Some basics for bootmen -- Types of Boots
Click on the individual links for more information on each type of boot.
BIKER BOOTS |
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Biker Boots are boots made for
motorcyclists. Dating back to the early days of motorcycling in the
1900's, motorcyclists often chose to wear sturdy, tall boots for
protection in case of a fall or crash, and also to prevent burning
their legs on hot exhaust pipes.
There are four main varieties of Biker Boots: Engineer,
Harness, Police Patrol, and Motocross (for those who race motorcycles),
plus boots made for other purposes but adopted by Bikers, such as
logger, lineman, and wildland fire boots. Various adaptations of
some of these boots are also made.
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CAMPUS - VINTAGE FRYE BOOTS |
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Campus - Vintage Frye Boots
have a special place in the hearts and on the feet of many Bootmen,
who discovered these boots when they became popular in the '60's and
'70's and became the "boot-of-choice" for both men and women. The jury
is out about exactly what it is about these boots that make them so
popular: the style, looks, color choices, shaft height, sound of their
clunky heels when walking in them, and affordability are among the
reasons cited for their popularity. The Frye Campus, Harness, Square-toe,
Engineer, or other versions can be found in many a Bootman's closet and
on his feet!
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CIVIL WAR CAVALRY BOOTS |
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Civil War Cavalry Boots have a long
history. Tall boots, usually black and in a pull-on variety, were common
in the United States and other countries. These boots are knee-high, and
have smooth leather soles. Some have side boot pull straps to make them
easier to pull on. Many had a spur ridge, because they were made to be
worn while riding a horse.
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COMBAT BOOTS |
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Combat Boots
are military boots designed to be worn by soldiers during actual
combat or combat training. Modern combat boots are designed to provide a
combination of grip, ankle stability, and foot protection suitable to a
rugged environment. Variations on the basic lace-up combat boot have been
designed for special types of troops (tanker boots, jump boots) and special
environments (jungle boots, desert boots, cold weather boots).
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COWBOY (WESTERN) BOOTS |
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Cowboy (Western) Boots
are riding boots worn by cowboys. Traditional
riding cowboy boots usually have an angled heel over 1" high,
pointed toes, and smooth leather soles. Boot shafts range from 12"
to crotch-high, but the standard is 13". Buckaroo Boots are made
for the workin' cowboy -- they are usually 16" - 18" tall and are
usually two-tone leather with high heels and a spur ridge. Ropers
are cowboy boots as well, and have rounded toes and straight, rounded
heels of 1" or less.
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ENGINEER BOOTS |
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Engineer Boots
are a type of motorcycle boot. The boots are most often made
of heavy weight black leather, have a rounded toe and range in height
from short (10") to crotch-high (38"). The most typical height is
between 10 and 18 inches. They usually have a rounded toe and rounded
block heel of about 1". Engineer boots typically have an adjustable
leather strap across the ankle as well as an adjustable leather strap at
the top of the shaft to adjust the fit.
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FIREFIGHTER'S BOOTS |
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Firefighter's Boots are built to meet
standards to provide protection to firefighters when spraying the wet stuff
on the red stuff. Standards require impact protection, electrical hazard
protection, and sole puncture resistance. The boots used to be made of
rubber, but now are made of synthetic materials designed to provide the
greatest protection to the firefighter.
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HARNESS BOOTS |
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Harness Boots
are a type of motorcycle boot, most often made of heavy weight
leather and range in height from short (10") to extra high (38"). The
most typical height is between 10 and 18 inches. They usually have a
square toe and stacked heel, and may have rubber, tread, or smooth
leather soles. These boots get their name by having four leather straps
and two metal rings: one strap goes across the top of the foot at the
ankle, one strap wraps around the rear of the foot at the ankle and two
more straps rise from sole on either side ankle. The four straps are
held in place by the two metal rings that are located on either side of
the ankle, and look somewhat like a horse harness.
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HIKING BOOTS |
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Hiking Boots are chosen to provide
the wearer many miles of walking comfort. They are usually 4" to 8" tall,
and lace up. Modern hiking boots have many features to make them even
more comfortable, including thick innersole padding, waffle or Vibram soles,
and cushioned ankle tops. They come in a variety of colors, but most are
tan, brown, or black. Some common brands are Hi-Tec, Tecnica, and Vasque.
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KNOBELBECHER - JACKBOOTS |
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Knobelbecher Boots, also known as
"Jack Boots" became famous during World War II. These boots were worn
by the German Infantry. They are made of sturdy black leather. They got
their name from the dimple on the side of the boot by the ankle which
looks like a leather dice cup. The word "Knobelbecher" means dice cup
because the boots would develop that characteristic dimple when broken in.
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LINEMAN BOOTS |
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Lineman Boots
These rugged boots are made for linemen, cable installers,
arborists and tree service workers. The Lineman Boot is essentially a
Logger Boot with four added features which customize it to its job of
protecting the boots from poles & trees and from the climbing irons
worn by linemen: leather side patch, steel side plate, steel breast
plate, and leather half slip. The boots are made of the same extra
heavy cowhide leather as loggers. They range in height from 14" to 20",
or higher. They lace up from the toe to the top of the boot in a
traditional crossed pattern.
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LOGGER BOOTS |
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Logger Boots
These rugged boots are made for men who work in the timber
industry. They are similar to Lineman Boots (see above). The boots
are made of extra heavy cowhide leather. They range in height from
14" to 20", or higher. They lace up from the toe to the top of the
boot in a traditional crossed pattern.
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MOTOCROSS BOOTS |
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Motocross Boots are used by those
who engage in racing motorcycles. Because motorcycles are driven at
very high speeds, a special boot was created to provide extra
protection to the racer. These boots are usually 16" tall and are made
of synthetic materials that can withstand tremendous wear as well as
provide superb protection to the rider's legs and feet. Many
high-quality motocross boots have Kevlar inserts for additional
strength. Kevlar is a fabric used for rigid and protective
applications and is fragment resistant, lightweight and flexible.
These boots have buckles so they can be put on very snug over pants
or racing leathers.
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POLICE PATROL BOOTS |
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Police Patrol Boots
are used for protection by motorcycle police officers while riding a
motorcycle. They are usually black in color and 17" - 18" high, and
are made of calfskin or cowhide. They usually have rubber or tread
soles with heels of 3/4" or less, and most often a round toe. They
may or may not have laces on the instep. They may have laces or a
buckle at the top of the boot shaft to adjust for fit.
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RANGER BOOTS |
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Ranger Boots
come from a long British heritage of "ranger" boots, the boots
worn by British rangers which share the design features of the famous jump
boots worn by U.S. paratroopers. The boot is tough and gives the wearer
a tough appearance. Rangers boots are measured not by height, but by the
British way of counting the number of eyelets or holes up each side of the
boot.
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RIDING BOOTS |
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Riding Boots
are boots made to be used for horseback riding. The modern riding boot
is usually low-heeled, and has a rounded toe. The boots are normally 17"
to 20" tall so they come up to but not above the knee. There are different
types of riding boots use for field work, hunting, or riding dressage.
They have a similar appearance to police patrol boots and are made of
similar leather.
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RUBBER BOOTS |
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Rubber Boots are made to give the
wearer protection from water, snow, or other liquids. Pull-on rubber
boots are usually knee-high, but may be higher. Rubber boots with buckles
are also available to provide a more snug fit on the leg. Waders are
special rubber boots that usually come up to the crotch, and are
designed for men who enjoy sports like fly fishing, which requires wading
out into lakes or streams to cast.
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SPECIALTY BOOTS |
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Specialty Boots come in many varieties.
These include: Platform Boots popular in the Disco Era of the 70's; boots
worn in the movies like Han Solo's Boots in Star Wars; boots made to
keep feet extra warm, like mukluks and Uggs; and even boot moccasins. If it
could be made to fit the foot and there was a market for it, it probably has
been made and worn somewhere.
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STATION BOOTS |
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Station Boots
are made to provide durability and good appearance when working in and around
a fire station, or on EMS duty. The boots are usually 8" high, and have a zipper
to make them easy to put on and take off. The boots are made to provide
protection for impact, compression, electrical hazards, and to resist sole
puncture.
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WILDLAND FIRE BOOTS |
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Wildland Fire Boots
are closely related to logger boots. Until recently there was no difference
between logger boots and wildland fire boots. In recent years they've become
differentiated by silicon leather tanned for fire resistance, Kevlar thread
and Vibram soles which are more fire resistant. The boots are very sturdy
and some models have a thick leather shank instead of steel, considering that
they may be exposed to high temperatures. (The shank is the narrow part of
the sole of the boot under the instep.) These boots are usually 10" high.
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WORK BOOTS |
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Work Boots worn by construction workers,
skilled tradesmen, and workers of all sorts -- including guys working around
the house. These are durable, hard-working boots for the workin' man.
These lace-up boots are anywhere from 5" to 10" tall, some taller. Most
are 6-8". Red Wing, Carolina, Sears, Skecher, and Timberland, among others,
are popular brands.
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