Short, Big-Footed, Between Calf Sizes Tall Boot Help

When I started riding again few months ago after an 8 year break, I bought a pair of the Saxon field boots. They’re so-so, but I’m not crazy at how the sides along my foot have sunk and the zippers/elastic panel seem cheap. Also, one of my spur rests fell off after 2-3 rides. Now that I know I’m back in this for real, I want to upgrade.

Here’s my situation:

  1. I’m short - 5’3" with short legs. From bottom of foot to inside of knee right at 15"
  2. I’m in between regular and wide calf sizes. 14" at widest point.
  3. I have a big foot for my height - 7 1/2 to 8 depending on fit.

I can’t afford customs at this point, but I would like a better fitting, longer lasting boot. I’m not in any rush at this point. I tried on some Ariat Heritages at the tack shop last weekend, but they only have the 7.5 shorts in a wide calf, which was gapingly wide. They don’t have a huge selection, and those were the only ones I tried on.

Anyone have any suggestions? My budget is <$500 at this point. I’m open to having some altered if I can find a good cobbler locally (I had one in Tallahasee, but not sure in the Jacksonville-area if anyone has suggestions!)

Thanks in advance!

I think I can help. … Have you looked at the new TuffRider Boots? They offer a short, they also offer some very soft and stretchy boots that fit similar to a half chap.

Their size chart is a bit misleading, but I have been putting a lot of people in them. I’m happy to try and help if you want. Another option would be the Mountain Horse boots. They have a few pair that may work, though I know less about how they run.

For under $500 I would look at some of the softer leather boots, they won’t last forever, but they are closer to $200 than $500 and they are soft right out of the box.

Why not keep trying Ariat? Their short-height boots DO come in a regular calf (but do not come in a narrow calf). They did not have them in stock at the time you went to the store but can they not order them? Or you can order from Smartpak and return them for free if they do not fit. Presumably you determined whether the foot part was right and just need to check out the correct calf size.

Tredstep Donatello might work for you. Also, check out Mountain Horse.

For a little more $, Sergio Grasso Imperia is a very nice semi-custom field boot available in a great variety of sizes and heights. I had some and used and loved them for years.

I got my DeNiros for around 500 when SmartPak started carrying them. It was also during a sale.

I would second the tuffrider selection, especially when most of them can be had for around $150-$200. I tried out the $99 ones from Dover before I had my knee surgery and they fit perfectly.

I used to be an Ariat diehard, but when their “wide” boots didn’t truly fit a 14.5 calf with breeches on, I had to look elsewhere.

I’m not sure tredstep boots work. I tried them before I tried a DeNiro boot - too tall. Mountain Horse does ONE model of boot that comes in short I think, but I am not sure what one that is.

For what it’s worth, I’m between a 6-7, now currently at just below a 15" calf and my leg height is also short since I’m only 4’11", so I know the struggle! :lol:

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone!

I think I’m going to check out the Tuffriders. Hopefully I can snag a pair of the $99 ones to try out.

I was actually in between calf sizes for my last pair of tall boots (Ariats). Although I’m a little taller than you are (5’6), the ladies at Dover went up a shoe size in the boot which gave me more room in the calf and then we added a sole insert to fill out the foot so that it wouldn’t be too big. Worked perfectly and the boots are now a perfect fit. A similar solution might work for you.

Tredstep will probably be too tall. TuffRider is a good option as they are soft and have more drop and the softness makes them more comfortable behind the knee.