Does anyone regret their Dubarry (or DB knock-off) purchase? (update post 184)

[jen-s]

I usually don’t find myself caving under the weight of peer pressure, but after years of seeing nothing but a certain style of brown (and brown-ish) boots at horse shows and around various barns, I’m finally wondering if I’ve just missed something. I tried the shorter version of Dubarrys at WEG and didn’t see what was so special. But the fad just. won’t. go. away. So maybe it’s me after all…

At this point in my life, I can’t afford nearly $500 for a pair of boots. But should I be starting a spare change Dubarry fund? Are they that special? I can just about manage to keep my feet dry and/or comfortable at the barn, when walking XC early in the morning, or even when mucking or bathing. But yet, while my muck boots may be functional, they sure are sweaty and don’t breathe so well.

So Dubarry and Dubarry knock off owners, please help me out here and enable away ok? Thanks!

(update–see post 184. I splurged at Rolex. BEST purchase EVER!)

[DiablosHalo]

Jen-S,

check out the post under yours on my dubarry thread - another poster praises them! I know mine were wonderful until they didn’t fit anymore (no fault of their own!).

I’m also looking for someone to compare them to the Dublin and Fuller Fillies boots!

[DressageOverFences]

I have the dublins and I love them! they are comfy, waterproof, easy to put on over jeans, and while I dont ride in them a lot, if i forget my boots, they work great. durable too, ive had mine, err, 2 years now? Look great, minimal care needed.
also, while I guess it doesnt matter, I do get a lot of comments when I wear them from non horse people. people never comment on anything I wear, but when i wear those boots I get people coming up to me saying they like my boots and where did i get them. it makes me feel speeeshul.

[skydy]

I have Dublin boots and love them! Have never had Dubarrys so I can’t say anything about the differences between them.

I also get a lot of compliments from non horsey people and I’m not used to that, since I am not a fashionable dresser…

[jen-s]

I saw that! That’s part of what prompted this thread.

I really can’t afford $500 shoes right now, but after Easter weekend at The Fork, I almost splurged. My muck boots just weren’t quite what I needed. I’d love to hear some peeps chime in particularly about the knock-offs 'cause I just can’t justify the cost of real ones.

[horsefaerie]

Love the look but couldn’t find a size to fit me. Everyone I know that has them though, loves them.

[bugsynskeeter]

I have thus far been able to not get sucked into the Dubarry boots. But then I saw the all black ones at Rolex. I’m saving up now…

[skydy]

I’ve never had sweaty feet in the Dublins and they are waterproof, warm in the snow but not hot in warm weather. I’m really happy with them. Have to say I would never pay 500.00 for Dubarrys, but that’s just me.

[Big_Grey_hunter]

I love my dublins. They are great for mud and are water proof, they easily slip on and off, are cool enough for summer and wide enough for extra socks in the winter. They are extremely comfortable for long days at the barn and shows. Plus, unlike most much boots, they look good enough to wear in public so you don’t have to change to go out.

[Linny]

I love my Dublins. I wear them all fall, winter and into the spring.

[race_run_jump]

I LOVE mine

To be fair, I wouldn’t do a lot of mucking or riding in them because I don’t like to get muck on any leather boots if I have a choice, but I have slogged through wet heather & mud wearing them shooting in England & Scotland - never have my feet been remotely wet or sweaty. Also worn them for general purpose farm, race, grocery store gear…They are really comfortable, and last really well. I do clean them and polish the main foot part, not the calves - but they have lasted through a lot. I just got the paddock boots and love them although they’re taking a bit more breaking in than the tall ones did. Great company to deal with.

[bits619]

I love my Middleburg brand boots they run a little generous in the foot, but mine are great in that case for thick winter socks. They’re nice and warm, stylish and pretty easy to care for. I got them on sale through tack of the day.

[Derby_Lyn_Farms]

I have the Dublin Pinnacles. They are different then the style that is hot right now. But I love how easy they are to pull on. My feet stay dry, and I ride in them every day. And since I can’t find a tall black boot to fit me right now I absolutely love these ones. They are big in the ankle, but that helps me because my left ankle is bummed and the extra room helps. They might be a little big if you have skinny legs though. I take a wide calf boot and these are loose on my calves. They are great for walking thru the wet grass and cleaning stalls in. Just an awesome every day barn boot.

[TarheelJD]

I love my Dubarry boots. I finally caved and spent the money on them right before going to WEG last year, and I wore them every day I was there. They kept my feet warm and dry on the awful stadium jumping day, which was cold and rainy, but my feet were never hot on the gorgeous warmer days And they were comfortable during all that walking! In the last year and a half I have gotten plenty of wear out of them, and feel they were worth the investment.

But it sounds like people with the less expensive brand are happy too, so perhaps you don’t have to spend the money on the more expensive ones to enjoy all the benefits.

[Kairoshorses]

Put me down as another Dubarry convert. I lusted for four years, and then caved at Rolex a year ago when I was fence judging in the muck.

They are super comfy, they aren’t too hot (but they keep my feet warm and dry). I’ve worn them almost every day I haven’t had sandals on!

I figure if they last me a good 8-10 years (which I believe they will), I’ve made a wise purchase.

[mvp]

You can put me down as a naysayer.

$500 for those aesthetics? Spare me.

Oh, and they-- like all but riding boots-- are too.damned.short. I can’t do too short and a non-Olympic top. It puts me back in the age of Marlborough boots.

Nosirreebob.

[Event4Life]

I love love love my dubarrys. I finally caved and bought some for winter boots at the beginning of my final winter in Edinburgh. One of the best purchases I’ve made, and perfect timing too because that winter was cold and snowy. I wore the heck out of those boots, waterproofed and cleaned them regularly using dubarrys cleaning kit and they still look like new. My mum actually liked dubarrys cleaning kit so much she got a set for my sisters for their boots. They kept my feet dry and warm in freezing and sometimes below freezing temperatures, without 10 layers of socks on. If I could have gotten away with wearing them in Paris, I would’ve brought them over for this winter/spring.

[sirena_chaucer]

HUGE fan of my Dubarry boots!!! :yes: They’re so waterproof and WARM. I only use them as winter boots and come early spring I clean them up, oil them, touch up the waterproofing, and put them in the closet until the next winter. They were a gift but I think if I had to chose between saving up for a pair or just buying a knock off, I’d chose to buy the real deal Dubarry boots. Luckily I didn’t have to make that decision. I cherish them and there is nothing like wearing those boots ALL fall/winter and actually feeling my toes at the barn! :lol::yes:

I also have the liners with faux fur toppers and again, warm, warm, warm. Ahhhh. Nothing worse than cold, wet feet and that just doesn’t happen when I wear my Dubarry boots!

(They should pay me, eh? Just provided a raving review. :lol:)

ETA: I constantly get compliments by non-horsey people too when I wear those boots! It is so funny! I clean them up and wear them with skinny jeans and tunic tops, etc. Gosh, I practically live in my Dubarry boots half the year, now that I think about it. They are a little too warm for the spring/summer months but I am in a very hot area so pretty much anything, even a sneaker, can be awfully hot come June-Sept.

[Lyra0502]

I have Dublin River boots which I got as they were a slightly tighter fit around the calf. They are warm, comfortable and waterproof BUT the lining on the inside of the first pair ripped along the inside back seem after 4 months. I had them replaced but the exact same thing happened with the second pair too.
So in this instance spend less pay double.
I will get the Dubarry’s next time.

[Jeito]

I have the Dublins and love them. I keep them in my car and wear them on stormy or rainy days around the barn as well as other places. I know you’re supposed to clean them often, but I don’t. They still look great, almost new. I think if I had the much more expensive Dubarrys, I might worry and not wear them as much. As I mentioned on the other thread, they sell Dubarrys at the Philadelphia Flower Show so a lot of non-horsey people around her have them or are familiar with them. When I wear my Dublins around Philly, everyone assumes they’re Dubarrys. I get tons of compliments. I don’t know if my faux Dubarrys would hold up as well as the real thing in extreme conditions, but they haven’t failed me yet :winkgrin: