Ariat Paddock Boots

[Sansena]

My Ariat Heritage II paddock boots finally split at the sole, as is usual after 2 years of near-daily use, mucking, slogging through mud and getting abused. So I’m shopping for another pair but don’t see many. Most on-line stores are carrying a model called Scout. I’m also seeing Heritage III boots but I believe the leather on those are quite delicate and won’t put up with the abuse I hand out.

Can anyone review the Scout boots for me? They promote them as good for the beginner. Does that mean they’re meant for once a week use? Because as I said, I abuse them. But they are about $25 cheaper than what have been paying for paddock boots.

I love the Ariat boot shape. Instep/ width fits my foot really well. But I am open to other brand suggestions for a comparable price (<$100).

Blundstones don’t work for me. The instep hurts and the vamp? is too low and bruises my ankles. But any other brand is worth looking into. Thanks.

[LesleyW]

I’ve never tried Scouts. But I’ve had a few pairs of Ariats, and I’m now on my fifth year with Tredsteps. I liked Ariats, but I love my Tredstep Giottos. They have a zip front, so there’s no untied laces to deal with.
I wear them riding, and casually with jeans. There’s tons of arch support (important for me, as I’ve got rather bad flat feet), the sole and heel are still in good shape despite several years of abuse. The toes are starting to get scuffed though. I’ll definitely buy another pair.

[katenreno]

Do you find that the zip fronts bust open after awhile? I went through multiple pairs of Ariat front zips as a teen, and while I liked that they didn’t have laces, I soon discovered that the pressure put on them from the “heels down” position caused the zippers to split open after around 8-9 months of use. I’m curious if that was a problem unique to me, to Ariat, or just bad luck. In any case, I have had the same pair of Ariat Performer Back Zip (lace front, back zip) for almost 13 years now! I just finally got a replacement pair of the same ones. Love them.

[LesleyW]

Well my Ariats are lace, which drives me nuts.
The zipper on the Tredsteps must be really tough, because I’ve worn them nearly every day for more than five years with no problems.

[katenreno]

Good to know, thank you!

[Sansena]

So, no reviews on the Scout model of paddock shoes??

…
Had a zipper issue years ago on 2 consecutive pair that I returned. Since then, not a prob.

[js]

Have you looked at the Ariat H2O zip boot? Very good to wear if slogging thru mud and water.

[Libby2563]

[QUOTE=Sansena;8954425]
So, no reviews on the Scout model of paddock shoes??[/QUOTE]

If you Google them and look at the shopping results, there are 67 reviews from Dover, SLT, SmartPak, and Zappos (not sure if that link will work–you may have to do the search yourself). Amazon also has 26 reviews that don’t appear on Google Shopping. I’d start with those rather than hoping that someone on COTH will respond.

[Sansena]

I’d rather hear from CoTHers frankly

[Velvet]

Ariat lace ups with the zipper in back have bad reviews because they don’t stay laced. I have the ones with the zippers in the front and have never blown one out. I love them!

[caper]

I wear my paddock boots for riding. I wear boots for mucking that can take a beating. Like something from LL Bean and stores like that for slogging through mud.

[Renn_aissance]

Former Ariat paddock boot lover checking in. I have had bad experiences with their recent models and moved away from the brand. The Dublin Defy paddock boot has a very similar fit and better longevity, in my experience. The insole isn’t quite as comfortable (remedied by putting Ariat insoles in.) Best of all, some colors/sizes are on sale as low as $30. I got my new pair through Net Equestrian.

[Posting_Trot]

I love Ariat’s fit, and haven’t found another boot that fits my foot as well.

I had very good experiences with Ariat’s Performer Pro boot that has laces and a back zipper. Went through two sets of these, with each set lasting about 3 to 4 years.

I cheaped out when I replaced the second set, and bought the Heritage ones. I’ve had them for a little over a year and they look like death. The (black) leather is badly faded across the tops of the insteps and the toes are permanently scuffed. But they are comfortable.

I recently bought, for more serious mud and muck use, the Ariat Barnyard Twin Gore H2O paddocks. The leather is heavy (heavier than either of my other Ariat styles), and the boots are insulated. They took a little breaking in, but now they are very comfortable, dry and warm. I’d recommend them.

[katenreno]

[QUOTE=Sansena;8954425]
So, no reviews on the Scout model of paddock shoes??

…
Had a zipper issue years ago on 2 consecutive pair that I returned. Since then, not a prob.[/QUOTE]

Sorry, didn’t mean to hijack your thread. I don’t have any experience with the Scout model. I can only speak for the model I’ve had great success with. Hopefully someone can give you better insight.

[Sansena]

[QUOTE=katenreno;8955249]
Sorry, didn’t mean to hijack your thread. I don’t have any experience with the Scout model. I can only speak for the model I’ve had great success with. Hopefully someone can give you better insight.[/QUOTE]

No! You didn’t hijack! It’s good to hear about other’s experiences with all brands, but I’d also like to know if anybody from CoTH (my trusted source where nobody’s review can be edited by a seller or manufacturer) had experience with that particular brand.

I love the suggestion to use the LLBean duck boots for mucking, I’m just usually flying too fast to remember to switch. Not that I’m riding much these days…

I love paddock boots. I wear them almost exclusively so it’s a wonder they do last close to 2 years. Interesting input on the scuffed toes and faded leather too… I thought my toes were scuffed from a bout of furious weeding I did this summer where I knelt while wearing the paddock boots. Guess it wasn’t operator error; this model is prone to scuffing.

I appreciate all input… Thanks guys.

[TWH_Girl]

I tried on the Scouts and they fit consistent with Ariat sizing and they are well made for this price point. I ended up with the Breeze paddocks because they are waterproof.

[seriously1]

I have these Ariats and love them. http://www.ariat.com/BARNYARD_SIDE_ZIP_W_FOO.html?dwvar_BARNYARD__SIDE__ZIP__W__FOO_color=DARK_BROWN#start=4

The side zip solves the zipper coming down in the front and time to tie laces. They are a bit wider than traditional paddock boots.

[fordtraktor]

I use the moc slip on LL Bean duck boots for barn work, and Bogs in winter/rain. Then I just slip into paddocks (zip up) before I get on the horse, usually after I’ve saddled and before I bridle. My Ariat zip cobalts are at least 6 years old. They don’t even make those any more.

In the past I used Ariat Terrains…super comfy and durable. Mine lasted many years and I wore for mucking and riding. I have big feet though and they were really too big for my irons so I stopped. I bought another pair recently because I bought bigger irons but haven’t been using them because I keep waiting for the Cobalts to die. They are in a box in my closet. Amazon recently has then for $60 so I grabbed them then.

[Melissa.Van_Doren]

[QUOTE=Sansena;8954425]
So, no reviews on the Scout model of paddock shoes?[/QUOTE]

I don’t wear them, but I’ve tried them on, and sell them. I find them equivalent to the discontinued Sport (without the nylon upper). Inexpensive leather. Not particularly comfortable under my foot. (I am a Devon Pro VX wearer because I love the support and sturdiness.) They do come in a lace-up style, which is a nice option for people with high insteps. But I’d recommend the Heritage III H20 as a better replacement, considering the abuse you dish out. :winkgrin:

[Magicboy]

I wear the heritage round toe model, ride 5 x a week in them and do stalls, too. Never had a problem…2 years ago, there was a big sale so I bought 3 pair and I’m doing fine with pair #1. I’ll probably be buried in pair #3!