I’m getting my first pair of tall boots soon! Please put suggestions below for what brands you guys think are the best/ last the longest and are most comfortable? Thanks everyone hope you all are well!
1 Like
You will need to go try on boots. My personal issue is that I have a longer thigh shorter calf, and muscular calves, so I ideally need wide and short in the boot shaft despite being average height and weight. Some teens I’ve met on the other hand have adult sized feet but super slim calves, and can’t find a boot with a size 8 foot that isn’t way too loose in the shaft.
None of the current crop of tall boots are especially long lasting and you shouldn’t wash horses or clean stalls in any of them. The plus side though is that they mostly are quite comfy from the get-go and don’t need breaking in.
Supply chain issues have been making it hard to find boots, especially Ariats have pretty much disappeared.
Anyhow tell us what you need, superslim or wide or short or tall, and people might have ideas.
4 Likes
If you can go custom, I recommend Vogel out of NY. Some tack shops will measure you for them, or Vogel should be able to recommend someone in your area.
My Vogels were ordered in 1989, worn pretty regularly - 3-4X week & shows -returned for gussets, then full back zips (& one went back for a zip repair) & are still as comfortable as bedroom slippers. Middle grade leather, not French calf, only tops lined.
1 Like
Ah but boots made in 1989 are always going to be better than boots made in 2022. Everything has gone down in quality in the past 30 years.
3 Likes
Riding or yard work? It is a particularly American thing that riding boots must be extraordinarily uncomfortable to wear at the start: there are various thread to be found on COTH about “My blood supply stops every time I ride” or “Help! I’ve been sitting in a bath in my boots for the past week and they still won’t allow me to walk” … Because people are so variable and boot manufacturers make their products to standard shapes and sizes, it is really worth actually trying on a range of boots and brands. It is possible to buy good looking boots that are comfortable from the start. It isn’t brand but fit that counts, in my opinion. I once had a very good discount on a top brand but when I came to try them on I could get my foot in even though I’m a very standard size for boots.
3 Likes
Can you be a bit more specific? Field or dress, showing or just riding, any size issues like wide feet, large or small calf, budget etc. it helps narrow down suggestions.
That said, I’ve always been an Ariat fan, they fit my wide feet better than other brands. If you just need a pair for riding and don’t want stiff boots the Ariat Volant S or Vortex are very comfortable and look stylish. If you are on a budget Ovation are nice, but you might check for sales on other brands, closeout sales in certain sizes can land you a great deal.
1 Like
After years of Ariats, I switched to Petries and am very happy.
3 Likes
How do rural people try on boots though? UPS back and forth a while i suppose?
1 Like
Set up a visit to somewhere with a good tack shop, along the lines of “I need a vacation” or “I haven’t seen my college room mate for years” lol
4 Likes
I did my own measurements and ordered from the Netherlands.
I am nearly 1.5 hours from the nearest real tack shop and they don’t have a wide selection.
1 Like
ok, so where is the OZ of tack shops…
1 Like
No Oz but look for ones with free shipping and free return shipping like Smart Pak, Dover Saddlery and I think Riding Warehouse. If you look at the size charts for boots you can get a fair idea of what might work. On the Ariat website they have a size chart for your foot and your leg but all boots have size charts. Be sure to do measurements with your riding socks and breeches on.
I’ve bought off eBay and found some good bargains if you know exactly what will fit.
4 Likes
Check out a video on how to measure for tall boots so you can get a really good idea of what will fit for calf and for height.
I personally really like Ariats because they fit me off the rack for a medium tall. Mine have held up really well and I use for everyday riding.
Mountain horse is never tall enough for me. Tredsteps are decent and I really love my pair. They have been through a lot and quite a few repairs but the leather is really holding up.
I bought a pair of Tuff Rider tall boots and the leather is meh. Very meh but they were a back up pair. The zipper is worrying but honestly they were tall enough and actually are pretty comfortable. Got them on sale for $149.
For my higher quality boots I like Sergio Grasso boots. I have a pair for show and I had a pair for everyday. Comfortable and hold up really well.
Get a place that you can return and has a lot of good options if you cant try on 10/12 pairs. Hopefully you are not a hard fit because that’s a huge pain.
2 Likes
What would be a manufacturer of tall boots that offers a round toe. Wide foot/round toe…ya know, feet like a duck, (barefoot childhood)
1 Like
Ariat
2 Likes
Which TuffRider ones did you buy? I am also tall…I just ordered custom boots but they take 12 weeks to come in and I need something to wear in the meantime. Would love to spend as little as possible!
1 Like
oH! you’re right! i think i found my boot 
If i make it to a show, and like it enough to proceed, i will buy myself a nice pair of Ariats.
2 Likes
Even Vogel bespoke boots?
That’s a sad thought 
I can believe it of the OTC pricy brands - the Ariats, DeNiros, Parlantis, Tuccis, etc
But oldtime made-to-measure by craftsmen?
Say it ain’t so!
1 Like
I got the regal xtra tall boots. Im usually a 9.5 medium tall in Ariats. I recommend a half size up for the tuff riders as the 10 was almost a bit snug on me. The leather will NOT shine up, but for schooling or extra pair they really fit the bill.
1 Like
Thank you so much!!
1 Like
