Ariat V Sport - Review added

[AmmyByNature]

ETA: I bought them and added a review to the end of this thread!

thought I heard someone say they showed in the Ariat V Sport boots? Does anyone have them? Do you show in them?

I school in the red Volants and tried on my “regular” (and very nice) boots for my first show in ages the other day. I couldn’t stand the feel of them - I’ve gotten too used to the comfort and support of the foot of the Volants.

I ended up showing in the Volants. It was a C show in 3’ and under jumper stuff, so it wasn’t the end of the world, but I was thinking that the V Sports might be just the ticket.

I’ve spent the past 15 years in hunter world, so I still have a little trouble thinking of myself showing in anything not super traditional, but I’m thinking that at 3’ (maybe up to 3’6" in the next few years) in the jumpers - eventually rated - the V Sport might be okay. The color is more subtle, the zipper is more discrete, and the spanish top will look a little better than the Volant I think.

What do you think? I don’t want to spend $500 on more boots so I like the price point of the V Sports.

[HiJumpGrrl]

I have them and show in them. I event, though, so take it for what it’s worth.

[AmmyByNature]

Is the footbed the same as the Volant, do you know?

[pwrpfflynn]

I show in mine but haven’t done any rated shows really but you sure do get spoiled to that feel. I have Monaco’s for bigger shows & I don’t think the feel of the food bed compared to the Volants so I never wear them unless I am doing a dressage show.

[Calvincrowe]

I’ve shown in mine in the rated jumpers. Not in a classic, just on the open/regular days. No one mentioned them at all. I think it’s the same foot bed, but since I haven’t had the other Volants I wouldn’t know.

[PNWjumper]

I have all three - Stretch Monacos, V Sports, and Volant S (and had the red stripe ones before that). The footbed on the V Sport is not the same as the Volant. It’s similar, but I guess the best way to explain it is that it’s what you would expect for $250 vs $500. IMO, the Sport V foot just feels a bit flimsier and less supportive than the Volants. But still much more tennis-shoe-like than the Monacos. My V Sports are my day-to-day boots. I show/clinic in them through the off season, and have shown in them at some of the smaller A shows. Actually, I wouldn’t hesitate to show in them at the bigger shows in the smaller rings. Prefer my Monacos for the big ring where I get the most pictures because I think they’re just plain prettier.

[Belmont]

A friend of mine shows big A/AA in the jumpers with hers. She loves them! I saw them in lower level hunter classes this past weekend at a non-rated show.

[AmmyByNature]

![]( wanted to add a review to this post.

[IMG]http://i57.tinypic.com/2co3hqs.jpg)

I received my Ariat V Sport boots today and I’m very pleased! They fit beautifully and I think very true to size. I got a 10 wide calf.

As others have said, I feel like the foot isn’t exactly the same as the Volant, but it’s pretty darn close. It’s maybe a teensy bit less bulky than my red stripe Volant boots, which isn’t a bad thing.

The boot is amazingly comfortable. Like amazingly. I took them out of the box, put them on, tacked up, and had a lesson in them. While hacking there was a moment I thought they would have to drop about a quarter of an inch to be perfect, but by the end of jumping I swear they were done breaking in.

The Spanish top is great. The blue accent is very subtle. I feel like the spur rest is maybe a quarter inch higher than on my red stripe Volants. The ankle is beautiful. I would probably prefer the leather to be not perforated, but it’s not a deal breaker. As you see in the photo, it was a wet day and i ran into the stool when i was mounting, so i got them dirty on my first ride, but they wiped off fine with a wet towel. The inner panel is thick enough to seem sturdy, but supple enough to give really good feel, and just sticky enough to make you feel really secure.

I plan on keeping them as my show boots. (Jumpers, but i feel they would be fine in many hunter rings.)

I hate to be so into Ariats, as I’ve been burnt by them before, but i really really love these stinking boots. I have been converted to this foot style, for sure, and i just don’t see any other brands selling this sort of boot.

These are a win for me. And for $300, if you like the sneaker foot, they are a slam dunk. Very pleased.