Looking to invest in some new boots for clinics/showing. Currently have a pair of Ariats that have served me well, but wanting something a bit nicer for shows. Not looking to spend an outrageous amount of money, especially for something that doesn’t hold up.
I like the ego7 tall boots, but can’t seem to find anywhere with my size or where I can try them on. So any insight on that would also be helpful.
I love my Deniro Tricolores, and they were quite affordable at $600.
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My teenager has the Tricolores too - the quality is really nice. She wears them daily and they still look new a year later.
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I have the Ego7s as my everyday boots, and they’re decent but not a significant step up from other everyday boots. The leather is a little thicker than some of the other brands like Deniro or Parlantis, so if you’re looking for something soft and higher end for clinics and shows, the Ego7s wouldn’t be my choice.
If you know your size or can try boots on locally, you can save money by ordering from some of the European tack stores. I’ve bought two pairs of Parlantis for shows from Europe for less than $500 by also buying when they’re on sale. I know some people have had issues with their durability. I use mine strictly for shows and clinics, and never bathe or handwalk or anything else in them, and they’ve lasted me about 10 years now with no issues. They’re soft as butter and the close contact feel they give you with your horse can’t be matched IMO.
I have Ego7 boots and Deniro Tricolore boots in the Amabile (pebbled leather). I don’t show a lot and the Tricolore boots look a bit more traditional, but the pebbled leather is difficult to get shiny. I ordered both pairs from Europe and saved a significant amount. The Ego7 boots were a bit difficult to break in, but once broken in they fit like a glove.
I get not wanting to shell out a ton, but I’m a big cost-per-wear justifier…for better or worse.
My Fabbri boots lasted me 8 solid years of nearly everyday use. Bathing, riding, bucket washing, and walking miles a day. Seriously, impressive.
I echo buying Parlanti’s in Europe. I begrudgingly bought a pair of the canvas lined ones and I’m going on 6 years! Of near daily use. Cleaning stalls, riding, etc.
Just splurged on Tucci’s and am obsessed. Those babies are never seeing anything except a mounting block.
The Fundis customer service team is wonderful and can help you find your size and help you self measure. The break in time for Parlanti is minimal.
Regardless of what boots you end up with, my biggest piece of advice is to buy dress boots. Not only do they looks sharp, they’re easier to clean and IMO last longer because they don’t have the laces and can’t crack there.
Happy shopping!
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I bought a pair in 2019. By last year, the black color faded to gray in places. I took them to the shoe repair guy and had them dyed. They look great. No problem with wear—I ride one horse 4-5 times a week. I’d buy them again.
This is genius. I despise polishing around the laces on my field boots 
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At Black Friday I ordered some Sergio Grasso’s from Gallop Store in France. They were $400ish including shipping (vs. $900 for the lower model at Dover) Chose this brand because their stock sizes matched my measurements the best, and what I found on this board was positive. The shop refunded my $$ and notified me that they won’t be ready until July, though I’m hoping it will be earlier (the site said 7 weeks). However, I appreciated that they are not holding my money while the boots are produced. The Euro exchange rate is favorable now, so buying from Europe makes even more sense than usual.
I get not wanting to shell out $$$
But my custom Vogels are from 1989 & still polish up show-ready. The lining shows some wear & they’ve been to NYC 3X - first for gussets, then full back zips & last for a zip repair.
They fit from Day 1 & are as comfy as slippers.
Admittedly not worn much these last 15+ yrs, but still ready if I do show again 
If you’re going for longevity, I vote customs
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I use Ego7s for schooling: as others have said, the leather is thicker and I don’t think its very nice, but they have worn well for me and some people show in them. For a time and maybe currently, a top junior rider was sponsored by them and she was wearing them in all three rings. I wanted a pair of schooling boots that I could show in if I broke the zipper, etc. They are comparatively generously sized in comparison to Parlanti’s: I wear a large calf in Parlanti and a Medium in Ego7. I wear Parlantis for showing. They are not the most durable, but since I don’t school in them, I don’t care much. I’ve never broken a zipper, they are comfortable to walk in, and good looking.
Also have had great experiences with Fundis!
Unless you have a high instep as I do. My first custom Dehner dress boots were gorgeous but absolute hell to get in and out of. It took a great deal of pulling and pushing to get them on and two people to pull them off at the end of the day. With my feet field boots are a better choice although I do love the look of dress boots.
Oh interesting! I wonder if it has to also do with the height of where the zipper starts near the heel of the boot. All of my boots are dress boots, and I have noticed my Tucci’s are more difficult to put on compared to my two pairs of Parlanti’s. Granted, not THAT difficult! But good to note!
There were no zippers in those days! I forgot that today’s boots all have zippers.
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I don’t think you can find retail boots WITHOUT zippers. Custom, yes, but off the shelf I think you’d be hard pressed to find boots that don’t zip, hah!
times have changed, I don’t miss screaming at my Dad in '99 to not cut the boots or break my ankle after 90 degree muggy horse show days 
I took a long break from horses and then went back about 20 years ago and I bought a pair of field boots without zippers. But the lacing of the field boots and the fact that I wanted boots with a straight ankle made them so easy to get on and off. I hate the “sock” style of boots where the ankle is so tight. But I’m sure you are right and I wouldn’t be able to find boots without zippers now.
I can almost never find my size in off the rack boots actually in stock. Just found some Parlantis at Hypostore while I was looking for something else and could not pass up. €550 for a Pro model and shipped next day.
I go through them about as fast as DeNiros (every few years; I am hard on boots) but find them more comfortable, and the zippers are better by a long shot.
I have a pair of Deniro Salentino, they have a lot of semi-custom options. They had zero break in time and were lovely.
I also have a pair of custom LM. I know some people have had issues with measurements, so I only deal with the top measurers, and for me get them measured at Dressage at Devon or another large show.
The Deniro semi custom were the same price as the LM custom, I like them both, but I went a little out there with the LM and can’t show in the hunters with them so they’re my everyday boot, whilst the Deniro I wear for shows.
I was replacing my ariats every 18-24 months, these were more expensive but in the long run saving me money. And after I lost a ton of weight it cost me less than $200 to send my boots back to get redone.
