Custom Boots- are Dehners still the best and what details do I want?

[BCGirl]

Santa was really really good to me this year and brought me the gift of custom boots for hunting. The exciting part is I get to pick exactly what I would like. I know they won’t be cheap, but I want my boots to last me the next 20 years or so if possible!

I have never had a custom pair of boots and have always been lucky to find second hand ones that fit well enough (or that are passable!).

So, for my first pair of custom boots- what do I want?! I primarily hunt and having the boots for that is most important.

From the research I have done, Dehner seems to still be the best company for custom boots, especially that will stand up to the demands of foxhunting. Also, I have the following list of things that I have come across or heard from people to get in your boots- any comments as to whether these are worth it or someone I will regret having, etc are very welcome!

-Regular tops (I know I want these!) and the detachable patent option

-Fully lined

-Rough out leather (I am not familiar with rough out, but I have heard they last a whole lot longer for hunting and you have to use a bone to get the scratches out and bring out the leather’s natural shine, but that they do not shine up to a mirror finish at all)
or would Dragoon look nice?

-Insulated foot area

-Rubber sole

Am I missing anything? Or are there better boots out there than Dehners? Also, where should I get measured? I am in the Middleburg area.

I am really excited to finally get boots made!!!

[Beverley]

Well, I don’t use them as often these days, because my vintage mid-80s Dehners have brown tops and I whip in rarely- but they are holding up just fine, thank you. I have the Dragoon leather- it took a while to build up a mirror shine but they hold up better to briars and brambles. Mine are fully lined but not insulated. Absolutely get Marian at Horse Country to measure you, that’s the most important part of the equation, and take into account the thickness of socks you’ll want to be wearing- boots made tighter by thicker socks, even if lined, will result in cold feet owing to compression/ lack of circulation.

[judybigredpony]

Everything Beverly said…make sure you wear you thick socks over your winter breeches and Long John s…you can take in but not let out much…I did get Gussets n zippers in my Field Boots and the Boot repair guy admired my Dehners fully lined w/rubber soles!!

[I_ride_Gibson]

What size are you? There is a pair almost identical to your description at Middleburg Tack Exchange right now. 9.5 ladies slim calf I think? Fairly tall too… Beautiful boots… Not custom, I know, but maybe you need a backup until you get yours?!

[BCGirl]

I will definitely make sure to be in the thickest sock/lined breech combination (or should I go one level down from my thickest to accomodate for the slight stretch from breaking them in?) when I go to get measured -by Marian at Horse County.

How did you get to the mirror shine on the dragoon? Just normal polish?

I ride Gibson- I currently have a pair of Dehners that I got off of ebay that fit me alright, they are just too too short- to the point Santa was almost offended by my boots haha. But they have worked for 2 seasons!

Thanks for the advice!

[SLW]

One problem, your new Dehners will last you 50 years or more. I have one pair that old I bought used. My current go to pair is 30 years old. I have another back up pair for winter riding that I bought used that are young, 20 years old. Dehners are the best.

[beaujolais]

ribbed soles, not just flat rubber

gusset

Yay for fully lined, although they are a pain till they are broken in. Fully holds up much better, more support for your legs, looks prettier.

Love Dehners, a slightly more ruggged, classical look, imo. The other boots are too refined of a look, again imo.

Oh, I always specify a loose fit in the calves, yes, very loose. It works out perfectly. They look great and you don’t have to do psycho things to get your boots on or off.

[crazybootlady]

I am so glad you posted this thread. I was having the same questions about the Dehner boots, since I think that’s going to be this years splurge for me.

[Beverley]

[QUOTE=BCGirl;7361321]
I will definitely make sure to be in the thickest sock/lined breech combination (or should I go one level down from my thickest to accomodate for the slight stretch from breaking them in?) when I go to get measured -by Marian at Horse County.

How did you get to the mirror shine on the dragoon? Just normal polish?

I ride Gibson- I currently have a pair of Dehners that I got off of ebay that fit me alright, they are just too too short- to the point Santa was almost offended by my boots haha. But they have worked for 2 seasons!

Thanks for the advice![/QUOTE]

No, don’t downsize on the socks. Lined boots ain’t gonna stretch much. Marian can advise you! How to get the shine…never use anything but water to clean your muddy boots, no oils, saddle soaps, nuttin’ but water. Apply polish, (except to inside of leg, never, gets on saddle), buff with used panty hose followed by soft brush. Lots of variations on this, it is mostly elbow grease in the end. Unless of course you work for HM the Queen and you can add a blow torch to the mix: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRIcJsm3OQg

[crazybootlady]

So what I’m hearing is that it IS possible to get a mirror shine on the dragoon leather? So if I happened to wear them to a horse show that they’d be appropriate?

[Saskatoonian]

Hmmm, I’d vote no on dragoon because I have a friend who has it and it’s never gotten really shiny, but maybe she just hasn’t done it right. Mine are calf and beautiful - but they’re not 50 years old yet.
Love ripple soles and Spanish and Italian tops (my black ones are spanish and the brown are Italian), but the new option that’s made breaking in my brown boots a thousand times easier than the black ones is the “Yorkshire” style of heel rather than the old square style. Not sure if that would be acceptable on dress boots - or honestly if it’s quite proper for hunting even on field boots, since I mostly event - but if it is cool, it’s very nice. This link should take you to the pictures -
http://www.dehner.com/pics/largephotos/yorkshire_example.jpg

Happy shopping!

[mp]

OP, I have the Voyager leather. Same sturdy leather as the Dragoon, but not oiled, so you can get a nice shine on them. You might consider that option, if you like shiny.

I don’t hunt, but my Dehners are my everyday riding boot AND my show boots. They are indestructible.

[Trakehner]

Love my Dehners and they wear like iron. Once they hit 20-25, Dehner really doesn’t want to work on them and will make some noise about the leather beinng dry etc…I have a pair of their artillery 3-buckle field boots in brown…my favourite boots to ride in, like wearing sneakers.

For men, they make a great motorcycle cop/mounted cop boot for $429…a real bargain. http://www.boot.com/bdstock.htm I had my fitting done at Horse Country Saddlery in Warrenton VA…they honoured the Dehner price.

[Kryswyn]

I measured for Dehners for most of the 10 years I worked at Horse Country. Marion taught me to measure and Dehners routinely recommended us.

I know you want these boots for hunting, but I cannot recommend the waxed calf (rough out). Dehners is NOT KIDDING when they say it takes time and dedication to keep these boots looking good.

Voyager is an option, but…these are boots you’re going to have a long time, GET WHAT YOU LOVE. And trust me, you’ll love the feel of French calf more than Voyager. I’ve seen them both, and unless you can’t afford the French calf, don’t get the Voyager. I should say that most people who did get Voyager liked them, but they don’t shine up like the calfskin. If you go to the Dehner website and look at the different leathers you’ll see what I mean. Fresh out of the box the calfskin shimmers and reflects light but the Voyager not so much, and that is as good as it gets.

As to the options, foxhunters usually got the vibram composition sole if they didn’t get leather. It wears longer than the the ribbed sole. It gives a good grip on the stirrup AND on the ground. It is a slight bit thicker/stiffer so you feel like you have a little more space between your foot and the stirrup, but my customers said it was nothing they noticed after the first few rides. It also raises the leather part of the foot off the ground so gravel and dirt don’t scratch the foot of the boot as much.

Foxhunters also usually get their boots fully lined for the longest wear. They are happy to trade in the extra break-in time for the longevity.

It goes without saying a foxhunter gets plain black dress boots without toe caps, for a first pair. For cubbing boots field boots with toe caps are more appropriate. Of tan, dark brown and cordovan leather, dark brown is probably the most popular, but oh my cordovan just makes my heart beat faster. Regular tops are the most traditional and you can eventually have patent tops put on.

Call Horse Country and ask if they’re having a Dehner boot special in February. The price of the boots are the same, but you usually get a bunch of goodies if you get measured by the Dehner person. When I was there, Jeff Ketzler would come himself.

Good luck with your boots. Ride in STYLE!

[xeroxchick]

I have a brand new pair that I have never ridden in and they are three years old. They just hurt so much! I still wear my 25 year old Dehners. Also have a 20 year old pair of brown ones that are falling apart that I try to wear because the newer ones are so ugly. I sent them back twice but now they are beyond help. Just too loose in the lower leg and ankle. I love my strap jodhpurs btw. I would advise getting expert fitting and measurements because the two newer pair mentioned above were measured by a tack store owner who did a terrible job. They wouldn’t use my older measurements because they were over ten years old. Tack store is out of business now, no wonder.

[xeroxchick]

Btw, sent the new pair of brown ones back twice, not the old ones.

[RubyTuesday]

[QUOTE=crazybootlady;7363225]
So what I’m hearing is that it IS possible to get a mirror shine on the dragoon leather? So if I happened to wear them to a horse show that they’d be appropriate?[/QUOTE]

I made a trip to Omaha last year for my Dehners and they told me it’s possible to get a nice shine on the Voyager leather, but it does take work. Trying to think what exactly they said, but I don’t think they said it would be quite the shine that the French leather has. I believe they did say it would be suitable for shows, however. If getting Dehners, you might want to make the trip like I did…there is so much to look at and consider, the packet you get at the store or can order from them just doesn’t cover it all.

[RubyTuesday]

[QUOTE=crazybootlady;7363225]
So what I’m hearing is that it IS possible to get a mirror shine on the dragoon leather? So if I happened to wear them to a horse show that they’d be appropriate?[/QUOTE]

I made a trip to Omaha last year for my Dehners and they told me it’s possible to get a nice shine on the Voyager leather, but it does take work. Trying to think what exactly they said, but I don’t think they said it would be quite the shine that the French leather has. I believe they did say it would be suitable for shows, however. If getting Dehners, you might want to make the trip like I did…there is so much to look at and consider, the packet you get at the store or can order from them just doesn’t cover it all.

ETA: don’t know how the double post came up…

[RubyTuesday]

[QUOTE=xeroxchick;7366483]
I have a brand new pair that I have never ridden in and they are three years old. They just hurt so much! I still wear my 25 year old Dehners. Also have a 20 year old pair of brown ones that are falling apart that I try to wear because the newer ones are so ugly. I sent them back twice but now they are beyond help. Just too loose in the lower leg and ankle. I love my strap jodhpurs btw. I would advise getting expert fitting and measurements because the two newer pair mentioned above were measured by a tack store owner who did a terrible job. They wouldn’t use my older measurements because they were over ten years old. Tack store is out of business now, no wonder.[/QUOTE]

This is why I went directly to Dehners. When spending this kind of money, adding a flight and a car rental wasn’t that much more compared to the heartbreak of them not fitting when they arrived. I just don’t trust a tack store to fit me for something like this. If you go there, the person who takes your measurements actually works where they are made and can advise you on special requests and can show you different models. They also have an “orphans” room of boots that were made but never picked up, and if you can find a set of these that fit, you can get them at a considerable discount.

[Hinderella]

Saskatoonian, thanks for the note about the new Yorkshire style. My ankle bones are (apparently) very low set and that big square heel counter just kills me in my Dehner boots. Now I know what to ask for if I ever save up enough to get a pair that didn’t belong to someone else first.