When it comes to snagging either your first pair of cowboy boots or adding another trusty pair to your collection, getting the fit just right is as important as a good saddle on a buckin' bronco. 

Western boots are built tough, ready to stand the test of time, making them a solid investment for years of wear. 

They're made to brave the wildest of conditions, from rugged trails to fierce weather, making them the perfect choice for anyone who spends their days under the big sky. 

And sometimes... we just want them to look good. 

Well, either way, boots should also be as comfortable as a well-worn saddle. 

They're designed to hug your foot and offer top-notch support.  They provide stability that keeps you on your feet, whether you're riding into the sunset or kickin' up dust on the trail. 

Here at Jack's we have an Ariat store... 3000 sq feet of just Ariat merchandise. Ariat has a complete guide to fitting cowboy boots.

1. Put the boot on and listen for the faint “pop” as your foot slides into place.
2. Confirm the proper amount of heel lift (there should be some lift, but not too much).
3. Comfortably stand, and then place a sideways thumb between the tip of your toe and the end of the boot. This is the proper amount of space between your toes and boot end.
4. Walk around to confirm comfort, fit, and heel lift.

Put on Those Boots

The first thing you want to do when fitting a new pair of boots is to insert your foot into the boot’s shaft and firmly grasp the pull tabs or pull holes.

• The shaft is the upper portion of the boot where your calf and shin will rest.
• Depending on the boot, there will either be holes or tabs to assist in pulling the boot on.

Once you pull the boots past the resistance point in the arch you will hear a faint popping noise as your foot enters its resting place. The resistance point will come from the top of your foot in the arch area and also your heel inside the shaft.

Check for Slight Heel Lift

Heel lift is the gap between the insole of the boot and your heel. It is caused by a slight amount of room from the arch to the toe area of the boot. This room should not exceed more than 1/8th of an inch and is necessary for a proper and comfortable fit.

Check the Fit

Once you have the boots on it's time to make sure they fit. To ensure the proper fit for any boot, make sure the widest part of the ball of your foot rests on the widest part of the boot’s outsole.

Check the Tip of the Boot

Once your feet feel comfortable, stand up in your boots and try to use a sideways thumb to help judge the distance between the tip of your toe and the end of the boot. Your toe should rest about one thumb width away from the end of the toe box. Here are a couple things to keep in mind:

• The toe box is the portion of the boot that houses your toes. It is the portion of the boot that starts at the base of your toes and ends at the tip of the boot. Wider toe shapes will often have a wider toe box.
• Remember everyone’s toes are a different length so it’s always a good idea to have that sideways thumb distance from the tip of your toe to the end of the toe box.

Well, partner, let me spin you a yarn and help you get those boots off!

Picture this: you’ve just rolled in from a wild ride, the sun setting behind you like a scene from a classic western. But then, just as you think the day’s a wrap, you find yourself in a tussle with your new boots!

You’re hopping around like a one-legged cowboy, face as red as a ripe tomato, and here you are—stuck with one boot still on.

It’s a sight, I tell ya!

Now, if you’ve ever faced this boot dilemma, you know it’s a rite of passage.

Sure, you might try that toe-off trick—where you use the toe of one boot to shove off the other. It’s a decent move, but it’s best left for old, scuffed boots that have seen better days. Nobody wants to scuff up a brand-new pair, am I right?

Or even have a friend try and yank the boot off!  It turns into a game of tug of war.

But hold your horses! There’s a better way to kick off those stubborn boots without all the fuss and bother.

Let me introduce you to the boot jack, the cowboy’s best friend when it comes to boot removal.

This nifty wooden contraption has been around since the 1800s, and let me tell you, it’s a game-changer.

Designed to help cowpokes like us deal with all kinds of boots, it keeps our hands clean and free of mud or, heaven forbid, manure.

Just imagine a cowboy, boots caked with the day’s adventures, stepping onto this trusty device and freeing himself with style!

Using a boot jack is as easy as pie.

You simply slide the heel of your boot into the U-shaped opening while your other foot stands on the flat end. With a swift pull, your foot pops right out—no bending, no jerking, and absolutely no scuffs to be found!

Now this handy device has been around for a LONG time.

A little digging revealed that the oldest boot jack patent dates all the way back to 1887.

Many of these gadgets were made of cast iron, tough enough to handle the hardest of boots.

And some? Well, let’s just say they were considered downright scandalous in their day. I’m sure the picture below will explain why.

But if you’re looking for a more traditional boot jack ~ well, we sell them here at Jack’s.  You can buy them in the store or online for just $17.

Now go on, partner, and ride into the sunset—boot-free and full of style!

Rock the South is an annual country music festival held each summer in Cullman, Alabama. From classic artists to today's biggest stars, the lineup is packed this summer ~ including artists Eric Church, Hardy & Jelly Roll!

Jack's Western Wear is only 2 miles away from the festival site ~ 114 Schwaiger Road in Cullman. 

We've also teamed up with Ariat to sponsor this year's festival.

To help kick things off, we are giving away 24 PRIZES!!!!!!!! No purchase necessary! 

So here's the list ~ including rules on how to enter each drawing or contest! Good luck! 

1. Ariat is giving away 9 PAIRS OF BOOTS! (Mens & Ladies boots, retail value up to $250)

How do you win a pair of Ariat boots?

Come to Jack's now through July 18th and guess how many jelly beans are in the Jelly Roll Jelly Bean Jar!

We will also hold two in-store raffle drawings. Simply come to Jack's and fill out a ticket.

Finally, 6 PAIRS OF BOOTS will be given away at our Rock the South tent.  So stop by and enter for your chance to win!  Two pairs will be given away each day!

2. Dan Post Boots is giving away a pair of both men's and ladies boots, retail value up to $250!

How do you win a pair of Dan Post boots?

Jack's is holding a DANCE CONTEST!!  Show us your best moves to "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" by Big & Rich!  Send your video to JacksRTS2024@gmail.com  

3.  Corral Boots is giving one lucky winner a $250 gift card, which is good toward any pair of Corral boots.

How do you win a Corral gift card? 

Show Jack's your best Redneck Woman pic! ~ Hint ~ listen to Gretchen Wilson's song "Redneck Woman" and get creative! Send your entry to JacksRTS2024@gmail.com ~ put Redneck Woman in the subject line.

4. Justin Boots is giving away a pair of men's boots from its Frontier line & a pair of any ladies Justin boots!

How do you win a pair of Justins?

On Thursday, July 18th, the 50th and 100th customer of the day will receive a free pair of boots!!!!

5. Lucchese Boots ~ "Legendary boots, legend in the making." One lucky winner will receive a gift card of $500, which is good toward a pair of Lucchese boots.

How do you win?

Write a short essay about the legend in your life.  Submit your entry to JacksRTS2024@gmail.com ~ put Lucchese in the subject line.

6. Rocky Boots is giving away a pair of work boots! (retail value up to $250)

How do you win the work boots?

All you have to do is FIND the Rock the South Rocky Boots Rock!  Scavenger Hunt hints will drop on Friday, July 12th. Whoever brings the rock to Jack's will win a free pair! Stay tuned for details!

7. Muck, Xtratuf, Georgia Boot & Durango ~ take your pick!  One lucky winner will receive a free pair of boots from one of the following brands.  (retail value up to $250)

How do you win? 

Come to Jack's and enter our in-store raffle drawing!

8.  Horse Power & Macie Bean Boots ~ are giving away a pair of men's Horse Power boots & a pair of Macie Bean boots, retail value up to $250.

How do you win?

Show us your BEST OOTD (Outfit of the Day) for RTS ~ submit your best look to JacksRTS2024@gmail.com ~put OOTD in the subject line.

9.  Sorel ~ is giving away 5 pairs of ladies sandals!!!  

How do you win?

Come to Jack's and enter our in-store raffle drawing! 

Good luck!  Let's ROCK THE SOUTH at Jack's Western & Outdoor Wear!

What makes a boot heritage quality?

"A fine pair of cowboy boots is still like the cowboy himself: sturdy, dependable, and with a rugged charm." ~ Alex Via, Buffalo Jackson Trading Co.

Let me tell ya 'bout a legend in the boot business by the name of Randy Watson. 

He's been stompin' around the cowboy boot world for more than 40 years, making his mark at places like Justin, Lucchese, Tony Lama and Nocona. 

He's got a knack for knowing just where to find the finest leather, the most skilled craftsmen, and the best retailers to bring his boots to the folks who need 'em and want 'em.

R. Watson's salesperson Bric Conn (what a cool name, right?!) stepped into Jack's Western Wear back in 2022.  Right away, my dad ~ Jack's owner Larry Allred ~ said yes. My dad says from the foundation of the boot to the fine details... it matters, and R. Watson boots look good and are made good.

* Every boot is lined with cowhide. 

* Timeless 10 row stitch pattern or hand cording. This classic pattern brings the history and heritage of the Cowboy Code into the culture of today. 

* A 10 iron genuine leather outsole is the foundation of their western boot. It provides durability with just enough flex to provide the comfort all boot enthusiasts desire.

* R. Watson puts both lemonwood pegs and brass nails in all of their western boots. This means that as the conditions change (wet or dry, hot or cold) this hardware is built to change with it and keep the sole attached to the boot. 

* Solid Steel Shank. To provide the most stability and durability possible, they developed a solid steel shank system that you’ll find in an R. Watson Boot. The solid steel shank system is then incorporated into a 1 piece insole system so you will never get that dreaded squeak again.

Randy's cowboy story goes all the way back to when he played baseball at The University of Houston in Texas, when he was in sneakers or cleats... not boots.

He was aiming for the big leagues in Major League Baseball, but fate had other plans for ol' Randy. Back in 1980, he was finishing up his college degree when he needed a summer job. Well, he found himself at Don's Western Wear in Houston, not too far from the famous Gilley's honky tonk.

Around this time, "Urban Cowboy" had just hit the silver screen. Bud & Sissy stirred up a whole heap of fuss 'bout western wear and country music.

Randy was smack dab in the middle of it all, hustling boots and hats to men and women that wanted to get a piece of the cowboy charm.

He hadn't planned to stick around, but a temporary gig turned into long term career.

From Don's he headed to Justin headquarters in Fort Worth. 

Randy climbed the ladder, cowboy hat and all, until he was sittin' high as the chairman and CEO.

After working for such cowboy greats like Justin & Lucchese, Randy decided to go out on his own. He started a new adventure where he aimed to craft boots so fine that he'd stamp his own name on them. 

R. Watson: Walk Tall

And he's now doing this with folks he can truly count on... his own kin.

Randy wrangled up his son Ryan and many seasoned hands in the boot biz to rustle up R. Watson.

The business is nestled in Crowley, Texas.  Run by kinfolk, for kinfolk. 

These aren't just boots, partner. They're a testament to generations of know-how, with each stitch and cut telling a story of hard work and dedication. 

From the tanneries where the leather is born to the skilled hands that shape it into footwear fit for a trailblazer, every step of the process is steeped in tradition and pride.

So when you slide into a pair of R. Watson boots, you're not just wearing footwear. You're stepping into history. 

And with quality like this, you're getting the best bang for your buck.