Can't deal with zipper keepers on tall boots -- need help with a solution

[Moonstone721]

I have a question about my tall boots. They are Ariat dressage boots (Cadence model) with the zipper going up the back, and the zipper keeper/cover thing is at the top, naturally. I’ve had these boots for about 6-8 months or so. I love them so much and they are so comfy and have broken in beautifully…only problem: I still can’t fasten the darn zipper keeper without it rubbing the crap out of the back of my knee creases.

They’ve dropped a tiny bit as the ankles have softened, but I am not expecting them to drop any further as they are dressage boots. I have tried heel lifts in two different sizes. I can zip the boots all the way to the top and ride just fine with no discomfort (without the zipper keepers fastened), the issue is just when I try to snap up the zipper keepers.

My ideas are:

1. Remove the zipper keepers altogether (I’d have them remove the top of the snap from the keepers, and cap the bottom half of the snaps on the actual boot, so there’s no ugly exposed snap just hanging out on my boots)

2. Lower the zipper keepers. Obviously I can’t lower the outer side that has the snap, but maybe if I have the keepers lowered about 0.25" on the inside, it would then put them on a slight angle so they’re not digging directly into the knee crease. I don’t know much about leather repair, but the stitching on the Ariats to me look like this would be doable.

3. Alter the zipper keepers so that the tops are rounded instead of straight across. Is this is a thing??

Does anyone have any thoughts or tried any of these options? Anything I’m not thinking of? Any magical way you have broken in this part of the boot? I’d appreciate any advice!

[OneTwoMany]

Try taking the boots to a cobbler (someone who works on leather shoes) and see if they can make some adjustments that will make the boots more comfortable.

[xeroxchick]

I usually put a piece of athletic tape on my leg where they hit and give me a blister. At da! It solved my problem, hope this helps!
btw, so much better than trying to break in my new Dehners with patent tops. No boot jacks, no boot pulls. I’m willing to put tape on every time because love my zip Ariats so much. But I don’t have dressage boots. Have the brown field boots (and “cordovan” ones because they are more light brown) and have zip up black dress boots. Not sure if they are dressage boots. Dressage boots are usually a lot more stiff.