Spinning off a bit, has anyone seen the Volant S (the ones that look like this, but all black) in person? I can’t decide if I covet them or they’re hideous.
[QUOTE=Renn/aissance;7476180]
Spinning off a bit, has anyone seen the Volant S (the ones that look like this, but all black) in person? I can’t decide if I covet them or they’re hideous.[/QUOTE]
I have the original all black Volants. They are super comfortable and I don’t mind the look at all. They are not traditional looking by any means, but it’s mostly because of the footbed. I wear them all of the time in the jumper ring and I came in second in a national hunter derby in them.
Has anyone got a pair of these yet? I’m just interested in them as a schooling boot to replace my worn-out Bromonts, but would be curious to see what they look like on a real person first.
I’m hopefully heading to Dover in a week or two. I’m hoping they have them in the store so I can see them. Though I’ve realized that they are most likely going to be too tall for me.
Would you mind taking some photos of them if they’re in store when you’re there? I’m buying from overseas so won’t have the chance to check them out in person!
Sure, it they are there I’ll take pictures.
Bumping up this old thread - after MANY delays - I see Dover now has these boots in stock on their website.
Has any one SEEN or touched them? Any lucky cothers order them?
I NEED New boots - I wanted to spend $250, but these look perfect for my needs, so I am willing to expand my budget a little - IF they are worth it!
I have the Volant S boots–the solid black with the “snake skin” top–very comfy footbed, they seem to run BIG in calf and foot. I find the ankle area very roomy, almost to the point of being too loose, but I have narrow ankles. I showed in the jumper ring in them at A shows this summer and fit right in. Lots of nice compliments on the look. Zipper is holding up very well and easy to zip up and down. Snaps are holding up, too. I wear them for lessons 3 days a week, too, as they are my “everyday” boot. Very little break in time, no rubs or pain at all.
Thanks! Hum - runs big?
I am on the cusp of between two calf sizes - one is about 1/2 inch smaller and the other about 1/4 larger than my size. I was thinking about going with the larger (as they would be every day boots and i want them comfortable) - BUT if they already run large…
Hum, and the “V sports” have perforated leather, I wonder if they stretch more.
I normally wear a full in Ariats, and am in a regular and it’s not super snug. I wear an 8.5 in every shoe/ boot I own , but the 8 fit best. Go figure…and try them on in a store if possible. I’m sure glad I did!
I have the Volant S as well (black with red zipper and foot bed) that use for everyday along with the vented back zipper ones that I use for show only. I love both of them. They are super comfy and like other posters have said very little break in time. I will say that out of the two pairs my Black and red ones are much more comfortable than my Vented ones. But this may be because I wear them all the time. The Vented ones, if I wear them for longer than I show in them, do tend to rub at my ankle at times, but I rarely wear them that long.
While I have two pairs (yes I may turn into a Volant hoarder) I definitely LOVE the look of the new pairs both the ones with blue and the black ones. Actually thinking of selling my vented ones and getting the new black ones.
As for fit, I actually got a regular calf and regular height. I will say the first time I attempted to zip up the vented ones it took two people (me and sales person) and the sales person almost said to get one size up. I’m glad we didn’t, when she went to get the manger for a second opinion they actually zipped up a lot easier and by the third try I could do it myself.
[QUOTE=Calvincrowe;7793186]
I normally wear a full in Ariats, and am in a regular and it’s not super snug. I wear an 8.5 in every shoe/ boot I own , but the 8 fit best. Go figure…and try them on in a store if possible. I’m sure glad I did![/QUOTE]
We have no tack stores in the CA bay area! :disgust: I COULD special order through one local store most likely.
Thanks for the tips on fit! See I was getting all ready to order a 9 (I have both 8.5 and 9 Ariat boots) and was going to size up on the calf - but now I am thinking an 8.5 and sizing down!
(only other option is to wait till December - when I will be in Denver and go to the Dover store - which might end up the plan!)
These are new from Mountain Horse
[QUOTE=Appsolute;7793920]
We have no tack stores in the CA bay area! :disgust: I COULD special order through one local store most likely.
Thanks for the tips on fit! See I was getting all ready to order a 9 (I have both 8.5 and 9 Ariat boots) and was going to size up on the calf - but now I am thinking an 8.5 and sizing down!
(only other option is to wait till December - when I will be in Denver and go to the Dover store - which might end up the plan!)[/QUOTE]
If they fit even remotely like the “old school” (ha ha) Volants with the red front zip, you will definitely want to size down. I originally ordered a full, then exchanged for a regular, and could even have gone down to a slim. And nothing about me is slim these days! 
[QUOTE=Appsolute;7792629]
Thanks! Hum - runs big?
I am on the cusp of between two calf sizes - one is about 1/2 inch smaller and the other about 1/4 larger than my size. I was thinking about going with the larger (as they would be every day boots and i want them comfortable) - BUT if they already run large…
Hum, and the “V sports” have perforated leather, I wonder if they stretch more.[/QUOTE]
I have the Volant S and I LOVE THEM. I find them true to size in the foot and through the ankle. The elastic panel by the zipper is VERY stretchy and if you are on the cusp I would advise sizing down. I have a 15 3/4" calf and bought a size that gave me 15 inches. It took me 15 minutes to put them on the first time. Now they look custom made.
They also are slower to drop than some other boots because the leather is tougher. Mine dropped about an inch in 6 months of daily riding, but it took about 4 months to really have them dropped comfortably. Other COTHers have reported that theirs hardly dropped. Your mileage may vary.
I’m going to preface this with a disclaimer- I don’t work for Ariat in any way shape or form… I just really like the boots
I have the original version of these boots and I LOVE THEM TO DEATH! So I have the Volant (same style boot with the zipper down the front but with red where the blue is). I had wanted them for your and years but, since I was strictly and equitation rider, I was afraid the fact they they weren’t completely black would get me in trouble. I switched over to the jumpers two years ago, and those boots were the first thing I bought. Best. Purchase. Of. My. Life.
The foot fits like a sneaker, so I can stand at a horse show for 10+ hours and go home without sore feet. Mine never pinched me anywhere and broke in within a week. I was trying to save these boots for show only but I love them so much that they’re my every day riding boots now 
The front zipper means that dirt, grit, and hair isn’t going to get stuck in there and jam/break it. And the zipper is heavier duty so it’s not going to fall apart in 6 months and force you to get new boots/pay more money to have them fixed. The design looks out of the ordinary, but they really are extremely well made. I’ve been riding in mine every day for two years (…I’ll admit… I never really wipe them down or take care of them…) and they don’t have any holes, extreme wear on the sole (which surprises me a lot because I wear them more than any other shoes I own lol), and it looks like I could wear them every day for 10 more years before I ride through the inside of the boot.
The only negative thing I can think of is that sometimes the red dye bleeds onto my breeches - but never fear, it always washes out and doesn’t leave a stain.
I’d say go for it! A couple of snooty raised eyebrows won’t make you regret getting them
I saw a girl showing in the jumpers wearing the Volant S (the ones w/ the snakeskin top), and the snakeskin was actually very discreet. It was noticeable, but the boots still look traditional-ish. I really love all the Volants, and the blue-topped ones (I forgot the name already!) are no exception…the price is a big thing for me!
I ordered these boots (with the navy top) back in August and received them last week. They match my Navy Pikeur perfectly. They are a little narrow in the foot compared to Crown Pros of the same size and the Volant back zips. If between calf sizes I would go down a size. I was right in between and went down. They were a struggle to get on the first time but after only a few times they now zip like customs. The ankle is very narrow and feels as if there is not much room for the boots to drop but gives it a very nice look. With that being said, the leather on the outside is actually perforated, it is very obvious that it is not smooth leather like the navy at the top. Since I am an eventer, I plan to wear them for cross country and show jumping but I am still on the fence about using for dressage.
V Sports - Got Them! LOVE Them!!
Well I finally got a pair! I went to the Dover store hoping to try some on, but they did not have the V Sports, just the standard Volants - but figured sizing must be similar. The 8.5 wide calves fit PERFECTLY like custom - the sales person was saying how much I lucked out!
So, I went ahead and ordered the V Sports in the same size (which are now back ordered AGAIN - got the last ones from an MA store).
They arrived Friday, and after two rides they are totally broken in and comfy! NO, as in zero ankle discomfort during break in. They did need to drop just a tiny bit, so bumped the back of my knee the first day, but by the end of the ride on day two they were perfect.
From a distance you can’t really see the perforated leather. And the blue does not stand out as much as I thought it would. The fit is nice a close - I would totally show in these (not “AA” stuff, but local and event - yes).
Here are some pictures just out of the box - I will try to get more of them on & broken in.
How in the world does one clean the perforated leather? I saw these in the store and just cannot decide how I feel about them. I love the blue top but just keep envisioning little pieces of soap in all those perforated holes.
