Doc Martens ! https://www.drmartens.com/us/en/p/11853001
A workboot in suede ???
I am a reformed paddock boot abuser, because I got tired of replacing them every year (if lucky). The wet/dry cycle of dewy grass, dry shavings, hosing horses, dry sand arena, made most of them crack leather at the the crease and waterproofness lasted only a couple months. Others, if I babied the leather and cleaned regularly, fell apart at the soles a nd I ended up with sandy socks. Blundstone probably lasted the longest, but I’ve been through Ariat terrains (6mo), Justin zips, cheap Ariats, expensive Ariats, and Dublin zips. I murdered them all far too soon. I have rubber barn chore boots, but I was too lazy to change shoes most of the time.
When my last pair of half chaps died, I looked at the price of buying new half chaps + paddock boots, and said screw it. I bought a pair of new field boots on sale for $100 and I haven’t looked back. It’s pretty easy to zip the tall boots on when tacking up, take them off when untacking, and put on Muck boots or sneakers to bathe horses and tromp around. My tall boots are really comfortable, and lasted a good 2 years before I wore a hole in the calf (patchable, and typical wear for as much riding as I do). I never thought I’d give up half chaps, but I really don’t miss them. I feel a lot less guilty killing a $20 pair of Wal-Mart sneakers too.
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I just bought paddock boots and was considering these for some of the same reasons: https://www.ariat.com/BARNYARD_SIDE_ZIP_W_FOO.html
But I ended up going with dedicated riding boots.
Ariat has gotten rid of the Devon Pro and now has Devon H20 zip up paddock boot (waterproof) . Just got a pair, a bit stiff but the foot bed is comfy - so hard to put on other boots after that one. They retail for about $210.
Also Horsewares has these boots - https://www.countryandstable.com/horseware-rambo-original-short-turnout-boot/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw6IfoBRCiARIsAF6q06u-XbufV167RdVz8aPgmolrFDmN7pbhEHKpwi8yDy_cF_f2NO7jptEaAuDREALw_wcB
there is a tall and short version. I got the short version.
