I did a search but the most recent discussion on this topic was from 2012 so I hope it’s okay to start a new inquiry.
I’m looking for tall boots for lessons and occasional wear for showing in hand.
Has anyone had a good experience with an off-the-shelf brand that won’t break the bank (say under €300? Is that unrealistic? It’s been a long time.) that look decent, feel good, and work well for you?
Any recommendations welcome - thanks!
Hey there. My go to for everyday tall boots are Ariat Heritage. Mostly because I’m 5 foot nothing (5’) tall and they fit. In recent years they don’t last quite as long. I’m an every day rider who wears my tall boots so even though I take very good care of my boots they seem to last me about 4 or so years. They are $300.
Not sure if you have Dover where you are, but their Madison tall boots are fantastic for the price.
Ariats can often be found barely used, if you have somewhere you can try them on. People will gripe about them not being as durable as they used to, but if you take them off before the wash rack and keep them stored inside (or at least out of the sun and damp) they’ll be fine.
Like many ancient fox hunters, I have a pair of equally ancient Dehners. When kiddos were young, we were forever on the tall boot hunt as kids grew --finally, when youngest DD hit the big leagues and stopped growing, we decided to buy her a really good pair of new boots. We talked with a few reps. What sifted down to us was that boots are no longer made the way my 40+ year old Dehners were made. Steers, from whom hides are made into leather, are harvested at a much, much younger age. There is very little “old steer hide” to be had. Older steers had thicker hides. Modern boots are made with hides that are younger and thinner. Therefore, boots don’t last as long.
Along with that is the fashion culture --my 40 year old boots are no zipper stove top hunt boots. While correct for the hunt field, it is unlikely they would be welcomed in the Dressage ring by a teenage rider --heavy and stiff would describe them. I put them on with boot hooks and take them off with a boot tree.
My suggestion would be to never ride/school/walk in your expensive boots except at shows --my own DD does not follow this --she will walk courses in her boots, wear them for lessons, etc. She now buys her own boots and replaces about every 5 years.
Meanwhile, I only wear my ancient Dehners for The Blessing of the Hounds, Joint Meet, [all the members of my hunt switch to winter riding boots like Ice Riders after those two very formal (shadbelly) hunts] and the once-a–year Dressage show I attend (missed this year as Hugh Jackman is lame).
Tuffriders! They run wide, but they’re very comfortable. Inexpensive, and also come in a variety of calf widths and heights.
Thank you all for the recommendations. Also, the info about old boots v. how they are made today is really great info.
I’m visiting overseas right now and there is a fairly large shop about 45 mins away that has loads of used stuff, so I will try there first and also look for the brands you all have recommended.
Many thanks!
Another vote for Ariat Heritage. It took me a while to break them in (my calf was ever so slightly too big on my right leg), but they are absolutely lovely now. They hold up well and are now super comfy. I am kind of lazy when it comes to boot care. I try, but I take way better care of my saddles! I am not an every day rider anymore, just one-two lessons a week and sometimes shows, but I was when I first got the boots. I’ve had them about 9 years now and am thinking about getting a second pair to use for shows and take better care of 
Came here to say this!
A friend has the Horze zip front ones in brown. They look much more expensive than they are and are holding up well to 4 times a week riding.
Many thanks!
As an aside, how on earth did the name Horze get past any PR team/focus group?! 
Yeah…
The 0ther one to look at would be the Premier Equestrian ones. They’ve got lots of different styles and they really are quite nice (and stylish) for the money.
Yes! That is such a horrible brand name. I have never bought anything from them as it sounds so low quality.
Didn’t they start as a website selling cheap knockoffs and close outs in the 00s? Then started branding their own products and making more mid-grade type items?
At least that’s how I thought the progression went. I might be mixing the Horze brand up with a similarly named website from back then.
Well they have rebranded themselves now. Equinavia.
Their stuff is actually pretty decent mid range quality. And of course they are a Scandinavian company so may well not have thought it through as well as the might if English was their native language.
True, but usually if a brand is going with a name not in their native language, the do their DD with a native consultant who can do their focus groups, etc. Happens in Asia all the time with English brand names.
Funny, I’d always assumed that was part of the branding (cheeky humor), and lots of people I knew who bought from them made jokes about it. I thought the renaming might be after the “me too” era and people got more sensitive about such names.
I haven’t bought from them–most of the people I knew who loved Horze were very tall, and liked that they breeches ran long, and I’m very short.
I once was in a western tack store which sold a smitten of English items. The older gentleman who was helping me was so embarrassed by the brand name he wouldn’t even say it.
I love my Tredstep Donatello boots which cost just over $300. There was like zero break in time, the footbed is so comfortable and they clean up beautifully.
oh my goodness, I have bought from them and liked what I bought, but only just now ‘heard’
the problem with the name. lol
Actually, it took me a moment to understand his embarrassment. I didn’t catch the problem with the name, either.
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