Throughout our history, the human race has always worn some kind of leather footwear to protect our feet. Although leather boots exact origin is unknown, one thing is true: leather boots are this season’s latest trend.
Leather boots haven’t a different origin to other kinds of boots that exist in the actual market. Leather boots were designed to improve feet’s protection and knee joint. For that reason, it was the perfect footwear for ranchers and cowboys.
This iconic footwear found its scope of influence through several cultural waves that have appeared during these last years. You can find a great variety of leather boots at Corbeto ‘s Boots.
Leather boots origin
Leather boots, are a style that has done a long way during the 20th Century: from the first cowboys to their popularity in the movies and catwalks conquest.
Leather boots are a kind of boots originally designed for working, being made in different materials, mainly cow leather or exotic skins like ostrich, crocodile, or snake.
Boot’s origin is back to the ancient world, around 1.500 years b. C. Boots were a dress accessory that had as main purpose to protect the feet.
In the 17th Century the first mass produced leather boots appeared, precisely in 1642, when Thomas Pendleton produced 4000 pairs of shoes and 600 pairs of boots for the British Army. That would only be the beginning of what was still to come Centuries after with the Industrial Revolution during the 19th Century.
Mid of 19th Century, cowboys wore plain but tough boots to feel comfortable and be protected while doing difficult works: some own-made boots, fine design boots, for special occasions.
Cowboy’s lifestyle transformed in 20th Century 30’s and 40’s and wasn’t exclusively focused on practicality but also on fashion and style.
Hollywood’s influence and Western movies increasing popularity led to design colorful cowboy boots and exotic skins. Actors and artists like Gregory Peck, John Wayne or Gene Autry, started wearing more modern styles, making grow the demand for more vivid versions.
At 1960’s decade, leather boots experienced another transformation. The youth, at that time, lost the interest for the luxurious designs used by their parents and searched simpler designs, very similar to ones worn by the original cowboys during the 19th Century.
Manufacturers reacted with boots with low heels and plain leathers in black and brown tones. This quickly changed during the 70’s with snip toes boots popularity. But it wasn’t until the 80’s with the airing of Urban Cowboy movie, that western aficionados started asking for black and white boots with snip toes.
In conclusion, leather boots little look like the ones worn the original ranchers and cowboys when working. Now, they a true fashion icon and have their own style.
Leather boots shopping guide
Following, will find some information and advices for those who have never worn leather boots. Learn to wear leather boots like a genuine cowboy!
There are three basic areas where boot’s fitting is based: instep, heel and ball.
Instep
Unlike a laced shoe, a boot has the instep like the only part to firmly hold the foot, so, a good fit on the instep turns out to be really important.
Boots must be tight on the instep to ensure that the foot doesn’t move or lift too much and be able to walk comfortably. If the instep feels too loose, lifting on the heel will be excessive so a smaller size might be advisable or maybe wear insoles or thicker socks to get a greater fastening.
Heel
Due to leather boot’s construction system, we will always feel that our foot’s heel slightly slides upwards when walking, that’s totally normal and it doesn’t mean the boots are too big. The reason is that when a boot is new the leather or rubber outsole is quite rigid and little flexible. As we keep wearing the boot, the outsole will get more flexible and lifting on the heel will decrease.
Feet’s ball
For a perfect fit we should try our widest part of the feet, called ball, to rest on the widest part of boot’s sole, this way we will obtain a better balance and comfort in the step.
If you want to find genuine leather boots, just need to come by our store at Las Ramblas in Barcelona or take a look at our online shop. Will find a great selection of leather boots made with the best quality leathers from the best brands.
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