Good Everyday Paddock Boots - What to buy?

[Off_Course]

In addition to new chaps and a new helmet, I’m going to need new paddock boots. For the past 35 some odd years I’ve worn Grand Prix, lace-up, punch toe, paddock boots. But the two pair I have are just too tight (1 pair well broken in and one spare pair hardly used). I have to admit that I’m a bit of a shoe snob, as my father was in the ladies high-end shoe business for many years, and you just didn’t skimp when it came to your footwear. But, I am on a tighter budget these days, so am willing to consider all the options. And perhaps after getting back to riding, my feet will shrink with the rest of me and I can get back into my Grand Prix’s?

Now, its been probably 20 years since I bought a pair and looking online, seems Ariat has lots of different boots, there are several low-priced brands that are fake leather and I could only find one Grand Prix lace-up boot (and that was after a lot of digging). Have no idea what the best or most liked brands are today, except that I know lots of people ride in Ariats. I do have to have lace-ups, as I have no heel to speak of, very small ankles and hyper-flexible joints. So I need to crank the laces tight to give my ankle enough support.

So, I’m wondering do the $30 - $60 synthetic boots hold up? Are they really hot to ride in vs leather? If they don’t last, then that’s a wasted investment. But if they wear well, are comfortable and hold up, why spend $200 on the pretty leather versions? I don’t typically change shoes (unless its uber muddy), so I tend to do everything in my paddock boots when riding. Then I clean them when done.

I’d take the newer pair of Grand Prix’s I already have to get them stretched, but I’m just not confident that would work. I just don’t know how much give they have. So if anyone has thoughts on that, please chime in. We aren’t talking several sizes too small, but they are uncomfortable and the addition of larger bunions on my big toe joint than I used to have contributes to that.

I just don’t know what direction to go in. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

[Training_Cupid]

I stick with Ariats because I find them super comfortable, and have had good luck with longevity. But I haven’t tried any synthetics so no basis of comparison.

[NoSuchPerson]

If you have bunions, you may need a little extra toe room. The Ariat Heritage RT (RT stands for “round toe”) have the most toe room of any paddock boots I have tried. This is why I have the Ariat Heritage RT paddock boots, even though I don’t love them because I don’t like the higher heel.

[merrygoround]

I have found that the top of the line Ariats are unbeatable. they are waterproof, within reason, and long lasting. The less expensive ones I bought were an uncomfortable mistake!!

[Off_Course]

Thanks for the Ariat Heritage RT suggestion @NoSuchPerson and @Training Cupid . Looks like SLT has (black) on sale for $91. In the comments/reviews.several people said they run a bit large. Have ya’ll found that to be the case? I used to be 7 1/2 and have been buying a size 8 for tennis shoes and flats. Just wondering if a size 8 would be too big (but I guess I could always wear thicker socks).

[NoSuchPerson]

Well, I guess they do run a little large, but I’m not sure they run large enough to warrant ordering a smaller size than you usually wear. I think it also depends on how much toe room you need. I normally wear a 7.5 or 8, depending on the shoe, but I wear wide or extra wide. So for me, the 7.5 is the right length but a bit too narrow. The 8 is a comfortable width but a bit too long.

But then, I’m kind of the Goldilocks of shoes. Nothing is ever “just right.”

[Training_Cupid]

I would say Ariats tend to run a touch large (roomier in the toebox more so than long), but probably don’t size down unless you are between sizes. My feet are wide in front but narrow at the heel.

[Scribbler]

All the detail below is in support of my experience that Ariats are comfortable and well designed, but that their durability will depend on what you do in them and how well you look after them.

I have never had luck with synthetic shoes or boots of any sort, and have even learned to stay away from vinyl lining in leather shoes.

I find the Ariat boots in general to be well designed and comfortable, I love the foot beds.

I am in self board. The barnyard is well drained so mud is not an issue but I have learned not to muck stall and paddock in good boots.

I just killed a pair of Ariat Twin Gore H2O paddock boots in a couple of years, but they replaced a pair of Blundstones that I killed in a year.

These are my summer boots and in retrospect I think it’s washing horses that does it as well as cleaning stalls.

My insulated H2O winter laceups are holding up much better despite being worn in rain snow and slush, and mucking out.

The solution is perhaps wellies for washing, but in fact my gumboots split across the top in a year or two with little use!

Anyhow I currently have:

Ten year old unlined Heritage laceup paddock boots, repaired but usable, haven’t been in primary rotation last few years.

Eight year old unlined Heritage field boots, fit perfect out of the box, repaired but showing their age.

Six year old lined Challenge field boots (old model) that are just a touch too tall for me and may never quite break in.

The above all bought half price on closeout. These exact models are no longer in production.

Insulated H2O laceups, holding up nicely.

Twin gore H2O that are destroyed.

Both bought full price. But just scored a deal ordering replacement Twin Gore on closeout. These will see a lot of dubbin and I might get new gumboots next summer for washing horses.

[Off_Course]

Great info Scribbler. One thing I never did have was insulated paddock boots. I always wore my muck boots (gum shoes) with good heavy wool socks to ride when I lived in CT (they have a proper heal, some don’t). And down south, I just wore my paddock boots in winter, though I did end up with frozen toes on occasion!

[luckylion]

I bought a pair of Grand Prix paddock boots on clearance a year or two ago. They said they ran small, so I ordered a size up and could not even get my foot in them. They were not returnable. Fortunately, I got such a good deal, I didn’t lose much by selling them on eBay. I have generally been very happy with the comfort in Ariat field boots and paddock boots. The durability not so much. I have a pair that are less than 2 years old cracking at the bend in the toe and a hole starting at one heel seem. I usually only wear them a couple of times a week. I used to have huge zipper breaking problems, but just tossed my first pair of Ariat field boots that the zippers outlasted the boots. Those boots lasted about 5 or 6 years. They were some iteration of the Heritage line. I did not do a lot to take care of them. I bought another pair of Ariat paddock boots. I’m not sure what model they are, but they seem to be of the higher heel variety. They are the only Ariats I have found uncomfortable. I’m in the market for new paddock boots, so I’m interested to see what people come up with. My biggest problem is I like lace ups (not the trendier zips) and like the brown, which is apparently out of style, as well. I don’t do half chaps, so I don’t care for black paddock boots. Brown zip ups are hard to find these days.

[Off_Course]

@luckylion

My biggest problem is I like lace ups (not the trendier zips) and like the brown, which is apparently out of style, as well.

Back in the day, nobody wore black paddock boots. They were light or dark brown or a sort-of burgundy/brown. Funny to see how things change with time. If I wait long enough, my punch toe, lace-up, brown, Grand Prix’s will be in style again! :winkgrin:

But, then again, Ariat didn’t exist when I started wearing paddock boots!!! lol

[Off_Course]

While I’m thinking of it, I have really flat feet. How is the arch support in the Ariat RT boots?

[Scribbler]

The Ariats have shaped molded removable insoles and you can buy replacements that I think are a little more structured than the originals.

I suppose you could also remove the insoles and replace them with specialty insoles if you needed them.

I have low arches but not flat feet and the Ariats really suit me. I cannot wear Birkenstocks or Nikes (last I tried) because the arch support is too high and hurts, if that helps for comparison.

[Saskatoonian]

Sounds like you’re already set but have to put in a very good word for off the shelf Dehner paddock boots. So comfortable, good looking, and wear like iron despite abuse. I got them directly from Dehner - don’t know if any stores sell them - and think I paid about $200 or so.

[Off_Course]

@Scribbler

The Ariats have shaped molded removable insoles and you can buy replacements that I think are a little more structured than the originals.

I suppose you could also remove the insoles and replace them with specialty insoles if you needed them.

Good to know they are removable. I do have insoles I use in any shoes/boots they will fit in (I use Superfeet).

So, are there any other brands that have a “round toe” option that gives you more toe room like the Ariat, that I should look at in the same price range of $90 to $125? Otherwise, what I’m hearing is “you’ll probably waste money on synthetic boots” and that lots of people wear Ariat (which I was aware of), But I’m not married to anything yet (though I am really tempted to scoop up those Ariat Heritage RTs on sale at SLT, because, well. $30 off is $30 saved).

[BAC]

My favorites were exactly like yours, GP lace up, punched toe cap, but I do also like my Ariat Devon Pros. There is more room in the toe box, if that is a requirement for you, very comfortable all day long and held up exceptionally well, although I do take excellent care of my boots. I found the GP boots to be a softer leather and the leather sole had more “feel” to it but I can’t complain about any of my Ariats either, including the waterproof leather ones I also owned.

I used to have a weekend job in a tack shop and the mothers were always wanting to buy the cheaper synthetic paddock boots for their growing children, but I can’t tell you how many small kids would complain how uncomfortable the synthetics were and as soon as they tried the real leather they knew that’s what they wanted. I found the synthetics to be very think and heavy, didn’t move with the foot like leather.

[BAC]

@Off Course

Back in the day, nobody wore black paddock boots. They were light or dark brown or a sort-of burgundy/brown. Funny to see how things change with time. If I wait long enough, my punch toe, lace-up, brown, Grand Prix’s will be in style again! :winkgrin:

But, then again, Ariat didn’t exist when I started wearing paddock boots!!! lol

We must be from the same era, only brown paddock boots when I was growing up, there was no other choice although jodhpur boots (with those straps that wrapped around the ankle) were available in black and brown. But my GP, punch toe, lace-ups were black, the first black paddock boots I had ever seen!

[Peggy]

I always go half a size down in Ariat boots.

I do not recommend the Heritage Breeze ones as the soft leather is a bit too soft. I had the toe caps stitched back on after maybe nine months. Now there’s a tear just above the pinky-foot intersection that’s not worth fixing because I can see other cracks where the leather meets the sole. And the leather just doesn’t feel sturdy in general. Total time with them is just over a year. I think—I recall buying them on the way to watch Maclay regionals a year ago.

But it I ordered the on sale ones from Stateline since they are the regular Heritage RT and I think the round toe will be helpful. I do find Ariats to be super comfortable.

[Off_Course]

@BAC

I used to have a weekend job in a tack shop and the mothers were always wanting to buy the cheaper synthetic paddock boots for their growing children, but I can’t tell you how many small kids would complain how uncomfortable the synthetics were and as soon as they tried the real leather they knew that’s what they wanted. I found the synthetics to be very think and heavy, didn’t move with the foot like leather.

That’s exactly what I was wondering - if the synthetic ever “broke in” like a good leather paddock boot. The old GPs I have are calf leather (or perhaps the model I bought were calf and others models weren’t). Sadly, the gold imprinted info with the model name and number is all rubbed off on both my pairs, so I can’t even search eBay or anywhere for used ones in a larger size. And after exhaustive searching couldn’t find new GPs in a punch toe and only found 1 place in the US that had a GP lace-up. But at $210 (for the GP lace-up), figured there had to be other options that would be just as good for 1/2 the price.

This is where being close to a large metro area with lots of tack shops that carry footwear would come in handy. Unfortunately, the county I live in has no English tack shop at all, the nearest tack shops in the next county are saddle-seat (TWH), and the only hunter/jumper tack shop close-by (1.25 hours away) is Dover. I do have to go to Dover to look at helmets, so I will probably also check out the paddock boots while I’m there. Hopefully they will have a decent variety.

[Off_Course]

Just for giggles, I checked TSC - we have two stores here. They only carry western and wet-weather footwear in the stores, but they do actually carry several leather, lace-up paddock boots online (I’d use “ship to store” option). Both are in the $50 - $70 range. I have a (bad ?) habit of equating low-priced leather boots with low-quality (as I mentioned in the initial post, I’m a shoe snob). But who knows, they might be great? Anybody have experience with:

Dublin Women’s Foundation Laced Paddock Boots

Tough-1 Women’s Leather Paddock Boots