Best way to add a zipper and some calf size to feild boots

[CHT]

I have a 20 year old pair of barely worn, custom made field boots sitting on a shelf. They were made too tight (barely able to be worn even after stretching), and after a leg injury were impossible to get on, so have only been worn about 10 times. I have no idea what to do with them as I can’t imagine they have a market, so I figure getting a zipper put in, and somehow making them bigger in the calf would be the way to go. I tried having that done a few years ago, but the boot repair man seemed uncertain.

Looking for advice and information on how this can best be done so I can pass the information on to the boot man to give it a try. I figure I need to add at least an inch to the calf diameter.

I would like it if they were show suitable when done, but fine if they are only schooling boots.

[StormyDay]

I have been wondering the same thing. Mine would be super easy to put a zipper in because the seam for where the leather meets is right where the zipper should go. I called around and got a quote of 300$ :eek: I think I will get one out in when I go down to Florida this summer, I know a cobbler who is really cheap and good.

[VelvetsAB]

I needed some more give in the calf of an off the shelf pair of field boots. The cobbler took an approximate 1"x1" chunk of leather from the top of the inner calf, then added some thick elastic. It gave enough give that I could get the boot on and off, without compromising the shape and performance of the boot.

Wondering if removing the rear seam, to the bottom of the calf, and then putting a small bit of elastic on the top inner side of it, right beside the zipper, would give you enough room to get in and out of them. It then wouldn’t affect the shape/fit of them in your ankle.

[222orchids]

I would seriously gauge this against the amount you be willing to spend on a new pair of boots. To start with, I would contact Pisano’'s in Pennsylvania for the work. They do excellent riding boot repair and this is not something I would entrust your local cobbler

[Madison]

Whether it is workable to add a zipper and a stretch panel or elastic gusset depends upon how much room in the calf you need to add, and how much you are willing to spend. I had an old pair of pull-ons still in great condition but too small in the calf, and ended up donating them to an IHSA team because it was going to cost in excess of $200 to have the zippers put in, with no guarantee they would still fit right. If you decide to do it, run a search on here for adding zippers, as there are a few places that regularly deal with field boots and know how to do it, and it would be worth shipping to one of those places to make sure it is done right. I had one local place quote me $500 to do it and I wasn’t even convinced it would be right when they were done!! The out of town quotes from places that knew what they were doing were more reasonable, but still several hundred. And unfortunately I’ve forgotten where I checked!

[StormyDay]

Huh, I have had my local cobbler fix/put in zippers in several pairs of riding boots I have with great results. Maybe I had better luck because I was in a horsey area.

[CHT]

@StormyDay

Huh, I have had my local cobbler fix/put in zippers in several pairs of riding boots I have with great results. Maybe I had better luck because I was in a horsey area.

Do you have any pictures or details on what they did?

[StormyDay]

I can get some if you like. I had them put a zipper in a pair of pull on paddock boots that I have since tossed (overuse, not because of the zipper) and I also had them replace a zipper and put in an elastic panel in a pair of tall boots.

[Hej]

You should be able to get this done for under $200 in a horsey area.

Before putting any money into them you want to be absolutely sure the feet will still fit! Most people’s feet get bigger as we age; it would be a shame to have the legs made perfect for you only to find the feet too small. I’ve seen it happen…