I’ve looked (online) at Der Dau, Dehner, All-American, and Vogel. Anyone have any comments on these? Any others I should look at? Who makes the $750 pair that Horse Country Life sells?
Well, my one and only pair of custom boots is Dehner- with brown tops for whipping in. They are now maybe 23 years old and going strong, though admittedly don’t get much use these days! But when I last wore them in 2007 they were doin’ great. Can’t speak to any of the newer off the shelf products, I’m still waiting for my plain black Marloboros to die (not quite as old as the Dehners) before exploring the possibilities.
I’ve got Swaine, Adeney Briggs calf tops I got in London in 1973…they’re still going strong except for a little bit of sewing.
I like my Dehner calf-tops in French calf…I think they’re better made than Vogels and Der Dau’s
I’ve got a pair of Dehners on order. Hoping they will come before closing hunt.
My wife and I have Dehners - hunt boots, work boots and Newmarkets. They are great; sturdy and stylish. In my experience, Vogel makes a nice boot, but they don’t stand up to rigorous field and barn work. Der Dau - I don’t know much about, but I get a real “fashion over function” vibe.
La Mundial, who often set up at Rolex and other venues of that sort, make nice boots, too. I have one pair of show boots from them that really are very nice for the money.
If you’re not stuck on getting them in N America, most of the European boot makers have them; Cavallo, Petrie, Regent, Konigs, Sergio Grasso, Schneiders, Hawk, Regali Ricchi, de Niro, et al. Google for websites.
And there are some good S American manufacturers. There was a recent discussion in the H/J forum which has links and recommendations.
my 2 cents!
Custom Der Dau’s have outlasted my last 2 horses and last 2 hunts! Honest! Excellent quality. Less expensive than Dehners & Vogels and nothing less in quality imho.
Some folks like to have 2 pairs…a cheaper pair to trash on muddy days or during the week and an expensive pair for weekends and high holy days that stay clean & unscuffed and will last forever. He/she who dies with the most boots (fillin tack/saddles/clothes)wins!!! :D:lol::lol::lol:
I love a man who’s all tricked out in his formal get up! Go for it! :yes:
And super congratulations on getting your colors! Welcome to the fraternity of hunting! Long may you ride!!! Hunt everywhere you can!
Remember…even a bad day hunting is better than a good day at work!!
Wooooohoooooo!!! :winkgrin:
Thanks! I just wish I had the right to a scarlett coat, though! 
Maybe I’ll have to become a whipper-in, but that sounds like WORK.
I just got off the phone with one of our two local suppliers and they said Vogel was taking a LONG time to fill orders and one order they got was defective and had to be sent back. (How do you not spot that on a custom-built boot?) They can order Dehner, so I’m going to look into them.
Dehner are the best. (They are hunters too) While you’re at it - get a pair of lovely brown boots for weekdays! (brown are ALWAYS more comfortable than black)
Wanabe - check your pm’s
Wanabe - I’ve sent you a private message. Go check it!
Dehner’s. No doubt about it. Well worth the money - they’ll last you the rest of your life. And if you can swing it get a pair of proper brown ones too.
From what I remember the Dehner company likes to have all their boots shipped by June or July - the factory shuts down for 2 weeks and everyone takes vacation at the same time. (verify all these details because I can’t remember)
Anyway - if you get measured now you will most likely have them by mid-summer. Then you can break them in before cubbing starts (and you have time to ship them back if they are too big or small)
Turnaround is pretty fast - if you get your order in early.
Romany – I replied to your PM.
Jessica – what do you mean by “proper brown ones”? Are regular boots supposed to be dress browns in the hunt field?
Military Tan/Brown field boots - cubbing
Black dress boots - formal season
Dehners makes lovely tan field boots - also the WWI style 3 buckle.
I love my Dehner 3-buckle field boots…comfortable, you can ride in any sort of britches/jeans and they’ll fit you tighter than almost any boot I can think of…these are also the boots Han Solo wore at the end of the original Star Wars movie when he’s receiving a medal…well, it’s what he wore.
Ah, I see. I think once I get these I’m going to wear them to ratcatchers as well as formal hunts. Unless told not to, I’ll also wear them to other hunts. Gotta reduce the per-use cost!
Yes, I like the idea of the 3-buckle boots, but I think these and My Ariat Crowne Pros for arena work will have to do me.
Wow, De Niro makes a good-looking stock hunt-top boot that’s only $553. I don’t know anything about De Niro, tho.
http://www.dogwoodlondon.co.uk/shop/riding-boots/long-riding-boots/
It is technically incorrect to wear tops with a hacking jacket. But - if you get removeable top cuffs (which Dehner do very well) you can make maximum use of one pair.
So what is the exact history behind brown tops for men/staff and patent leather for women? Most things in hunting have a practical element in origins so I’m curious about the boot tops.
[QUOTE=Equibrit;3939643]
It is technically incorrect to wear tops with a hacking jacket. But - if you get removal top cuffs (which Dehner do very well) you can make maximum use of one pair.[/QUOTE]
I have removable tops on mine. If a person wants to cap with another hunt or there is a joint meet it makes it super easy. Take 'em off, put 'em back on. Voila. Dehner did a fabulous job - seamless.
wanabe - if you want to maximize your hunting purchases go with plain black dress boots with removable tan tops. Take off the tan tops for cubbing and when hunting with another hunt (unless the Hunt Secretary of that hunt gives you permission to wear your colors), and put the tops back on for the formal season.
Voila. Perfect.
Say… anyone have the Dehner Newmarket boots? Why don’t folks wear those anymore - those are great for warm/hot weather. If anyone has those - how are they holding up?
What do you guys think of these boots? Are the narrow ankles acceptable for a man to wear? Are they too untraditional for U.S. hunt clubs?
