Tall boot debacle …

[shadesofbay3]

total first world problem here but eh

I have had about a year to a year and a half off from riding because my horse has gone into retirement and the barn I was at didn’t have anyone else for me to ride

I’m now at a barn where I’m thankfully taking lessons again and going to be leasing so obviously I’ve been wearing my old clothes and boots, etc.

I’ve always been an ariat girl, and have about four pairs of tall boots and two pairs of paddock boots, and to my dismay after I guess a year of them sitting (in climate control environment) and my body I’m sure gaining a pound or two, none of my tall boots fit.

My old boots all had a regular calf, so a week ago I ordered a new pair of tall boots from Dover with a full calf and this evening they got here and to my surprise they are even tighter and snugger than my old pair? I’m talking about like 3 inches between the zippers and they won’t close.

I’m open to trying new brands, not trying to spend $1000 on a schooling pair of tall boots but at this point, I am getting frustrated in about to throw my hands up and order a pair of custom boots -.-

Any advice on field boots you like, and feel that fit well would be appreciated!

[Tha_Ridge]

What are your measurements? I’m sure some of us would have some specific recommendations for you. I work at a tack store and am very partial to DeNiro’s Amabile line. They are $599 (so truly not that much more than most Ariats these days), but are made in Italy and have so many different calf/height/foot variations that I can fit virtually any customer in them and achieve a custom look.

[McGurk]

Do post your measurements.

I couldn’t bear the thought of replacing my old custom boots (Der-Dau’s) and have found two completely, totally acceptable non-custom options for my not common measurements

[shadesofbay3]

ok so-

calf width- (widest part of my calf)
-in- 16 1/2 inches
-cen- 42 centimeters

calf height- (base of heel to bend of knee)
in- 16 inches
cen- 42 centimeters

shoe size/foot length- (to my longest toe)
in - 9.5 inches
cen - a little over 24 centimeters

1. i usually wear a size 8.5 shoe, sometimes 9… my other tall boots were size 8.5
2. i know i have to add 1-2 inches to the height to account for the drop, correct?

[Impractical_Horsewoman]

There’s no standard size for, well, anything, so the boots you got could just run narrow.

If you like “cheap and cheerful,” I always recommend Tuffriders. They run very wide–even the slim is wide on me, and I have runner’s calves. They come in tall, short, and regular. They aren’t fancy, but if you’re just looking for schooling boots, they will do the job. Breeches.com has great discounts on Tuffriders and great customer service.

I hope a cobbler can help you stretch out or adjust your other boots! Putting them in Tupperware and putting them out in the sun on a few hot days might also help.

Here’s a link to one example of Tuffriders. Breeches.com (I swear I don’t work for them) also has 30% off any order over $150 right now. https://www.breeches.com/products/tuffrider-ladies-olympia-field-boot?pr_prod_strat=use_description&pr_rec_id=b66577c61&pr_rec_pid=4388993466432&pr_ref_pid=2428197437504&pr_seq=uniform&variant=42373383225511

[GreyDes]

There’s a lot of variation between brands and styles when it comes to sizing!

For a lower cost option, I’ve been impressed with the Dover Riding Sport boots. The full calf looks like it would fit your calf measurement, although it may be a bit tall. https://www.doversaddlery.com/rs-field-boot-black/p/X1-381453/

Ariat Heritage in Medium/XW might be an option - https://www.doversaddlery.com/ariat-sienna-heritage-cntr-ii/p/X1-381112/

[George_T_Mule]

Hi Shades of Bay

You might look around for a consignment tack store in your area. That will save you a ton on a serviceable pair, if you can find a pair that fit acceptably. Also, if there is a Dover Saddlery store near you, they typically stock several brands from low to high-end, and can bring in items from their master catalog for you to try on w/o any commitment on your part.
Boots are kinda like saddles; they gotta fit, and the only way to know is to try 'em on.

[floppyammy]

I bought these boots for schooling with really low expectations, but they are absolutely the most comfortable boots I have bought straight off the rack and arrived basically broken in. Not only that, they’ve proved to be incredibly tough - I told myself I would not use and abuse them - instead, I catch my horse from the field in ankle deep mud and leave them on to wash him in the wash rack. They’ve held up to daily use for going on 10+ months.

5512 Florence Vogue Croc Boot in Black | Brogini

Oh and shipping from Europe they came in under a week from date of order!

[Tha_Ridge]

I was going to recomment the TuffRider Belmont too. Basically a Parlanti knockoff! They might be a little tall for you, but the width should be fine.

[dmveventer]

@shadesofbay3

i know i have to add 1-2 inches to the height to account for the drop, correct?

Not really. The modern boots with zippers don’t drop nearly as much. It varies by brand but I wouldn’t count on more than half an inch.

Second the suggestions to just try different brands based on your measurements and see what works. The people at my local Dover are super helpful with fitting, and Dover and Smartpak both will let you order a bunch and return any you don’t like. A local tack store would also be a good option.

[fourfillies]

I’ll vouch for the TuffRiders. Were a new brand for me and had a used pair gifted to me. Wearing like iron. Zippers are strong. So comfortable I’ve moved on from my 1/2 chaps to school.

[shadesofbay3]

thank you everyone!

I do like the tuffRider Belmont boots however, I do think I have a conundrum because if I order my regular size of 8.5 the calf won’t be wide enough at 15 1/2 inches… should I just size up half a size in the foot and go w the nine with the calf width of 16 inches? Looks like they will stretch out in the calf a bit.

[ShenanAnna]

You could wear thicker or more pairs of socks to take up the extra room in the foot, if that seems like a good idea. The extra sockage pads your ankles, too; and two pairs of socks, even thin ones, pretty much stops heel rubs. Speaking as a skinny-heeled person.

[Impractical_Horsewoman]

They’re really an amazing steal! And they come in a variety of heights, including short, in some of the different versions. I recommend them to everyone. No break-in period, either!

[Impractical_Horsewoman]

Breeches.com has a really good return policy–honestly, I’d order your regular size and just swap it if it didn’t work for you. The boots fit very generously, more so than the measurements might indicate, based on my experience.

[Tha_Ridge]

Agreed. They do have an elastic panel, so getting a 15 1/2" to fit a 16" calf isn’t too much of a stretch… pun intended.

[222orchids]

Ego 7 has as many combinations of height and width as anyone else out there and they are quite popular at my barn. I am very short and hard to fit due to that and they have a boot that is like custom-made for me. Have a look.

[TheJenners]

@shadesofbay3

I do think I have a conundrum because if I order my regular size of 8.5 the calf won’t be wide enough at 15 1/2 inches

I have the same issue, only I have a 7.5 foot and a 16.5 calf… I tried ordering some Ariat V Sports in an 8 (no 7.5 left) in the XW this past weekend and vowed to just have the knee taken in regardless of looks, and just got an email my order was cancelled because it was out of stock. Sigh.

[shadesofbay3]

thanks so much everyone!!!

[TheJenners]

An update, I actually bought a pair of the Veganza boots today It was unplanned but I was at the tack store because they were having a sale on stuff and I needed a second helmet. I saw them on the shelf and they looked and felt nice, and the price sure was nice too, so I asked to see if the wide calf was in stock.

I walked out with a size 7 wide calf that felt damn near custom. The tops are a titch large but for the price and everything else? Don’t even care that much. They felt a little big in the ankle but they aren’t custom at less than $200. Woot!