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

[dogdays]

[QUOTE=GreyCalisten;6300792]
In the interest of full disclosure, I will admit to being an utter ‘boot whore’ and wont’ go into how many pairs I own… But, after lounging in the booth and getting tipsy on free champagne, I was charmed into Dubarrys.

Bought my pair at Rolex in 2008, so they are now 4 years old with lots of miles on them. I don’t treat them like $400+ boots; they get plenty of abuse - they now look lived-in and just as stylish as the day I got them.

However…

While they are FANTASTIC for mucking stalls and are ‘easy-on, easy-off’ (great for doing night check in your PJ’s ), they are most definitley not comfortable enought for all-day wear as there is no support in the footbed. They do keep your feet nice and dry, and are protective enough to wear around horses.

The sizing may have changed, but when I bought mine they were only available in whole sizes… This means that if you add a gel insert and wear anything beyond a silk boot sock, they are too small… This sizing also works against you if you buy the fuzzy insert to wear them during the winter; again - it’s too much bulk and makes them too small. (These boots are not, IMHO, ‘winter’ boots - no insulation…give me my leather Ugg ‘Brooks’ over them any day!)

They are fabulous quality boots, and very stylish (love the new colors that are available), and DO hold up to the company’s claims of durability… but they are just not super comfortable.[/QUOTE]

This, same here, not comfortable for all day wear, and no room for wool socks. Would not buy again.

[GotGait]

I love my Dubarrys! I did have to put a pair of footbeds in mine because the smallest size they came in was still 1/2 size too big for my feet. I still have room to wear a pair of their cold weather liners. I was wearing them all day yesterday and find them more comfortable then my regular shoes. I’ve had them for a year and have had no problems with them.

[FlyingSwap]

I LOOOOOOVE my Dublin River boots!! I have the tall ones, they DO run a tiny bit large but that’s ok with me as there is room for thicker socks! I knew I wasn’t going to spend the money on the Dubarrys, even though I would have loved to—I just couldn’t see taking that money away from doing other horse-related things. The Dublin ones are comfy, warm and definitely waterproof! I have worn them from 4:30AM through 10:30PM at a horse show, I’ve stood all night in them braiding, etc, and I love them. I pondered buying them for months before I did to make sure I really wanted them, and now that I have them I can’t imagine NOT having them. Great investment!

I got mine on ebay for about $165 with free shipping–considerably cheaper than Dover or Smartpak. I’d say if you feel fairly confident about size, go that route. Just type in “Dublin River Boots” into the ebay search and you should have many options.

[Altag]

My boots are in need of repair, sadly.

http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?375960-How-to-fix-these-boots-Lining-is-torn-Dubarry-knock-offs

I don’t see that the boot liners/sock thingies would work, but what do you think?

[Simbalism]

At the recent Equine Extravaganza, one of the tack shops had the Dublins and another knockoff (Shires) on sale. I have alot of friends that have them and like them. I had looked at the Fuller Fillies ones because I have large calves. My friend tried on the Dublins( I did too- they didn’t fit). I tried on the Shire knockoff and it fit!We both purchased them. I haven’t had a chance to try the waterproofness of them other than walking out in the pasture to get my horse, but have ridden in them several times and they are very comfortable.

[Keg-A-Bacchus]

My Dublin River Boots are 5 years old and still going strong! Totally waterproof still! I wear them all day 4+ days a week and haven’t even cleaned them once! Soooo comfy I can wear them for 12+ hours at shows with tons of walking and never even notice them. I ride in them a lot as well. Hands down best purchase I think I’ve ever made. And with wool socks I’m toasty in our zero degree winters for hours outside. I use thin socks in the summer and they are great in 90 degrees! Love love LOVE them!

[Keg-A-Bacchus]

I should quick add at 3 years the heel lining ripped and I got stuck in my boots. I managed to get out and took them to get fixed. The guy just glued them and I got stuck again. So I took a knife and sliced up the lining. I can’t feel a single difference and I’ve never been stuck again! You’d never know!

[Jeito]

I still love my Dublins. Wear them every day to the barn and around the barn right up to the time I get on the horse.

[Altag]

[QUOTE=Keg-A-Bacchus;6673444]
I should quick add at 3 years the heel lining ripped and I got stuck in my boots. I managed to get out and took them to get fixed. The guy just glued them and I got stuck again. So I took a knife and sliced up the lining. I can’t feel a single difference and I’ve never been stuck again! You’d never know![/QUOTE]

Did you take them to a regular shoe repair place?

I need to have some kind of lining, because the leather seam is rather thick and rubs at the achilles. The cloth lining helps with that, but it wore through.

[Suziesidesaddle]

Nothing like the real thing

Hi had 2 pairs of Dublin river boots. The first pair fell apart within months and the second pair started to look really shabby and droopy after 3 months. I finally caved in and bought REAL Dubarry’s. OMG! There is a reason they all try to copy them. Really waterproof to the top etc etc but I have had them ages and they still look good because the leather is sooo much nicer (i think they treat or tan their own leathers). I regret buying 2 pairs of crappy boots and wish I had just bought my Dubes straight away! I love them soo much I just bought their new Gore-Tex jacket http://us-shop.dubarry.us/collections/women/clothing/jackets/swift. Check out the cute plaid lining!!! I love it http://http://us-shop.dubarry.us/collections/women/clothing/jackets/swift

[robertasride]

Love my Dubarry Boots!

You are so right… Buy cheap pay twice!
I have had Dubarry boots for a good few years. Love is the only word. I actually just spoiled myself for Christmas [well my hubby did but doesn’t know yet LOL] by buying a Dubarry long quilted coat. I think it’s called the Erin. I just got it yesterday. Soooo snug. It has a high zip-up collar with a faux fur zip-out lining and in comes to my thighs. Throwing hay and breaking ice on buckets will be a little more cosy this winter !

[Abberlaze]

Hmmm…

Those are some interesting posts (the 2 above mine)…

I am tempted to buy the Dublin River boots on black Friday. I need some boots for my equine vet assisting and those look perfect! Don’t need to ride in them, just survive 12+ hour days on my feet.

[kgro632]

Love my dubarrys!

Love mine! I feed in the mud and then hose them off! My feet stay dry and the boots still look great!

[OnCue]

I’m still waiting to hear back from Chicks Saddlery to see if I have any recourse with the lining ripping out on my River Boots. Luckily, the rips don’t rub or anything, just make them impossible to get off! My tack store told me to try a cheapie sweat scraper like a shoe horn to get them off. Brilliant! Through trial and error, I’ve found that anything that I can use to pin down the edge of the rip while I remove my foot will work. Whips work very well. Not a permanent solution, but at least I can still wear them!

[Laurierace]

I got a pair for Christmas and wore them for the first time today. I definitely can’t ride in them. They are too short as they kept catching on the flap of my saddle. I am super bummed as I really like them. Is there something out there that is cute, warm AND something you can ride in or do I have to compromise?

[Event4Life]

LR I don’t know what you got specifically but I would maybe try the Dubarry Clares, which are designed specifically for riding. I know Dublin has some actual riding boots too, but can’t remember the name.

Smartpak sells the Clares.

[Laurierace]

I am not spending $500 on boots. The Dublin Pinnacles that I got are labeled “riding boots” but apparently only for someone with much shorter legs than I. I am bummed and don’t know what to do.

[shrpshooter]

Laurierace,

I have these and they are pretty tall http://www.treadstone-inc.com/index.php?option=com_tienda&view=products&task=view&id=1305&filter_category=36&Itemid=11

[Laurierace]

[QUOTE=shrpshooter;6707840]
Laurierace,

I have these and they are pretty tall http://www.treadstone-inc.com/index.php?option=com_tienda&view=products&task=view&id=1305&filter_category=36&Itemid=11[/QUOT

Thanks, I will look into those.

[spirithorse22]

I regret…

Not buying the all black Dubarries. :lol: No, seriously, I ADORE my Dubarries and will have them forever. They’ve been worn through everything for 2.5 years now and haven’t a scar on them yet. Waterproof, warm, fit well, broke-in easy…ach, just love them. My ONLY complaint: it’s too warm to wear them through the summer. Dubarry needs to make a coastal summer boot. :lol: