Foot Wear, for the Rider!!

[RoyalRain42]

Well as my adventure into the world of endurance continues, I have started to wonder about what most riders wear on their own feet when it comes to rides?

What is comfortable? In pictures i see what looks like a lot of hiking style boots and half chaps. But i m not 100% sure.

Then with the topic of foot wear stirrup? I have seen a few wide foot bed cage style ones on ebay, but are there certain ones i should stay away from or look more into? Without breaking the bank?

Thanks! Links are appreciated!!

[gothedistance]

Running shoes (Brooks) because I get off and run/walk with my horse up and/or down mountains. One of my endurance friends used to swear by her Arriat boots, but she never got off her horse except at the checks. Don’t think I’d want to be hand jogging my horse down a mountain unless I was in my running shoes.

Also wear half chaps over my Irideon or Karrots tights (that have a homemade pocket sewn in to carry my phone on me).

My stirrups are the EZ Ride endurance type with the cage. https://www.easycareinc.com/Other_Products/E-Z_Ride_Stirrups.aspx Absolutely love them. On bad weather rainy rides, I can duct tape plastic on the front of the cage to keep my feet dry (and warm). Mine are an older pair (maybe about 8-9 years, and thus didn’t have the type of pad that comes with them now. I cut out a piece of impact padding and used that for the stirrup pad - easier on the knees and foot, and not as “grabby” as the one with a rough surface. I still have a pair of aluminum endurance stirrups that are open in the front, but I was a little leary of using them, especially since I wear running shoes. They are on a secondary saddle now that I use rarely.

[tabula_rashah]

I love my Ariat Terrains- they are pretty much the most comfortable shoes ever. I’ve also worn my Columbian hiking sneakers and they work pretty well also (caveat that I also use cages on my stirrups).
My favorite stirrups are the EZ Ride nylon cage stirrups-I really like the new ones that have the giant bumps (not sure what to call them exactly lol)

[paintedtrails]

I’ve pretty much only used Terrains; and Mountain Horse boots for a year- both the paddock lace up style. I need a wide toe but narrow heel area!
I know people that love using Merrils or Keen hiking boots…I also know a few who ride in Crocs! It is all about what is comfortable for you…and if you don’t use something with a heel, make sure you have caged stirrups. I have the older style EZ Ride with a smooth footbed, they are about 8 years old now?! Finally starting to wear down. I’m actually considering some of the Compositi Flexi stirrups next, and they are supposed to help with knee pain too (I don’t have any major pain but have heard mixed things about the new grippy EZ Rides pads). I have ridden in wide bed stirrups so long I can’t handle English Irons anymore!

[GotMyPony]

I’m a Blundstone fan, they’re all I’ve worn for about 10 years, for LD endurance, competitive trail, and just riding around our local trails. They were actually designed as hiking boots so are plenty comfortable for walking and just hanging around ride camp, as well as the actual riding. They’re a good quality leather and I like that they you just pull them on (elastic gussets on sides) since I hate having to re-tie shoes. And the leather, which comes treated with Nik-Wax for waterproofing, is more comfortable to me on those dewy mornings than a cloth running type shoe that’s will soak up the moisture. Now since they’re a little wide you wouldn’t want to wear them with a regular English style stirrup but I use the wide trail type stirrups and the Blunnies slip in and out of those with no problem at all.

[walkers]

I ride with ariat terrain so I can get off and walk with my weak ankles ad they are great for that but my feet get way to hot in them once winter is over. I just ordered easy ride caged stirrups and hope they work with running shoes . If thats not safe please let me know.

[saratoga]

When I was doing endurance, I used regular sneakers and the stirrups with cages, and half chaps. I think sneakers are more comfortable than any type of boots when you are doing major miles.