I recently purchased both the Tredstep Da Vinci boots and Tredstep Donatello only because a day after I bought the Donatello’s I found the Da Vinci’s on sale… There both the same exact size, but I can’t seem to make up my mind on which boot to keep. I’ve looked online for some reviews, but can’t seem to find anything to helpful. So I was wondering if people could give me their reviews on either boot if they own a pair. HELPPPP need to make a decision fast! Which boot is better?
I have the Donatello’s and I love them. For me, they were the first boot that really fit my calf shape and the stretch panel works wonders for me. They are quite comfortable in the foot as well.
My only problem with them is that some of the dye faded fairly quickly on the toe. Now I don’t take the best care of my boots but my old ariats never did this. It doesn’t bother me a ton though since my polish hides it pretty well and it is fairly hard to notice unless you look.
Neither one is more comfortable? The Donatellos were hell to break in for me and shredded my ankles, I ended up selling them. When I tried on the Tredsteps I found each foot bed to fit differently.
I’m and 61/2 so I purchased size 37 which is in between a 6 1/2-7. Trying to find either boot in a 36 is impossible!! I’m also a X-Slim calf and a tall. I went crazy trying to get each boot in that size, however the Donatello’s fit a hair better… I hate admitting this because the Da Vinci’s were such an amazing deal and I do like the leather better on them. But It almost feels as if I have a bit more room in the toe… I know I just answered my own question, but I’m wondering how each boot holds up… Thats my real concern, which one will last?
I had the same experience fitting both boots. I found the foot bed to fit better in the Donatello, however it shredded my legs when I tried to break them in and even after about two weeks of riding did not get any better. Have you worn either for an extended length of time? Ridden in both? My Donatellos seemed slippery.
I have not ridden in either because I have to return one pair… So here I am asking around to find out what people think. I’ll have to walk around my house in them tonight and try to get a better feel.
Well based on personal experience I found the leather quality to be stiff on the Donatellos and they just never quite broke in right. I didn’t buy the DaVinci’s because they didn’t fit well enough to try. Good luck!
I think the Donatellos have a round toe, the Da Vincis have more of a square toe. This affects fit, I would imagine.
I’m tempted to get a pair of Treadsteps because they seem to fit skinny ankles better. I’m trying to avoid having to buy new customs but I have a feeling that my luck doesn’t run that way. Super tall and skinny legs.
I’ve heard rumors of zipper problems, but I don’t know if that’s true.
[QUOTE=Go Fish;7374442]
I think the Donatellos have a round toe, the Da Vincis have more of a square toe. This affects fit, I would imagine.
I’m tempted to get a pair of Treadsteps because they seem to fit skinny ankles better. I’m trying to avoid having to buy new customs but I have a feeling that my luck doesn’t run that way. Super tall and skinny legs.
I’ve heard rumors of zipper problems, but I don’t know if that’s true.[/QUOTE]
I am tall with a slim calf, these were the best $200 bucks I’ve ever spent. Everyone thinks I own custom boots:
http://www.doversaddlery.com/middleburg-zip-field-boot/p/QA-38461/
[QUOTE=jranft89;7374265]
I have not ridden in either because I have to return one pair… So here I am asking around to find out what people think. I’ll have to walk around my house in them tonight and try to get a better feel.[/QUOTE]
I went with the Da Vinci (which I also found on sale for little more than than regular priced Donatello) - spoke to a shop owner that loved the Tredstep line (she had the Donatello’s so was not going to make a sale if I got the Da Vinci’s), she suggested I stay with the Da Vinci IF the fit was good; she does put a lot of clients in the Donatello, but that is based upon fit, then price.
I had the Da vincis, mine broke after two or three months and never really got comfortable. On mine the zipper just broke, but I didn’t like them enough to go to the cobbler to fix them. I would go with the donatello personally, but get the equifit gel bands to break them in
I would say go with the da vincis if there isn’t a huge gap in price. The
leather is nicer. I found m da vincis for $100, so that made my choice a lot easier!
Da Vincis are better quality of leather
I have the Donatello boots and I’m so happy with them. I don’t ride in them all the time, but I did ride in them long enough to break them in. They did rub my ankle some, but that has gone away. I haven’t had any zipper problems, but again, I don’t use them all the time. I mostly use them for lessons and shows.
The Tredstep boots are all made of the same leather. The leather used for the lining is different in the Raphael and the DaVinci than that used in the Donatello. And there are other design differences that contribute to the price difference, but the base leather in all their boots is the same.
I ordered both and kept the Donatello. The da Vinci was such a better deal from the sale, but it did not work with my legs at all, and I don’t like the square toe either.
I’ve worn the Donatello maybe 5 times total, and lets just say that it digs. My Achilles’ tendon and ankle hurt a little. I didn’t want to buy that gel thing so I worn SUPER THICK socks and roll them down so they are extra cushiony around that area. Seems to work
I ordered slim calf and I had to put my finger behind the zipper to zip up boot to prevent fabric of my breeches from being caught, it is that tight. However, no throbbing feeling, and once I get them on, they feel pretty good now. The first 2 times I ride, I cannot feel my legs and had to unzip them. Now I can walk around in them.
But they are not butter soft at all. 
I wanted to order the middleburg but it doesn’t come in our size (37), ESP they run big I heard.
[QUOTE=tua37516;7374494]
I am tall with a slim calf, these were the best $200 bucks I’ve ever spent. Everyone thinks I own custom boots:
http://www.doversaddlery.com/middleburg-zip-field-boot/p/QA-38461/[/QUOTE]
I’m wearing a pair of the middleburgs right now. Love them. For the price they are not bad. NO break in time at all. Run super small though. I ordered a whole size down.
It seems reviews for the Donatellos are all over the place. I’ve had a wonderful time with mine. No break in issues, so rubs, nothing. Comfortable right away. I have a size 10.5 with a regular/tall calf.
