The purpose of the boot
It turns out removing the boot does not have a deleterious effect on the cable but it is there for three reasons:
1. To keep you connected
The chief purpose of the boot is to protect the plastic clip from flipping up and eventually breaking off the cable. The plastic clip, also called a retention clip, makes that familiar “click” noise as you plug in the cable; it snaps the plug into place and secures it there. Without the clip, would probably randomly get disconnected
Condition: New