Wondering if anyone has insight as to the difference between these two. Need a new pair of brown boots. Love my 22 year old Dehners, but they are on their last leg. My newer, brownDehners have never fit properly, even after sending them back twice. The Ariats look pretty good in the Dover catalog and I would love to have the zippers.
Anyone have one of these?
Thanks!
The Challenge boots don’t come in a size combination that would fit me, but the Heritage Contours in a reg/wide fit me GREAT!
From what I can tell, the Challenges are stiffer/not as contoured (but I hear they’re making Challenge Contours now, though haven’t seen them in person) as the Heritage Contours.
I have them in brown and LOVE LOVE LOVE them! They are the brown boots I have coveted for YEARS (well, in my mind, at least. I only found out that Ariat was making the Heritage Contours [which most of my friends own in black, and LOVE as well] in their beautiful brown, I KNEW I HAD to have them!!!):
https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/11218716_927171270668179_2910729983823217400_n.jpg?oh=9b5b7e56702020c79983f8e56eca551f&oe=562A1984
https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11705107_954847054567267_425899605365914866_n.jpg?oh=1d8f5da5d661d571ade1fa20acf0d926&oe=56267798
The Heritage Contour leather is softer, the Spanish cut top is higher, and the brown is a deep chocolate.
The Challenge Contour fits a thicker ankle and a leg that’s thicker just below the knee. The brown is not really “brown” but a really pretty cognac (reddish).
The foot is the same in both boots.
My former coach, her sister, and one other barn friend all had the challenge and said they were amazing. Very soft leather and virtually no break-in. Ariat is currently sold out of them though, so I bought the heritage instead which I’ve been happy with. (FYI I don’t show, so I wear them just for lessons/casual riding). I do have my name on the Ariat wait-list for a pair of challenge boots though. The heritage leather isn’t bad but could be softer–they did take a period of breaking-in with resulted in lots and LOTS Of bandaids and cursing. Now they’re fine.
The Challenge has the upgraded footbed and a squarer toe. The Challenge appears to be on the verge of a re-do as I have seen them offered at a significant discount on Dover’s site and elsewhere. The Challenge also seems to have a lower profile foot, so if you have a high instep, they may not fit your foot as well as the Heritage.
