We strive to provide you with authoritative, trustworthy, and expert advice. In doing so, the staff at texaswalkabout.com performs extensive research, editing, and fact checking to every post on this webiste. If you feel that this article can improve, please feel free to reach us at staff@texaswalkabout.com
We rarely think of footwear unless it’s time to get a new pair of shoes, or the appearance of them grabs your attention.
Cowboy boots tend to be on the latter side. Not only that, but there are various weird designs they can come with, and have odd shapes to boot!
With that pun intended, we’ll explore the mysterious pointed toe in cowboy boots, what its functions are, and what other purposes it can serve.
Why do cowboy boots curl up? It could mean the boot materials are wearing out.
If you’ve seen someone wearing a worn-out pair of cowboy boots with toes pointed at the sky, which could mean those boots have seen better days.
With any kind of footwear, how you use it day to day matters.
It’s very possible that that pair you’ve seen is made of cheap materials.
A quality pair of cowboy boots is typically made of cowhide leather, and can last for years on end. However, if a pair is made of something cheaper than that, then wearing out to the point of pointed toes is much more likely to happen.
Even for those made of genuine leather, wear and tear can still happen if the wearer uses them every day.
Some veteran boot enthusiasts recommend getting an extra pair that you can switch out with to avoid your boots from breaking down too fast.
Another factor that could lead to pointed toes is certain weather conditions.
Walking around in the snow or rain can cause the boot materials to expand, and therefore curl at the toes. The materials don’t have to be poor quality to have this happen either, as leather cowboy boots aren’t exactly waterproof.
They may be “water resistant,” but will inevitably degrade if exposed to enough wet and cold.
Are cowboy boots curling up normal? It was part of their original design.
Ever since their inception, cowboy boots have been used by ranchers to help do all kinds of outdoor work.
Originally, the pointed toe helped cowboys (and cowgirls) easily slip their feet into horse stirrups.
The heel also helped the rider keep their boots securely in place for long journeys.
Seeing how some of the first cowboy boots had rounded toes, wearers noted how hard it was getting onto their horses, and therefore, the pointed toe was born.
Think of it like feeding a thread through a needle.
The more pointed the thread (cowboy boot toe), the easier it will be to insert.
Seeing pointed toes in cowboy boots can be perfectly normal.
It could be just a simple fashion statement, or that person is a serious horse rider that needs every advantage he/she can get!
What type of cowboy boots are known for curling up? J toe, D toe, and Trival.
Whereas the J and D toe are both used for slipping into stirrups, they have some slight differences. The J toe is sharperthan the D, which has a “snipped” toe with a blunt tip at its point.
Also, the D toe has more space for the wearer’s toes in comparison.
If you were to travel around Mexico for a while, you might come across trival boots or “Mexican pointy boots.”
These are truly a sight to behold, due to their outlandish designs and pointy tips that can be longer than the boots themselves! These boots started fairly recently, as early as 2010.
Are pointed toes specific to a brand or a certain style? Both!
As we’ve already established, the pointed toes on cowboy boots can both serve function and form.
It simply depends on the person wearing them and what their needs and wants are.
A while back, pointed toes were also a specific style that people liked to wear. These boots were jammed against the wall on purpose to achieve that iconic pointed look.
For those part of the trival culture, they use their pointed boots to perform in all-male dance troupes.
These unique dancers participate in competitions through carefully coordinated dance moves.
Such performances aren’t just for show either, some of these competitions come with prize money on the line!
Bonus content: taking good care of your boots.
Unless you want your boots to have pointed toes, be wary of how you treat your boots in day-to-day wear.
Having the toes curled up can be a sign that those cowboy boots are breaking down.
To prevent this, it’s important that you wear them in appropriate conditions, meaning avoiding poor weather and uneven terrain when you can.
Even though cowboy boots aren’t waterproof by definition, you can still increase their water resistance by applying products like mink oil.
Another technique is using a shoe tree, a shaped block that can be inserted into the boots whenever you’re not wearing them. Doing so will help maintain the boot shape you want.
However, the most important tip could be selecting the right pair of cowboy boots in the first place.
Simply put, make sure your boots fit comfortably. If they’re too big or too small for your feet, the toes will inevitably curl over time because of your uneven foot strikes while you walk.
Final thoughts
Pointed toes on cowboy boots can be both an oddity and a regular sight, depending on who you ask.
Whether for function or for form, the pointed toe is here to stay.
Robert is a native Texan writer for TexasWalkabout, passionate about Texas culture and food, wearing cowboy boots daily. He interviews local pitmasters and chefs, tastes and reviews innovative dishes, and explores hidden gems and iconic landmarks. Graduating magna cum laude in Cyber Security from the University of Texas at San Antonio, Robert excels academically and professionally while also being knowledgeable in Texas history and culture. After living in Texas for over 28 years, he provides first-hand and trustworthy information for all your Texas needs!
