SHYLOH WESTERN BOOT

A round toe western boot with three quarter genuine Goodyear welt construction — a stitched sole rather than a glued one, on a boot at the plain end of the price list.

The upper is full-grain leather and the lining is a soft mesh. A fiberglass shank runs through the middle, and a littleway shank stitch binds the shank area for durability where boots tend to fail first. The sole carries a single row welt stitch, the outsole is rubber, and the heel is a 1 3/4" nailed one. The toe is an R toe.

What this is, in short, is a working western boot with proper construction and no decoration to pay for. The round toe is the shape that never looks dated, and a nailed heel can be rebuilt when it wears down. Wear these until they are shabby, then have them resoled and wear them again — that is the whole argument for a welt. A straight jean over the shaft, and nothing else required.