What are everyone’s favorite riding boots. Do I want a leather sole or rubber. Right now I’m looking at either Ariats or possibly Boulet but I need to know what’s most comfortable for actual riding (cuteness is always a plus ;)!) Thanks - you all have been a huge help with my foray into the Western World!
I have Justins that I got a long time ago. The sole is leather and so slippery when walking around…and they are not comfortable to walk in, either. The heel is sloped forward under my foot so it feels like my foot “lands” in a weird place. Riding-wise, I haven’t gotten the hang of riding in jeans and boots because jeans are very slippery so I feel like I’m sliding all over the place if I’m doing anything more than moseying down the trail!
I love my Ariats - I have both lace ups and pull ons. They’re the only thing I’ll wear to ride in. The bonus being they are comfortable to wear all day and wear like iron.
I had a pair of Justins ages ago and agree with PP, they are so freakin’ slippery.
These are the two that I was considering:
Ariat:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000M0Y73O/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATGJ1UGXHF2B3
or Nocona:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0052C0WTA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
I like the colored stitching of the second ones, but they look a little short? Coming from english to western myself, I like a higher boot that mimics (in height) a tall boot - I’d think that a mid-calf boot would be distracting. Also, you will want to wear boot socks!
The Ariat has a 12" shaft and the Nocona 11" so not much difference and I am short - 5’2"!
My everyday riding boots have crepe soles, which give more grip in the stirrups and I think they’re more comfortable if you’re wearing them both on and off your horse for hours at a time. I have a high instep so have only found two mfg. whose boots I can wear…Anderson Bean and Lucchese. If you’re an easy fit, just go with the pair you like best. And if you are, believe me, you’re lucky!
I like both pairs, but it really comes down to what fits you best. Even in the same brand, different styles have different fits. Buy what fits you best, even if it isn’t quite the style you had in mind. Your feet will thank you and you will have much more fun riding.
I have Justins that I used to ride in all the time when I was riding western, a pair with rubber soles for every day (super comfy) and a pair of ropers with a leather sole. The ropers were for showing only. They were fine in the saddle, but they were brutal to wear for showing in hand. After a full day of halter classes my feet would be so blistered I would cry taking my boots off.
I love my Boulets with their leather soles, square toes, and roper heels. I’ve got two pairs. I won’t ride in rubber soles, I don’t like my feet that sticky. If I’m going to be standing all day (but not on a horse) I usually put a pair of sneakers or my good Bogs on. That said, buy what fits you - my feet are annoying and I can pretty much only wear Boulet, Corral, and Anderson Bean if I want to buy online without trying them on.
Ariat Heritage ropers from TSC. Super comfortable. I use them with half-chaps that are wide enough to go over my jeans if I want to ride English. Great boots.
Everything fairtheewell just said.
[QUOTE=fairtheewell;7505859]
Ariat Heritage ropers from TSC. Super comfortable. I use them with half-chaps that are wide enough to go over my jeans if I want to ride English. Great boots.[/QUOTE]
These are cute and I think Roper style?http://http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F2QGYC0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A16G7UQYXJW9NM
Love my Ariats. I have the Heritage, Fat Babies, and Terrain Lace ups. I wear the Fat Babies when I go to the Equine Affaire. They are the only things I’ve found that I can walk in all day and not be miserable. Not so great for riding though because of the round toe. I ride in the Terrains. I don’t like leather soles because they are really slippery if you have to walk in them. My aunt had a ruptured disc from slipping on steps in leather soled boots. I prefer the cowboy heeled boots like the Heritage for riding but the roper style for walking.
Crepe soles, square toes, or the semi-square. Pointed toed boots are not comfy by any means usually. I’ve been wearing western boots since I was very young, so about 42 years now, and I love my Ariats, Lucchese, and some of the Anderson Beans. I hate my Justins. They felt comfy sort of, out of the box, but they ride awful. I do have Fat Babies for walking, etc., but never, ever ride in them, they’re quite wide. I do ride in the Pro Baby and Rodeo Baby boots though. I also have Terrain Lace-ups, and they’re fab for both riding, walking, standing around chatting, etc.
[QUOTE=CowgirlDressage;7506669]
I hate my Justins. They felt comfy sort of, out of the box, but they ride awful. [/QUOTE]
Could you explain what you mean by this? Maybe my problem is my boots and if I got a new pair of boots it would solve all my problems! :lol: Muahahahahahahahaa!!!
I really like Ariats, I rode in them in English Tack … and now in Western. I like the footbed in them and they are comfortable to walk in.
I have been told that a leather sole is safer for western but I haven’t had an issue with the rubber soles on the Ariats.
Those Ariats have a heel. Are you going to be comfortable walking in those all day with that heel?
What size are you? I have a practically brand new pair of Ariat Tombstone’s in black, size 7.5, that are just a smidge too big for me. I’m trying to sell them right now for $100. haha!
They are these: http://www.bootbarn.com/Ariat-Women's-Tombstone-Western-Boots/1012870,default,pd.html?dwvar_1012870_color=Black
ETA: the boots are super comfortable. I bought a pair in a size 7 and I can wear those all day walking or riding and love them! Just don’t need the size that’s too big for me!
[QUOTE=SuckerForHorses;7508947]
Those Ariats have a heel. Are you going to be comfortable walking in those all day with that heel?
What size are you? I have a practically brand new pair of Ariat Tombstone’s in black, size 7.5, that are just a smidge too big for me. I’m trying to sell them right now for $100. haha!
They are these: http://www.bootbarn.com/Ariat-Women's-Tombstone-Western-Boots/1012870,default,pd.html?dwvar_1012870_color=Black
ETA: the boots are super comfortable. I bought a pair in a size 7 and I can wear those all day walking or riding and love them! Just don’t need the size that’s too big for me![/QUOTE]
Unfortunately, I wear a size 8 1/2 but thanks for the offer. These are the ones I have my eye on now and Tractor Supply has a great sale going on!
http://www.tractorsupply.com/product__10151_-1_10001_201157
