Favorite Custom Boots?

[Always_WIP]

After my lesson yesterday, I noticed my boots are starting to wear through the back of the calf. I’m currently using Ovation Flex Sport boots and while I like the flexibility of the back panel, they’ve always rubbed my ankles so I wear gel pads when I wear them. I’ve had to redo the stitching in the back once already.

I ride 3-4x a week on average and I wear my boots each time. I take good care of them and would expect to get at least 5 years out of them. I have an old pair of Ariats that lasted for over 10 years. I don’t mind spending more if I can get something that lasts.

I have a large calf (17.5) which means I have very few options so I’m looking to go custom. I want something that will last and is preferably under $1k (although I’m flexible).

Any recommendations?

[lorilu]

Romitelli (also known as Alex Boots). Italian. Reasonable price. However, IMO not an “everyday” boot, might be a bit soft…
Have you tried Mountain Horse? THey are generously sized…

[adultammylife]

I realize that travel is not really an option right now due to COVID but I bought custom DeNiros in Germany for significantly less than I would have in the US. I got full custom with a pattern at the top for under $1k

[Fellbutbackup]

The Petries and Vogels I have seen have been stunners. I have a pair of Petries. Very well made. Same with Vogels.

[HJdaydream]

Deniro are my choice for custom boots. I’m on my 3rd pair because I keep buying them, not because they have worn out. They are made in Italy though, and I’m not sure what production looks like right now with COVID. Pictured below is my latest pair. You can get a lot of custom options and still keep the price of the boot below 1k!

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[2DogsFarm]

Weigh the price of full customs against the # of years of wear you will get & the $1K+ cost becomes less important.

My Vogels are circa 1989 & while now worn only for the rare occasional lesson or even rarer show, are still in great shape.
They started out as pull-on, because in 1989 zips were unheard of.
From Day One they were as comfortable as bedroom slippers.
Back In My Days of Showing, they were worn weekly (I prefer paddock boots for lessons) & through 3-day shows.

They have been back to NYC for:
*first, a gusset so I could avoid cramps in my uber-high arches pulling them on & off
*next - years later - to have full back zips put in
*last was over 10yrs ago to repair a broken zipper
They still look brand-new - except for the drop & ankle creases - when clean & polished.
IIRC, they were nearer the $700 mark when new, but even adding in the cost of shipping & modifications, averaged over 30+ years, not a bad investment.

I am now on my 3rd pair of custom Dehner paddock boots - ordered in 2002.
Pairs 1 & 2 lasted well over 10yrs & were retired when I decided to get the pull-on version to avoid the every-couple-years trip to NE when the zips broke from arena grit.
My only issue with Dehner is they are the only ones that carry the correct size zipper for these boots. Pull-ons avoided this issue.

IMHO, the now popular DeNiros & Parlantis do not have the historic mileage to compare with the US brands.

[HJdaydream]

@2DogsFarm

Weigh the price of full customs against the # of years of wear you will get & the $1K+ cost becomes less important.

IMHO, the now popular DeNiros & Parlantis do not have the historic mileage to compare with the US brands.

I don’t disagree. My most worn pair of Deniros needed new zippers after about 2.5/3 yrs (I can’t remember exactly). Deniro shipped me replacement zippers for free and my local shop did the work for $80. They currently have a small hole in the tongue under the laces that could use mending. They are 4 yrs old at this point. I’m sure the tongue hole would be an inexpensive fix. The boot itself is still in very workman like condition and cleans up great. I fully expect them to last another 4 years- but not 30!

All my pairs of Deniros are much thicker leather then Parlanti for example, but not as thick as some. They are not the kind of “sock-soft” boots you can literally roll up. Hope that helps!

[springgreypony]

I really love my Parlantis…
I was able to get them for a great deal on sale so they may be pricier than I remember, but they are a great boot.
I have a friend that has custom Mountain Horse boots, and she seems to adore those as well.
Good luck and I hope you find a perfect pair!

[Big_Tag]

Shoot, I might be in the minority, but I love my LM Boots. Fit like a glove, nice quality, won’t break the bank and a bazillion customization options.

[TheJenners]

@Big_Tag

Shoot, I might be in the minority, but I love my LM Boots. Fit like a glove, nice quality, won’t break the bank and a bazillion customization options.

Does LM stand for something or is that the name?

[Peggy]

I got a pair of semi-custom DiNiros that I love. It probably helps that I bought them via a very competent person who measured and assessed very well.

@lorilu My Romitelli experience was the opposite. They were very stiff and sturdy which made for a very uncomfortable break-in and, oddly, indirectly IMHO contributed to their early demise. I actually owned them for a few years but, between the break-in time, an episode of rubbing, a muddy winter, and a horse on layup, got maybe a bit over a year of actual use. At that point I’d replaced one zipper. Other people in my barn have had better luck (and softer boots): my experience may be an outlier.

[xeroxchick]

I’ve had custom Dehners, six pair, over the years. My first four pair were wonderful (two are jodhpur boots) but the last two sucked and never were right. I love my off the rack Ariats with zippers. No boot pulls, no boot jacks. I just need tops put on my black dress ones. I would love a custom pair of Vogels but don’t have the self discipline to break them in anymore. The Ariats are comfortable from the get go and fit like a dream. Never going back.

[mvp]

@TheJenners

Does LM stand for something or is that the name?

Probably La Mondial.

I believe people like the boots… if they fit. There a threads about significant measuring and custoer-service snafus, IIRC. Proceed with caution.

[TheJenners]

Ahh yes have read the same threads. Thanks.

[pluvinel]

For full custom, my preference is to buy from US boot makers and would have recommended Kroop Boots.

I live within a day’s driving distance to Kroop’s shop and was planning a road trip to get measured, but to my surprise, shock, and dismay, I found they had gone out of business.

Second to Kroop, my other choice is Dehners. I have one pair of Kroop, and several pair of 30-yr old Dehners. All have worn very well.

[js]

The key to buying custom boots is getting measured by someone that knows how to measure for custom boots and particularly the boot manufacturer you are interested in. Your biggest challenge is finding custom under $1000. You might need to look overseas as tall boots are cheaper but it will be a gamble on getting the correct fitting.

If the Ovation Flex sport boots fit and work well enough, for $1000 you could buy several pair and always have another pair when one wears out.

[high_hat]

I’ve ordered 4 pairs of Dehners over the years. Wore one plain out. I usually get the Voyager leather as it holds up better than the calfskin. This also lowers the price. I’ve had to ship the boots back to have new zippers put in and find their cost to do so in line with what I’ve heard others have paid. Be aware that they shut the factory down and everyone takes a 2 week vacation in July.

I can’t say enough good things about the company and their customer service.

[Big_Tag]

@mvp

Probably La Mondial.

I believe people like the boots… if they fit. There a threads about significant measuring and customer-service snafus, IIRC. Proceed with caution.

Mine turned out perfect, as did the other five folks at my stable who ordered them. Sorry/disappointing to hear others had issues.

[Peggy]

I have a friend whose replacement LM boots were fine, but it took a lot of persistence on the part of her husband who speaks Spanish fluently.

[Bogey2]

Another DiNero wearer here! I have two pair and ride 2-3 horses a day. I keep one pair on the trailer for ship out lessons and the other pair in my barn. I used to wear Vogel but got tired of breaking them in, the DiNero are much easier to get comfortable in.