What better place to start than the homepage?  Right off the bat, we give you several options to pick what you’re looking for, whether that’s men’s, women’s, or children’s boots, cowboy hats, accessories, or western wear.  Well, what else would you expect, right?  After all, that’s what we sell!

Let’s click on one of our options.  Say we want men’s cowboy boots.  Very well, then.  We click on it, and we’re directed to a page with six different pairs of boots in the middle, and a sidebar with a bevy of search options.  (Not every day you see “bevy” italicized, right?  We like to go for the unexpected.)

Now here comes the fun part: We want some Lucchese boots, so let’s click on that option in the sidebar.  Bam!  The boots in the main area of the page shuffle, and we’re left with only a selection of Lucchese boots to look at.  We’re a size 11, so we’re going to go ahead and click on that and voila! We’re left with a selection of boots that fit us, right away.  How else can we narrow down the search?  Well, we’ve always been partial to brown boots, so let’s select that.  At this point, we’re left with five excellent options, but we think the Mens Lucchese Chocolate Mad Dog Goat Boots just speak to us in that special place in our heart reserved for excellent footwear.

Well, that’s our blow-by-blow of how the shopping mechanics work on our new site!  We hope you enjoy using it as much as we do drooling over our boots.

Being around such experts, we now know a little bit about that ourselves, and we’re more than glad to share the lore we’ve picked up along the way with you all.  Let’s try and demystify just how those boots fit on your feet, shall we?

About that snugness we mentioned earlier: Boots should be this way, for sure, but not to the point where they’re crunching bones.  The point is that boots, made with skin, have lives of their own, and will stretch to form to your foot with use.  Boots that seem to fit loosely when you first buy them will only get more so with time, and will soon be uncomfortably loose.

Related to this, make sure you take the thickness of the socks you plan on wearing into account.  For cowboy boots, we suggest getting some boot socks like Thorlos Socks, which provide superior protection against blisters and inflammation.

When you go buy a new pair of cowboy boots, make sure you wear the socks you’ll be wearing with them.  It might sound like an undue amount of planning, but it really isn’t.  Your feet, after all, will be more than thankful for the consideration.

We understand and we’re glad to here it!  Consider this post, then, a handy little guide designed to help you pick out that perfect first pair.

The first thing you’ll need to consider, before you even walk into a Western wear store or visit any site, is a budget.  There are certainly a host of good, affordable cowboy boots out there, but their prices can quickly shoot through the roof.  If you’re looking to make a splash with your first purchase, then by all means, do so.  Just be sure to have a solid price range in the back of your mind when you start looking.  It helps your focus.

Once you get past that stage, you’ll need to think about cowboy boot fit.  This is a crucial point to consider, and it can sound a little tricky, but it’s really not.  The point here is to buy boots that are a little on the snug side.  Since boots are fashioned from animal skin, they are malleable and will stretch out a little bit once they’re worn around a little bit.  If you buy boots that feel perfect off the bat, they’ll end up feeling loose after you’ve worn them a few times.  We’re not talking toe-breakingly tight here, but go slightly smaller than you’d think for the best results.

Finally, consider the kind of skin you’re looking for.  They all have different properties, and that should be taken into account.  For example, goat skin boots are softer than others, while stingray skin boots are definitely on the tougher side.  There’s a lot of area to explore here, so consider well.

We’ll discuss more tips on how to make sure your first cowboy boot purchase is a happy one in future blog posts.  For now, happy hunting!

Though we cater to a loyal, local clientele, we also have a global reach, selling our wares far and wide.  Wherever stylish, comfortable, and/or rugged cowboy boots are needed, we’ll be glad to help ship them there.  And we’ll do so while providing the same courteous, knowledgeable, and personable attitude we display in our store.

Since our store is so recognizable, and is located on the fashionable, pedestrian-friendly South Congress shopping district, we’ve had more than a handful of stars come on through and buy a nice pair of Old Gringo boots.  Who knows who you’ll see in our store?  During this year’s SXSW, for example, we helped throw a party with Guy Kawasaki, the famed venture capitalist and former Apple executive.  Pretty cool!

Our store is obviously not the only worthy thing on South Congress. You’ll also find a host of bars, shops, boutiques, and restaurants, each of which brings its own unique flavor to the distinctly Austin-esque melange that is South Austin.  Some of our favorite spots within walking distance of us include Guero’s, the Austin Motel, and the Continental Club.

In addition to our well-known South Congress location, we also have a store in nearby Round Rock.  It’s just a short jaunt up I-35 for all you Northern Austinites who don’t feel like braving downtown.  Rest assured that the selection is great there, too.

So, next time you’re in the area, or on our website, feel free to browse around and see what we have to offer!

The fun starts bright ‘n’ early at 6am, and attendees can park free at the Palmer Events Center Garage. What’s more is that in addition to free food, there will be plenty of free entertainment, including live music from Andrea Marie and the Magnolia Band, dance lessons from the American Academy of Music and Dance, and trick roper Kevin Fitzpatrick.

The Cowboy Breakfast sure does sound like a fun way to end the week and celebrate the kick off of the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo. Here’s what’s on the menu:

• Biscuits and gravy
• Brisket wraps
• Sausage wraps
• Pancakes
• Donuts
• Milk, juice, and iced tea

Everyone is welcome to take pictures with “Cowboy” the longhorn, watch chainsaw artist David Cox, and enjoy Camp Cookie and the Texas Trio. Kids and parents will love T-bone the Longhorn’s puppet show, too.

This is a fun family-friendly event, and we’re so proud it’s happening right here in Austin, Texas. See you there!

Remember, the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo happens March 12-27, 2010. The fairgrounds are located at the Travis County Expo Center at 9100 Decker Lake Road in Austin.

When you stop by one of our stores, we’ll be glad to help you find the right fit for your new cowboy boots. In the meantime, here are some guidelines to ensure proper boot fit:

Instep and Boot Fit

The instep is very important, since it’s the only thing a cowboy boot has to hold it securely to the foot. So the instep must fit properly, as it determines whether a boot fits. Is the boot’s throat too tight? Go to a wider width. Is the boot’s throat too loose? Try a narrower width.

Ball

The ball of your foot is the widest part, and you bend it when you move, walk or run. So it’s easy to understand how important it is for cowboy boots to fit the ball of the foot. Ideally, the ball of the foot should fit in between the widest part of the boot. If a boot is too short for the foot, the ball will sit too far forward, forcing the toes into the front of the boot.

Heel

Cowboy boots will slip some in the heel, but as you wear them, you’ll break in the leather so that it moves with your heel and conforms to your heel. Once that happens, the slippage should disappear.

Boot Fit Tip

To help protect against blisters and corns and to ensure maximum comfort, Allens Boots suggests wearing Western Boot Thorlo socks. The thickness of your socks affects boot fit, so keep that in mind. You may want to try on cowboy boots while wearing these socks.

Swarovski is an Austrian company famous for its beautiful crystals, which are found in everything from jewelry to chandeliers to the star that tops the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York City.

Everybody wants the Old Gringo Elvis Swarovski Crystal boots, and who can blame ‘em? These are some fancy women’s boots that can go with just about anything, from sundresses to comfy Wrangler jeans. Thanks to the crystals, these boots are an easy way to dress up any outfit.

Though the Swarovski crystals are the main focus of these cool boots, we can’t forget the actual boots — their vintage, worn look is a stylish contrast to the crystals, and they complement each other well. Ready to buy them? Add them to your cart, or stop by one of our Austin stores (you’re welcome to stop by even if you’d just like to marvel at ‘em!).

More Ladies’ Old Gringo Boots

Ladies’ Old Gringo boots are the perfect gift for her this Christmas. Allens Boots is proud to offer a great selection of Old Gringo boots, including Mad Dogs. Remember that we’re offering free shipping on orders of $100 or more within the contiguous United States until Christmas!

This deal isn’t just limited to cowboy boots: Get free shipping on orders over $100 that include anything else we have in stock, like Cruel Girl shirts, cowboy hats, Wrangler jeans, children’s Accoutrements gifts and more.

Cowboy Boots Make Great Christmas Gifts

We admit that we may be a little biased, but we have a hard time coming up with a cooler Christmas gift than cowboy boots. Great for women, men and kids, cowboy boots come in all kinds of styles and colors. Let your loved one pick out a pair at one of our stores, or surprise them. Some of our most popular women’s cowboy boots include the Frye Harness, which come in tan, black or dark brown. These stylish, durable boots have a cushioned Poron insole and were made in the USA. For men, Lucchese Mad Dog boots are a favorite. For little cowgirls, it doesn’t get much cuter than pink Ariat Heritage cowboy boots.

Another Christmas gift idea: cowboy hats. Classic, stylish and oh-so-useful, cowboy hats are an essential part of any cowboy or cowgirl’s wardrobe. They’re perfect away from the ranch, too — cowboy hats come in useful here in Austin during hot summer days and even during the Austin City Limits music festival. You just can’t beat cowboy hats, and we’re proud to carry a diverse selection of ‘em. Don’t miss Stetson hats or our selection of children’s cowboy hats.

We sure do hope this holiday season is wonderful for you. Remember, up until Christmas, orders over $100 will get free shipping within the US — no checkout code required. Thanks for shopping Allens Boots!

There’s just something special about brides in cowboy boots. Maybe it’s because tradition dictates a long, ivory gown with matching high-heels underneath, and when cowboy boots instead appear, it’s just plain cool. Brides in cowboy boots make a huge statement and show off who they are — that’s a great thing.

Cowboy Boots with Wedding Dresses

Skip those high-heels and satin flats and go for cowboy boots! There are a ton of different styles to choose from, and you can even pick a colored pair of boots to make more of a statement. We love the idea of bright red cowboy boots with a wedding dress like the Ladies’ Old Gringo Diego Patent Red boots or the Ladies’ Lucchese Red Goat boots. But if you’re looking for cowboy boots that are more traditional in appearance, consider the Ladies Ariat Heritage Western J-Toe Brown Bomber boots, which feature contemporary styling with Western influence as well as exceptional comfort. And we can’t forget to mention the very popular Frye Harness boots — you’ll want to wear these with everything.

Brides, Get Your Cowboy Boots!

We’re proud to offer an impressive selection of cowboy boots here at Allens Boots. With styles for men, women and children, you’ll be able to find cowboy boots for everyone in your wedding party, from the groom to the flower girl. Start shopping online, or stop by one of our Austin stores!

Now forty-seven years old, Garth Brooks retired in 2001, giving the explanation that he wanted to spend more time with his family. What apparently helped him decide to come out of retirement and perform at the Wynn was their agreement to buy him a private jet so that he can easily and quickly travel to and from home. Since the shows are going to be Friday through Sunday, he’ll still be able to be back home to Owasso, Oklahoma in time to take his three daughters to school on weekday mornings and taking them to activities like soccer practice.

Fans are no doubt excited about seeing Garth Brooks onstage in his cowboy boots and cowboy hat, hopefully performing favorites like “Friends in Low Places.” A story in the Las Vegas Sun talks about how Steve Wynn and Brooks made the announcement last week, both of them dressed in Western wear. Wynn was the one who asked Brooks to perform, and he said in the Sun that since seeing The Rat Pak in 1965, he hadn’t seen “an artist create such a love for an audience” — until he saw Garth Brooks at a private performance earlier this year.

Though it took several months of negotiating, Garth Brooks is now signed on to do the show. Plans are to have him perform with just a guitarist and no band, and there may be special guest acts.

No word yet on whether Brooks’ alter-ego Chris Gaines will be coming out of retirement as well. To get tickets to his Las Vegas show, call 702-770-7469 (again, they go on sale at 8am this Saturday).