I still see dressage boots with the front zip, but I’m not seeing h/j style tall boots with a front zip. My ancient Ariats are pull on and the replacement pair of mountain horse back zips look untidy to me. I like the smooth calf of a pull on, but a zipper would be convenient. Is there a reason (ankle bend?) that front zip h/j boots aren’t made? Am I just not looking in the right places?
I’ve only seen it done with polo boots and they tended to be super stiff. I’m not sure if the front zipper caused it or not. But I would think for hunters since the goal is not to stand out it would be something to avoid anyway.
It’s common with dressage boots.
Who would see a front zipper? Its placement is designed so as not to be seen.
Here’s some information about inside front vs back zippers:
"Front vs. Back
In general, zippers are placed on the back in field boots and on the inside front in dress boots, at least partially due to the way the riders apply their aids. It’s usually less expensive for a manufacturer to place the zipper in the back.
From an appearance standpoint, the main difference is when the rider is on the ground. When you’re on the horse’s back, the zipper can’t be easily seen. Carter points out that an inside front zipper allows a longer-looking leg since a zipper in the back can protrude a bit."
It’s done for dressage boots because many of them are stiffened up the back seam. That can’t be done if the zipper is in the way.
Mountain Horse makes a front zip dress boot that isn’t stiffened at all - might be worth a try.
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Yes, dressage boots have the zipper to inside front of the boot due to the way the rider will apply the aids on the horse. Also, dressage boots are stiffened ( or like Konig- have a whale bone up the rear spine) to keep the boots shape, and beauty of the length of the leg.
i would think the reason dress or field boots wouldn’t have a zipper up the front is due to the placement of a front zipper and how it will affect the placement of the leg when jumping. Typically in jumping your leg is more into the saddle/ knee roll area where a front zipper can cause discomfort for the rider but also possibly tear up the saddle.
i have both types. A pair of Konigs with Zipper on inside front and dress boots with rear zipper. I would never jump in my front zip boots because of where the zipper is. The only other front zip boots I’ve seen are polo boots and they are pretty unattractive for the show ring.
If you have the inclination to go custom, Celeris makes a number of boots with front zippers:
Many of them are listed as “dressage boots”, but can be made with softer leather options.
https://celerisuk.com/products/olivia
https://celerisuk.com/products/passage
https://celerisuk.com/products/polo-passage-dressage
For what it’s worth, I have a pair of their Polo boots that I use for schooling and the zip is right down the front–have not had any issues jumping in them with regard to my leg, or the saddle, and they are made of one of the stiffer, thicker leathers because I wanted to be able to beat on them.
One of the Ariat boots has the zipper cross over from back to side, avoiding the heel (vortex). I have the old Volants that have center to side zip and I really like them but they were discontinued. The Vortex looks pretty good though, I think that zipper style will keep it safe® from stress failure like zippers that start at the heel.
@TXnGA @SillyHorse would you mind expanding on difference in how aids are given in dressage vs forward seat and how that would be impacted by zipper placement? Not being snarky, just trying to see this through other eyes because it doesn’t make sense to me.
