Editing Boot (section)

==Types and uses==

===Practical uses===
[[File:S3 safety footwear.jpg|thumb|A pair of [[International Organization for Standardization|ISO]] 20345:2004 compliant S3 [[Steel-toe boot|steel-toe]]d safety boots designed for construction workers]]
[[Image:Aa hobnailedboots 01.jpg|thumb|A pair of hobnailed boots]]
[[File:Fashion boot terminology.png|thumb|left|Fashion boot terminology]]
[[File:A-12 OXCART Flight Suit Boots - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency.jpg|thumb|A pair of A-12 [[OXCART]] flight suit boots]]
Boots which are designed for walking through snow, shallow water and mud may be made of a single closely stitched design (using leather, rubber, canvas, or similar material) to prevent the entry of water, snow, mud or dirt through gaps between the laces and tongue found in other types of shoes. Waterproof [[gumboot]]s are made in different lengths of uppers. In extreme cases, thigh-boots called [[waders (footwear)|waders]], worn by [[Fisherman|anglers]], extend to the hip. Such boots may also be insulated for warmth. With the exception of [[gum boots]], boots sold in general retail stores may be considered "water resistant", as they are not usually fully waterproof, compared to advanced material boots, such as [[Gore-Tex]], used regularly by fishers or hikers.

Speciality boots have been made to protect steelworkers' feet and calves if they accidentally step in puddles of molten metal, to protect workers from a variety of chemical exposure, to protect workers from construction site hazards and to protect feet from extreme cold (e.g., with insulated or inflatable boots for use in Antarctica). Most work boots are "lace ups" made from leather. Formerly they were usually shod with [[hobnail (footwear)|hobnails]] and heel- and toe-plates, but now can usually be seen with a thick rubber sole, and often with steel toecaps.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://drewsboots.com/content/making-sure-your-work-boots-make-grade |title=Making Sure Your Work Boots Make the Grade |work=Drew's Boots |access-date=November 11, 2018}}</ref> While gumboots are often used in workplaces, such as underground mines, studies have shown that workers prefer "lace up" boots mainly due to their support and better fit.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Collection|first=Thomas George|title=What are the most comfortable men's boots?|url=https://tgcollection.com.au/blogs/tgc-blog/most-comfortable-mens-boots|access-date=2021-07-19|website=Thomas George Collection|language=en}}</ref>

Boots are mostly worn with [[sock]]s to prevent chafes and [[blister]]s, to absorb [[sweat]], to improve the foot's grip inside the boot, or to insulate the foot from the cold. Before socks became widely available, [[footwraps]] were worn instead.

Specialty boots have been designed for many different types of [[sport]]s, particularly [[equestrianism|riding]], [[skiing]], [[snowboarding]], [[Ice skating|ice-skating]], and sporting in wet/damp conditions.

===Fashion and fetish use===
[[File:Dr Martens, black, old.jpg|thumb|200px|A pair of "classic" black leather Doc Martens. While these boots were originally designed as workwear (they are resistant to petrol, alkaline chemicals and other substances), they were adopted as a fashion item by the [[skinhead]] and [[punk subculture]]s.]]
[[Bovver boot]]s, [[Doc Martens]] boots and [[army boots]] were adopted by [[skinhead]]s and [[punk fashion|punks]] as part of their typical dress and have migrated to more mainstream fashion, including women's wear.<ref name="DeMello2009">{{cite book|author=Margo DeMello|title=Feet and footwear: a cultural encyclopedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5QdKSxajwP0C&pg=PA65|access-date=29 January 2012|date=1 September 2009|publisher=Macmillan|isbn=978-0-313-35714-5|pages=65–|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602195904/http://books.google.com/books?id=5QdKSxajwP0C&pg=PA65|archive-date=2 June 2013}}</ref> As a more rugged alternative to [[dress shoe]]s, [[dress boots]] may be worn (though these can be more formal than shoes). [[Fashion]]able boots for women may exhibit all the variations seen in other [[fashion footwear]]: tapered or spike [[Heel (shoe)|heels]], platform [[Sole (shoe)|soles]], pointed toes, [[zipper]] closures and the like. The popularity of boots as fashion footwear ebbs and flows. Singer [[Nancy Sinatra]] popularized the fad of women wearing boots in the late 1960s with her song "[[These Boots Are Made for Walkin']]". They were popular in the 1960s and 1970s (particularly knee-high boots), but diminished in popularity towards the end of the 20th century. In the 2010s, they experienced a resurgence in popularity, especially designs with a long bootleg.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}{{Vague|reason=In which location and culture?|date={{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}}} Boot bolos, boot bracelets, boot straps, boot chains, and boot harnesses are used to decorate boots. Sandal boots also exist.

Boots have become the object of [[sexual attraction]] for some people and they have become a standard accessory in the [[BDSM]] scene (where leather, latex and PVC boots are favoured) and a fashion accessory in music videos.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.xbiz.com/features/173135/kinky-boots-an-enduring-symbol-in-fetish-fashion|title=Kinky Boots: An Enduring Symbol in Fetish Fashion|author=Alex Henderson|date=Jan 8, 2014|work=XBIZ}}</ref> Knee- or thigh-high leather boots are worn by some strippers and [[pornography]] models and actresses. Boots have even become a [[sexual fetish]] for devotees known as [[boot fetishism|boot fetishists]] and [[foot fetishism|foot fetishists]].

=== Cowboy boots ===
Cowboy boots originated in the 1800s in the plains and desert of the midwest and far Western United States, however they were inspired by the vaquero-style boot bought from Spain to the Americas in the 1600s. Cowboy boots are traditionally tall and hide the calf, which is meant to help keep the foot firmly in the stirrup to keep it firmly anchored. Furthermore, they have angled heels, which help to anchor the foot into the stirrup to prevent it from slipping. The stitching on the leather exterior of the boots also serve a utilitarian purpose, to prevent the shaft of the boot from folding over.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The History Of Cowboy Boots |url=https://www.westernbootbarn.com.au/blog/the-history-of-cowboy-boots/ |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=Western Boot Barn |language=en}}</ref>

The boots become popular in post-Civil War America, when the country saw a switch from military boots to cowboy boots. Hollywood also saw a further rise in popularity of the boots due to the increase of mid-Western cowboy films on the big screen.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Co |first=Buffalo Jackson Trading |title=The History Of Cowboy Boots |url=https://buffalojackson.com/blogs/journal/the-history-of-cowboy-boots |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=Buffalo Jackson Trading Co. |language=en}}</ref> In the summer of 2022, cowboy boots were seen making a comeback into mainstream fashion, with, as of 8 August 2022, there being over 379.7 million views on the hashtag #CowboyBoots on TikTok.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hand-Painted Floral Cowboy Boots? Yes, Please. |url=https://www.thezoereport.com/fashion/cowboy-boot-trend |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=The Zoe Report |date=8 August 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Cowboy boots were seen on many in the fields of festivals such as [[Coachella (festival)|Coachella]], and being worn by many mainstream celebrities such as [[Dua Lipa]], [[Emily Ratajkowski]] and [[Bella Hadid]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |date=2022-06-09 |title=Cowboy Boots Will Be In Every Festival Field & Park This Summer |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/article/cowboy-boots-trend |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=British Vogue |language=en-GB}}</ref> Variations of the classic cowboy boot were also being sold in many high-street stores such as [[Mango (retailer)|Mango]], [[ASOS (retailer)|ASOS]] and [[Urban Outfitters]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-30 |title=17 best cowboy boots for 2022: From ASOS, Zara, River Island & more |url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/shopping/20220430139158/best-cowboy-boots-to-shop-now/ |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=HELLO! |language=en}}</ref> and were seen on the runways for high fashion brands such as [[Miu Miu]] and [[Bottega Veneta|Bottega]].<ref name="auto"/>