New boots - input about these brands...

[CanteringCarrot]

I’ve finally determined that I am going to get myself a pair of good quality tall boots. I still have not decided on dress or field, but that’s minor. I have been riding in Tredsteps for years, and while they fit like a second skin, and have lasted, I would like something a little nicer.

I have narrowed it down to a few brands, purely based on style, but I’d like to hear of people’s experiences with these brands, or maybe even others that suit my criteria.

I do not want stiff boots, but I do not want super soft boots (such as my Tredsteps). I would like something “medium” if such a thing exists. A nice tapered ankle, which is why I’ve strayed away from Königs. Leather that cleans up well, that holds a bit of a shine (not totally dull).

I have not decided on if I am going custom or not. If my measurements fit an off the shelf boot well, then I may try them.

I have particular interest in:

Sergio Grasso
Cavallo
DeNiro
Petrie
Parlanti

I am narrowing down to various models, but I’d like input re quality, my criteria listed above, and perhaps customer service experiences if you’ve had them.

I am going to try to find some of these brands in person, but it’s been tough to find these brands/“Higher end brands” in my local area, so I am going to try to expand if I have time.

[MysticOakRanch]

I have never had custom boots - just not in my budget reality. But I have tried the “off the shelf” Cavallo and Petrie, and my trainer has the OTS DeNiro boots.

Both Cavallo and Petrie are medium boots - not super stiff like the Konigs. Both have a huge number of sizes, so if you don’t have anything really unusual, you may find OTS in these brands. A lot of it will depend on your foot comfort - I found the Cavallo more comfortable for MY foot. I have a wider foot, and liked the slightly wider footbed of the Cavallo.

The other thing I liked about the Cavallo (Passage Plus model) is that the inside of the boot is soft - like Ariat soft, so it feels more close contact, while the outside of the boot is more stiff. And it has a pretty good cutback behind the knee, so break in was much easier and quicker. The Petrie (Olympic) dug into the back of my knee, even after riding in them for a month.

I got my Cavallos through Divoza, so they were fairly inexpensive. I actually tried on a pair at a large tack shop while I was at a big symposium - they didn’t have my size, and would only order certain sizes, so I went search on-line and found out there were a lot more size choices, and at 1/3 less the cost! So they lost the sale by not offering to order the height/width I needed, and I saved a few hundred $.

I do end up replacing zippers every couple of years - not sure if that is normal for all boots - but I also ride at least 2 horses 4 to 5 times/week most of the time…

My trainer has the OTS De Niros - she only shows in them, so they don’t get a lot of use. They are also mid-range stiff, not super stiff. They have had some wear and tear issues that seem unreasonable for relatively new boots and the rep is not willing to help her because they were “the cheap boots, not custom”. So I’m not sure if that is true of all the reps, but I wouldn’t buy from OUR area rep because of that.

[outerbanks77]

I bought Petries (ANKY Elegance) this spring and I’m very happy with them. I previously had a pair ancient Konigs that I liked, but since they were very broken in when I got them, they might not be comparable to a new pair of stiff boots.

You might consider some of their polo styles, which have a zipper at the shin. They will be softer than their stiff dressage boots, but nice tapered ankle and really nice looking. The front zipper should hold up better than a rear zipper that you’ll get on field boots or soft dress boots. If I can ever justify that much on a frivolous purchase, I’m going to buy a pair in blue or green. One thing about field boots is that the dust they collect around the laces is difficult to clean.

[CanteringCarrot]

Thank you for the great input so far. Fortunately, I am in Europe so some of the prices may be better and shipping of course is very quick.

@MysticOakRanch I didn’t even think about the actual foot part, duh! I do tend to me on the wider side and not so narrow when it comes to foot bed preference, so that is good to know about the Cavallos.

@outerbanks77 I have looked at the polo styles and think that they look quite nice, so I may include those in my search. I currently have field boots and do get annoyed about cleaning around the laces, so that could be motivation to finally switch over to dress boots.

[Dutchmare433]

The different models of Petries vary in stiffness. Mostly the more expensive ones (Anky, Sublime) are pretty stiff. The Olympics are pretty soft as dressage boots go, but are not at all tapered in the ankle. I have a pair of the Sublimes, they are nice and slim in the ankle, but are very stiff…I love them, I find them very comfortable and they take a shine super easily. I have an older pair of the Olympics that I do not like, mostly they’re too soft for my liking, but they’re also too big for me which might color my opinion of them.

[lorilu]

Quite a few of my friends have and love ALex BOots, now called Romitelli BOots. Made in Italy. http://www.romitelli-riding-boots.com/index.php/en/

[kpony]

The Petrie Anky/Elegance also has the softer inner calf, almost Ariat soft. The footbet is pretty forgiving. The outside stays nice and stiff and takes a nice shine. I found the Olympic pretty stiff and hard.

[BigMama1]

@CanteringCarrot

I’ve finally determined that I am going to get myself a pair of good quality tall boots. I still have not decided on dress or field, but that’s minor. I have been riding in Tredsteps for years, and while they fit like a second skin, and have lasted, I would like something a little nicer.

I have narrowed it down to a few brands, purely based on style, but I’d like to hear of people’s experiences with these brands, or maybe even others that suit my criteria.

I do not want stiff boots, but I do not want super soft boots (such as my Tredsteps). I would like something “medium” if such a thing exists. A nice tapered ankle, which is why I’ve strayed away from Königs. Leather that cleans up well, that holds a bit of a shine (not totally dull).

I have not decided on if I am going custom or not. If my measurements fit an off the shelf boot well, then I may try them.

I have particular interest in:

Sergio Grasso
Cavallo
DeNiro
Petrie
Parlanti

I am narrowing down to various models, but I’d like input re quality, my criteria listed above, and perhaps customer service experiences if you’ve had them.

I am going to try to find some of these brands in person, but it’s been tough to find these brands/“Higher end brands” in my local area, so I am going to try to expand if I have time.

I adore my Petrie Allures . No issues with zippers or any of the usual stuff. Still fit great and look wonderful after two solid years of use. Nice and stiff but not stovepipe stiff. Softer on the inside than the outside.

[right_horse_at_the_right_time]

@lorilu

Quite a few of my friends have and love ALex BOots, now called Romitelli BOots. Made in Italy. http://www.romitelli-riding-boots.com/index.php/en/

Agreed. But I wouldn’t use them on a daily basis…beautiful and elegant but not as long lasting as the work horses like Petrie. But I love them.

[Willy_Von_Whompers]

I generally get really good wear out of my Cavallo boots. I have a “good” pair which I bought maybe 10 years ago and I only use them for special occasions. They look brand new really. And I have my daily pair which I’ve had probably 20+ years. I have had them repaired around the ankle once by a good bootmaker (they just got too worn through) and that’s it/ Still going strong. I ride at least one horse every day. I try only to ride in the boots not walk around in them…I put them on when tacking up and take them off when untacking…so not a lot of walking around in them (unless i’m chucked off in the back 40…then some hobbling and running is done).

I have zips in both pairs but don’t use them much. I just pull on with boot hooks, the zips are for emergency leg cramps LOL. I have a really good boot jack (the circular one) for getting them off easily.

Hubby has Cavallos and some Koenigs he bought in Germany off the shelf. He likes both equally.