How to Tighten Cowboy Boots Around Calf: 12 Best Tips You Need To Know

How to Tighten Cowboy Boots Around Calf: What You Need to Know

Finding the perfect fit in the calf area in cowboy boots can sometimes be a challenge. It doesn’t matter whether you just purchased your first pair or are trying to make an adjustment an old favorite pair – knowing some of the tips for how to tighten cowboy boots around calf will help you get the fit you need.

So, what is the proper fit for cowboy boots and how tight should they be around the calf? A well-fitted pair of cowboy boots should have a snug fit around the calf without causing you any discomfort. There is nothing wrong with a bit of looseness there, as long as it doesn’t cause you discomfort or cause the boot fit to be off. Another big concern is if the boot shaft prints in your jeans because the boot shaft needs to be tightened.

The good news is that there are multiple good techniques out there that can help in tightening your cowboy boots around your calf. These include such tricks as wearing thicker socks, wearing more than one pair of socks, wrapping a belt around them, tying a shoelace around them, wrapping a velcro strap around them, buying a specialty piece of gear like a boot snake, heating or soaking them, or even having your boots altered by a cobbler.

You should also be aware of the different factors that can affect the fit, such as leather types, stretching, and shrinking, to make an informed choice when selecting cowboy boots that will fit your calf perfectly.

Key Takeaways

• You can tighten your cowboy boots around your calf.
• There are multiple ways to do this which we will cover below.

Understanding Calf Fit for Cowboy Boots

So, should boots be loose around the calf or not? Knowing the right way cowboy boots should fit around the calf is the first piece to understand here.

Calf Size and Boot Shaft Measurements

When you are considering cowboy boot fit you will want to make sure to not only consider the size and width of the boot, but also your calf size. Boots with a smaller cutout area near the top of the shaft will have less room for flexibility for those with large calves while larger cutout areas will have more. If you have trouble finding boots that aren’t tight on your calves looking for boots with a larger cutout here is a good place to start.

You will take a measure of your calf circumference to see if a boot is a good fit. In order to best measure your calf size let’s start by wrapping a measuring tape around the widest part of your calf. After that, measure the circumference of the boot shaft – which is the part that goes around your calf. If you are doing this online, then you can usually find this measurement by checking the product description. If in person, then don’t hesitate to measure it yourself and take your measuring tape into the boot store. When doing this use your measuring tape to measure the distance around the inside of the boot shaft at its widest point.

Try to find a cowboy boot with a shaft circumference that is a close match for your calf size. This will ensure a snug and comfortable fit when you put on your cowboy boots. But don’t worry if you have trouble finding a great fit. We still have some tips for you to tighten your cowboy boots around your calf.

Common Fitting Issues

In fact, having a loose fit around the calf is one of the most common fitting issues that you may face when wearing cowboy boots. This happens when the boot shaft is too wide for your calf size, If you find that your cowboy boots are loose around your calf and needs to be tightened there are a few methods you can try to make them tighter.

Cowboy Boots Printing in Jeans due to Loose Fit Around Calf

One of the things that our tightening techniques below aim to avoid is excessive printing, which is when the shaft of the boot is clearly seen making an impression on the jeans. This can happen when the shaft is too loose on the calf or when the jeans are too tight in the ankle and calf area.

So, if all else fails and the boot is loose around the calf, can you make boots tighter around calf? Fortunately you can. The next section reviews some of the tips for doing so.

Tightening Techniques for Cowboy Boots – How to Make Cowboy Boots Fit Tighter Around Calf Area Specifically

Using Thicker Socks, Boot Cuffs, and Leg Warmers

One of the first things to try that is relatively simple to make your cowboy boots fit snug around your calf is to try out thicker socks. The additional thickness can help create a tighter fit around your leg. You can also use boot cuffs or leg warmers, which have the added benefit of not only keeping your boots tighter around your calf, but can also help keep your legs cozy.

Wearing Double Pairs of Socks

In addition to thicker socks you can also try doubling up on socks. This will also create additional thickness between your calf and your boots and help create a tighter fit.

Adding Leather Straps, Belts, or Velcro Cinch Straps

Another good, easy option for a tight fit around your calf is to use either leather straps, belts, or Velcro cinch straps wrapped around the shaft of your boot that goes around your calf. Wrap the strap or belt over your boot shaft, and secure at your desired tightness. The benefit of this method is it allows you to have more control over how tight or loose cowboy boots’ fit according to your calf’s size.

Another approach when using a belt is to wrap the belt around your calf before putting on the boots to provide a tighter fit when the boots are slipped on. Keep in mind that this method may not work for everyone, and its comfort will vary depending on the thickness and width of the belt you use.

Cut Out an Old Sock

A homemade approach is to take an old pair of socks and cut it so that you are only left with the upper tube of the sock and not the foot part. If you slide this upper part of the sock down over the shaft of the boot it will pull them inward towards your calf.

Use a Boot Snake to Tighten Your Cowboy Boots Around Your Calf

The BootSnake is specially made just for this problem. A cinch wrap that goes around the shaft of your boot to make sure of a tight fight in the calf and to avoid printing. This will be a great way to ensure you get what you are looking for.

How to Make Boots Tighter Around Calf by Shrinking and Stretching Them

Using Heat to Shrink Boots

Another way to focus on getting a good fit if you want to shrink your cowboy boots around the calf, is to use heat. Heat can shrink leather and in most cases wants to be avoided. However, if trying to shrink them it works in your favor.

Take a hair dryer and carefully apply heat to the area you want to shrink while also avoiding overheating or burning the leather. You will want to make sure the boots are dry and free from dust or dirt beforehand. Once you have the leather warm and pliable try some of your tips – wear your thick socks and put the boots on, wrap them with your boot snake, or tie them with laces. After doing so allow them to cool and see if they mold to your preferred shape.

This approach is to be used with caution – remember to avoid excessive heat as it may damage the leather. I would probably not recommend trying this method unless all other approaches have failed you.

Wet Method for Shrinking Boots

In somewhat the opposite from heat, but not entirely, is the water method. You can shrink cowboy boots using water. Typically, you want to avoid this, but in this case you are trying to shrink them.

First up, fill a basin or your bathtub with warm water and submerge the boots up to the point you want to shrink. Take them out after a short dip – think seconds, not minute – to avoid over-soaking the leather. After that try some of your tricks again – wear your thick socks, use straps or laces, etc. – and put the boots on. Allow them to dry naturally around your calves. As the leather dries, it should shrink and conform some more to your natural leg shape.

This is another method to be used with caution and can damage your boots if not careful. Only use at your risk and if nothing else works for you.

Choosing the Right Style Cowboy Boots for Your Calf

There are numerous styles and cuts of cowboy boots and each will have different characteristics for how they fit your calf. The cutout, if any, at the top of the shaft and the height of the shaft can have a large part in the right fit.

Cutout at top of shaft

The cutout in the top of the shaft and how deep or shallow it is will impact how loose or tight a cowboy boot may fit on your calf.

Height of Shaft

If you struggle with finding boots that fit your calf well then ropers which are shorter boots may be an option to consider. As they don’t go up as high as standard cowboy boots they don’t impinge as much on your calf.

FAQ’s around Tightening Cowboy Boots Around Your Calf

How can I tighten cowboy boots around my calf?

You can tighten your cowboy boots around your calf by wearing thicker socks, wearing two pairs of socks, using a belt, shoelaces, boot straps, boot cuffs, or a boot snake. There are multiple options to try.

How can I make my boots tighter around the calf using household items?

If you are pressed for time or money you can try cutting an old sock and using the upper tube area over the boot shaft to compress it more to your calf.

Is it ok if my cowboy boots are loose around the calf?

With a good fit, cowboy boots should fit snugly around the calf while still being comfortable. They shouldn’t be so tight that they’re uncomfortable or restrict circulation, but they also shouldn’t be so loose that your feet slide around inside them.

What’s the purpose of boot straps, and are they a good idea to help tighten cowboy boots against my calf?

Boot straps wrap around the outside of your boot and will pull them tighter against your calf. Yes, they can be a quick and relatively simple way to make cowboy boots fit tighter.

Is there a specific type of sock that can help make my cowboy boots fit tighter around the calf?

In general it is more the size than the type as you want a thick sock to help fill out your boots and make them fit tighter around the calf. I am personally a big fan of Darn Tough socks.

Are there any risks involved in trying to tighten cowboy boots around my calf?

It is possible that some of the DIY methods could damage your boots. Over-tightening could also make the boots uncomfortable or even restrict your circulation. When DIYing make sure to aim for a snug, comfortable fit rather than making them too tight.

What should I consider before getting my cowboy boots professionally altered to fit tighter around the calf?

You will want to consider the cost of a professional cobbler. Some professional alterations can be expensive. Also, many alterations are irreversible so make sure you want to go through with it.

Can all types of cowboy boots be made tighter around the calf?

In general, yes, almost all types of cowboy boots can be made to fit tighter around the calf. Boots made of very rigid materials, or that have heavy decorations, may be more difficult.

If my cowboy boots don’t fit tightly around the calf, does it mean they’re too big?

No, it doesn’t necessarily mean that. Most cowboy boots have to be designed for the general population and aim to fit a variety of calf sizes. Some people naturally have narrower or larger calves. If the foot part of your boot fits well but just the calf area is too loose, using one of the methods mentioned above may work well for you.

How can I measure my calf to ensure a perfect cowboy boot fit?

To measure your calf for boot fit – first, sit down with your foot flat on the floor and your knee bent at a 90-degree angle. Measure the widest part of your calf.

You can watch a Youtube video that is based on a summary of this article by going here: https://youtu.be/Y7xJVFot9jI