy boots with a good fit from the beginning!
In general, not all cowboy boots are hard to put on! There are many cowboy boots that are completely easy to put on right out of the box!
So if your cowboy boots are too difficult to put on, they may not be the right pair for you!
Last thoughts
In short, to explain the problem of making cowboy boots so hard to put on, it depends on the size of the boots relative to your feet, the condition of the boots, etc.
However, boots that have a size that doesn’t match the foot, and boots that are too tight, too loose, too old or wet will often create a lot of trouble for you to put on.
To solve these problems, be cautious when choosing boot sizes, preserve them well so that they always hold up well, retain their shape, etc.
However, you should know that not all cowboy boots are difficult to put on. There are boots right from the start that are easy to put on, so make no mistake.
Cowboy boots can be difficult to put on at an early stage as they are relatively new, but things get better over time! When the break-in is finished.
If there are any more questions, please comment right below and let me know, I will do my best to answer you!
Cheers!
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!
