Rough & Ready: A History of the Cowboy Boot

Explore the fascinating and contradictory history of footwear with the Bata Shoe Museum's special exhibition, *Rough & Ready: A History of the Cowboy Boot*. Located right in the Annex, the museum dives deep into how the cowboy boot evolved from a practical piece of late-nineteenth-century workwear into a massive global cultural touchstone.

Visitors can trace how these iconic boots have symbolized everything from rugged labor and industrialization to high fashion, rebellion, and cinematic mythology. Whether you associate them with rodeo riders, silver screen outlaws, or street fashion, this exhibit unpacks the expert craftsmanship and cultural narratives stitched into every pair. Make an afternoon of it by exploring the neighbourhood's local cafes and bookstores before or after your museum visit.