Okay shoppers… I have owned “hoof and woof” paddock boots for a while now and love them. So of course they are not made anymore.I have neuromas so I need a substantial footbed that is wide and able to accommodate my orthotics. I also have cankles so they can’t be super tight in the ankles. I prefer zipper. Any thoughts? Recommendations? Thanks…
They do 't zip, but I have Ropers cross riders, and was able to get two padded insoles in mine. They run wide and are quick lace on top. I also hike and do gardening chores in mine. They have wide ankles. They are not sleek by any means, but I like them. I spent a month riding in Mongolia and wore them everyday and my feet were happy. I think they are the bomb.
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I have an old pair of Ariats that were smooth and are now so scuffed they look suede. MOST comfortable! However, I understand Ariat is outsourcing some styles to China. Can’t be sure enough to recommend which to you. Sorry.
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My old Ariats (zip-type - can’t tell you the model name) were like wearing slippers from Day One. I knew they would eventually wear out (though they haven’t and I wear them every time I ride) so I bought a new pair - exact same model. From Day One they have been the most uncomfortable boot I have ever owned and I would never buy them again. Yes, I believe they are now manufactured elsewhere - what a shame.
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Redbacks https://www.redbackboots.com/product/1
lace up Blundstones https://www.blundstone.com/rustic-black-premium-waterproof-leather-lace-up-boots-womens-style-1619
For a very brief period of time, Dansko made paddock boots. They were the best paddock boots I ever had and lasted for like 10 years. They don’t make them anymore, but these are worth a try. They are waterproof and have a heel, so you could ride in them. https://www.dansko.com/bebe-black-waterproof-burnished
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I know it sounds like a whoooole lotta $$, but custom Dehners will last you near Forever.
I am on my 3rd pair since 1990-something.
I have a really high arch and most OTR boots were painful to wear for any length of time.
Also a fairly wide foot & yup, cankles, along with a soft swelling below each ankle I have had since I was a kid…
Gettting custom solved all the problems.
First pair was zipups & frankly, the zips get full of grit & eventually go bad before the boots are anywhere near wornout.
Caveat is only Dehner has the correct-sized replacement zipper.
So my 1st pair took a couple trips to NE before they were too worn to bother fixing.
Still lasted well over 5yrs of wear 4-5X weekly riding & so comfy I often wore them as street shoes.
2nd & 3rd pair I got pull-on style & #3 is vintage 2002, still in perfectly good shape.
I wear them for Driving as well as riding, so they have been through water w/o being damaged.
I got the Dynatan leather for all pairs.
My pattern was kept on file since the 1st pair ordered, so all I had to do was order pair #2 & 3 by phone.
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If you have cankles, a lace up is going to give you a more comfortable fit because you can adjust it easily by the lacing. All of my Ariats are very old but they were extremely comfortable and have a wider foot bed than many other brands.
If you would consider custom then I agree with 2DogsFarm about going with Dehner, they will last for years and years and are well worth the money.
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I ride in paddocks all the time and am old-school in that I prefer lace-ups. They are more flexible and comfy around my ankle. I love Ariat and I’ve purchased enough that I can happily purchase them online and know the size will fit. I admit the leather isn’t as good as it used to be, but I also don’t really take great care of them. I typically do nothing to care for them, truth be told. I get 2-3 years out of my tortured boots. I just started using a new pair and plan to try to take better care of them and see what happens. I have a lower quality model of Ariat paddocks that I wear to work and have gotten compliments on. I find that these boots are very comfy, even when I spend long hours at the barn or work in them.
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I always go to Ariats. Just not interested in trying anything else, they are always great.
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I like the fit of Ariats, and their zipper paddocks have usually been comfortable for me. I will say, though, that the lower-end paddocks from Ariat will begin to look scuffed and a bit beat up very quickly, at least in my experience. If you want them to stay nice looking you need to go for the higher-end paddocks (the Performer Pro and above).
I’ve just bought a pair of Kavalkade paddock boots with a zipper. (Dressage Extensions has them, as well as European sites). They are beautiful and fit like the Ariats; I’ve only worn them once so far, so we’ll have to see how durable they are.
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I have very wide feet and have used orthotics although I never liked riding in them.
I really like my blundstones. The only criticism I would make of them is that I have found them to sometimes wedge in my stirrups because of how wide they are. I will admit that my stirrups are not very high quality and may be on the small side.
I didn’t know they made lace up boots!
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