Hi, lifelong rider but only riding dressage for 3 years. Trainer has recommended getting “real” dressage boots for this year’s show season. I have been getting by in soft dress boots, but she thinks it’s time for an upgrade. I am fine with spending the $ but I am overwhelmed with the choices. I am also afraid that after I spend the $ I am not going to be able to ride with the boning and stiffness etc. I cannot seem to get anywhere with the off The shelf brand I have tried (DeNiro, Parlanti). I have always needed a Custom tall boot in the past due to my leg shape. Any recommendations for a first pair? The choices are astounding. Koenig, Petrie, Der Dau, Vogel, etc. HELP!
I bougt a pair of the Cavallo Insignis boots recently, and I really liked them when I tried them on. I had to order my exact size, so they are not here yet. They are stiff on the outside, but not crazily so, and softer in the inside. I thought it was a good compromise between a really stiff boot and my second skin very soft field boots.
What is your leg shape? Tall/short, slim/XXW? Budget?
I have looked at dressage boots on the shelf and thought I could never ride in anything that stiff. Someone needs to make a boot that looks dressage but isn’t so stiff! Some of the top brands of hunter jumper boots have apparently got quite soft recently ( maybe less sturdy too).
I hate stiff boots. Mine are pretty soft and I ride FEI. One of my favorite boots is Ovation because their sizing from the charts is about as accurate as I’ve ever seen, and I have really hard to fit feet and legs. Unfortunately they discontinued my favorite boots–the front zip. Luckily I bought four pair on sale before they were all gone.
No one seems to make a stiffer “off the shelf” sub $500 real “dressage boot” any more. All the dress boots are a bit soft.
When I wear out my precious elderly stiff Ariats, I think I will go for Petries of some kind. They seem to have some degree of compromise between the Germanic stovepipe-ness of the Konigs and the excessive softness of most of the others.
Having said that, my current everday boots are Mountain Horse. They have been OK.
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I ride upper levels and show in Mountain Horse Victoria (discontinued) and everyone thinks they look really nice. They are a very fitted, soft boot and super comfortable. I’ll also sometimes show in my Cavallos that I got off of eBay, which are stiffer but once you break in the ankles, they don’t feel so different.
I actually find I’m less precise in my stiffer boots but I can’t clamp on as much, so there are pros and cons to each type of boot.
No one really cares if you show in traditional stiff dressage boots or softer dress boots - do whatever you find comfortable and that you can polish up to a nice, clean shine.
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I have a pair of those on sale, too, that I got before they discontinued them. I agree with everything you’re saying.
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I got custom DeNiros last year. They’re moderately stiff, and there was virtually no break-in. I love them.
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Thats all good to know!
I guess the dressage boots I fondle most often are at the consignment store and tend to have stiffener up the back and no zippers. Guess that’s why they are at the consignment store!!!
When I was getting into dressage after years of H/J riding (and a cultivated passion for the leather socks known as custom field boots) I bought custom Tucci’s that had soft inner calf /stiffer outsides and they were both gorgeous AND comfortable. Maybe that would be a good compromise!
Celeris makes a boot that is identical to their full dressage boot but without the hardener. I have two pairs and they are great.
Treadstep makes the Palladios for $699. So yeah, not sub=$500 but not $1000 either. They’re lovely boots. Petries, ordered from Kittybee or through Dutchridingboots.eu can be had for sub-$500.
I bought Petries (ANKY Elegance) from Dutch Riding Boots about a year ago and have been very happy with them. You might be able to do an off the rack boot with the huge number of size combinations they offer, but it’s also not too bad to get minor customization if you still need that. I bought a touch shorter than I thought I’d want because they were available in their clearance section, but the height turns out to be fine because the stiffer boots drop very little. My mare was still very green when I got the boots, and I found that I had to go back to my soft field boots for a couple months until she got a little more confirmed and didn’t need quite as much of a supporting leg. Since then, the stiffer boots have worked great.
Reading these threads, it seems like posters are pretty consistently happy with Petrie boots, so they would probably be a good choice. They also make a polo style that you can have stiffening added to if that’s your style. Some day I’m going to splurge on a pair in blue or green. 
Another vote for Petries off the shelf. Dressage Extensions has a huge selection, fast shipping and a reasonable return policy. They will walk you through the measurement process. I ride in the Olympics model, which wear like iron. I love a stiff boot.
If you can find a place to try on boots, do it. I was sure OTS Petries would work for me because there were so many people wearing them, AND they come in so many sizes. After trying a pair on, they hurt my feet. I’d been wearing Ariats and Mountain Horse boots for decades and they are comfortable. So I found a pair of Cavallos on clearance in a mobile tack shop, tried them on, instant comfort. They had been a special order that fell through, and anodd size, so the shop was just happy to find someone they fit. I got them for $400! But like Petries, IF you know your size, you can find them in Europe for around $500-600.
My point, the footbed comfort is important too. The other thing I love about my Cavallo boots is the soft close contact inner boot, the semi stiff outer, and the cutback in the knee so no sore back of the knee.
Btw, you do NOT need a stiff boot to ride or to show. Plenty of people ride every day in half chaps! I got my bronze riding in Mountain Horse soft boots. So before you spend the $$$, make sure it is something you actually want
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And one person’s footbed comfort is another person’s pain. I could stand all day in Petries (and I have bad feet) but am less comfortable in Ariat.
Trying on things is good!
I would ask your trainer what she expect the stiff ‘dressage’ boots will do for you and why you should have stiff boots. Then look at the types of boots that offer what she is requiring.
For me, I cannot stand STIFF boots. Others love them. I have a pair of Petries that are stiff’ish on the outside but soft as butter on the inside of the leg. Perfect for me. I still prefer to train in my softer hunt custom boots.
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If there’s no immediate emergency need for boots (ie your current pair breaking), I’d keep an eye out for sales. Every now and then you can find great boots on sale for a few hundred.
when I first converted to the stiff boot, it was an uncomfortable transition. But now, I don’t think I’d go back. A lot of it is what you’re used to. Though I do think the stiff boot improved my leg position.
