I have Valentini boots. They were semi-custom, so I was able to get them at a local tack shop but they come in so many different measurements (like the Koenigs) that they fit me perfectly. They were around $450 or 500, and are the stiffer type of ankle that takes a bit longer to break in. I’ve been really happy with them, they are very pretty, good quality leather, and a good quality zipper in the back. I don’t know how hard these would be to find though, they come from Italy and I haven’t seen them too many places here.
Mountain Horse
I have Ariat Maestro Pro Zip dress boots, but I much prefer the Mountain Horse dress boots I bought. I have a nerve disorder and the Maestros hurt me. I know it sounds weird, but stiff things are very uncomfortable. Also, the zippers on the Maestros are too small for me. The zippers are pretty darn cheesy. The Mountain Horse dress boots are much more comfortable to walk around in and they have a nice big, sturdy zippers!!! I will admit the calf sizing is a tiny bit too big for me in the M H boot, but they are stiff enough that they have not gotten that yucky baggy look to them. I am extremely happy with the MH dress boots and highly recommend them. An added plus is they are inexpensive enough that it won’t take a huge chunk of change out of your custom boot fund. I managed to get mine for $207 at Dover during an in store sale. Because they are inexpensive, I am not all paranoid about schooling in them.
Mmmm, this thread makes me want to get customs!
It doesn’t matter what boot I try on… expensive, cheapie… none of them fit right.
Apparently I must have a rather wide calf at the widest point, but small everywhere else… so by the time I find a boot I can squeeze my calf into, it is totally loose at the top, and I’m swimming in the ankle area. It’s very frustrating.
How have you guys gone about ordering customs? I am deathly afraid of messing up taking my own measurements for the ‘custom order’ Konigs or Cavallos. After working in a tack shop, I saw firsthand how sometimes the ‘measured’ size didn’t seem to equate with the actual fit when they arrived.
Go to a tack shop that has a dealership for the boots, they should have somebody trained that can fit you, and let you know all of the options. I would not order online for these boots.
To get around the measurement issues… Do you have any local tack shops that sell used boots? I just went around and tried them on until I knew what foot, height and calf measurement worked.
