Tall boots WITHOUT zippers

[engineer_eventer]

Does anyone make an affordable pair of tall boots for without zippers? Thus far I’ve only seen the super expensive (>$800) custom boots available without zippers.

My only 1.5 yr old Mountain Horse boots had one zipper give out already. :mad: Yet my super cheap ($100) Devon Aires from 10+ years ago survived until I’d worn the leather to paper thin. They never looked great, but did the job with only some minor stitching repair over the years.

These would be for schooling and subject to pretty strenuous abuse. To me the zippers just seem like a built in failure point… does anyone make the good 'ole kind of tall boots anymore?

[amb]

Kroop makes (imho) nice customs at a lower price point. I was going to say Dehner did too but looked at the current price list. (Holy cats!)

Unless your size is way out there, though, I’d look at ebay or a good used tack store. A whole lot of nice nonzipper boots go by for really, really cheap.

[sunhawk]

I have seen the zipper boots last and last, we have ariats, and after 8 years of use, put a new pair of zippers in, and the boots are still in great shape.

[OTTBs]

I also had a zipper break in Mountain Horse boots. That would have been fun at a horse show! I haven’t seen any boots made without zippers lately, but bought a $500 pair without zippers at a clearance sale for $100.

[FLeventer]

Call tack stores all over the place. There are so many on clearance and sale in all the tack stores that I go to.

[subk]

I was measured for my 3rd pair of custom Dehners in my lifetime last week. The first pair I got at age 17 (the main reason I lost my college weight gain after graduation was to get back into them!) The second pair in my early 30s and now my 3rd pair at 51. $1000 bucks for a pair of boots that last 15+ years is a great deal!

I ordered them without zips!

[HiJumpGrrl]

You can get the Ariats without zippers–you just have to look for them.

[Dewey]

Here you go:

http://www.smithworthington.com/index.php?p=product&id=517

[engineer_eventer]

Thanks for the input everyone! I’ve been keeping an eye out for clearances, but the nearest tack store is over 1.5 hrs away. That’s the downside of living out in the sticks. Also, was part of the problem when my Mtn Horse died two days before a show.

Subk- you’ve been happy with Dehner’s then? Been considering making an investment in a pair of customs for shows and going back to paddock boots & half chaps for schooling unless I can find a bargain pair.

What kills me is I have a nice pair of second hand Ariat field boots sitting in the closet. Either they shrank due to a rainstorm or the measley 10 lbs I added, but I just can’t get them on anymore. :sadsmile:

[subk]

[QUOTE=engineer_eventer;8207635]
Subk- you’ve been happy with Dehner’s then? Been considering making an investment in a pair of customs for shows and going back to paddock boots & half chaps for schooling unless I can find a bargain pair.[/QUOTE]
Yes, just make sure you have someone with experience measure you.

I use my boots like you suggest…custom boots for shows, clinics, and lessons then half chaps for everyday. I have had no problem getting 12-15 years out of them.

I got my first pair because in the 70s your choice in the boot world was your shoe size in ready-made or Dehners/Vogle custom. Having a 20" drop from the back of my knee to the floor meant that boots (which rarely came in different heights) in some cases only came up to an inch or so above the widest part of my calf. As a teenager I worked a day or two a week at a tack store and the owner couldn’t stand that everyone knew I worked there and I wore these awful boots! I flat out couldn’t afford them until she finally sold them to me at her cost that she took it out of my pay check each week. Those boots are the reason I lost my freshman 15! Then baby weight! Best money I ever spent…

[pattnic]

Horseman’s Outlet in NJ has a huge selection of “new old stock” zipper-less tall boots in their consignment/super-sale warehouse (tons of them are Ariats). I would suggest giving them a call. (908) 238-1201

[shamrocker58]

What size/height/calf are you looking for?

[Blugal]

Check out Apple Saddlery in Canada, they have a few sizes for $25 or $30 right now. Not a typo.

[J-Lu]

I concur, you can get Ariat’s without zippers if you look for them (I have some). I also used to have Devon Airs, which lasted a surprisingly long time. The leather was thin but it ended up molding to my leg perfectly. You can get a good price on boots if you are patient and comb sales ads. I got my Ariats for $200 but I waited, waited and waited and then pounced. Because I’m cheap that way and actually prefer to ride in paddocks and half-chaps. Some of the custom options are expensive but you often get what you are paying for in terms of longevity.

Like you, I am leary of zippers because I’ve seen them break at inopportune times. I also like to look of classic boots.

[Foxtrot_s]

subk - My Dehner’s should be put in the Dehner Hall of Fame - over forty years by my reckoning - used for absolutely everything, from shows, eventing, hunting, trails, cattle, swum in the Fraser River many times following hounds, suffered rain and mud for years…I still wear them but they are not show worthy by my standards any more…been through too many blackberry thickets and rather deep scratches on them. Used, used, used.

[engineer_eventer]

Thanks for the tips everyone! Dewey- I’m checking with Smith Worthington to see if they have my size.

As several people have asked (hope this isn’t considered advertizing), I’m looking for 8- 8.5 foot depending on the brand, 15" calf, regular height. In Ariat and Mtn Horse I was wearing size 8 and the regular calf was tight. Am thinking that’s why the zipper gave up so quickly.