Tall boots and mental illness

[Blueeyedroan]

I did notice they seemed super sturdy ! But also soft … and fit like a glove .
I think they might survive me haha.

[fivestrideline]

Wear the boots. The old ones may be dry rotted - the worst thing you can do for gear is store it, actually.

I worked in a shop selling outdoor gear and the manufacturers told us the best way to shorten the life of your boots and shoes? Leave them in the car. Second best way is to store them in the garage or closet and never touch them. Kinda like trailer tires, you get more miles out of these materials if you use them a bit.

Wear the boots. Maybe get yourself a pair of crocs or slip on shoes to wear in the wash rack and to drive, and make yourself change shoes. Can’t have it both ways (boots lasting forever AND abusing the heck out of them), but those boots are more durable than some other models.

Wear the boots.

[Bluey]

They make rubber overshoes to protect leather shoes.
See if some such could help you protect your fancy boots when not riding:

Rain Boot Waterproof Shoes Covers, Sand Control Non-Slip Shoe Cover Galoshes,...

https://www.zoro.com/dunlop-overboot-mid-calf-cleated-sole-button-tab-closure-pvc-upper-10-in-boot-height-black-2xl-1-pr-8602000/i/G0004803/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=surfaces&utm_campaign=shopping%20feed&utm_content=free%20google%20shopping%20clicks&campaignid=21413729702&productid=G0004803&v=&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21407283336&gbraid=0AAAAADw3hZetGmHySO84D4qxF1JZGmD-i&gclid=CjwKCAjw24vBBhABEiwANFG7y2y-eQLxPBjE0IEPrYifkDTnNWU9zMIWTYLAhElwOptcYVK-3D7a2hoCD6sQAvD_BwE

Black 16-inch Overshoes

[Renn_aissance]

@Blueeyedroan

I did notice they seemed super sturdy ! But also soft … and fit like a glove .
I think they might survive me haha.

I abused mine. Wore them from before dawn to after sunset at horse shows, in the wash rack, turning out horses in the mud, setting jumps, etc. The footbed is comfy enough to do that. I just cleaned them afterwards. They’re fine.

They’ve been in storage for a bit because my horse is retired, but I was not kind to these boots, and they just did not care.

[Paint_Party]

@GraceLikeRain

I also have instances where I held off on using the beautiful thing and then life changed in a way where I never got to use it and that’s an even worse type of regret.

Oh my gosh, this ^^^ 1,000 times.

It’d be one thing if you were keeping the treasured Volant boots only for competition or special occasions like editorial fashion shoots or equestrian cosplay contests.

But trust me when I say this: Life is short. Unexpected things happen. Plus, the days often seem long, but the years go by quickly. Please allow yourself to wear your special boots. It is neither a sin nor a crime to enjoy an indulgence.