Spinoff of the spinoff: schooling boots that will last

[BroncoMo]

Lots of good info going on on the “does no one like Ariats anymore” thread. But what is everyone liking for schooling boots that WILL take the abuse?

Monacos are pretty much the only thing I have found that fit off the shelf and were nice to break in. Since I’ve been back to riding semi regularly (ha! two lessons a week), I’ve been riding in my Monacos which are 3 years old with very minimal show use. There is a spot in the stitching along the inside panel that is concerning looking. It hasn’t ate it yet, but those inside panels will be the first thing to go on a very expensive boot that, admittedly, I have been wearing in an environment that they should not be worn in.

So, I need something else for schooling since two rides a week are too much for these boots. What out there is comfy, holds up well to ABUSE (seriously, I want to be able to pick stalls, wash horses, and walk around the show grounds in them), and actually have some diverse sizes off the shelf; most boot makers tend to think tall people don’t have full calves, and that people with calves don’t have long legs

It would be nice if they had at least a flattering look so they could be back up show boots in the event that the show boots die a dramatic death at an inconvenient time. Bonus if the boots aren’t sloppy in the ankle; since I do want to be able to walk in them, wrinkling in a sloppy ankle will result in bloodshed.

I do realize you get what you pay for. But even $400 for boots that I very clearly want to be able to abuse makes me cry a little. People on the other thread had suggested looking at a $150 dover boot and commented that the quality was superior to the price point, and with a boot of that price, I wouldn’t mind replacing them once a year. Dover is a little bit of a drive so I need to plan the trip to go try boots.

[soloudinhere]

Petrie. Not fashionable, necessarily, but even their cheapest leathers are hard to kill. The Sydney is their basic back zip dress boot, the Dublin is the upgraded model. The Riva has some cool top options if you want to make them a little jazzy. All have decent size ranges.

[Scribbler]

@BroncoMo

Lots of good info going on on the “does no one like Ariats anymore” thread. But what is everyone liking for schooling boots that WILL take the abuse?

Monacos are pretty much the only thing I have found that fit off the shelf and were nice to break in. Since I’ve been back to riding semi regularly (ha! two lessons a week), I’ve been riding in my Monacos which are 3 years old with very minimal show use. There is a spot in the stitching along the inside panel that is concerning looking. It hasn’t ate it yet, but those inside panels will be the first thing to go on a very expensive boot that, admittedly, I have been wearing in an environment that they should not be worn in.

So, I need something else for schooling since two rides a week are too much for these boots. What out there is comfy, holds up well to ABUSE (seriously, I want to be able to pick stalls, wash horses, and walk around the show grounds in them), and actually have some diverse sizes off the shelf; most boot makers tend to think tall people don’t have full calves, and that people with calves don’t have long legs

It would be nice if they had at least a flattering look so they could be back up show boots in the event that the show boots die a dramatic death at an inconvenient time. Bonus if the boots aren’t sloppy in the ankle; since I do want to be able to walk in them, wrinkling in a sloppy ankle will result in bloodshed.

I do realize you get what you pay for. But even $400 for boots that I very clearly want to be able to abuse makes me cry a little. People on the other thread had suggested looking at a $150 dover boot and commented that the quality was superior to the price point, and with a boot of that price, I wouldn’t mind replacing them once a year. Dover is a little bit of a drive so I need to plan the trip to go try boots.

Nothing leather holds up to washing horses and picking stalls. I mostly use Ariat Twin Gore paddock boots and half chaps. I can get a couple years out of them, and they are waterproof.

Tall riding boots should stand up to waking around but repeated soakings and horse pee and mud will break them down.

That’s why muck boots were invented.

[LSBC]

I had a pair of Ego7 boots that I LOVED. I’d recommend getting the dress boot style if you look into those because my laces broke and I notice that is a common occurrence. I rode in them nearly every day for three years and they still have life in them. I also have a pair of Alberto Fasciani dress boots I got on a huge clearance. I have ridden in them almost every day for maybe 9 months and they look as good as new as well.

[Xanthoria]

Following because my Ovation Moorlands have survived a year of daily barn abuse but really won’t go much more (not shocked) and I need a replacement.

[beowulf]

The only thing that I think can handle the truly grueling crucible that is stall picking plus washing horses, is Dublin River boots and similar styles. Stall picking is hard work for boots, I am not sure I would put riding leather boots up to the task for that considering there are way more economical versions out there that have the added benefit of being made for long distance course walks and waterproof for spa days. It’s not the use that wears them down - it’s the long hours of movement in acrid environments, plus sweat. You want leather boots to last a long time, you don’t wear them back to back or more than an hour or two - certainly not for something as acidic as stall picking.