Cowboy shoes are a cultural staple. These shoes are not only popular in the Wild West but they have made their way into the global market with the help of media marketing and popular culture influences. The cowboy boots are one of the most bought feet articles of the lone star state. People who come to visit buy them as souvenirs and Texan people are always happy to receive them as a birthday present. Among all this celebration and jolly hunting, one thing that no one wants to deal with is a pair of non-break in cowboy shoes. These shoes are traditionally made from leather however the modern versions have seen the synthetic alternative like plastic and rubber. Owning a pair of cowboy boots is all about fun and enjoyment. If the shoe started to bite it can turn into an instant kill joy. To remedy this problem, here are some of the tried and tested methods to stretch the cowboy boots without making too much fuss about the issue.
Table of Contents
6 Methods To Stretch The Cowboy Boots
-
Using The Western Stretcher:
A western boot stretcher is not a novelty but a real piece of equipment. This simple yet effective contraption is created for the sole purpose of breaking in the cowboy shoes. The problem with cowboy boots is that they have a long shaft that can obstruct any other type of tools. However, the western stretcher has a long stick that can be easily inserted inside the boots. On the other end of the stretcher is a hoof like wooden mold that can stretch and shrink with the help of lever on the top of this tool. The boot owner can put the boots on the stretcher like an artificial foot and slowly keep stretching the wooden hoof by and by. Within very little time the boot would become ready to wear and stop cutting the feet like a snake.
-
Freezing in the Desert:
This method is nowhere near as strange as the title suggests. On the contrary it is quite simple and straight forward. After the availability of the modern technology it has become easy to apply during the extreme heat conditions. The trick is to fill the boots with some water balloons and freeze it out. The water expands when it is frozen therefore it stretches the boot out naturally. However, it is better to line up the boot inside with oily substances so that the water balloon does not get lodged into the boot permanently. One great perk of applying this method is that it works for all types of boots that are synthetic or real leather material.
-
The Water Breakthrough To Stretch The Cowboy Boots:
Another great break in method that involves water is the complete soak up method. Water molecules have a natural propensity of absorbing into other chemicals. The leather made cowboy boots are going to absorb a sizeable amount of water and become loose. In case, you are not sure about the method, it is as simple as it sounds. Simply fill a bucket or any other container with fresh water and leave the cowboy boots inside to soak in for a few days. It is important that you do not use salty water or your boots would be ruined forever. Also it is not advisable to leave the boots floating away in the water. The water pressure must be applied on the boots equally on every unit of surface area. To soak in the boots fill them with water first and let the gravity take care of the rest. Do not leave out the boots into water for a long period of time and do not use any heat induced method to dry the boots as well.
-
The Good old Steam:
Ever since the invention of the steam engine it has become an important part of everyday life. This technology is used to take care of different issues in the household. One such domestic issue is the cowboy boots. The cowboy boots are customarily made from leather that is quick to react with water. Basically this method is same as the other water inducing method for breaking in the boots. Although, the steam can permeate into the leather surface faster and more effectively than simple water soaking. Simply fill the kettle with water and bring it to a steamy boil. Keep the boots in the close vicinity so that they can soak up the steam. However, there should be a margin for temperature control.
-
The Magic of Socks To Stretch The Cowboy Boots:
One simple method of breaking in the cowboy boots is to wear them with double socks. This method makes the boots stretch bigger and allow them to break in. The woolen socks can also be used in singular pair since they are naturally thicker than normal socks. Although this method requires a little personal fuel but the results are long lasting and quite effective. It is highly advisable for people who do not want to expose their boots to water and prefer a dry solution to their problem.
-
The Stuffing of the Nice Kind:
The last and probably the most popular method of breaking in the boots, is to stuff it with different articles. The aim is to create a more spacious boot that does not cut the feet while wearing. Some of the best materials to achieve that are back-dated newspaper and cloth rags. It is a great idea to fill up the boot to the maximum capacity however overdoing it might have some adverse effects.
Learn About Stretching Cowboy boots At Home
Conclusion
The cowboys are meant to be worn by cattle herders and sheep farmers. These boots have been an important part of the culture and history. These days these boots are more about fashion than practical implementation. However, a decent pair of cowboy boots can cost a pretty penny. Therefore, breaking in these boots is an important task to make sure that the money is spent well.
Learn About:Best Cowboy Boots Of 2021 With Reviews And Comparisons