Justin Cowboy Boots - What's so good about Justin Cowboy Boots?

One of the big names of yore, H.J. "Big Daddy Joe" Justin started making cowboy boots way back in the day when the cowboy ruled the Old West and riding was the only way to get anywhere. Their specific needs and requirements lead to the creation of the shoe made to service those needs - the cowboy boot.

Originally featuring a high top and long shaft, these boots were meant to protect the rider from any scrapes by forming a double layer over the lower leg, along with the cowboy's pants. This high top was meant to keep the boots pulled on tight so that they would not come off since they had no laces. The long shaft sheltered the ankles and calves from harm while also providing the wearing with some support and comfort.

Justin cowboy boots are world famous and used by many a modern day cowboy. While today's cowboy boots come in a wide array of toes shapes, Justin cowboy boots will traditionally have a rounded toe and heel.

The most common toe shape is still the pointed one. Justin boots feature a rounder heel, generally less than or exactly one inch, and the heels go straight down vertically. Traditionally featuring rounded toes, Justin boots are now commonly seen with more stylish squared off toes. They are often almost flat heeled, compared with the traditional cowboy boot. Furthermore, Justin Cowboy boots will frequently be seen with shorter length tops, of around 10 inches. These boots are meant for the serious cowboy and rarely have too much stitching or decoration. Often they have pull straps to make the process of putting them on faster and smoother for the workin' cowboy.

Legend has it that Justin was the boot company that had the honor of naming the roper; thus were born the Justin cowboy boots. Justin was the initial mass-producer of the roper-style cowboy boots. According to country lore, as recently as the fifties, rodeo calf-ropers would frequently be seen dressed in baseball caps and tennis shoes at the rodeo. The explanation given for this was that the cap didn't interfere with the rope-action and sports shoes would make it easy for the roper to run after the calf and tie it quickly.

However, the Rodeo Cowboys Association was unhappy with this attire since they felt it didn't project an appropriate image of the West and lowered the tone of the rodeo. Thus they passed a rule stating that every contestant in the rodeo was to wear only appropriate cowboy duds, from the Stetson hat to real cowboy boots. John Justin Sr. received requests from a group of long-time ropers who wanted to wear something easy, comfortable and acceptable for the Association. Upon much testing, Justin finally created a cross between a Wellington boot and a military style boot from Justin's 9315 model that was utilized earlier for producing boots for Texas A&M University's cadet officers. The boot had absolutely no heel height. Justin cowboy boots are meant to be inexpensive, so that the rodeo contestants can afford them and so can everyone else who values comfort and style.

It remains popular and low priced. Justin produces roper boots now that feature all types of materials and fits - from leather to the latest man made fibers. A great pair of Justin cowboy boots comes to somewhere between $50-150 depending on the style you want to go for.

You can take a look at a whole heap of other cowboy boot companies at the resources below: