Semi-custom to custom Boots! Comparing brands?

[ladyfreckles]

Starting this thread by saying I’ve searched and read through many other threads. One thing I haven’t seen a lot of feedback on is Sergio Grasso (I saw some mixed stuff, but never any details) which is interesting because everyone I know who has owned them has loved them.

I finally saved up enough for a pair of boots that fit, which is a relief to say the least. I don’t fit off the rack, mostly due to having a small foot and longer calf that also happens to be quite muscular (14" with socks and breeches on). SG offers my height and calf size and are the first boots I tried on that were the correct height.

The brands I have been considering are:

• Sergio Grasso
• Parlanti
• Der Dau
• Tucci

I am open to other brand suggestions. I ruled out Dehner (for some reason I’m not a fan of the footbed), Vogel and Ariat, but if there’s some brand I haven’t managed to list I’d love to hear about it.

My budget is $1500, though ideally I’d like to keep it UNDER $1100 (maybe use the money towards my horse instead of new boots ). What I’ve been looking for is a comfortable footbed for long hours standing in them, high quality leather (love that painted on look), and something that actually is the correct height for me.

I was utterly convinced I’d be going with Sergio Grasso given the balance of price, what I thought of their quality, and the footbed but then I found a few people on here talking about them falling apart, which concerns me. I know of course everyone adores Parlantis which has me intrigued about them. I’m not someone who rides 4 horses a day, but I do ride several times a week (some weeks being heavier than others) and will be riding more often as time goes by.

Which brands would you go with, and why?

[iEquitate]

Der Dau Dream Boot has the best footbed by far, memory foam with custom orthotic. They’re easily 2.5k by the time you add the options, but in case you’re ever looking to spend a small fortune you know where to go :winkgrin: They also have the semi custom ones, for around 600 or 700 if you might fit those.

All of the brands you mentioned offer ‘semi custom’ (really just off the rack) boots for about $600-900. Parlanti and Tucci can probably stay close to $1100 if you just get a simple boot with very few options. I’ve had both and disliked the Parlantis, which were falling apart after three months even though I paid extra for the “durable” leather. For me, the Tuccis were easier to break in, nicer leather, and lasted longer. I will say that neither of those two companies has been very good to me with repair and/or replacement for incorrectly measured boots.

Haven’t heard too much about SG, I don’t know anyone who has them.

[hunterrider23]

Friend had Sergio’s that were gorgeous when she got them then destroyed after 5th months. I then cancelled my order and got Parlanti off the rack Denver’s, in love with them, but they really are a show only boot. Hated the other pair of Sergio’s I had, they never really broke in.
Tuccis are gorgeous, a friend has the off the racks that are nice and another has customs she loves.
Staying on the low end (for which you could even get a show pair and schooling pair), la mundials are really great. Supershorty can tell you all about them.
Der daus are very nice but they don’t last long for what you’re paying for.

[UrbanHunterAntics]

I’m currently awaiting the arrival of my La Mundials that are due to come September 20th.

I lust over Parlanti and Tucci, they are just gorgeous boots.

If I had the budget, however, I would get Voltaire boots.

[brooksbaby]

I have had my semi custom Sergio’s for at least 6 years and they are still in amazing condition. I know tons of people who have them and have not heard of anyone with any problems. Absolutely love them and highly recommend!

[Kat]

I have off the rack sergios. I’ve had them for a little over a year, and I’m not happy with them. I’ve worn a hole through the inside of one calf and the other one is about to go, plus they pucker on me around the zipper (I think as a byproduct of being slightly big)? but they were beautiful boots when I got them and I have put a lot of mileage on them for the amount of time I had them

[wishfulthinking711]

Personally loving the DeNiros. Any brand I believe you can customize for just $150 more than the regular price. Can’t wait to get mine in!

[alto]

@ladyfreckles;7172328

My budget is $1500, though ideally I’d like to keep it UNDER $1100 (maybe use the money towards my horse instead of new boots ). What I’ve been looking for is a comfortable footbed for long hours standing in them, high quality leather (love that painted on look), and something that actually is the correct height for me.

I do ride several times a week (some weeks being heavier than others) and will be riding more often as time goes by.

I think that if you love the painted on look, you are buying thin/soft/flexible leather - this is not going to tolerate “abuse” the way thicker/stiffer leathers will, so be prepared to wear these boots for “Ride Only” if you want them to last through time.

If you have an “active” leg, then order the boots with a reinforced inner leg.

Try DeNiro, try Petrie (you may love the footbed, you likely will have to search to find a shop that has any Petrie field boots in stock in NA)

[Reminisce]

I adore my Sergio’s. I have the Imperias and they broke in after wearing them around the house for a week and then two rides. I had monacos before that and the Sergio’s are much more durable and beautiful. Classy boot for under $1,000 that everyone asks if they’re custom. I liked the DeNiros as well, but they were not tall enough for me.

[redlight]

I find it really sad that boots that are in the $1,000 range fall apart within a year of purchase. I’m going to need new boots soon and the thought of spending that kind of money only to have them fall apart that fast is a real turn off.

[ladyfreckles]

Thanks for all the input people! Particularly on SG, it’s been hard to find details on exactly how they wore out for people and now I have some more personal accounts. It’s interesting to see people wore through Parlantis as well.

I guess a big question I have here is… Which companies have the best customer service and stand by their boots?

I will check out La Mundial. Does anyone know if they are carried on the west coast? I should actually ask the same of Parlanti. Deniro is out here, I should give them a look as well.

[QUOTE=alto;7172989]
I think that if you love the painted on look, you are buying thin/soft/flexible leather - this is not going to tolerate “abuse” the way thicker/stiffer leathers will, so be prepared to wear these boots for “Ride Only” if you want them to last through time.

If you have an “active” leg, then order the boots with a reinforced inner leg.

Try DeNiro, try Petrie (you may love the footbed, you likely will have to search to find a shop that has any Petrie field boots in stock in NA)[/QUOTE]

Good suggestions!

Yeah it’s a trade-off. I’d go for the durability over the look.

@redlight;7173041

I find it really sad that boots that are in the $1,000 range fall apart within a year of purchase. I’m going to need new boots soon and the thought of spending that kind of money only to have them fall apart that fast is a real turn off.

It really is a huge problem. I had $400 boots that lasted through YEARS of heavy riding. My Tredsteps haven’t shown any sign of wearing through yet and they were cheap too, but they simply don’t fit the way I want them to and the footbed is painful if I wear them for more than a couple of hours.

I suspect it might be due to the softer leathers, but it could just be a decline in quality in general. I wore through a pair of Ariat Challenge IIs in a matter of months in 2012 (I was riding 3-4 horses a day back then). I’m sure other people on the forums are more aware of the reasons. All I know is it used to be that you could get custom boots that lasted for 3-4 years minimum and now I’m seeing people blow through $1600 boots in a single season.

[Words_of_Wisdom]

The two pairs of Vogels I had both saw serious use for 4ish years each. Well worth the money spent on them. Is there a reason you’re not considering them? With proper measurement, both pairs came out fantastically.

[jody_jaffe]

vogel

[QUOTE=Words of Wisdom;7173182]
The two pairs of Vogels I had both saw serious use for 4ish years each. Well worth the money spent on them. Is there a reason you’re not considering them? With proper measurement, both pairs came out fantastically.[/QUOTE]

if you get to nyc, vogel has stacks of mistake boots for a fraction of the price that they will alter for free. i got $1200 french calf leather field boots with a zipper for $400ish.

that said, the ariant monacos i got on ebay for less than $200 are still the most comfortable boot i’ve ever worn, and they have a sticky leather inside which makes me feel more secure. ive been using them as almost everyday boots for almost a year and they still look good.
JJ

[BITSA]

La Mundial: I just ordered a pair at the Autumn Classic (in Washington), typically you need to find a rep to be measured. Their website shows their upcoming show schedule. I got fully custom, for $1000 (they just raised their prices from a base of $585 to a base of $750 about 3 weeks ago. But the things you can get customized is pretty amazing–a ton of choices–really lovely options. I don’t know that they would make the best everyday boots, but most of the women in my barn (including the trainer) use them as show boots and they do fine for that. You can now get fully cushioned footbed too, although most of the folks I ride with like the thinner feel for more sensitivity in the irons. La Mudial’s come with a 1 year warranty for fit and wear.

I have semi-custom DeNiro’s for everyday. Our local tack shop has them. Really nice boots and fit almost like customs and more durable.

I want the Tucci’s but I think for what I want the customs may be about $1800. But they are gorgeous.

[BITSA]

one other thing, I was able to order the La Mundial with a thicker inner calf for an extra $50–I think this is there response to the thinner leather wear through issue. I know Tucci has the TGrip.

[ako]

Might want to check out the half off sale on Vogels this month… I love my Vogel customs! I would say to be careful they are tall enough, I have seen people with Vogels that are too short. That should be easy enough to avoid.

I actually have one pair and I’m trying to restrain myself.

I know someone who sells De Niro, I’ve been meaning to ask how much those would cost. They do seen to have some durable, reinforced leather.

Der Daus are lovely, but I cannot imagine spending almost $3000 on boots!!

I just threw out my Ariat Westchesters after an average of one blown zipper a year - or more - with light use. Enough already!!

[wishfulthinking711]

[QUOTE=ako;7173467]
Might want to check out the half off sale on Vogels this month… I love my Vogel customs! I would say to be careful they are tall enough, I have seen people with Vogels that are too short. That should be easy enough to avoid.

I actually have one pair and I’m trying to restrain myself.

I know someone who sells De Niro, I’ve been meaning to ask how much those would cost. They do seen to have some durable, reinforced leather.

Der Daus are lovely, but I cannot imagine spending almost $3000 on boots!!

I just threw out my Ariat Westchesters after an average of one blown zipper a year - or more - with light use. Enough already!![/QUOTE]

For your DeNiro question I think the cheapest brand of those we carry are $675 non custom and those are the Leuca, Salento, and Ottaviano I believe. There are others that are more expensive but figured I could answer your question on those!

[ElementFarm]

I have had my current SGs for about 20 mos now. I use them for riding only, no stall cleaning, bathing, etc. They still look practically new and I have no issues with wear. They are very comfortable to ride in (super soft leather) and I ride 1-2 horses a day, 6+ days a week. I will admit the back zipper sometimes digs into my heel, but only when walking and the ankle wrinkles. When riding with my heels down, there’s no problem at all.
I got custom La Mundials a little over a year ago. I opted for the extra soft foot cushion for comfort and the extra-layer-of-leather inner calf so that I won’t be faced with worn out boots anytime soon. The fit is lovely, the leather quality fantastic, and the detailing very attractive. I wear them only for shows, so can’t comment on how durable they are, though I do wear them pretty much all day at the shows, to include barn work, bathing, poulticing, etc. They look great still (except for a small scuff on the right toe when Ms Mare jumped on my foot. Not the boots’ fault) and I would recommend this brand to anyone. In fact, my DH ordered a pair this spring, and just got his new boots. They look great and fit great, and he is NOT an easy fit (very muscular calves).

[osgoka01]

I’m still rocking custom La Mundials that I got in August of 2009. They have been used very consistently and are only starting to show wear on the inside of the calf and I got the really thin, flexible leather.

They are very nice boots.