Curious, does anybody ride in Frye boots? I have a pair for general wear but think they would be perfect for trail riding, so I’m going to try it out. Tall boots without the equestrian price tag.
Sorry meant to put this in General not here!
I find Frye boots pretty expensive!
That said, you can ride in any boot or shoe with a bit of a heel that is comfy for you. Fashion boots might have less built in resistance to mud and poop though.
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I trail ride in low laceup Frye’s that I got for about a hundred. They are leather-lined (I hate moisture-wicking linings, wider toe-box, and sturdier compared to most women’s paddock boots. I’m not sure that their tall boots would work-most have inside zippers.
@Scribbler they often end up on clearance for quite reasonable prices: https://www.6pm.com/p/frye-eric-lace-up-caramel-vintage-veg-tan/product/9162814/color/594351
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My Frye boots are made with very sturdy leather and soles, though not shock absorbing like my Ariats. They are not as tall as tall boots, so I’ll have to see if that will work for trail riding.
Scribbler you can get really decent deals when they are on clearance. I never pay full price for anything (almost) :).
IrishBirdcatcher, I really like this boot but sadly the calf size is not wide enough. It’s a nice option though https://www.thefryecompany.com/melis…ck-zip-d-76430
I’ve never paid full freight for any of my Frye boots and they’re still about 2x what i’d pay for purpose made riding boots. When i went on a trip to AZ I was planning to ride in them if I went on a trail ride. Taking riding boots would’ve been too much space in my luggage.
I’ll ride in my Frye’s sometimes. I took up serious running so my calves don’t fit in my old tall boots anymore and I don’t ride often enough to justify buying new ones. I don’t have any issues with them, except if you have the classic harness ones with the pull tabs on the inside and outside, that inside one has given me a blister. It’s just enough between my calf and the horse that if I’m doing anything more than a casual trail ride, it bothers me. Other than that, they’re sturdy, comfortable, and they have a large enough heel to ride in. I’d say why not, if they’re comfortable for you!
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When I started riding again I didn’t have a pair of riding boots, but because of an old ankle injury I do have a lot of low heeled short boots (my usual daily footwear). I started riding in a pair of Rockports that resemble paddock boots (bought on the cheap for $50 - normally around $100 plus - are well made w good leather.) They’ve been very serviceable with half-chaps, even though I eventually popped for some actual paddock boots and a pair of tall Ariats, I prefer to ride in them. Only deterrent is there is no shelf for the spur… yet I use the little wavy kind, so it works out OK. There is nothing like a broken in pair of boots! I have yet to put my poor feet and legs through the grueling duty of breaking in the others!
I love my Frye’s, but paid too much for them and they are not as comfortable as others for me. My Rockport Cobb Hill Bethany are the most comfortable boots I’ve ever had. I’ve worn a few out and dogs have destroyed a couple over the years, (soft leather must be tasty!) but I go back to them more than any other boot. Would not wear them riding, I think they might be too clunky, but as everyday boots, they are stellar.
When I started riding lessons again about a decade ago I used a pair of old winter boots that looked exactly like laceup paddocks. I have a friend that schools and does barn chores in a bunch of different low heeled tall “fashion” boots from thrift stores. Very cheap so she doesn’t care if she destroys them in 6 months.
Really you can wear any boot. But yeah, the inside zipper and the pull tsb are going to be problems. I can’t get into a tall boot with no zipper 
