So I am getting back into riding after several years off and am having a awful time getting riding boots that look nice. The problem is that the “spanish top” that almost all boots have tend to flare out leaving a ugly large gap. The most recent pair I tried are the Ariat V SPort Zip. They fit lovely everywhere else but the spanish top part still flares out drastically. I really don’t feel they are too wide because they are quite snug zipping up. Anyone else have this problem with the spanish top?
Are you wearing wide calf boots?
Yes - they are wide calf. They are very snug zipping up so I don’t think i could go smaller.
Happens to me too! I just assumed it was that I have a weird calf shape.
I have no idea what you’re talking about, I’ve never seen this before. Do you have photos?
I would assume it is due to a “weird calf shape” as jen-s said, or perhaps they are too tall for you? Have you tried on any spanish-tops that are used in the consignment section?
Sounds like they are too tall for you. A picture might help
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It’s a common problem when you need a wide or extra wide calf. The manufacturers don’t seem to have a way to make that transition from the calf width to the relatively narrow width right below the knee. Some styles offer less of a Spanish top, and those generally gap less. It’s almost impossible to eliminate entirely, even if you spend the money to go custom.
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I have approximately a hundred pairs of boots (ha ha - maybe not quite that many). All have spanish tops ranging from moderate to pretty big. All fit completely normally. And then I bought my Ariat Vortex S boots. They do exactly what you’re talking about. Fit extremely tightly through the ankle and up to mid calf, and then just keep expanding. I can fit a fist into the top of the boot. I’ve been musing about ways to address it. Wondering if it’s possible to have a leather repair place fold the elastic stretch panel over on itself and sew it down. I’m thinking that might make them fit properly and be fairly easy to do?
But beyond finding someone to alter them for you, I guess my suggestion would be to try some other models and/or other brands. There are definitely other brands that seem to understand that most peoples’ legs get skinnier again above the mid-calf point.
I had the gapping problem at the top of the boot with every Ariat brand boot I tried on in my hunt for replacement tall boots last year. I am short (5’4") with wide calves (16.5"). I moved on to other brands. I ended up with Petrie’s. I love them. They fit me perfectly straight off the shelf and were not expensive. I would love to buy another pair in brown if I had the funds.
After fitting and selling boots for most of the last 10 years, I agree that many wide calf boots don’t take into account that legs narrow back down below the knee. If your leg is the exact right shape, Tredsteps are a little better than Ariats. However if your calf muscle doesn’t start where the cut of the boot does, they are a challenging fit.
Something with elastic panels on both side of the zippers can help, the Fuller Fillies boots did a nice job addressing that issue. I’m not sure if they’re readily available in the US any more, though.
These Tuffrider boots show what I’m referring to: https://www.horseloverz.com/english-riding-boots/tall-riding-boots/dress-dressage-boots/tuffrider-plus-rider-dress-boot?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgJPpuMSR2gIVDITICh2DsAsWEAQYCCABEgLd7PD_BwE
