Best mid-range tall boots?

[Cabaret_SK]

I’m looking to replace my (very ancient) everyday field boots. I have a pair of Tredstep Donatello boots that I wear for shows, and they are ok (but rub my ankles). I want something to wear for every day. If I can occasionally show in it, great, but that’s not the primary concern.

I’m looking to stay in the $400-$500 (Canadian) range (about $300-$375 US), and the boots must be available in Canada. (I live in the GTA right now, and am willing to drive to a tack shop to try on).

Any suggestions from the collective COTH wisdom? I have tried on the Ariat V-Sport, which fit well, but don’t know anyone who has them, so wasn’t sure how they hold up.

[Madison]

For your Donatellos that rub your ankles, get a pair of the gel socks - they come in 2 sizes (and can be cut down further with scissors if you need to) and typically eliminate the ankle-rubbing problem. https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/equifit-gel-bands-8100

[Denzel]

I just got a pair of the Mountain Horse Sovereign this year (in brown) and while I haven’t had a chance to really ride in them, they fit super well and are really comfortable. I would say the leather is not too far off from my DeNiros.

[Archer]

@Denzel

I just got a pair of the Mountain Horse Sovereign this year (in brown) and while I haven’t had a chance to really ride in them, they fit super well and are really comfortable. I would say the leather is not too far off from my DeNiros.

I just got a pair of sovereigns. Love them–they’re gorgeous. Just a word to the wise: they run about one size big, and I have heard (not sure that this is reliable) that the brown ones are being discontinued.

[King_Creole]

The tall boot gods were finally looking out for me on the day my Tredstep DaVinci zippers broke. I absolutely hated them but I wasn’t going to toss $500 boots! They were beautiful, but not comfortable in the least. (My poor, sweet DH: Can they be fixed?" “No dear. They can’t. They are dead.” when they probably could be mended…hehe)

I replaced them with Ariat Heritage Countours and after a quick and easy break in (rode in them maybe 5 times), I showed in them recently. So much happier. I can walk around in these bad boys! They are in the $275-300 range.

I also have the Ariat Challenge Countours in brown for schooling. I love them. They are comfortable, broke in easy (see above) and have held up very well in the four years I’ve had them. These are in the $400 range.

I do drool over the brown Mountain Horse Sovereigns though…they will probably be my next schooling boots…but not until the Ariats die!

[ktm_here]

I have these for home. I have my horses at home and do my barn chores in them, ride and sometimes by mistake go to the gas station with them. They broke in after only a few rides and have held up really well. I love them.

https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/ariat-v-sport-zip-tall-boot-11611

[GoneAway]

Another vote for the Ariat Challenge Contours. I have two pairs of these boots (one brown, one black), and both pairs broke in well, look great, and are extremely comfortable. Both pairs have held up very well over the last two years, the brown pair especially as those are what I school in.

[mmeqcenter]

I loved my Ariat Heritage Countours so much, I bought a second pair just for showing. Also, because my first pair were a bit too big in the calf, though I measured as directed. I wear the too-big pair for schooling; they’re not noticeably too big, I’ve gotten several compliments on them, but they’re just not snug. I’ve had my schooling pair for 3.5+ years now and they barely look worn, riding 5x/week and some light barn chores.
I do think a big issue people have with boots wearing quickly, or breaking the zippers, is they’re buying them too tight. I’ve said this in at least one other thread. Boots with zippers should not be as tight as solid boots, IMO. Of course the zipper is going to give out, with that much tension on it ride after ride! My pair I use only for shows are nice and snug, but not extremely tight; they look great and are extremely comfortable.

[ygsoul]

I just replaced my Donatello’s with Mountain Horse Venezia boots about a month ago. My Donatello’s were already wearing out after 3 months of use and I don’t even ride that much (about 1-2 horses, 5x a week)!!! The Venezia’s are actually on closeout on Dover (about $149?), and so far they have dropped very nicely (about 1/2 an inch on me) and fit my ankles very well–no saggy ankle look!

[Cabaret_SK]

@Madison

For your Donatellos that rub your ankles, get a pair of the gel socks - they come in 2 sizes (and can be cut down further with scissors if you need to) and typically eliminate the ankle-rubbing problem. https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/equifit-gel-bands-8100

Would these work even on old boots? I’m pretty sure my Donatellos are broken in, since they’re 3 years old, but they still rub.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I’d like to check out Mountain Horse, but haven’t found a tack shop out here that stocks them. (Of course my local shop back home does, but I won’t be back there for a while…)

[Madison]

@Cabaret SK

Would these work even on old boots? I’m pretty sure my Donatellos are broken in, since they’re 3 years old, but they still rub.

Yes - unless it is a rub from a really severe wrinkle that is stabbing you and could still apply pressure through the gel layer, they provide enough of a buffer to eliminate/avoid most rubs, they are great!! With new boots you can usually stop wearing them once they’ve broken in, but with old boots you might have to keep wearing them on a regular basis.

[Nickelodian]

@Denzel

I just got a pair of the Mountain Horse Sovereign this year (in brown) and while I haven’t had a chance to really ride in them, they fit super well and are really comfortable. I would say the leather is not too far off from my DeNiros.

I have both of these boots as well. While I agree with you that my Sovereigns are lovely for the price point, they in no way compare to my DeNiros which are on par with parlanti in quality. Especially after a few months of wear.

[Denzel]

@Nickelodian

I have both of these boots as well. While I agree with you that my Sovereigns are lovely for the price point, they in no way compare to my DeNiros which are on par with parlanti in quality. Especially after a few months of wear.

Agree to disagree there I have Parlantis as well, and I think the Sovereigns will hold up way better. I would never wear my Parlanti boots for daily riding. The DeNiros on the other hand have held up for daily wear and still polish up like show boots after 5+ years, including a stretch of time where I was riding 2-6 horses a day. The leather is obviously not the same quality, but I would say it’s about the same softness level. Requires a little more break in than the Parlanti, but will wear much better.