Boring question about boot trees!

[Daisyesq]

So I have a fancy pair of show boots, and also my daily riding boots.

I find the plastic expandable boot trees very convenient, like these:http://www.dressageextensions.com/ariat-boot-trees/p/1493/
however, because they are plastic they don’t “absorb” any dampness from the leather and so I heard that natural material is desirable for keeping your boots healthy longer.

Is there an alternative, other than very heavy, awkward cedar wood boottrees? Those look difficult to use, so I probably wouldn’t be very good about keeping them in my boots.

Sorry for this topic that will put you to sleep. Thanks for staying awake to the end.

[GraceLikeRain]

When I got my treadstep boots they came with these inflatable velour trees. At the time I didn’t think about any absorption properties but perhaps they would do the same?

I’d love to hear other’s thoughts. My Ariats didn’t come with trees due to a lazy seller and I want to get trees in them asap before the ankles get mushy and gross.

[Mango20]

You could always go the Pony Club route and make your own custom-sized boot trees from rolled up newspaper!

[Daisyesq]

[QUOTE=Mango20;8365771]
You could always go the Pony Club route and make your own custom-sized boot trees from rolled up newspaper![/QUOTE]

I totally forgot about this! I was in pony club in the late '70s and early '80s and we made these? (Then I never bothered to put them in my boots).

[walktrot]

Pool noodles, that’s what one of the kids at our barn uses. Wouldn’t newspaper tend to get damp?

[ToN_Farm]

I use these kind of plastic trees. I have your kind and don’t like them as well.

http://www.derdau.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Boot-Trees-500x500.jpg

I don’t have any trouble drying the boots because I have more than one pair. After riding, I put the trees in and put the boots somewhere outside where there is air flow. Of course, you probably couldn’t do this if you board out, unless you brought them home.

You could also get a boot dryer. There are various kinds.

http://www.doversaddlery.com/dry-guy-dry-xl-boot-dryer/p/X1-37014/?eid=X18A00U1000&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=CSE&utm_campaign=MerchantAdv&zmam=1460880&zmas=1&zmac=114&zmap=0037014000995X1-37014&mkwid=sefcvnYPH&crid=81744332767&mp_kw=&mp_mt=&pdv=c&gclid=CMLq2_DF0cgCFYkWHwodao0FYQ

[MissAriel]

There are fabric and polyfil trees available in an array of styles on Etsy:[URL=“https://www.etsy.com/listing/209337771/ikat-boot-trees?ref=shop_home_active_4”] boot trees
(these might just end up on my Christmas wish list ;))

Or you could DIY your own from socks and a water bottle: DIY boot trees

[lorilu]

The wooden ones are the best.

[Gloria]

Well, they may not absorb moisture, but they are heck lot lighter than the wood ones. I have both the cedar boot trees and the Ariat boot trees. The cedar is so ridiculously heavy. It isn’t an issue until you have to pack your boots to shows/clinics. So far my favorite is the Ariat boot trees. Good construction by the way.

[GraceLikeRain]

[QUOTE=MissAriel;8366393]
There are fabric and polyfil trees available in an array of styles on Etsy:[URL=“https://www.etsy.com/listing/209337771/ikat-boot-trees?ref=shop_home_active_4”] boot trees
(these might just end up on my Christmas wish list ;))

Or you could DIY your own from socks and a water bottle: DIY boot trees[/QUOTE]

More poly fill options: http://www.amazon.com/My-Boot-Trees-Organization-Patterns/dp/B00N28PBJM/ref=sr_1_7?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1445396001&sr=1-7&nodeID=3421050011&keywords=boot+tree&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011

Thanks for posting that link! I had never heard of those before. I may give them a try.

[Dolce-Vita]

These are so old school but I love them.

http://www.dressageextensions.com/strecko-boot-tree/p/1555/