Hi all, I’m new here (well I have been reading and stalking around here for years but have finally just signed up) so I’m not sure if this is where I should be posing this type of discussion; but I have recently got a trial job at an eventing stables where I will be learning to be a groom with the possibility of riding. I haven’t got any of my gear anymore since I sold it all when I went to uni and thought I was giving up horses for a while so I’m now in the market to buy new stuff and I was just wondering what experienced people would recommend in terms of new paddock boots and a new helmet? I have medium/wide feet so does anyone have experience with comfortable, paddock boots that either have a wider option or are more catering to wider feet and helmet wise I was looking at a low end kep or samshield but am completely open to ideas. Unfortunately trying things on around here isn’t really an option since I live quite far away from the city and often they have to order higher end things in so they don’t usually have stock to try on anyway.
But yeah, please please throw your paddock boot and helmet suggestions at me; I start in a week so I am getting desperate to make decisions (decision making is my biggest weakness lol)
Welcome!
Well, Blundstones paddock boots seem to have been popular a while back, but check recent reviews.
They did not work for me, I have very high arches & they offered no support.
Fine riding, but walking in them was tortuous.
I am on my 3rd pair - in 30+yrs - of custom Dehner’s, Current pair is almost 20yo & IMO worth the expense.
Traumavoid helmets seem to be popular with folks here & are reasonably priced.
Again. check reviews to see if they are more suited to round or oval heads.
I have an ancient (10yr+) Troxel that does the job, but should probably be replaced.
These paddock boots are as comfy as hiking boots & are waterproof. I own 3 pairs of them. They work pretty well with my wide feet.
Helmets are going to depend if you are an oval or a round head. Long Oval One K is my favorite.
Go to a local tack store and try on things. Find stuff that works for you and then look for it on sale on Facebook pages or amazon.
I do not believe that you should purchase a helmet, without first trying it on for fitting your head properly. I have 2 Back on Track, Trauma Void helmets. I tried both of them on, before I purchased. I like this helmet, because of the new MIPS technology. There are other helmet companies, who are using this now.
I have very wide feet, so usually cannot buy online with boots, either. I would look at the reviews that folks leave on the boot. Sometimes, they may run small or narrow. I pay attention, because my feet are so very wide.
Hopefully, your new job is close to a tack shop? You might mention to your new employer your problem to see if they have an idea of how you can get to a shop to try on the helmets and boots?
Good luck with your new job!
If you are in a store trying their merchandise and find something that fits, buy it at that store!
Thanks all for your recommendations! I’ll check them out.
I wish I could go to the tack stores and try things on but they’re all over 3 hours away from where I currently live and the one nearest my new job I’ve just had a terrible experience with (bought some Ariat boots and a Dublin helmet and the boots weren’t the right model and the helmet was scuffed all over and they’re saying it must be my fault :rolleyes:) so I don’t think I want to shop back there lol. I’m considering making a detour into the city on the way to my new job to try some boots and helmets on but that means going into the city alone and I’ve never driven in the city before so its a bit daunting. Hopefully I can figure it all out before I have to start work.
Drive into the city alone! You realize that in a year you will be driving a 4 horse gooseneck with a one ton pickup truck and backing into a slot at a crowded show full of dazed little children and loose dogs 
, there’s nothing like horses to expand what we think we are capable of.
Besides I doubt the tack store is in the actual city. It is probably in the sprawling suburbs closer to a major freeway and horse country. I’ve never seen a tack shop actually downtown, anywhere.
Try to choose a reliable delivery service:) That is my point of view
