best paddock boots?

[ActNatural]

Couldn’t really find what I was looking for except for out of date threads and with new styles coming out, thought id ask!

You know how the story goes; my last pair of ariats lasted 8 years but my current pair have only lasted ONE year in similar conditions.

Best paddocks that:
Have good arch support
Lace up
Will last longer than one year
Stand up to on average 5 rides per week and bathing in the summer
Do not require special cleaning
Less that $150

Does this exist anymore?

They dont make things like they used too, huh?

[Renn_aissance]

If you’re not married to the price range, I’ve been really impressed with the Dublin Intensity paddock boots. I’ve had mine for about a year now. They remind me very much of old-school Ariat styling- very comfortable, same basic cut, just a little wider- without the pesky little problems of new Ariats, like “falling apart.” Mine broke in well and still look pretty new if I shine them up, despite having been solidly used since I got them. Dublin does have a model that’s less expensive, but I liked the construction and the fit of these better.

[Bristol_Bay]

I have a par of Ariat Cobalt waterproof that ran me close to $200 maybe 6 years ago. They are still waterproof, although the leather is cracking. I was just at a tack store asking about replacing them. The boot gal told me that there were quality issues with these, but they went back to using the high fat content matte leather. If I hadn’t just scored a pair of unworn Dehner paddock boots on eBay, I would buy the Ariats again. They are around $200 now, but so comfy. The only ones that looked like they came close to the design were the Ovation Aeros. I didn’t try them on, but they looked comparable.

[equisusan]

Had the same dilemma recently and I went with a pair of Tredsteps. Beautiful leather. I’m a zip girl not a lacer but I like them so far.

[jlphilli]

I also like the Ariat Cobalt (performer pro vx). I’m old school and always get the lace ups. Last much longer (easy to replace laces)!

[caradino]

I have Tredsteps, and so far at 7 months of the treatment you describe, they are still in beautiful condition. I hope that they will last several years!

[ParadoxFarm]

My Tredsteps are over two years old and in great shape. So far, so good.

[TheJenners]

To bad you say lace up. I have a pair of western pull ons that have lasted a year plus two months, they were cleaned once last year for a theme wedding, and they are awesome. Plus I don’t have to touch them when they are nasty, just toe them off :lol:. Even better, my half chaps zip right over them, jeans or breeches :). Only draw back is I didn’t get water proof, and they aren’t if they get a direct hit from the hose, but handle dew and damp grass just fine.

[Pony_Nerd]

I also love my Ariat Cobalts. I want to say they are 7 years old. Still mostly waterproof, and only have minor cracking at the toe bend. Yes they were expensive and I wouldn’t normally have paid THAT much for paddocks, but there’s a story to it… I had a cheap pair of pleather paddocks that were run over and destroyed by a truck. While sitting in my closet. In my house! :lol: Nationwide insurance gave me maximum replacement value for all the various and sundry crap the truck even touched. When I went to the tack store to buy a new pair of paddocks, the only pair they had in stock in my size was the Cobalts, and since the insurance company gave me 200.00 for the pleather pair I decided to splurge. I would buy another pair in a heartbeat!

[Bristol_Bay]

My Cobalts are the zip ups, and the zippers still work fine. I read all the complaints on here of the cheaper Ariats coming apart or having zipper trouble, lasting only a year or less, and really it’s like they are talking about a different brand. For $80 more, I have seemingly indestructible boots. I do clean them often and no, I don’t ride multiple horses, so I wouldn’t claim to abuse them. I do remember gulping at my credit card bill at the time, but they sure have been worth the price.

[Dewey]

I love my Ariat Cobalts. I was lucky; I found them on a clearance rack. I think that was because they were an odd size (5 1/2) and color (cordovan). They are 7 years old, and I wear them 3-4 times a week with heavy use and minimal care. They are zip-ups. I have never had a single problem with them; they are still going strong. Great boots!

[Green_Acres]

I had Ariats and had my last pair last 1 year and I gave up on them! Bought Tredsteps and love them! I didn’t want zip ups but love them now!!! Super comfy! I had to wear my old Ariats last week and thought damn they are so uncomfortable…give me my Tredsteps now!!!

[PNWjumper]

I love my Ariat Monacos. They’re going strong on year 3 of use, and that’s after several years of other Ariat models never lasting more than a year at a time. I bought myself a back-up pair when the lace up Monacos went on Tack of the Day, and I’m more than a little surprised that I haven’t had to pull out the back-ups yet!