Dressage boots - DSB, Equifit, Veredas...?

[Boomer]

I’m looking for some new boots for my chestnut mare and even though I ride dressage, I am really considering the Equifit D-teq open front jumping boots (love the idea of the removable liner) especially since I can get them in brown. My mare does jump 1/week and dressage/trails 4 days/week.

Ideal boots: provide protection from knocks, keep tendons cool and easy to clean. It is HOT in Aiken in the summer and my current DSB’s with fleece are a bear in the summer. They have lasted about a 1.5 years.

Thoughts ? Suggestions?

[CanteringCarrot]

I love my Shires Arma Air Motion boots for every day. Breathable, washable, dry quickly and not too expensive. I’ve tossed them in the washing machine and they come out looking great.

I also own Lemieux fleece lined, which are great, but totally impractical if your horse sweats a lot/it’s hot out. I also have their mesh boots which are nice too but not quite as breathable as the Arma boots.

I’ve been intrigued by their snug boots, but haven’t ordered.

[mydogs]

Just for disclaimer, I will be upfront that I run an online tack shop.

I really like the HKM Breathable boots, they are my number one selling item and I’ve never had someone return them and have friends who are still using the same pair, multiple times a day for the last 3 years. A quick spray in the wash stall or with a brush is all that was needed to keep them clean.

One of my sponsored riders is in Ocala full-time and loves these boots.

[polkadotedpony]

The breathable boots look interesting. I’ve also wondered about open front boots for dressage. Seems like could help with heat and maybe has a more robust strike zone than many traditional dressage boots. Not sure why more people don’t do it. Fashion or function?

[Halt3]

I use the Ecogold exercise boots. I love them! They’re breathable, flexible, machine washable and have good padding. Definitely cooler than sheepskin lined, and I’m not a fan of the neoprene (I find that even though neoprene are super easy to clean, they get really sweaty). My Ecogolds have been great for quality. They’ve lasted almost 2 years with daily use.

[INoMrEd]

I recently bought the HKM Breathable Boots in Brown. Not many tack stores sell brown boots. I bought them here: https://topnotchtack.com/horse-boots…1-size_both-xl and the owner of the store is wonderful.

These breathable boots are fabulous. My order was delayed and as a reward for waiting she threw in new HKM socks for me. They are great socks! What a pleasant surprise.

[elleng0728]

I use the Iconoclast boots both front and hind. They provide excellent support.

[CanteringCarrot]

@INoMrEd

I recently bought the HKM Breathable Boots in Brown. Not many tack stores sell brown boots. I bought them here: https://topnotchtack.com/horse-boots…1-size_both-xl and the owner of the store is wonderful.

These breathable boots are fabulous. My order was delayed and as a reward for waiting she threw in new HKM socks for me. They are great socks! What a pleasant surprise.

I’d be curious to how these hold up. Historically I haven’t been impressed with HKM. These boots look nearly identical to the Lemieux mesh boots, but cost a bit more. Like roughly 15-20€ more. So far the Lemieux are holding up fine, but I’m always curious about what else is out there.