Der Dau, Vogel, Parlanti, Oh My!

[zakattack]

After many years with my awesome Mountain Horse tall boots, they are finally ready to retire. I am considering splurging for a custom pair.

I was first looking into Der Dau but have read that the quality has decreased. Also looking at Vogel. I live in Brooklyn and am interested in going to the actual location for fitting.

Also am looking into Dehner or Parlanti.

So, talk to me about the different brands! And experiences getting fitted for custom boots. Average starting price seems to be just above 1k, is this average? Do prices vary widely depending on customization? Are any of the four I mentioned above better than the rest? Is there another brand I should look into? How does a fitting in person work? How does a fitting work if you, say, want Parlanti boots and can’t make the trip to Italy? You go to a rep or a carrier or their products?

Would I be better off getting Monacos or another high quality but non-custom boot? I have had fitting problems in the past, usually too short on the leg and incorrect (too large) foot size. I have also been plagued with broken zippers. But nothing impossible to remedy/find something that works.

Thanks!

[Dewey]

For all these brands, you go to a rep at a tack shop or horse show for a fitting, people who are authorized to measure you for certain brands and order your boots for you.

My only personal experience is with Dehner, many years ago. The big advantage of Dehner is that they last. My pair from 1978 still look shiny and are in great condition. The boots are beautifully crafted and are made in America. Back in my day, Dehner and Vogel were the only game around for customs, and they both had fine reputations. I’d put Kroop of Maryland in this category, too–the maker is less well-known in the show world than the others but still puts out a beautiful, well-made boot. They were famous for years as makers of jockey’s boots but also do regular riding and paddock boots. They are a small company; you go to the shop in Maryland to be measured, or you request a measuring kit through the mail. I talked several times to Randy Kroop last year as I was seriously considering having her make a pair for me. She does not like trends–for example, she recommends against zippers because they break.

The advantage of a brand like Parlanti is that they cater to the contemporary show demographic. Their boots are lovely and very fashionable. The leather is thin, so they have the “leather sock” look a lot of people want. They break in quickly and are comfortable right off the bat. They are made with zippers, which allows for the very slim ankle most people in the show ring want and can be customized with bling and trim. The big disadvantage is that they don’t last the way Dehners and Vogels do.

[vegas01]

Tucci’s all the way! Cindy at Hadfield’s is the best. I have two pair. I have DerDau… Stretched way too much! Vogel…returned!

[IndyEquestrian]

Don’t get the Parlanti. . . they just don’t last.

Tucci’s are nice. I’m a Sergio Grasso fan myself. They fit like a glove. Also, Vogel has always made a nice boot, but it isn’t “trendy.”

[MorganJumper848]

Personally, I would recommend Tucci or Deniro for custom boots. They both seem to actually last. Yes, I would suggest going to either a tack shop or a rep at a horse show to get fitted. I did find the parlanti boots to not support my high arches like the other brands did.

[Belmont]

My trainer loves her La Mundial’s, but I know quite a few COTHers have had problems ordering from them. I believe trainer got fitted at a show.

[Linda]

I had some custom Deniros made earlier this yr. We live out in the mountains which is not near any “real” tack stores… so I did the measuring myself. If was not complex and the boots I got from my home measurements fit wonderfully. I got brown boots with a zipper in the front side which I just love. They fit perfectly. SO I give them a good recommendation!

[AndNirina]

I have had quite a few of the above brands in the past, with the exception of Tucci, and currently have a pair of Monacos and a pair of Parlantis. The Monacos are pretty, fit me well, but in 4 years the leather has never quite broken in to where they are comfortable. I luckily haven’t had Ariat zipper problems with them, but the leather inner calf panel has come unstitched a time or two.

As for my Parlantis, they are hands down my favorite boots I’ve ever owned. They fit like a dream and are so soft and comfortable (and beautiful). Do I expect them to last forever? No chance, but they are spectacular and I’ll most likely get another pair.

I like Sergio Grassos, too. Pretty boots, similar look to Parlantis. The Dehners are very well made and will last forever but don’t quite look as ‘modern’ as the other brands. I do have a pair of Dehner paddocks that you’ll have the pry from my cold, dead hands. Best paddocks ever. I had a pair of Dehner field boots back in the day but remember them as stiff.

My Vogels were nice and fit beautifully, and the pair of Der Daus I had were okay. Definitely not my favorite boots. I had a pair of Mountain Horses for schooling, which were so very soft and wore well, but dropped so much that they were too short eventually (I have super long calves). Deniros are very nice as well. I wouldn’t count on LaMundials given others’ horror stories of ordering.

[monalisa]

You need to decide whether you want beauty (the Tucci’s and Parlanti’s) which will not last that long or something more functional like Vogel’s. I have an old pair of Vogels which do not have the current “look” but they have lasted. My Ariat Monaco’s are only used at horse shows and when I ride in them I take them off immediately after use. They will not hold up otherwise.

[equest]

Yes, the quality of Ariats is pretty disappointing. I am glad I did not pay full price for my boots. I would love to go custom especially given my disparity in foot/calf sizes between my two legs, but I need a new saddle first…

[golde_lily]

Another vote for Sergio’s. The newer model is gorgeous and fits well, especially if you like your boots snug around the ankle. My last pair held up well.

[Victorious]

If you live in Brooklyn, you should absolutely hop over to Vogels. They are the best quality boot out there in terms of long lasting. Like a Volvo-at least 250,000 miles! But there are some trendy boots that are also very nice and pretty. However, Vogel is super local to you, has the newer (since my last pair, last century) Spanish top and really, what else do you need? They are incredibly nice and easy to work with, at least in my experience

[HorseHappy07]

If custom boots weren’t an option, what would the next best recommendation be?

[zakattack]

Thanks for all the responses! Lots to think about here and that’s great. I’m sad to read Ariat quality is disappointing, I’ve always been under the impression they were a good buy.

Good question HorseHappy, I would be interested as well: next best option to customs?

Victorious - thanks! I will definitely be paying them a visit

[Indy]

I love my Vogels. I’ve also had great experiences with their customer service. Like Victorious said, they might not be the trendiest brand right now, but they’re super sturdy and quite comfortable. Since you could go there in person, that’s a huge plus since if anything goes awry with the measurements there isn’t a middle man to get caught up in things.

[Libby416]

One brand that is new to the us that I’m currently waiting for are Alberto Fascianis. I just had semi customs but a friend got full customs and they are gorgeous. Thicker, more substantial leather, but just as beautiful. In my opinion, I thought these looked more flattering on me then the Parlantis.

[Lucassb]

I really really really love my Tucci’s. They have held up to daily wear for 3+ years now and still polish up perfectly.

I also have a slightly older (5 year?) pair of Der Dau field boots that are absolutely lovely, but don’t get worn much now that I’ve switched over to dress boots.

They were both in the $2K range, new, and fit like gloves.

I also have a couple pair of DeNiro boots that I got this year. They are much less expensive than the others, and I haven’t had them long enough to really know whether they will hold up as well. But they were custom and fit beautifully. I got mine from Cavallo Couture.

[Denzel]

[QUOTE=Libby416;8341821]
One brand that is new to the us that I’m currently waiting for are Alberto Fascianis. I just had semi customs but a friend got full customs and they are gorgeous. Thicker, more substantial leather, but just as beautiful. In my opinion, I thought these looked more flattering on me then the Parlantis.[/QUOTE]

May I ask what the price range on the semi customs is? And how you can find the options? I looked at their site but all I could find were the very plain standard boots.

[TheBrownHorse]

I just ordered my Parlanti’s. I was fitted in a tack shop and then ordered them online. Haven’t received them yet, but I loved them in the saddlery. I do not expect them to last forever, but they are beautiful!

[Ponyclubrocks]

My Dehner calf skins broke in on the first ride and feel like butter.