Help me treat myself to new boots

[ecpolo]

If you were to buy a new pair of super nice tall boots to ride and potentially show hunters in, what would you get? Please add details like color. etc. I’m so excited about this I am having a really hard time choosing. This will be the first pair of expensive boots I have bought in over a decade. I am new to hunters so I am not really sure what to get and I don’t want to ask around at the barn because most of the riders are younger and most likely not treating themselves to fancy boots. My old and decrepit body and bad back are telling me I should go for whatever is most comfortable, regardless of price (to a degree, haha, no gilded alligator boots or anything outrageous).

If it makes a difference, I have size 9 feet and regular-sized but weirdly muscular calves. I will be near one of the big fancy shows next week so I can go get officially sized up by the vendors. I am a little afraid of the horse show vendors because they have basically scoffed me off the planet earth when I ran by there looking to buy random pieces of tack in the past. I feel like I really need to go in there knowing what I want beforehand. Please everyone help me choose boots and not be nervous about snooty ladies, I will be eternally grateful!

[Scribbler]

I have to say the footbeds in Ariat boots are probably the most comfortable ones available. They are moderate priced and fairly conventional styling.

[ecpolo]

@Scribbler

I have to say the footbeds in Ariat boots are probably the most comfortable ones available. They are moderate priced and fairly conventional styling.

Are they better in the tall boots than the paddock boots? My ariat paddock boots send my sciatica into a tailspin for some reason.

[Scribbler]

@ecpolo

Are they better in the tall boots than the paddock boots? My ariat paddock boots send my sciatica into a tailspin for some reason.

Ah perhaps they are the wrong configuration for you.

I can’t wear Nike or Birkenstock shoes, they kill my arches. I found Blundstones gave me knee pain when I worked in them all day. Ariats paddock and tall have been wonderful all day footwear for me. But if the paddocks set your back off, probably the tall boots would too and you need something different.

Might be worth getting checked out for orthotic support generally and then buying boots that can hold your custom insoles.

[2DogsFarm]

I love my 1989 vintage custom Vogel dress boots.
The foot part fit like bedroom slippers from Day One & calves stretched/ankle dropped not far into wear, so the whole boot is comfy.

Served as my lesson & show boots when I did Hunters in the mid-late 80s, early 90s & transitioned nicely to Dressage & low-level Eventing.
I wear them just for the (very rare) show now, usually school.in paddocks (custom Dehner).

My tall boots have been back to Vogel 3X in all these years. Twice in an effort to make getting them on over my high arches less of a struggle - added gussets, then full back zips.
Once to repair one zipper.

Aside from top calf lining looking a bit ragged these days, they polish up & look brand-new.
Not the Style du Jour glovelike fit, but passable.

IMHO the price is worth every cent, as these will be the last boots you will ever need to buy.
Vogel site shows custom dress boots starting at $1300 now.
STILL worth it as you pay $800 for DeNiros off the rack & Parlanti starts @ $1800.

[ecpolo]

@2DogsFarm

I love my 1989 vintage custom Vogel dress boots.
The foot part fit like bedroom slippers from Day One & calves stretched/ankle dropped not far into wear, so the whole boot is comfy.

Served as my lesson & show boots when I did Hunters in the mid-late 80s, early 90s & transitioned nicely to Dressage & low-level Eventing.
I wear them just for the (very rare) show now, usually school.in paddocks (custom Dehner).

My tall boots have been back to Vogel 3X in all these years. Twice in an effort to make getting them on over my high arches less of a struggle - added gussets, then full back zips.
Once to repair one zipper.

Aside from top calf lining looking a bit ragged these days, they polish up & look brand-new.
Not the Style du Jour glovelike fit, but passable.

IMHO the price is worth every cent, as these will be the last boots you will ever need to buy.
Vogel site shows custom dress boots starting at $1300 now.
STILL worth it as you pay $800 for DeNiros off the rack & Parlanti starts @ $1800.

Ok this is awesome to know. My last pair of $1200 boots are still around and in use, they are just meant for polo and I save them for tournaments or other times I need heel and shin protection. Similar to your Vogel story, they are a little long in the tooth but still really great structurally since I have taken good care of them and gotten repairs when needed. I will look into Vogel.

My only thing is that I was kind of looking forward to some really flexible and, for lack of a better term, slouchy boots like I have seen people wearing around the horse shows. My current everyday riding boots are tall, baggy western-style boots meant for polo practice. They are $299 and I just get a new pair when I wear a hole in the leather. Apparently the baggy cowboy boot look is not really cool at the hunter barn (the trainer was like oh… this is a first…), and god forbid I become the mom who wears weird stuff to the same barn as her kid, haha.

I do wonder how long those buttery soft fancy tall boots last, though. I am too cheap to buy gazillion dollars boots every year.

[2DogsFarm]

Okay, I get the Weird Mom thing :lol:

IIWM, I’d call Vogel & ask if they offer the current style of fit & leather options.
My bet is they probably do, but I could be mistaken.
Back in the Stone Age, when I was measured for my boots, I opted for something other than the French calf leather - which I was told was more fragile.
Whatever critter supplied my leather, it has taken years of benign neglect.

[Oliver4Ever]

If you are in driving distance of any of the winter circuits going on they usually have a variety of tack shops on site. That way you could try a variety and see what fits you best.

[ecpolo]

@2DogsFarm

Okay, I get the Weird Mom thing :lol:

IIWM, I’d call Vogel & ask if they offer the current style of fit & leather options.
My bet is they probably do, but I could be mistaken.
Back in the Stone Age, when I was measured for my boots, I opted for something other than the French calf leather - which I was told was more fragile.
Whatever critter supplied my leather, it has taken years of benign neglect.

Great idea. I wonder if I should just wait till I am in NYC this summer and really get the full experience and go to the store. Of course my husband will be thrilled to accompany me on another one of my horse item excursions. He is still annoyed about the time I had to pop by wellington on the way from miami to fort lauderdale haha

[ecpolo]

@Oliver4Ever

If you are in driving distance of any of the winter circuits going on they usually have a variety of tack shops on site. That way you could try a variety and see what fits you best.

I can make it to the last week of hits thermal (scene of my numerous tack shop snubbings) I wonder if they will have enough stock left. I guess it’s worth a try.

[Can_tFindMyWhip]

Do you know what it is that sets your sciatica off? Could it be something in the heel? I have an old pair of Mountain Horse field boots that have a recess in the sole of the heel, and I can wear them all day. It looks to me like all the high end boot manufacturers are using paper thin soles in their boots now. And if Ariat bugs you, I’d be inclined to think that most other makers would be even worse. Although what kind of paddock boots have you tried? Because Ariat has several styles and the less expensive ones are pretty wretched.

In my experience as a normally built but also muscular person, German manufacturers seem to work best for my body. I would suggest looking into Cavallo, and possibly Konig.

BUT, those are very un-huntery brands and I’m not sure if they would be at the show you are attending. So I’m sorry if this wasn’t helpful information.

[ecpolo]

@Can'tFindMyWhip

Do you know what it is that sets your sciatica off? Could it be something in the heel? I have an old pair of Mountain Horse field boots that have a recess in the sole of the heel, and I can wear them all day. It looks to me like all the high end boot manufacturers are using paper thin soles in their boots now. And if Ariat bugs you, I’d be inclined to think that most other makers would be even worse. Although what kind of paddock boots have you tried? Because Ariat has several styles and the less expensive ones are pretty wretched.

In my experience as a normally built but also muscular person, German manufacturers seem to work best for my body. I would suggest looking into Cavallo, and possibly Konig.

BUT, those are very un-huntery brands and I’m not sure if they would be at the show you are attending. So I’m sorry if this wasn’t helpful information.

I think the sciatica trigger is having a heel that is too high combined with inadequate arch support. I can’t remember which ariats I bought but they were the best ones Dover had at the time a couple of years ago. I think the heel is weirdly high, and my legs might also need the added support of a complete tall boot, if that makes any sense. For some reason the flatter but more structured cowboy boots do not bother me half as much. Then again, who knows. Maybe the sciatica is also from never stretching and having been flung 20 feet through the air by OTTBs too many times haha.

I am thinking I need some sort of legit insoles in any boots I end up getting. If I wear completely flat shoes all day I am miserable that evening. Ariat makes insole upgrades but I hated them.

[Can_tFindMyWhip]

@ecpolo

I think the sciatica trigger is having a heel that is too high combined with inadequate arch support. I can’t remember which ariats I bought but they were the best ones Dover had at the time a couple of years ago. I think the heel is weirdly high, and my legs might also need the added support of a complete tall boot, if that makes any sense. For some reason the flatter but more structured cowboy boots do not bother me half as much. Then again, who knows. Maybe the sciatica is also from never stretching and having been flung 20 feet through the air by OTTBs too many times haha.

I am thinking I need some sort of legit insoles in any boots I end up getting. If I wear completely flat shoes all day I am miserable that evening. Ariat makes insole upgrades but I hated them.

I’m sure the sciatica stems from neglect :lol: I haven’t come across very many equestrians who take care of themselves the way they should.

Do your cowboy boots have wooden soles?

Now I’m really invested in your search, because we seem to have a lot in common. I have high arches, and I’ve owned so many different pairs of paddock boots from lots of makers, and I never liked any of them. But I have a really hard time believing that lacking an upper to the boot has anything to do that. Currently, I am madly in love with my V-sport boots from Ariat, and I’ve had them for a few years now. But I HATED their paddock boots with the same sole construction. I never really gave it any thought until now, and this is all quite strange.

AND, I LOVE cowboy boots way more than any paddock boot that I have ever come across. I had to stop wearing them though, because they look unprofessional.

[Madison]

@ecpolo

Great idea. I wonder if I should just wait till I am in NYC this summer and really get the full experience and go to the store. Of course my husband will be thrilled to accompany me on another one of my horse item excursions. He is still annoyed about the time I had to pop by wellington on the way from miami to fort lauderdale haha

Honestly, there are so many nice off the rack options now that I would not go custom unless you have to! Custom orders don’t offer instant gratification, and it is a huge pain if they show up and don’t fit right (my view is also influenced by my 6 month fight with Der Dau to get them to fix mine which they made completely wrong). If your calves measure 16" or smaller, you should be able to find something nice in some of the options the shops stock now (mine was fractions of an inch over this and combined with my narrow ankle, pushed me into customs, unfortunately). Look at DeNiro’s, Tucci’s, Ego7’s or anything else that catches your eye online, and check the measurement charts to see what might work for you. Get a friend to help you do your measurements, or measure the height of your old boots, and you will have what you need to narrow the options. Then you just need to go try them on, or order some pairs from somewhere with free returns, and see what is comfortable for you!

Your original post mentions “details like color” and showing in hunters. If you are going to show, that means plain black. You don’t really see colors or flashy trim on hunter riders. If you really wanted some detail, you could possibly get away with a trim in black (like a black snakeskin) that wouldn’t be very noticeable, but you don’t really see people wearing anything that is going to draw attention to the boot when you come in the ring. You want the judge noticing your horse and your ride, not wondering what that is on your boots, lol! It is not like you would be disqualified, you just don’t want something that would distract. So, if it is going to be your primary pair, it probably needs to be more traditional.

Happy shopping!!

[ecpolo]

@Can'tFindMyWhip

I’m sure the sciatica stems from neglect :lol: I haven’t come across very many equestrians who take care of themselves the way they should.

Do your cowboy boots have wooden soles?

Now I’m really invested in your search, because we seem to have a lot in common. I have high arches, and I’ve owned so many different pairs of paddock boots from lots of makers, and I never liked any of them. But I have a really hard time believing that lacking an upper to the boot has anything to do that. Currently, I am madly in love with my V-sport boots from Ariat, and I’ve had them for a few years now. But I HATED their paddock boots with the same sole construction. I never really gave it any thought until now, and this is all quite strange.

AND, I LOVE cowboy boots way more than any paddock boot that I have ever come across. I had to stop wearing them though, because they look unprofessional.

It is so fun to shop and also try and deal with the issues of the aging rider, isn’t it? So, with further thought I am beginning to see that the reason my sciatica may act up with the ariat paddock boots is that my feet and ankles are less stable and I carry myself differently when I walk? The cowboy boots are very flat Olathe tall boots with a riding heel that they make special for polo. They are actually really pretty and I get compliments on them all over town… well everywhere other than the hunter barn! Here they are. I guess they have gone up $50 since I last bought a pair. https://jhhe.com/product/olathe-polo-boots-copy/ I can wear the tall cowboy polo boots with some cheap gellin insoles from walgreens all day long. The entire sole of those boots is leather, I believe.

[ecpolo]

@Madison

Honestly, there are so many nice off the rack options now that I would not go custom unless you have to! Custom orders don’t offer instant gratification, and it is a huge pain if they show up and don’t fit right (my view is also influenced by my 6 month fight with Der Dau to get them to fix mine which they made completely wrong). If your calves measure 16" or smaller, you should be able to find something nice in some of the options the shops stock now (mine was fractions of an inch over this and combined with my narrow ankle, pushed me into customs, unfortunately). Look at DeNiro’s, Tucci’s, Ego7’s or anything else that catches your eye online, and check the measurement charts to see what might work for you. Get a friend to help you do your measurements, or measure the height of your old boots, and you will have what you need to narrow the options. Then you just need to go try them on, or order some pairs from somewhere with free returns, and see what is comfortable for you!

Your original post mentions “details like color” and showing in hunters. If you are going to show, that means plain black. You don’t really see colors or flashy trim on hunter riders. If you really wanted some detail, you could possibly get away with a trim in black (like a black snakeskin) that wouldn’t be very noticeable, but you don’t really see people wearing anything that is going to draw attention to the boot when you come in the ring. You want the judge noticing your horse and your ride, not wondering what that is on your boots, lol! It is not like you would be disqualified, you just don’t want something that would distract. So, if it is going to be your primary pair, it probably needs to be more traditional.

Happy shopping!!

OOOh thank you! I will try all of those at the horse show if they have them. Also thanks for the detail about all black. I wonder what the purpose of the colorful boots on these young girls I have seen could possibly be? Just for hacking? If that’s the case I wish to be adopted by their parents or whoever is paying for these boots! I will definitely go for all black for myself.

[Madison]

@ecpolo

OOOh thank you! I will try all of those at the horse show if they have them. Also thanks for the detail about all black. I wonder what the purpose of the colorful boots on these young girls I have seen could possibly be? Just for hacking? If that’s the case I wish to be adopted by their parents or whoever is paying for these boots! I will definitely go for all black for myself.

One of the byproducts of the softer leather used on a lot of tall boots now is that people sometimes have something sturdier or fun for home/schooling, and the softer more traditional pair for showing to make them last longer! So, if you saw something with colored trim, it was likely for home/fun. The only up-side to my Der Dau nightmare was that I got to keep the damaged pair for schooling at home once they finally made me a new pair that fit! You might see someone brave enough to bust out some old-school brown boots in the hunter ring occasionally, but in general stick with black.

[Can_tFindMyWhip]

@ecpolo

It is so fun to shop and also try and deal with the issues of the aging rider, isn’t it? So, with further thought I am beginning to see that the reason my sciatica may act up with the ariat paddock boots is that my feet and ankles are less stable and I carry myself differently when I walk? The cowboy boots are very flat Olathe tall boots with a riding heel that they make special for polo. They are actually really pretty and I get compliments on them all over town… well everywhere other than the hunter barn! Here they are. I guess they have gone up $50 since I last bought a pair. https://jhhe.com/product/olathe-polo-boots-copy/ I can wear the tall cowboy polo boots with some cheap gellin insoles from walgreens all day long. The entire sole of those boots is leather, I believe.

I don’t know anything about polo boots, so excuse me if this is an ignorant question. If the soles are considerably different than a regular riding boot sole, maybe you should see if a brand like Dehner could make a field boot on one of their polo boot soles?

[winter]

I have custom Der Dau, De Niro and Parlantis.
The Parlantis were the most expensive if I remember correctly ,equal to the Der Dau, and the Deniro were half as much as the other two! I orderd the Deniro from the UK.

The Der Dau are the worst quality BY FAR. I ride 2 horses a day and my Parlantis were my daily and show boot for almost ten years until the zipper broke. They were murder to break in but unbelievably comfortable and durable. I had to start riding in the Der Dau after the zipper broke on the Parlantis and I didn’t have time to get them fixed. The Der Dau are terrible. I’ve gotten used to them now but basically they feel like riding in leather gloves on your legs and ballet slippers on your feet. The soles are so slippery you need extreme cheese grater stirrups just to stop your feet from sliding out. The fit on them is ok, but they’ve always been a touch too big in the calf. After maybe a year as my daily and show they are falling apart. I’ve worn through the calves and the soles are basically totally smooth. Zippers still good though…

My Deniro seem similar in quality to my parlantis and I like the style better because they have a slimmer ankle (like the Der Dau as well). Sadly they are too tight and I can’t wear them. I am trying to get them stretched but if it doesn’t work I will have to buy a new pair. I can get them on and they do have the most comfortable foot bed of any of the boots, feel like runners to walk around in and I like how supportive the ankles are.

For colour and style, my Parlantis are navy. Very dark navy. I showed hunters in them for years at thermal and local shows but not Eq or derbies or anything like that. My Der Dau are black with black croc trim and are totally fine for any level of hunters. My DeNiro are also navy but I don’t like them nearly as much as the Parlantis. The navy is a lot lighter and I wouldn’t show even local hunters in them. I never get laces, I prefer the look of a dress boot and they are moot with zippers anyhow.

[kenyarider]

Parlanti boots are beautiful but the zippers are no good - they are the same quality as those found in women’s dress trousers. My zippers broke on each boot and I had to replace them twice! Finally got work boot zippers. Takes weeks for Parlanti to do it. A good cobbler is a better bet. The Fabbri are the same. Romatelli (spelling) are very nice quality and under $1000 for a pair. IME once a boot becomes the “hot ticket” the quality goes to pieces. Ariats off the rack seem to last and at a size 9, your “muscled” calves shouldn’t be a problem. Have fun.