Tall boots without zippers

Update: I ended up getting a pair of these from Dover because they were on sale at half price: https://www.doversaddlery.com/ds-madison-field-boot-black/p/X1-381465/

So far so good, not as comfortable as my non-zip boots though. The zipper at the back is stiff and bothers me a little but for the price I couldn’t say no.

Thanks to everyone for the advice!

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It’s a special kind of anxiety when you’re in need of boot hooks and/or a jack and you’re not quite sure where you left them.

I switched to custom zipped. I love the convenience. I prefer the look of the non-zip. But that non-zip anxiety is the mitigating factor that has me in zippers forevermore.

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Yeah that’s annoyingly going to be a function of price - I have never noticed my zippers on my DeNiros or Tuccis,

I stopped riding in pull-on boots at 15 in 2005, so I do recall wearing the original Dehner’s and have fond memories of them ON - but horrendous memories of getting them on and OFF. Slim calf, size 9 foot with a slim ankle - f*ck me!

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I got a bunch of vogels. What’s you size. :grin: the other thing you will have to find are the pull up hooks. I imagine they aren’t making them anymore either.

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And darn it, my dog recently demolished one.

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To help your boot zippers (and safety vest zippers) live a longer life, clean your zippers regularly and use zipper lubricant also somewhat regularly. And when you store your boots, use trees that hold the shape without putting a lot of stress on the calf of the boot.

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If you spread the zippers down with food grade silicone spray (Mr. Clearco is my favorite brand) every couple of months and wipe them down with a damp rag if they get dusty the zippers will last a lot longer. The silicone spray needs to be food grade though to prevent it from eating the nylon tape the zipper is built on.

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Middleburg is the best for boots! A few years ago I found a brand new pair of Konigs in exactly my size—$1000 boots for about $300 on consignment. I’ve had the zippers repaired twice and it’s not inexpensive, but still less than new Konigs. The leather where the zippers get stitched on is now pretty well shot, so they’ve been sitting by my barn trash can because I can’t quite bear to throw them away, but I can’t use them anymore either. I’m impressed by all these stories of indestructible zippers… Then again, before the Konigs I shelled out for a pair of custom pull-on Dehners and the heel fell off in less than a year, so maybe I just have crap luck with boots. I now just plan to hit Middleburg every couple years and buy whatever I can find in my size. This fall I bought one pair with zippers and one pair of pull-ons (which were super cheap because nobody wants them).

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I have a really destroyed ankle, can’t get pull on boots off by myself even with a boot jack. Was trapped in my boots for 4 hours one day waiting on hubby to come home. Non - zip anxiety is real and I love my zipper boots.

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Keep watching ebay. It’s a matter of luck but you may just find a pair if custom pull ons gor a steal!

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Bucks County Saddlery in Pennsylvania has at least 50 pairs of gorgeous new-old-stock non-zip Dehners. I don’t know whether they are custom rejects or off the shelf but worth a trip if you’re local or a call if you’re not.

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The OP is a ladies size 11…that’s a rare size to find in used boots. I think buying new (as the OP ended up doing) is the best option, although I would have sprung for the Ariats over the DS boots.

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I have a couple of pairs of boot pulls lol so I’m good.

I wear US Women’s size 11 with a regular height (16-17 inches) and regular width calf (about 14 inches circumference).

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Yes, that sizing would be extremely rare to find used in a ladies boot. It would be easier to find a used men’s boot that size, but even then, the calf width and height would be unlikely to fit, so you’d likely need expensive alterations done, IF you could even find someone willing to do the task.

Back in the day you got your boots, your boot pulls and of course a good boot jack in case friend or SO wasn’t around to help yank them off. Ah and boy do I remember the days of eating 1 too many chips during “that time” and having to sit with my legs raised to get my boots on. You really needed a whole bag just for your boots - baby power, boot slip on, plastic wrap) it was crazy