I’ve only ever had very stiff dress boots. I love Petries because they seem to fit me the best “off the rack” and I am trying to avoid the expense of custom. I just saw great reviews on a particular brand and I found some very lightly used in my (hard to fit) size on eBay. But they are not stiff, instead described as “butter soft.” Will I hate them? Love them? Not notice much once I’m in the saddle?
I am going to take the plunge and say you will hate them. I ride in Petries too and love the leg they give me. If I ride in half chaps or softer I magically grip a bit more and my lower leg becomes less independent. So…perhaps the test is, how are you in half chaps?
FWIW I think those butter soft boots are designed for hunter/jumper riders.
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I have both and prefer stiff boots…I have Petries that I like and have borrowed Konigs and Cavallos that I also liked. I had one pair of the super soft field boots and they were fine for jumping, but I didn’t like them, and ended up selling them. My field boots now are super old Ariats with a soft-ish ankle and a stiff calf.
Like Dutchmare, I also have both, and the stiff boots give you a way better leg (and in my experience, also last longer). I’ve noticed that more casual riders tend to prefer softer boots, but more serious riders (and pro’s) tend to prefer stiff.
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I agree stiff boots give me a better leg
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With stiff boots, if you are very careful with the conditioner you can get the instep and ankle soft while leaving the toe box and the leg shaft stiff.
To me, that is the perfect boot.
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I’ve been thinking about this lately, but I’m the opposite. I’ve only ever had soft boots. I’ve shown through the CDI small tour in them. I really wonder whether I’d love stiff boots, or struggle to adjust and hate them.
Stiff boots all the way. I actually get a lot of foot/ankle pain in chaps/paddock boots or soft boots. I need the ankle stability of a stiff boot due to my poor conformation (I’d never pass as a brood mare lol). My seat and leg aids are unchanged in either boot, it comes down to support and less pain in a stiffer boot.
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Great points to ponder! I shall pass on the softies and pursue a new pair of stiff boots. Thank you everyone!
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I prefer softer. I find it easier to fine tune where my leg is. For some reason I feel like I can keep a longer leg too. I have custom konigs but prefer the cheap tuff rider boots.
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I’m a lower level rider and I have stiff and soft boots. I feel more comfortable in soft boot because I have more freedom in the ankle, and have a better feel of my own leg and where it is at. In stiff boots my leg may look better but my foot tends to move around inside that box of stiffness. I know dressage riders don’t necessarily focus on heels down, but it helps to stabilize my leg and it is harder to do with stiff boots. I have Petries, deniros, and Tredstep Raphaels, and I ride in the latter most of the time…
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I’ve never had stiff boots, just soft ones, and my coach is encouraging me to get some stiff ones. I’m showing FEI so I guess it’s time. I’m definitely a custom size so it’s an investment. Plan is these will be for clinics and shows and the ride or two before the show. I’ll stick to my soft boots for schooling and lessons.
I wonder if there is any way to see what they will be like before dropping the $$$$$ on them?
And what brand do y’all recommend of real good customs, and why? I’m will pay for best quality and fit.
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I have both - Cavallos without zippers and Mountain Horse Victoria. I love both and while they give me a different feel when I put my feet in the stirrups, they don’t really change they way I use my leg when I’m riding.
I prefer the MH for daily wear because the foot bed is so comfortable and they are easy to walk in. I save the Cavallo boots for showing, but have shown in my MH at PSG without an issue.
Badger, I’m a fan of Petries for custom. Others may have their own preferences. But I’m a weird fit, so maybe my experience is unique.
I have generally ridden in paddock boots and half chaps since switching from H/J land. Recently I have been riding a friend’s horse who is very susceptible to spur rubs, even when you aren’t using the spurs much. I decided to try my tall boots to see if that helped and found they are helping my leg position enough that I have switched to riding in my tall boots primarily, with the paddock boots and half chaps just for trail rides or short hacks. I have the Mountain Horse Victoria, so not super stiff, but more so than my paddocks, but they help with the drapey feeling and somehow remind me not to grip with my lower leg and knee.
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