Hyer Boots
Cowboy boot company
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hyer Boot Company is a historical American footwear brand that has been widely credited in historical accounts with contributing to the development of the modern cowboy boot.[1][2][3][4][5] Founded in 1880 by Charles H. Hyer in Olathe, Kansas, the company operated for 102 years before being sold in 1977.[6] In 2023, the brand was relaunched under the name HYER by Zach Lawless, a fifth-generation descendant of the founder.[7]
History
Charles H. Hyer, a shoemaker and leatherwork instructor at the Kansas State School for the Deaf, began making boots from his home in Olathe in 1875.[3][8] According to historical accounts, in 1876, a cowboy requested a custom boot that would better suit horseback riding.[3] Hyer designed a boot with a pointed toe, higher heel, and scalloped top.[3] This design gained popularity, leading to growing demand and the establishment of a bootmaking business.[1]
Hyer's company expanded significantly, employing family members, former students, and immigrant craftsmen.[3] It eventually adopted the name C.H. Hyer and Sons.[3] The company introduced a mail-order system that included measuring instructions, allowing it to serve customers across the United States and internationally.[9][10] A version of Hyer's measuring system is still used by modern boot makers.[10]
In 1919, the company was selling 15,000 pairs of boots per year and became known nationally as one of the largest handmade boot manufacturers.[6] Throughout the early and mid-20th century, Hyer boots were worn by figures such as Buffalo Bill Cody, Will Rogers, President Calvin Coolidge, and President Theodore Roosevelt.[6][11]
Hyer Boots played a prominent role in the community life and economic fabric of Olathe, Kansas. The company's growth made it one of the region's major employers, and its factory became a local landmark. Hyer frequently engaged with local institutions, including hiring graduates from the Kansas State School for the Deaf and supporting regional events like the Johnson County Old Settlers parade.[12][13] Hyer's cultural impact has also been featured in museums and historical exhibits, such as the permanent displays at the Museum of Deaf History, Arts & Culture in Olathe and the Johnson County Museum.[14][15]
After Charles H. Hyer died in 1921, his sons continued to run the company.[6] By the 1960s and 1970s, the company faced challenges, including a decline in skilled labor and changes in manufacturing processes.[1] In 1977, the Hyer family sold the business to the Ben Miller Boot Company of El Paso, Texas, which moved operations and phased out the Hyer brand.[1]
Relaunch
In 2023, entrepreneur Zach Lawless, the great-great-grandson of Charles Hyer, relaunched the brand as HYER Boots after acquiring the trademark from its previous owner.[7][16] Lawless partnered with Western lifestyle company Teton Ridge and brought on individuals with prior experience in the footwear and Western wear industries.[7] The relaunch kept the original boot designs while incorporating updated materials and features.[9]
Sponsorship
Since relaunching in 2023, HYER has become the official boot sponsor of several professional rodeo cowboys and cowgirls.[17]
HYER is the official boot sponsor of The American Rodeo.[18]
HYER is the official boot sponsor of the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA).[19]
HYER is the official boot sponsor of the Arizona Ridge Riders; one of 10 bull riding teams in the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Team Series held every summer and autumn.[20]
In 2024, HYER released a special pair of boots to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the American Royal.[21]