Sadly this has been my experience every time I’ve ordered custom boots from a few different vendors over the years. They never fit correctly and it is pulling teeth to get them to correct the fit. The one thing you expect with custom measured boots is that they actually fit! And to not even have your correct customizations and accessories is ridiculous. I’m sorry you are going through this and I hope the reversal through your cc company sticks!
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OP sorry this happened. I think you could search every single major boot maker on here and find a similar story. I had the same thing happen with Tucci. Completely wrong size and no response. Sold them at a huge loss.
Now I exclusively buy off the shelf or the semi custom. Never full custom. I’ve had good luck with the semi custom fabri boots where it’s just calf size, height and foot. No bells and whistles and the size is stamped inside. Sadly I think the days of fully custom boots are over.
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I’ll chime in to say I had a problem w Vogel. The giant mistake I made was to have paid cash (never again use cash for anything).
I have a pair of tall boots from La Mundial I love- fit like a glove. I have 3 pairs of paddock boots from them…one for crummy weather, one for good weather, and one for dress up. All were ordered at different times, all are holding up well, and all fit well. Who knows.
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I’ve had 5 pairs of Petries over the years (polo boots and dressage boots) that have fit great!
I know 1 person out of 5 who’ve had their La Mundial’s fit correctly. 1 barnmate had the rep take her measurements and note of color (cognac) and she got a black pair that wasn’t even close to fitting!
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I just checked out the Fabbri website. Wow, that very well may be the way to go once this fiasco is finalized. THANK YOU.
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And this is why I am so sad Konigs are no more…just curious, when they measured you, did they just do measurements or did they measure and also have you try on boots with the corresponding sizes?
The reason I ask…years ago I had measurements done by a reputable boot place. Boots arrived and no way I could zip them up. Boot place was good about doing a swap (with a bit of pressure, since they did the measuring and ordering).
More recently, was time to get new boots, and went to a new place to get fitted. They measured my calf at 37cm. I mentioned my past fitting issues to them…they were smart and grabbed a pair with that size calf to double check. No way I could zip them up!!! Measure again…sure enough, they should have fit. Fitter was like, forget measuring…she brought out a bunch of boots and we used the actual boots to find the exact sizes based on what was comfortable and actually fit. We then ordered boots based on what numbers worked when I tried on different pairs.
I measure as a 37 cm calf…I actually have to wear a 39cm calf. Haven’t been able to figure that out…but at least I know not to just order based on a tape measure!!
Something you might want to consider when you get this all sorted and you find a different brand to order from.
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I find it interesting that no one has mentioned Dehners.
My husband bought me a pair of boots. He measured me. Boots arrived and have worn great for 30+ years…unfortunately, my foot seems to be growing as I age, so now I have to wear the boots with nylons or very thin dress socks.
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That is SO interesting that the “numbers” didn’t fit.
He only measured, I didn’t get the opportunity to try anything on. He seemed like he was in a bit of a hurry to get the order taken. It wasn’t like there were any other people at his display, except for a significant other that was sitting on his lap when we walked in. (In hindsight, sigh . . . ). I’m leaning towards going to The Distinguished Rider when this is finally done. They’re in Quakertown, PA. They’re a bit of a drive, but I want to go to Their shop and check things out, not rely on a show display, no matter how 'fancy" it is, and again, be fitted by Them. THEN, being in a brick and mortar, there’s no excuse that a Bill of Sale/Invoice can’t be generated on the spot, etc. They also seem to have a good reputation. Haven’t found anything bad about them on line, but I’ll keep searching around in the meanwhile. Unfortunately, live and learn.
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I’m glad you posted here, OP. I was the one who sent you the link to the other Der Dau thread after I saw your post on Facey.
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I highly recommend Marissa at the Distinguished Rider! I’m not local to her and was able to design everything via email. Luckily, I fit in the Kingsley standard size chart. My friend had full customs and they came out perfect. Marissa even mailed a pair of demo boots to make sure the foot size was correct! She does invoices as well as a sales contract explaining the process and payment terms. I would definitely explain your concerns about your last fitting and buying experience. She has a lot of experience and sells a lot of boots because of it. I will still go back to her even though we do have a local rep.
If you need any more recommendations the Dressage Boot Addicts Anonymous FB group is a good resource. There are quite a few different reps in the group representing different brands. People will also give opinion on brands to stick with or stay away from. Kingsley, Celeris, Deniro, and Gallors are the big hitters in the group. I was going to reply earlier that you may want to post your experience in the group. There are a number of buyer beware posts like yours.
I’m sorry you had to go through this, I hope you get your dream boots soon and this mess is just a little speed bump.
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I bought a pair of boots based on the size chart having a 14" calf measurement. When the boots arrived, I couldn’t zip them up. I opened the boots, and the calf only measured 13". I’ve been able to stretch them enough to wear them somewhat comfortably now.
I just don’t understand why so many boots are made so much smaller than the measurements they are supposed to fit. I bought a pair of cheap clearance boots a while ago and the calf fit me perfectly from day one (aside from being too short to show in). They haven’t stretched or become unsightly after a year of wear, and I didn’t have to go through a terrible break-in period where I couldn’t feel my feet.
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I measured myself for my Dehners. And they fit perfectly. And still do 20 years later.
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I have Dehners that are 40 years old and look practically new. I don’t ride English anymore but I have told my kids to bury me with those boots. No zippers, but gussets at the top so they fit like a glove.
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I did not have a good experience with Dehner. First they took 6 months to arrive in the correct size (first set was wayyyy too small despite being professionally measured). Then the soles started splitting from the boot after less than a year of use.
I emailed Dehner and they said to send them back to be restitched. I asked about having them restitched locally instead because shipping was so expensive and they said no, we really need to see them. So I paid more for shipping each way than I would have to get them fixed locally, and a year later the heels fell off.
I only chose Dehner in the first place because they’re supposed to last forever, and I ordered the most durable options for everything (toughest leather, no zippers to break down, etc). They cost over $1,000 but I thought they’d last many years. So, this experience was disappointing.
A few years ago I found a pair of brand new $900 Konigs on consignment for $300. Despite having zippers and much softer leather, they’re wearing better than the Dehners. Hopefully when they die I’ll be lucky enough to find something similar again. No more custom boots for me!
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Interesting points about the Dehners…maybe the people with “good boots” are from people who have “old boots.” Mine date back 1988-1990-ish. I know that the quality of leather available has changed and maybe the company has taken shortcuts in manufacturing.
I can tell you mine wear like iron, were worn daily and used in the wash rack to hose off the horse…so no “babying” for these boots.
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I had a pair of semi custom Dehners I bought back in the early 80s. I wore them almost every day until about 10 years ago when I gave them to my niece. Even as I aged and my feet got wider/bigger and my legs a bit fatter the boots stretched and still fit perfectly
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Oh boots! I have had one pair of Konigs I literally had to cut off my legs, which were swelling dangerously after forcing them in to too small zip-less incorrectly measured boots.Another pair that the sole pulled off of(probably my own fault for ordering a leather welted sole) I worked in a saddlery where one of the staff would size the foot DOWN if it made the boot fit in to the semi custom size available! We had plenty of non fitting boots for sale at a big discount there…
Petrie have been the best for me, synthetic sole patent leather, wear like iron and handle wet. I have a gorgeous pair of Recteligne competition boots also miss measured for someone who didn’t take them.
Measuring is so important and SO often done incorrectly.
If at all possible, check what they’ve written at least to the extent you know what size your foot is! The calf measurement is of the OUTSIDE of the boot leg if I remember correctly, so that has to be added ie if you measure 37cm calf, add 1 or 2 cm.
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I had a horrible experience with Dehner on some custom boots. Wrong sizing, bad zippers, etc. The boots went back and forth several times. Finally I said enough and told the local rep they could keep them and I wasn’t going to pay. They said they would sell them to me for the same price as an off the shelf model. I took that but every time I put them on it reminds me that the boots aren’t really what I wanted. On the plus side they are very well made.
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