Bowline Junior JK7525

Kids put boots through more in a week than most adults do in a season: the muddy pen, the gravel driveway, the arena and the walk to the bus. The Bowline Junior is built for all of it. The full-grain leather upper stands up to pasture and play, and the rubber outsole gives steady traction on wet grass and barn concrete.

Pull holes at the top let a kid get the boots on without a fight, which means less bedtime wrestling and more time outside. The square toe and unit block heel keep the classic Western look, and the woven lining and cushioned insert take the sting out of a long afternoon.

The removable orthotic insert is the feature to know. Take it out and the boot gives you an extra half size, so the boots keep fitting while feet grow.

Highlights

• Rubber outsole for traction on grass, gravel and concrete
• Pull holes let kids get boots on by themselves
• Removable Room 2 Grow insert adds an extra half size
• Full-grain leather upper for pen and pasture
• Cushioned insert and woven lining for long days
• Square toe and unit block heel

What they're for

Kids' boots need to do three jobs: keep up with play, fit a foot that's growing, and look like the real thing. These do all three. Pull holes get a kid out the door on their own, the Room 2 Grow insert buys some extra room as feet grow, and the Western styling makes them the boot a young cowboy or cowgirl actually wants to wear.

Good kids' boots are for everyday use: barn chores, school, the fairground and the show ring. A rubber outsole and a sturdy double stitch welt hold up to daily play and give a parent one pair that works on a school morning and on a Saturday at the barn.

At a glance

How to fit and wear them

Measure your child's foot late in the day, when it is at its largest, and check the fit with the socks they'll wear. Kids' feet grow fast, so check the fit every few months. A new boot should have room at the toe without sliding at the heel.

When a child's toes start crowding the front, pull the insert to gain the extra half size. Put the insert back in once the fit settles. Work the leather with your hands before the first long wear to soften the counter and make the boots easier to get on.

Good to know

• Pair them with jeans and a clean shirt for school, church or the show ring.
• Wipe mud off with a damp cloth once it has dried a little, then let the leather air dry away from direct heat so it stays supple.
• Condition the leather a couple of times a season, especially after a wet spell.
• Pass them down to a younger sibling while the leather still looks good. Check the heel and the toe every month while feet are growing.

About Justin

Justin has made Western boots since 1879, when H.J. Justin started a boot business in Texas. The Bowline Junior carries that Western styling down to young riders, with a removable insert that grows with them.

Bring them in for a fit check before school and rodeo season start.