My nearly 13-year-old Ariats are very worn, so I’m looking for durable replacements. I definitely cannot complain about these, as they’ve served me very well, though I’ve heard Ariat’s quality is significantly worse now and that the newer boots don’t last. What would be the most durable options on the market now?
1 Like
Just curious, do you use paddock boots for half chaps or barn chores?
I ask because it took me forever to realize I should switch to sneakers (I’m addicted to ONs) for barn chores, even cleaning stalls 🫣
If you still want paddock boots for barn chores, I love my Ariat steel toe boots https://www.ariat.com/10038315_192904955262.html?utm_source=google_ariat_datafeed&utm_medium=paid_shopping_pm&utm_campaign=17322161260&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADvKncO8Ht5oKmJScWmLmv1C2Etqh&gclid=Cj0KCQiAlsy5BhDeARIsABRc6ZuV701NSEgEcpYX3I_riYZ10rPvYnI8alhR0KFIMEqEo3rVmllYTXYaArADEALw_wcB&dwvar_P22091__W__FOO_Size=5.5&dwvar_P22091__W__FOO_color=DISTRESSED_BROWN&dwvar_P22091__W__FOO_width=B_Medium
Otherwise, I have a pair of the “cheap” canvas lined Parlanti’s that have lasted me several years of daily riding, stall cleaning, getting wet, etc. and switching to the sneakers for other chores if I’m not feeling lazy (which is 50/50 
)
2 Likes
Mostly half chaps, though I’ve occasionally done barn chores in mine as well when I didn’t think to switch them out. Thanks!
My two daughters have always gotten the most wear out of their Ariat leather paddock boots, both for barn chores and schooling (with half chaps). We make sure to give then a quick clean up here and there and apply some leather shoe waterproofing stuff every few months, and they really do hold up.
And the two of them are quite widely spaced in age (my older daughter is 27 and started riding at age six and my younger daughter is 14), and I haven’t noticed any deterioration in Ariat boot quality over all those years since we bought the first pair for daughter #1 20 years ago right up until we bought the most recent pair for daughter #2 about 18 months ago.
1 Like
Ariats only for me too. I switch to rubber boots for baths/mud otherwise I walk around in mine with no foot fatigue. They are worth the $ and I find the paddock boots on sale all the time!
1 Like
I’ll chime in that Ariat paddocks are great, my waterproof Terrains can take a beating and are still going strong. I try to clean and oil them regularly, I am sure it helps 
1 Like
I find the Ariat Kendall Pros to be sharp-looking and still great quality. They remind of the Grand Prix paddock boots of yore.
1 Like
I’m on my second pair of Ariat paddock boots. I LOVE the round toe, especially for fall/early winter when I want to wear thicker socks.
1 Like
Wow 13 years with a pair of Ariats (or any paddock boot really) is impressive! Mine are four years old and the left one is currently sporting a layer of duct tape so they don’t leak through the toe-cap seam where it has separated, and the right one looks like it’s going to follow suit soon. I feel like in general mine last somewhere around 3-4 years, but also I have kid-sized feet so I wind up with the kids Ariats and I’m convinced the quality isn’t as good because they expect kids to outgrow their boots before they fall apart.
1 Like
I loved my Grand Prix paddock boots, they were my favorites, although I also had good experiences with my Ariats. I often wore rubbers over them in the barn and only removed them to ride, I also took good care of them so they lasted forever.
1 Like
Second (third?) the switch to something else when you’re not actually horseback (I live in my bogs and crocs). I started the habit in FL because of the puddles, and now I just swap every time I get off. My paddock boots and tall boots look new forever. Also keeping them polished helps to ward off the water and dirt.
I’m also a diehard Ariat fan, I think that’s your best bet.
1 Like
In the summer I would fold up my breeches and switch to my clogs after I was done riding.
2 Likes
Danskos?
1 Like
I have Ariat waterproof twin Gore that I wear spring summer fall and insulated Ariat paddocks for freezing winter weather
I am in a wet climate. I muck out wet hot fuel paddocks. There is fortunately no mud in our barn yard, but the sand turnout ring retains puddles. I wash my horse in summer in these boots. I also ride in them. I spend about 2 hours to 5 hours a day in them, sometimes longer, do all my chores, sometimes longer handwalks. If trail riding or camping, a day can be up to 12 hours.
Sometimes they get damp enough to need the electric boot drying machine.
These are the only paddock boots that don’t give me foot pain. With the Blundstones I got up every morning hobbling
They last me about 2 years before the cracks in the leather make them too leaky. By that point I’ve put about 2000 hours wear into them.
I don’t do much leather care because that requires down time to clean, dry and condition. I don’t switch into gum boots because not comfortable plus too fussy.
The discarded boots become backup boots in the car, barn, and trailer.
I am careful with my tall boots that I hardly wear anymore and I am very good at making my leather dress/ work shoes and boots last decades. But the Ariat paddocks do their job and get replaced.
1 Like
I used to wear Danskos now its Merrills.
2 Likes
My Justn Roper “Horseshoes” seem to last forever(at least 10 years). They LOOK more like hiking boots than paddock boots, but they are built for riding. I don’t usually wear then for mucking, but I do wear them for other barn chores.
FWIW, I have never found a pair of Ariats that fit my extra-wide foot, but the Horseshoes fit, even though they are not marked as wide.
1 Like
I am very loyal to the Ariat Devon Pros. They are spendy, but they are super comfortable and last 3-5 years with really heavy use and little care. I think it’s the entry level Ariats that tend to shred quickly.
1 Like
How you tried the round toe ones? They are notably wider and roomier in the toe. Maybe still too tight but worth a shot!
1 Like
Last time i was shopping for paddock boots I tried on every style they had in the tack store. But that was maybe 20 years ago, because I bought 2 pairs of the Horseshoes (and have worn out the first pair, but the second pair is still going strong).
2 Likes
Ditto on the Ariat round toe with zipper. I wear them with full (!) chaps for riding and switch to a Keen carbon toe lace-up for chores, etc.
2 Likes
