Just wanted to warn anyone looking into buying new boots. I ordered new boots from La Mundials at Dressage at Devon. They came in, did not fit AT ALL. The calf was way too big, piping was poor quality and coming apart, and they did not put all the additions I paid for for example monogram on the toe. I called them, they said at least a month to have them fixed if not longer, couldn’t guarantee that they would be fixed correctly, I had them fixed by a very well recommended gentleman in this area that repairs riding boots since I show very frequently. I contacted the company again to get a refund for the additions that they did not include and the wooden trees I paid for and are now a waste. They not only have not done anything to fix the problem they are now being dishonest. They told me I did not order these extra features. Unfortunately for them I have a carbon copy of my order form. The woman sent me a copy of this order form while telling me I did not order these extras. Only in her copy they blatantly erased with photoshop or something similar the pen marks on the order form that marked the additions I paid for. Extremely disappointed in this company and will not recommend this company to anyone. Now I have a pair of middle of the line tall boots to use for schooling at home. So upset.
I won’t go into the details, but a friend has gone through pretty much the same thing you have. The zippers broke on the second wearing, as well.
I heard that a local tack shop quit carrying/special ordering these boots because of the many complaints and poor customer service.
Quite frankly, they don’t look all that good, either.
I think La Mundial boots are a crap shoot. I love mine, and they are perfect–exactly what I ordered, fit like a glove, came early. I was also measured very carefully by and experienced tack store employee who also measured all the other major custom brands for years. I did not get a lot of special items–square toe with floral punch, trainer’s patch. Would I order them again? Yes…but only if the person doing the measuring was very experienced. It seems that the boots that go wrong and are then complained about on COTH all are ordered at shows–maybe the problem lies in the employees doing the measuring??
I have heard too many complaints to ever trust them, better to go with someone more reputable (Dehner, Vogel, Der Dau); you get what you pay for.
[QUOTE=Calvincrowe;7339930]
I think La Mundial boots are a crap shoot. I love mine, and they are perfect–exactly what I ordered, fit like a glove, came early. I was also measured very carefully by and experienced tack store employee who also measured all the other major custom brands for years. I did not get a lot of special items–square toe with floral punch, trainer’s patch. Would I order them again? Yes…but only if the person doing the measuring was very experienced. It seems that the boots that go wrong and are then complained about on COTH all are ordered at shows–maybe the problem lies in the employees doing the measuring??[/QUOTE]
This is what it seems to me as well. I have LMs and I LOVE them and had no issues with them getting to me on time or fitting properly, but I was measured by someone who really knew what she was doing.
I will say that I’m far more impressed by my La Mundials than I ever was with my Vogels. The leather quality is better, the workmanship is better… I will never give Vogel my money again, but La Mundial might get some of it.
See, these sorts of problems are exactly why I made the trip to Dehner to get my boots…I wanted the person who would be making the boots or at least someone who would be working with them to fit me.
These sorts of issues with La Mundial have been discussed quite a bit on COTH.
This is just one example… http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?242798-Anyone-purchase-La-mundial-boots&highlight=la+mundial
At least you know you are not alone. 
So … Am I the only one who would never order from Vogel again – never fit, not responsive etc. And I have heard the same about DerDau, Dehner and everyone else…
It seems to me that all the custom boot vendors have the same issue – they don’t always fit and they are not always so responsive about fixing the problems.
If one cannot find a stock boot that fits - what is the best bet for quality/value/fit.
That sucks. I am so sorry. :(
[QUOTE=juststartingout;7340734]
So … Am I the only one who would never order from Vogel again – never fit, not responsive etc. And I have heard the same about DerDau, Dehner and everyone else…
It seems to me that all the custom boot vendors have the same issue – they don’t always fit and they are not always so responsive about fixing the problems.
If one cannot find a stock boot that fits - what is the best bet for quality/value/fit.[/QUOTE]
Always wanted custom Vogels; got them and hate them. Never. Again.
I was measured in a well-known tack store in the center of a horsey-hub by the reputable owner. Boots have never fit well and are, frankly, ugly.
When I asked the tack store owner, she pressured me to just break them in and said I’d like them.
That was about six years ago. Now they’re out of style and I have always hated them. Once, when schooling at a horse show, my then-trainer asked why my foot was so far “home” in the iron and, when adjusting to show me what he considered correct, observed that my foot was actually in the right place – my boots were just too big.
At which point I gave up feeling guilty for hating my customs and it’s been open rage ever since. I’ve worn them not more than two dozen times. I called Vogel two years ago about adjusting the boots to make them what I wanted. The cost they quoted was about the same as a new pair of off the rack Sergio Grassos or Ariat Monacos… Neither of which I especially want, but I will settle for high-end off the rack that I can try on before purchasing LONG before I order from Vogel again.
ETA: This thread has burst my La Mundial bubble, though. That had been on the list.
I’m also convinced that the more difficult the foot/leg measurements, the harder it is to get a custom fit. I think many people have expectations of custom boots that can’t be met, either. Lots of doodads and furbelows on customs add to the difficulty of making the boot really work.
I have two very differently shaped feet (bunion on one, long, narrow heel/wide ball), with slim ankles and fairly muscular calves. My LM boots were perfect!
I’ve heard just as many complaints about custom boot problems from Vogel and Dehner owners as LM…so, you take your chances with any custom product!
As with Supershorty, I’d give La Mundial another chance, since my first boots have been superb. The only issue was a zipper pull that got bent and wouldn’t function properly. Local cobbler put another part on, cost me $11–he said it was a very common problem that is often mistaken for a broken zipper. So glad he was honest and able to spot figure it out and fix it easily.
I would be really, really concerned about the fact that they have doctored a receipt :eek: That is truly horrendous and vicious.
[QUOTE=lrp1106;7341176]
I would be really, really concerned about the fact that they have doctored a receipt :eek: That is truly horrendous and vicious.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, that’s beyond the usual bad service and into the fraud arena, I’d think!
I would contact the better business bureau or consumer affairs office. Nearly every county/city government has a consumer affairs dept to check to see if there is any kind of recourse you might have - could be hard since they aren’t a local business but i would definitely contact someone to see if they could negotiate on your behalf… nothing like a sweet letter from someone of authority to speed things along.
My very first pair of vogels were awesome and lasted 13 years. My second pair had to be repaired twice in less than three years, but they fit and I would wear them as a backup if my la my dials malfunctioned at a horse show- I had heard their complaints and called them out before I ordered- I got what I wanted with one exception where I wanted the zipper to come inside my ankle rather than straight down the back but the cobbler called me and said it would be uncomfortable. Part of me wished I had pressed for the zipper the way I wanted but they are perfect, fit and I would order from them again, you just have to stay on top of them. I also didn’t get anything fancy, kept it classic. I hope you get your boots fixed, and sorry you’re having issues.
Well i don’t have anything crazy with my legs/feet. Normal size calves. size 7.5 shoe. Only particular thing is i have very skinny ankles. But i know that my legs is pretty normal so there aren’t anything crazy to measure. I did get piping and the stamp on the toe (which they didn’t put). But like someone said earlier, since they did not fit well they looked ugly, and i had them repaired as best as possible but they now will never look perfect. But as i said what really makes me upset is the fact that they purposely changed my order form to cover their butts. I bought a pair of Tucci’s (not custom made as i had hesitations of ordering custom boots and now i know why). And the off the rack Tucci’s fit great. Never again will i ever deal with La Mundial. I heard of some complaints but thought i would give it a try and now i have an ok pair of $1400 schooling boots. Im going to keep looking into what i can do but I’m so so so disappointed in this entire experience.
Advice for anyone considering La Mundials…. STAY AWAY!!!
I’ve heard such hit or miss stories about them, I would never trust them to actually deliver a product I’d be happy with. Sorry you had such a miserable experience
$1400!!! Wow. Mine were $640. Honestly, it sounds as if yours were incorrectly measured from the beginning. Who measured you? Was it a rep of the company or a 3rd party?
How on earth did they cost so much?! I’ve seen their price sheet?!
[QUOTE=Calvincrowe;7341174]
I’m also convinced that the more difficult the foot/leg measurements, the harder it is to get a custom fit. I think many people have expectations of custom boots that can’t be met, either. Lots of doodads and furbelows on customs add to the difficulty of making the boot really work. [/QUOTE]
I think you’re right about that. I was measured for my Vogels by someone who really knows what she’s doing and I still got one boot that fit like a glove and one that needed to be sent back to adjustments. She remeasured to make sure everything was the same and sent them back for me. Next time, they were both perfect.
When I’ve had clothes custom-made, it was the same way – usually needed one or two fittings to get everything exactly right.
