Store ‘em properly. You wouldn’t put your horse away wet, would you? Then don’t do it to your cowboy boots either. And don’t store them in cold, damp, or hot places. Moisture can cause boots to mildew, which can ruin them. Heat and direct sunlight can degrade the leather.

When you aren’t wearing your cowboy boots, store them on boot trees. Boot trees will help them keep their shape and are well worth the cost.

Shun direct heat. If your cowboy boots get wet, allow them to dry at room temperature. Never dry them over a heat source or next to a wood stove. If your cowboy boots encounter water often, you might want to invest in a boot dryer, which uses warm air to dry boots without harming them.

Keep ‘em clean. This is the number one rule to ensure a long, lusty life for your cowboy boots. Dust and dirt are leather’s dire enemies. Keep a soft cloth (an old cotton t-shirt is perfect) in your closet, and make it a habit to wipe your cowboy boots every time you take them off.

For cowboy boots with heavier soiling, use a damp cloth to wipe them, then brush the leather well. Scuffs can usually be removed with a pencil eraser. Take off sticky stains with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. Do not use harsh chemical cleaners on cowboy boots.

Condition ‘em. Once your cowboy boots are clean and dry, use a leather conditioner to protect the leather and keep it supple. A lanolin-based conditioner is best. Leather soles should be conditioned, too, to keep them from drying and cracking.

Apply the conditioner to your cowboy boots. Once it is completely dry, buff it with a soft cloth. A couple of thin coats of conditioner are preferable to one thick coat. Reapply conditioner every couple of months or after you give your boots a thorough cleaning, whichever comes first.

Shine ‘em up. Apply a cream-based boot polish to keep smooth leather cowboy boots shiny. Buff to desired sheen. For exotic leathers like ostrich or reptile, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Oils, waxes, and saddle soap are not recommended for cowboy boots. They will seal the pores, which over time could cause the leather to crack. They also attract dust. If you want the glossy shine that wax can give to cowboy boots, be sure to apply a cream polish first.

Buy the best. Think about it: Your feet carry you all day, every day. They deserve the splendid support of well-made cowboy boots, so purchase the best ones you can afford. They’ll repay you with years of good looks, style, and comfort.

Speaking of cowboy boots, we’ve got ‘em. Lots of ‘em. And we’re not talking just any ol’ boots – we’re talking the finest there are, from the likes of Lucchese Boots and Old Gringo Boots. So come on down to Allens Boots, y’all, and we’ll get you fitted out.

Your cowboy boots speak volumes about your attitude, your style, your approach to living. Think back to when you bought your current cowboy boots. They probably were perfect for then, but what about now? Everybody changes, be it ever so slightly. Maybe you’re a little bit bolder than you used to be, a little more daring. Perhaps your cowboy boots reflect a time when you were dabbling with a different image and you’re over that now. Maybe your cowboy boots are in the classic mode, and all you need is to refresh that look.

We’ve got a couple of ideas for cowboy boots that would make a strong personal statement in the new year. See if one of these is right for you.

Are you a man who likes to please the ladies? Then we suggest these black calf cowboy boots from Lucchese Boots. When you’re wearing these cowboy boots, made of smooth, supple calf leather, with that sexy cowboy heel, heads will turn. ‘Cause like ZZ Top, that little ol’ band from Texas, said, every girl is crazy ‘bout a sharp-dressed man.

Is conquering the world part of your plan for the new year? The Nevada Attila cowboy boots from Old Gringo Boots could be just the ticket. They’re rough and ready, with a stylish distressed look that just shouts “man of action.” Pull on these cowboy boots, and conquest is at hand.

Are you a laidback guy who chooses comfort over flash every time? Then these suede camel cowboy boots from Lucchese are for you, natch. They’ve got an easy roper toe and heel, which means these are the boots you’ll want to slip on every day. Plus, they’re made in Texas so these cowboy boots not only look good and feel good, but they’ll also enhance your Lone Star cred.

Make a resolution now to come into Allens—either our South Congress boots store or our Round Rock boots store—and get yourself fitted out in new cowboy boots. With over 4,000 boots on display, we’re confident you’ll find a pair that will inspire you and help you ring in the new year in your very own style.

Now what? You can’t just tote your new cowboy boots home and put them in a closet. This romance is young: You need to take your cowboy boots out on the town, enjoy their company, strut a little. And there’s no better place to show your new cowboys boots a good time than Austin.

Here are some ideas for things to do in Austin in your new favorite cowboy boots:

• Listen to music. One thing you’ve got to do in your cowboy boots is take in some live music. After all, this is the Live Music Capital of the World. Check out the action at some of the hallowed Austin venues like the Continental Club, Stubb’s BBQ, or Antone’s. Or you could trot your cowboy boots down to Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater. Wherever you choose, your toes will be tapping.
• Go dancing. Cowboy boots are just made for two-steppin’, so why not take them out to a honky tonk? The Broken Spoke is the last of the real Texas country dance halls, a place where legends like Bob Wills, Ernest Tubbs, and Kitty Wells once performed. Heck, they say Willie Nelson still stops in from time to time for a chicken-fried steak. Your new cowboy boots will get a workout and have a whale of a good time.
• Go to a museum. Cowboy boots and football are both Texas icons, so your new cowboy boots are the perfect attire for “Texas High School Football: More Than the Game” at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. It’s about the teams, the tailgaters, the fans, the marching bands—all that things that make Friday night football such a defining part of life in the Lone Star State. The exhibit is on through January 22, 2012.

Don’t yet own the cowboy boots that inspire your passion? Then what are you waiting for? Come on down to our Round Rock store or our landmark South Congress store. With over 4,000 boots on display, we’re sure to have the cowboy boots of your dreams.

Behind the scenes of the Small Business Saturday AMEX commercial

Small Business Saturday is the Saturday after Thanksgiving, so it’s coming up this week on November 26. We invite you to get involved. You already know that Allens Boots is the best cowboy boots and western wear store in Austin (and probably the universe). Now we’re excited to let you know that our world-class cowboy boots and western wear store is featured in an American Express commercial for Small Business Saturday.

Small Business Saturday is all about putting your money where y our heart is, in your own hometown and its locally owned businesses. Sure, the big-box retailers are offering lots of tempting deals on Black Friday. We’re not asking you to give that up. We’re just asking you to visit local retailers the next day and do some of your shopping there. Small businesses are the lifeblood of communities, and Small Business Saturday is about doing your bit to keep your community strong.

We trust you’ll think of us on Small Business Saturday because when it comes to Austin merchants, Allens Boots is one of the most enduring. We’ve got the latest and greatest from the best cowboy boots manufacturers in the business. We sell western wear to wranglers and sodbusters, rock stars and soccer moms alike. And they all get treated with the same knowledgeable, low-key approach that has made us an Austin tradition since 1977.

So come on down to Allens Boots on Small Business Saturday and get in the holiday mood with us among our racks of festive western wear. Browse our sprawling shelves of cowboy boots and western wear. Visit us at our landmark South Congress boots store or at our Round Rock boots store to find your perfect pair of cowboy boots and support local business on Small Business Saturday.

Spread the word so we can get the whole town out in support of locally owned businesses on Small Business Saturday. Just think: If everybody shopped small, the effect would be huge.

If you’ve shied away from colorful cowboy boots in the past, we understand. But that was then. Maybe now it’s time to take a pair of red cowboy boots out for a spin. We’ve got some beauts in our women’s boots collection. Here are a few of our faves.

Where’s the fire? Right here, in these Nevada cowboy boots from Old Gringo. They’re one of our best-sellers, and no wonder. These boots are red-hot with attitude to burn. We love the intricate cream stitching and the almost-flickering color variegation in the leather. You can practically smell the smoke.

Who needs ruby slippers when you could wear ruby-red cowboy boots like Old Gringo’s Bonnie Vesuvio cowboy boots? They pack the boss attitude of traditional cowboy boots, but the delicate multi-floral stitch pattern softens their edge. They’re the ideal choice for girly girls who want to rough up their style just a little.

If you’re ready to walk on the wild side, take a gander at the Horn Back Croc cowboy boots from Lucchese Boots. Women’s cowboy boots don’t get much tougher than this, and yet they’re also super-chic, sporting stacked heels, red leather uppers, and hip-as-heck reptile-skin vamps.

Picture it—you in a fabulous pair of red cowboys boots. Tapping your inner wild woman. Tilting your everyday image. Kicking that darn fashion can way on down the road.

But hey, if red cowboy boots don’t trip your trigger, no sweat. We know cowboy boots, and with over 4,000 boots from 12 manufacturers in our stores, we can help you find boots that will spice up your wardrobe now and still be loved for years to come.

It would be an accurate assumption for you to make that we here at the Boot Blog love us some good country music. We’ll go ahead and leave what is and what isn’t “good” music up to your discretion, but rest assured you can’t get much better than our longtime heroes, the Old 97′s. Founded in 1995, there’s a reason this band has been around for almost twenty years. Big players in the Alternative Country scene? Shoot, they practically invented it! Old 97′s blend the aftermath of nineties alternative rock and classic country with seamless ease all while paying homage to their deep Texas roots. Based out of Dallas, Old 97′s are just as much a part of Texas as boots, Wrangler Jeans, and longhorn steers.

For such a die-hard Texas band, it would be hard to find a better place to see Old 97′s play than Austin’s beloved Zilker Park. The show was part of local radio station KGSR’s 21st Annual Blues on the Green series. Every other Wednesday from May to August, local favorites like Bob Schneider, Quiet Company, and Bright Light Social Hour, just to name a few, play a FREE show under the stars. It’s the perfect event to roll out your favorite blanket, kick off your cowboy boots, hang out with friends, and enjoy top-notch music.

Missed this week’s Blues on the Green concert? Have no fear! The free tunes will roll back around when The Los Lonely Boys take the stage on August 17th. Until next time, happy trails to you, until we write again!

Prince William will pick one of five pairs of boots offered to him and return the other four.  The boots offered include four by Boulet and one by Canada West.  The cowboy boots that Prince William will return will be auctioned off by Apple Saddlery.  The proceeds of the auction to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, a worthy donation if we’ve ever heard one.

You might not associate Ottowa, Ontario with cowboy boots (well, we didn’t, at least!), but Canada shares the United States’s rich tradition of frontier infatuation, both being expansive nations blessed with a wealth of natural resources.  And what article of clothing is more emblematic of rugged individualism and the pioneer spirit than a pair of stylishly unique, yet sturdily utilitarian, cowboy boots?  (We, of course, humbly submit that no such article of clothing exists.)

So cowboy boots for Prince William it is.  Knowing us, you’ll know that we couldn’t be happier.  We have to wonder: Though Kate gets all the fashion plaudits, may we suggest that the Duke of Cambridge may himself have a well-attuned sense of style?  Or maybe, just maybe, some the Duchess’s vaunted tendency to look good is rubbing off on the young, dashing prince?  Either way, best of luck to Prince William and his pending purchase.  Those deep russet Boulets look nice (though, we gotta say, they sure ain’t Lucchese boots)!

Originating out of San Antonio, Texas, in the 1880’s, the Lucchese Boot Company has a long-standing tradition of producing a great-looking, comfortable, long-lasting products. Each pair of cowboy boots comes from the Lucchese factory in El Paso and is constructed from a large assortment of superior leathers. From boots made for the U.S. Cavalry to boots worn by presidents and movie stars, Lucchese’s commitment to craftsmanship is evident in every pair of boots they manufacture. Heck, even John Wayne wore a pair!

At Allens Boots, we carry a significant selection of Lucchese Boots in all kinds of styles, sizes and colors that are a great match for western shirts, belts and especially, a fine looking cowboy hat.  Whether you’re fixin’ to add a little flair and design to your boots — like the tan-colored Mens Lucchese Ostrich Boots — or a rugged, ready-for-work look with the Mens Lucchese Burnished Ranch Hand Boots, our Lucchese choices are sure to make you happy. We certainly can’t forget about the ladies. Lucchese Boots are also cut to fit women’s fashion and come in a wide variety of styles and colors, such as the Womens Lucchese Diva Goat Boots.

Whether you’re looking for a pair of rugged cowboy boots to perform a work function or a pair that just looks and feels darn impressive, you’ll get the best of both worlds with Lucchese Boots. When you’re in the market for a new set of boots, be sure to stop on by one of our stores in Round Rock or Austin or shop our online store.

So, back to Tony Lama boots.  Tony Lama boots got their start way back in—centennial alert!—1911, when one Tony Lama began crafting his rugged, detailed boots over in El Paso, Texas.  From the very beginning, Tony Lama boots were intended to be masterpieces of functional, comfortable, high-quality footwear.  This tradition continues today, as there are over 100 steps that go into the making of a pair of Tony Lama boots.  Each step is executed with unparalleled skill and attention to detail by highly trained, veteran craftsmen.

The foundational secret—actually, “secret” is a misnomer, because they’re proud and very open about this—of Tony Lama boots is the quality of the components that go into crafting a pair.  This starts out with only the finest leather and permeates the smallest thing Tony Lama’s craftsmen do.

There’s no doubt about it: We’re huge fans of Tony Lama boots.

Of course, it’s not the only thing we’re fans of.  The aforementioned Lucchese boots and Justin boots strike our fancy as well, but our love for all things cowboy boot move beyond even those brands.  If you’re interested in seeing the rest of our stock, visit one of our two physical locations, or check out our marketplace online.  In addition to cowboy boots, we’ve got an excellent selection of Western wear, cowboy hats, and other associated accessories.

Take our appreciation for motorcycle boots, for example.  Motorcycle boots, just like cowboy boots, are, at their core, fundamentally utilitarian pieces of footwear that have evolved to display a strong stylistic streak.  The most important thing to consider with motorcycle boots is functionality, with appearances second.  (That “second” may be a very close second, but it’s still riding with the sissy bar in the backseat to footwear performance.)  That’s because, well, it’s just not as important how your feet look when you’re hurtling down the highway at 70 miles per hour and your feet are uncomfortable.  No, you’ll need to consider how your feet feel in a pair of motorcycle boots before you fall in love with them.

Now, that said, just because performance is utmost doesn’t mean you can or should discount how a pair of motorcycle boots look.  After all, at some point, you’re going to get off that hog and you can’t be seen wearing homemade booties fashioned from burlap sacks tied off with twine.  (Unless, you know, that’s your look.  Here’s guessing it’s not.)

Considering both these elements, leather motorcycle boots are the way to go.  Not only do they offer unparalleled comfort once broken in and a measure of protection from flying debris, they can also look mighty good, whether you’re on or off the bike.  When selecting motorcycle boots, also be sure they have durable outsoles that provide excellent traction to protect against accidental slippage.