When off the shelf boots like Parlanti and Tucci are $1,000…go with custom. I had a pair of Vogels for years, the classic pull on field boot, but they were getting to worn out for showing.
I ordered a new pair of custom Vogels, zipper, classic look, field boots last year and they are awesome!
I do have some cheaper boots that I wear for lessons. But you will also find the off the shelf boots have the European look. Taller, slimmer thought the ankles, Spanish top.
That’s perfect to have the repair guy… you can stretch the life of your boots. I am particular with fabric, shoes etc. I want them to be super comfortable. My favorite outfit is my pajamas - which says a lot about how I feel about comfort.
Ha ha… thanks! I remember when I was a kid I was told to put the balls of my feet on a stair and let my heels sink down as far as I could. I did that so much as a kid; at the grocery store, waiting to be seated at a restaurant with my family. Wherever I could find a stair where I could stretch, I would. Luckily my parents didn’t mind… I wonder if all that stretching as a kid changed my muscles and tendons? Now as an adult rider I stretch EVERYTHING before I ride… I also feel the regular fillis irons with cheese grater foot beds help the foot position and ability to weight your heel. I recently rode in a MDC iron that had the twisted top. They were nice because it kept the iron at the angle you need for your foot placement. I posted a picture of the MDC stirrup with the twist…
The polo boots look stiff and uncomfortable… I sure hope you find a nice pair of boots you enjoy… Keep us posted on what you decide. I like these threads - getting to hear what works for others is very helpful. GOOD LUCK in your shopping adventure.
Well, since looking scrubby and broke is the cool kid style in polo, I dont think you’ll catch many people wearing those boots, haha. I saw them on the Koenig site as well. My tournament boots are Texas Polo, which is actually Dehner and they are old as heck but nice and sturdy. That is kind of the standard “good boot”, but you can get some traditional style polo boots made in Argentina for like $200 if you know where to look. Most people who are new to the sport and trying to get the fanciest thing get the La Martina boots with the weird colorful armor on the outside. Bonus cheesy points if you get the matching knee guards and saddle… I could never. It is absolutely hideous and the saddle stains the butt of your white jeans.
You live in prime polo country. Give it a try sometime! It is very very fun.
As for my new boot hunt, I went and tried on a bunch of the off the rack stuff at the big tack store and have found that despite being 5’8" and size 26 in breeches, I wear a short top and the regular calf makes me want to die it is so tight. I am probably going to go get the bratty horse show gals to measure me up for a custom pair. I agree with the poster above who says that it is worth it to go custom in the fancy brands since it is not that much more than the ready made stuff.
I have gotten many intense responses to my “no laces” request so I guess I should just get the darn laces and deal with it. I am not here on earth to challenge the ways of the hunter world, since my battle is already uphill due to riding like a lunatic for so many years.
I did try jumping a little today for the first time and it was AWESOME 
Anyone try Celeris boots? The only make made to measure, based in Portugal. Seem like nice boots, I’m considering them but would love to know someone who has tried them.
lol. Nope, haven’t seen anyone out and about with those boots! I’m pretty sure I would’ve noticed those!
You can wear boots with laces or not. Both are appropriate for showing as far as I know (at least for juniors).
Update on the boots. I tried on every pair of mid-range boots on earth and hated them. Finally I went to the horse show in Thermal and I am so glad I did. The people at the tack shop were super nice, despite me arriving there covered in mud and with some feral children in tow. I actually got a pair of Parlantis to fit right off the rack. Oh. MYY GOODNESS are they comfortable. I love them. I wore them around the barn for hours the first day and didn’t even get a blister. The tight top took a while to get used to, but that’s because I never wear boots that are fitted at the top like that. I did end up getting a pair without the laces. I love them so much. Thanks to everyone for your advice. If I hadn’t posted here I would have gotten one of the pairs I tried on and hated at Dover.
YAY! I am patiently waiting on my new boots to arrive and crossing my fingers that they fit and I love them.
Seconding Ariat off the rack for the purpose
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