Best Tall Boots for Under $500 dollars that DON'T FALL APART?

[puzzle]

Hey guys. I am at the end of my wits. I need a pair of daily-ride tall boots which can also polish up and go to shows in the hunter/eq ring (I know this is a hard request). Tried half chaps and paddock boots, they scratched up my saddle and were a pain in the you-know-what on top of it, AND I couldn’t show in them! I wear a Euro 41/us 9.5 or 10 (wide feet), and am 19.5" from floor to back of knee, with a 15" calf. All of these are in tall height, btw, and were determined by myself, trainer, and others to be good fits.
Here’s what I have tried and the failure modes so far:
Ariat Challenge Countour (x2): Looks great, feels great, shreds on the inside within 4 months, followed by zippers breaking and footbed cracking. 20’ height means it wasn’t too short, first time ever.
Ariat Heritage: Exactly the same as above… don’t know why the challenges weren’t any better!
Mountain Horse Venice: Too short to show in by far after the drop (were like 18 3/4 after dropping), repeated zipper failures. They did make it a year and a half leather wise.
Mountain Horse Richmond?: same as above, this was a long time ago.
Tredstep Donatellos (original, not the new ones): 19 3/4 height looked great but it dropped 3/4 of an inch and is now an eyesore of shortness, I have already replaced the zippers once and now they have gone again… additionally, I’m getting holes on the inside and some cracking on the footbed here too. They made it 1.5 years.

I need a pair of daily-ride boots that can double as show boots as a backup. I have EXTREMELY deep heels and very flexible ankles so I think that is contributing to zipper demise, and ALSO really high arches and wide feet across the ball of the foot which complicates things; and, in true rider fashion, teeny-tiny ankles and then calves that bulge (as in, if I flex my foot you can see the muscles pop out, ala pop-eye. Sexy).

Things I have tried on that didn’t fit, at all:
Middleburg by Dover - too short, so much too short as to be hysterically funny.
Justin Windshire - too short, funny fit in the calves, just looked goofy.

In the Running:
Tredstep Donatello II - looks good, but tall height for size 41 is still 19 3/4, afraid that it will drop too much like previous dontallos.
Tredstep Medici - looks great, x-tall is 20.5 inches, so with heels lifts in permanently should not drop too much. Haven’t tried them on.
Ariat Heritage Contour and Challenge Contour - worried that these won’t hold up any better. At least they’re 20 inches tall so shouldn’t over-drop.
Mountain Horse Venezia - slim/tall will be a squeeze but maybe doable, 19 3/8 height might be too short, no regular/tall.
Mountain Horse Sovreign - same as the Venezia, 1/4 inch taller but still unsure.

Other ideas? I do think I like the off the rack Der-Daus but they are out of my price range when not on sale, haven’t found them on sale in a plausable size for me, and am not sure of the durability of them.
TIA!

[btswass]

I would try the ariat volant. I really love mine and use them as my daily riding boots. I’ve had them a year and they’ve held up really well. No issues at all. They’re also incredibly comfortable

[sarcam02]

We have Parlanti’s for showing - The 2014 field boot insides have been repaired several times by Pisano & Sons (still my kid’s favorite boots) and the 2016 dress boots pair are holding up with “show only” use. We have the first version of the Tuff Rider parlanti knock off and they are going strong.

I recently started riding again and bought myself the Ariat Heritage pair in X tall and they have been both super sturdy and quite refined and pretty in my view. I would recommend those to anyone. I would suggest that you reach out to Ariat customer service to have them help you with your issues and concerns. - 4 mos use is total BS and they should make it right for you

[puzzle]

@sarcam02

We have Parlanti’s for showing - The 2014 field boot insides have been repaired several times by Pisano & Sons (still my kid’s favorite boots) and the 2016 dress boots pair are holding up with “show only” use. We have the first version of the Tuff Rider parlanti knock off and they are going strong.

I recently started riding again and bought myself the Ariat Heritage pair in X tall and they have been both super sturdy and quite refined and pretty in my view. I would recommend those to anyone. I would suggest that you reach out to Ariat customer service to have them help you with your issues and concerns. - 4 mos use is total BS and they should make it right for you

I totally agree, I did get several pairs of free replacements that proceeded to wear out just as fast… obnoxious at best, but I was told that due to the amount that I ride (1-3 a day, 6-7 days a week) and I needed a “pro’s boot” because nothing else would hold up… that’s great, but I am college student who isn’t made of money, not a pro who can factor it into ‘expenses of being a pro’ or a big eq rider or anything.

[silver_charm]

I definitely don’t ride as many/as often, but 1-2 horses 3-5x a week including getting/grooming/turning out and my Heritage Contours are over a year (I bought them more like 3-4 years ago but had a break in riding due to moving). They’re the first ones I’ve found comfortable enough to be all day barn boots and they definitely haven’t dropped much.

I would loooooove to get a pair of Volants as I feel like they are even sturdier, but I have no excuse until these ones die.

[StormyDay]

Maybe look at eiki boots? They have models under 500$ that are custom. I have no idea of the sturdiness but have heard great things.

However, I am surprised the ariats didn’t hold up better. I have a pair of ariats that are going on four years of riding at least 9 horses a week.

[Brutus614]

Oh man, I’ve struggled SO MUCH with tall boots. The Ariat Heritage doesn’t fit me, the Challenge made my feet go numb (and friends had issues with it rubbing their Achilles tendon so badly one girl went to physical therapy!). Tredstep Medici zipper broke in 6 months of daily use.

So far, my Donatello’s have held up to daily use this winter, but I’m only 6 months in. They didn’t drop too much. I’m now on to Ego 7’s for show boots – a bit above your price range, but maybe worth looking into. I’ve only had mine for 2 weeks, though.

[Renn_aissance]

@btswass

I would try the ariat volant. I really love mine and use them as my daily riding boots. I’ve had them a year and they’ve held up really well. No issues at all. They’re also incredibly comfortable

I was going to suggest the same. Mine have worn like iron. If you go that route, be aware that the stout leather that lasts forever does not drop like a soft boot does. Prepare for a 1/2" drop, no more.

[PNWjumper]

@Renn/aissance

I was going to suggest the same. Mine have worn like iron. If you go that route, be aware that the stout leather that lasts forever does not drop like a soft boot does. Prepare for a 1/2" drop, no more.

I disagree. I’ve been through 2 pairs of Volants and the non-Volant blue-topped ones (V Sport?). All 3 pairs have stretched and dropped significantly (1-2"). Though to be fair, I ride 3-6 horses a day 6-7 days a week, and do all of my barn chores in them too - so they’re used and abused and then some. Both of my Volants (the original red-stripe ones and now the lizard-topped ones) have lasted for 2-3 years before starting to look less-than-flattering. The V Sports made it just a little over a year. From a wear standpoint, though, my red-striped Volants are going on year 5 or 6 with the kid I gave them to when they stretched out too much for me, and have held up great.

With that being said, I love the Ariats and own more pairs of the Ariat styles than anything else. But I’ve found over the years that you definitely get what you pay for. The cheaper lines of boots fall apart a lot faster. The more expensive ones tend to last longer.

I would definitely still recommend trying the Volants though. Nothing beats them for comfort, and at shows I’ll take off my nicer show boots between classes so that I can walk around (and walk courses) in my Volants (which I also show in sometimes). And I’ll also second the Eiki boots. TidyRabbit has talked about how much she loves hers (and she’s also very tall). Nice custom boots for a low price.

[173north]

Parlanti has a few old Ocala boots on sale - buffalo, so super durable. They’re not online so a dealer will have to call for you, and they do have a red and white P logo on the Spanish top but that can be Sharpie’d over. Just a thought.

With all tall boots, the key to making them last is to only ride in them. (We say ‘they’re riding boots, not walking boots!’) Don’t turn out in them, don’t teach in them, don’t groom in them. Put them on right before you ride, take them off right after. Everyone wants to look stylish walking around in their boots all day, and you could do that in something like a domestic leather custom and it would last, or if you commit to buying a new pair of Parlantis yearly - but a $300 Ariat boot just isn’t going to hold up to that.

[541hunter]

I continue to be intrigued by the Ego7s—they’re right at the top of your price range ($499) but the inside panel is synthetic and more durable, and the zipper looks pretty sturdy. I have absolutely no experience with them but it might be something to look into.

My longest-lasting pair of tall boots were actually the Saxon Equileather field boots. Not the most beautiful boot in the world but I treated them like absolute crap (including a year of walking 5 miles in them to the barn when I lived abroad!) and they held up for 5 years. They weren’t nice enough to show in at rated shows though.

[GraceLikeRain]

@173north

With all tall boots, the key to making them last is to only ride in them. (We say ‘they’re riding boots, not walking boots!’) Don’t turn out in them, don’t teach in them, don’t groom in them. Put them on right before you ride, take them off right after.

I read that for years before I finally listened. My sister and I bought the exact boots on the same day. I only rode in mine, cleaned any horse scurf off the inside after each ride, kept them polished, etc. I could walk into the ring in them tomorrow after owning them for 2 years (tread step donatellos, nothing fancy). My sister’s were schooling condition only after 6 months because she bathes, turns out, and generally tromps around in hers.

[Melissa.Van_Doren]

Try Ego 7. Synthetic calf panel is nicely grippy and more durable than leather.
Or, for $600, the Ariat Vortex is a new entry. Similar looks to the Volant, with a zipper that starts on the outside of the ankle then rolls to the back, a high Spanish cut top, and a new footbed.

[eclipse]

I’ve also gone to the Ego 7s after having 2 pairs of boots come apart in 2 years! I found that my calf skin saddle and calf skin leathers basically ate holes in the insides of my boots, and my local tack store has seen lots of this happening. They steered me to the Ego 7s as they say the new inside panel will hold up far better. So far I love them and will fill everyone in after wearing and showing in them for the next year!!!

[dynamite0319]

I have had my Ego 7s for a year and use them for fox hunting, lessons and showing. I don’t wear them for daily riding, but they still look as good as new after a full season of showing and hunting. I got mine in a Beval sale for less than $500. When I can get my hands on a brown pair that will be my next boot! I love them! I wear a size 9 tall with medium calf for size reference.

[MCF1991]

I have the parlanti off the rack buffalo boots too. You can order them from the UK and find them CHEAP!! They are currently around $450 so maybe $500 with shipping! Try Horseycatherine.com. This is where mine came from from about 4 years ago and I still wear them…EVERY DAY! I was on the circuit with them and rode 3 horses 6 days a week and I still have the same boots! I have had the zippers replaced twice but these boots are old as dirt and have gotten more use than I ever thought they would withstand.

[eeyore886]

Whatever type you get, I recommend some form of boot cover for regular riding. Mudd Rucker make a cover that fits over the front half of your boot with a sling around the back. Keeps them from being exposed to urine and mud which can eat the threads they are sewn together with.

[Write_amp_Ride]

The new Ariat Vortex is a cool boot with a narrow ankle and comfy fit. They’re really not hard to get into, though they include a long shoe horn for you to use the first few times. The look is not for the hunter/eq ring, though.
If you’re having that much trouble with wear and zippers I suspect you’re being really tough on your boots. Ariat zippers are the size 10 YKK, as sturdy as you can get. But the zipper needs to be kept clean (brushed or air blasted with a keyboard cleaner, no WD-40) and the leather needs to be cleaned and conditioned. Others have mentioned wearing another pair of shoes at the barn and only wearing the tall boots to ride. Just get into the habit of doing it and it won’t be a big deal.
Another last-ditch option is wearing a half chap over the tall boot to prevent excessive wear.

[anicolle]

Ariat Volants fall apart… just like every other pair of Ariats I’ve had.

I have a pair of those Palanti Passions that were around 700ish (from a UK website in 2013) that are too big in the foot and and too big in the calf since I’m not fat anymore. Both zippers busted off. Still going strong (2 years of riding 4-8+ horses a day and working 7 AM til 7 PM in them, mucking stalls, grooming, setting jumps etc. I till use them when I go ride my baby horse that I moved out to MT :rolleyes:

I love and swear by the Mountain Horse Sovereign boots!! I think I got them in an 8 (usually like a 8.5-9) and the tall/slim. Super tight at first, had to do the bathtub method. They have held up well. When I use to ring 6x a week (on my baby and id jump into a western saddle and ride her babies) I stopped riding got 5 months when I moved and put on 10lbs of ‘winter’ weight.

I did groom and walk and do minor stall cleaning and bathing in those boots. Not super comfortable to walk in (could be because I like to squeeze my fat lil leg into them)

Basically just avoid ariat.

I had my zipper busted and the leather ripped when I got bucked off someones import (Ive had lots of back luck with imported horses, no longer working with horses as a job anymore ;))

[adelmo95]

I got the Ariat V Sport boots 2.5 years ago as my daily wear boots and they have held up great to 2 horses a day days a week, walking through mud and snow to get them. Only thing I would change if I got them again would be to order one calf size smaller than I did.