Buying tall boots online: problem, a wide calf!

[Sunflower]

So I am thinking about buying a pair of tall boots online-- I have given up trying to revive my pre-zipper custom tall boots. I am only toying with the idea of schooling show level shows at this point, so I am not looking to spend a fortune. Ideally they would be boots I could also enjoy wearing for everyday riding.

Here is the catch-- my wide calf.

This makes me very hesitant to buy online.

There ARE some tack stores around me I can get to-- which common sense says is the better thing to do-- it is just a hassle to get to and from. Hence, online shopping is attractive.

But…

my wide calf!

Does anyone have any recommendations for durable but still low end competition worthy tall boots ( want real leather, and prefer field boot style) that accommodate a wide calf? Any and all thoughts appreciated.

[541hunter]

Tredstep Donatellos! I had a pair I wore every ride (3-5x a week, often multiple horses) AND walked around in all day at shows for 3 years and they still look great. Zipper eventually busted but that’s a $50 fix. I’m planning to replace it and keep them as schooling boots since I bought a pair of Parlantis. My trainer didn’t believe me when I told her they were $289 (they’re $300 now though).

Smartpak carries the regular sizes and the plus sizes (comes in Wide and Plus calf), and since they have free returns you can always exchange if it doesn’t work.

ETA: The calf sizes run from 11.5" XSlim to 19" Wide.

[bullygirl979]

I feel your pain. My calf is a touch over 15" so I need a wider calf boot. I ended up getting a pair or Ariats as they have full and wide calf options. I found their sizing is also pretty true to size.

Also, did you look at the Smartpak site? They do free shipping and return shipping.

[CELook]

I have a wide calf as well, measures at 14.5 inches. I just bought a pair of Ariat Heritage Contour’s online. I wear 7.5 in Ariat paddock boots so I ordered a 7.5 full calf regular height in the Heritage boot. It fits really pretty well. I wish the calf was actually just a little bit more snug. I probably should have gotten a size 7 with the full calf and it would have been perfect.

[equest]

I have a full calf just a touch over 14.75, and the Ariat full calf size generally works for me. I would take a look at Dover. A friend recently bought the Quantum Crown Pros on sale, and they were even offering free shipping (a rare event for Dover)>

[Linda]

Two suggestions. a shoe repair store could put zippers in your current boots - and at the same time, add a bit of room as the zippers will add space to the calf. Suggestion two is ordering custom boots.

I got some DeNiros about 6 months ago and love them. We live in the mountains, not near any tack stores or vendors, so they supplied me with the list of what to measure and it was easy. The boots are a perfect fit.

[AmmyByNature]

How wide is wide? As you already see, that varies in this thread alone from under 15 inches to over 19 inches.

If you give us foot size, calf measurement, and height necessary we can probably give better advice!

[TheBrownHorse]

Sunflower-

I too, wonder how “wide” wide is when you’re describing your calf!

My Treadsteap’s (Da Vinci) are a regular/medium (my calf fluctuates as my weight often does, between 13.5-14), and OUCH did it hurt to break those in. Once they broke in they are SO comfortable, but super super SUPER tight when I got them. I think they hardly zipped up!

Remember a lot of times when you try on a boot, you want it to be a little snug. Not painfully, but snug, because the leather does and will stretch.

[Fig]

If your calf is as wide as mine (18 inches) I highly recommend the fuller fillies (although I hate the name). Super durable and they are actually comfy. They have field or dress boots. They are very acceptable for showing.

[nycequestrian]

I have a wide calf and had the hardest time finding a boot that fit my calf but was also fitted in the ankle. I was fitted at Dover and they did a great job. I have Ariat tall boots that I use for schooling and showing and so far they’ve held up great. What we did to fit my calf was size up in the foot (usually I’m a 9 but we got a 10) so that it would fit my calf and then put insoles into the boot to make the foot smaller. Hope that helps!

[vanessajean]

I second the Ariat Heritage Contours. My calf is around 16 inches with breeches and socks and I got the X-wide, size 7 and they are slightly too big. I may replace them with the wide before show season. They are awesome boots.

[RugBug]

When I’m thin, I can wear a wide calf off the shelf (15 3/4"). When I’m, um…not thin, I have my customs which are 17". I also have issues with boots not being tall enough. My customs are 21". A lot of boot manufacturers dont make tall wides so it can be dicey trying to buy off the shelf for me. I have a new pair of brown Ariat Challenge Contours and the height may end up being an issue for me as they are perfect without having dropped at all. Crossing my fingers they don’t drop too much. :o

I don’t think I would buy for a wide calf online unless I absolutely knew the boot would fit.

[Sunflower]

Thanks all for the suggestions. I have tried to find a tape measure to know what my leg measurements are-- but those things do not seem to exist. It seems like the best thing to do will be to make a pilgrimage this weekend to the big tack store, and see what they have, what fits, how it feels, and if need be, they can order something for me if they do not have it in stock. Will let you know what I end up!

[ktm_here]

I have to put a plug in for Mountain Horse. I too have a wide calf. I went into the tack shop and said I want a cheap pair of boots that are real leather with wide calf. The boots broke in really fast and have held up fantastically well. I was hoping to need to buy a new (custom) pair, but these have (un)fortunately held up really well. Price: $200

http://www.mountainhorseusa.com/footwear/field-boots/mountain-horse-venice-field-boot-jr-307102

[Highflyer]

Any fabric or sewing or large craft store should sell a measuring tape specifically designed to measure people, but you can also just use a piece of string and then.measure it with a regular measuring tape or ruler. Just measure the widest part of your calves. A tack store may not have much in stock on the larger end of the spectrum although they should be able to help you measure. I have the Ovation Flex Sports and really like them, although they aren’t anything fancy.

[RugBug]

[QUOTE=Highflyer;8369897]
Any fabric or sewing or large craft store should sell a measuring tape specifically designed to measure people, but you can also just use a piece of string and then.measure it with a regular measuring tape or ruler. Just measure the widest part of your calves. [/QUOTE]

This…but also make sure you measure with the clothes on that you will wear when riding. Your thickest breeches you will wear with the boots and the same socks. It will make a difference.

[AmmyByNature]

String and a regular ruler are all you need…

[Linny]

Measure the widest point of the calf, while standing. (It really is easier to have someone do the measuring because by bending over and twisting, you are altering the flex of the calf muscles.) Then, get a hold of a Dover catalog, every rider has about 5 in their home at all times. Look through the size charts for some of the boots mentioned here, like Heritage Contours (Ariat) or Donatello (Treadstep) or the various Mountain Horse.
For a lower price point, Ovation has a couple of options.

Be aware that the measurements are guidelines not guarantees. The legs of each style are cut differently. Some are fuller in different places, some riders who also run have the “widest point of the calf” closer to the knee than average.

[Cruisesmom]

I had great luck with Mountain Horse. I bought the Firenze dress boots, that have a very giving elastic stretch panel that stetche swell over an inch, the whole length of the zipper. The size chart for the wide states 16 1/4" IIRC, and my calves are a 17 1/4". Fit great and broke in even better.

[Bozilla]

[QUOTE=Sunflower;8369857]
Thanks all for the suggestions. I have tried to find a tape measure to know what my leg measurements are-- but those things do not seem to exist. It seems like the best thing to do will be to make a pilgrimage this weekend to the big tack store, and see what they have, what fits, how it feels, and if need be, they can order something for me if they do not have it in stock. Will let you know what I end up![/QUOTE]

When I was measuring my wide calves for boots I didn’t have a seamstress tape measure either. I used a piece of hay string to figure out the distance around and then measured that. Put that down as yet another use for hay string.
BTW I bought a pair of cheap Ovations for $150 and they are still stiff and horrible 2 years later.