Ariat Customer Service Rant/Tall Boot Recommendation

[lachelle]

So the zipper on my tall boots busted earlier this month. I’ve had them a few years, but they’ve only been worn at shows so they really aren’t that “old” in terms of use.

I took them to my local leather repair shop, they took a look at the zipper and said that it looked like a pretty easy fix. The teeth of the zipper were in place, but the sliding piece had just worn out, so they really just need to replace that piece. It should only be a $15 fix, and I’d have working zippers!

But…Ariat only uses their own specific sliding piece that works on their boots. It can’t be replaced with just any old slider. They said to call Ariat and see if they would send or sell me just that piece.

Hah! Ariat doesn’t do that. According to them, when the zippers are created it ONLY comes in a set: left side, right side, slider. Ok…so I ask if I can buy the whole piece? Nope, not a chance. But I can feel free to send them to Ariat’s only authorized repair company, NuShoe! So I can ship my boot across the country from VA to CA to pay to have the whole zipper replaced. So we are now talking about $85 +shipping.

So about $100. To fix a $15 problem. Because Ariat is too ridiculous to just let me buy the damn zipper piece.

:mad::mad::mad:

Okay…rant over. I feel better.

I can’t see the point in investing $100 and waiting several weeks for my old boots when I can just take that money and invest it in new boots. So please send me recommendations for tall boots that cost under $500! NO Ariats… :lol:

[hunterrider23]

You can generally order parlantis from Europe for 500-600. I also have seen the mountain horse supremes and they look pretty, but no personal experience.

[french_fry]

I skimmed a bit but did I miss the part where you can just have the zipper replaced by a shoe repair guy for $30 or so?

I have done this locally with countless Ariat boots because, yep, the zippers suck.

[Madison]

If you do buy new ones, check out the Tredstep Donatellos - surprising quality for the price ($299), and they break in very quickly. Numerous people at my barn have them and love them, and I recently bought a pair as well. Have only ridden in them a couple of weeks, but happy with them so far!

[lachelle]

[QUOTE=french fry;7971090]
I skimmed a bit but did I miss the part where you can just have the zipper replaced by a shoe repair guy for $30 or so?

I have done this locally with countless Ariat boots because, yep, the zippers suck.[/QUOTE]

To replace the zipper on one boot by the local leather repair shop is $45. But because of the “super special” zipper Ariat puts on their boots, the boots really won’t match. Which for schooling isn’t a big deal, but for shows will look funky. I could have both zippers replaced, but ($45 x 2) now we’re back to $90.

@Madison;7971095

If you do buy new ones, check out the Tredstep Donatellos - surprising quality for the price ($299), and they break in very quickly. Numerous people at my barn have them and love them, and I recently bought a pair as well. Have only ridden in them a couple of weeks, but happy with them so far!

I’ve heard great things about the Tredsteps so far. So if I keep hearing good things about them I think that’s the direction I will go. I just didn’t know if there were any other brands I may be missing out on!

thanks guys!

[french_fry]

[QUOTE=lachelle;7971126]
To replace the zipper on one boot by the local leather repair shop is $45. But because of the “super special” zipper Ariat puts on their boots, the boots really won’t match. Which for schooling isn’t a big deal, but for shows will look funky. I could have both zippers replaced, but ($45 x 2) now we’re back to $90. :(![/QUOTE]

This must be the sole advantage of living in NYC and riding. I can have both zippers replaced by a shoe shine guy in Penn Station for $30 total.

Don’t get too jealous, everything else about living here is a total ripoff…

[roamingnome]

@lachelle;7971126

To replace the zipper on one boot by the local leather repair shop is $45. But because of the “super special” zipper Ariat puts on their boots, the boots really won’t match. Which for schooling isn’t a big deal, but for shows will look funky. I could have both zippers replaced, but ($45 x 2) now we’re back to $90.

1. No one is going to notice different zippers on your boots
2. If you can’t live with matching zippers, I’d just have your local guy do them. 99% chance they’ll last longer than a new pair of $500 boots

[Jumper_girl221]

I paid 15 at my local repair place to switch out both zippers.

Can you call around to another shoe guy?

[lachelle]

$30 to replace both tall boots!?

No I don’t believe I’ll find anything that cheap in this area. The original shop I took them to is kind of our area’s “go-to” for any leather repair. I worry if I DO find something cheaper I will be paying for what I get, and will end up w/ more broken zippers.

I wish I could stand boots without zippers. That would make this easier. :lol: I don’t know how you non-zipper folk do it…

[IPEsq]

I would have your guy replace it with a YKK zipper and be done with it.

[cswoodlandfairy]

I’d have to say that I agree with some of the other posters. It’s much cheaper to fix the zippers than go to a new pair of boots especially if you are looking up to $500! I’ve only ever had Ariats and never had a problem, but it may just be my luck. I only own the Volants now and have two pairs one that I use daily and one only for shows like you and held/holding up great. I’ve noticed that the new ones zippers are much sturdier than ones I have had in the past.

But I would also shop around for a shoe person. You can find some much cheaper deals and if your concerned about the quality of work look up reviews online for the stores to get an idea.

Do your boots have the tabs over the zippers? If they do, wouldn’t that hide the different zippers?

[FirstChance]

I think the cost to replace zippers is highly dependent on location. The place in town here that everyone recommends is $100 per zipper on a tall boot. I’m thinking about buying new boots myself rather than bothering to do it. I’d be happy to ship them off somewhere to get them done at the prices you guys find!

[SidesaddleRider]

Journeymans replaced the entire zipper in one boot of my Ariats after it busted at a show. I have no idea what it cost (it was a few years ago), but it has held up great, and it is a much higher quality, heavy duty zipper. Honestly, I don’t even notice that they “don’t match”, nor does anyone else. And I use them at A and AA-rated shows. Just replace the zipper.

[Jo]

FWIW you will be very impressed with your boots when they return from NuBoot. My BO had her zippers replaced on her 6 month old (gasp!) Volants by Ariat through NuShoe and the zippers are much improved over the standard zip. She liked them so much she sent out an older pair as well to repair on her dime because she was so impressed with the craftsmanship.

(Too bad Ariat can’t just use that standard on their original product!)

[Trixie]

No one will notice mismatched zippers. That much I can promise. I’m normally a little crazy about the details for show stuff, but that one isn’t even on the radar. Just make sure it’s a good quality zipper. I had mine replaced at the leather place in town (owner has horses) for $45 per boot.

[lifeishorsesarelove]

Just get the zipper replaced.

I was schooling in a pair of (borrowed!!) Field boots last weekend, and blew a zipper at some point early in my ride. My coach didn’t notice, I didn’t notice and the girl I was riding with didn’t notice until I went to adjust my stirrups halfway through my ride and I saw that my boot was GAPING open from heel to knee.

Nobody is going to notice, except maybe if you replaced the one zipper with neon pink or something.

[myrna]

if any one is close enough to check the zippers on your boots to see if they match,they need to get a life.Have had several zippers replaced and they don’t look any different from the originals.

[Bristol_Bay]

It would be ridiculous to spend $500 on new boots when you could spend $100 to send them to NuShoe. They have such a good reputation. Maybe it won’t take as long as you think.

[horses34]

I have the Tredstep Da Vinci’s and LOVE them. They look so nice and fit my foot really well. It wasn’t bad to break them in either.

[Tinpin]

I just spoke to an ariat rep two days ago regarding a broken zipper. They are mailing me prepaid shipping materials to send my boot in and they are doing the repairs free of charge. It will cost me $0