Written by: Emily Joswiak • March 21, 2022• Fashion

Reasons Why Boots Are Made With Alligator Skins

There are many different exotic styles out there when it comes to footwear. None, however, can match the charm alligator skins boots bring to the table.

A pair of alligator skin boots is a sure conversation starter. Few people risk investing in something as chic and nuanced as this unique material. Read on to discover three reasons why boots are made with alligator skins today and how they ended up as in demand as they are.

Unmatched Durability

Considering that alligators are at the top of the predatory food chain, it only makes sense that they have a tough image. They even engage in cannibalistic tendencies when food is scarce, making them the highest-ranking predators in most ecosystems that house them.

Due to this high-ranking nature and evolutionary demands, alligator hides are extremely durable and last for an exceptional amount of time, even longer than leather from cattle. Alligator leather is strong, resistant to blemishes, and watertight, as these animals spend most of their lives underwater.

Astronomical Value

There are many restrictions on animal poaching in the world, and rightly so. Most shoemakers craft alligator boots using the hides of farm-raised alligators. You can often tell the origin of the hide based on the ridges of the scales. Alligators caught in the wild will have larger, blemished scales from fighting with other alligators in the wild.

Due to the efforts of environmental and ecological activists, lawmakers have restricted the harvest of alligators to seasonal hunting. Restrictions like these keep population numbers down in the wild without eradicating the species. This limitation alone increases the value of wild-caught alligator hide boots due to the rarity and exotic nature of the animal itself. The fact that alligator skin boots are more durable than most other materials also help to hold and increase the value as well.

Luxury and Comfort

Most people don’t realize that boots made from alligator hide use various parts of the animal, which all have different textures. Anyone who has spent time admiring these iconic boots knows that those textures go from the softest and most comforting feel to a highly rigid material.

For instance, shoemakers utilize the tail to create the upper half of the boot, which allows a firm to feel on the outside while the insole remains roomy and structured. They implement the hide’s flank for the sides of the boot to provide a slightly less rigid form around the ankle and the leg, which holds everything in place. The midsole and bottom of the boots use the belly of the animal, which offers a soft feel despite the highly-durable material.

The comfort and sleek designs inherent to alligator boots are just one reason everyone should consider adding exotic boots to their closet.

It’s easy to see why boots are made with alligator skins once you understand the story behind this unique hide. Alligators hides serve to make fine leather, lead to highly sought-after products, and retain their place among some of the most valuable footwear around.

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Last modified: March 23, 2022