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Tuccis (not another tallboot thread)

Hunter/Jumper
#1

Let me preface this by saying I have read the numerous threads on this topic!

I’m going to have to bite the bullet and replace my off-the-rack Parlantis. They are 9 years old, I just replaced the zippers, but the stitching is coming apart elsewhere. Optimistically I’ll get another 6 months out of them, but I want to shop now and take my time while I’m not desperate.

I love the “leather sock” fit, and because they have lasted me so long, I haven’t experience the drawbacks of it. They are the first boots that ever fit me (I’m very short, with a very tiny calf and ankle, but not that tiny of a foot). I want another boot that has that sleek, sock-like fit, super tapered ankle, and is super soft. While I have had such a great experience with my Parlantis, I have seen and heard of so many that did not hold up like mine so I’m looking in to other brands.

I tried on the De Niro Salento after reading so many good things and did not like them. They were too stiff around the ankle. Tredstep Donatellos were much better. I’m looking into Tuccis. My question is - those who have experience with Tuccis and Parlantis or De Niros, how would you compare the softness of the leather? Tucci also offers an “extra soft” leather option, anyone have experience with this?

I’m interested in Tucci over Parlanti because I do want a boot I can get another 10 years out of and like the styling and options - if it means its going to be a little stiffer I get that, but I still want the comfort of the softness around the ankle and the ultra-comfortable fit.

Thanks!

#2

I’ll just chime in and say my Parlantis have held up great and because they are made of high quality materials when I’ve needed repairs done my cobbler has had no issue doing that. My oldest and most worn pair has had the left zipper replaced twice and the right once. The newer Parlantis have sturdier zippers than the older pairs did also. I think tall boots are also a your mileage may vary situation: how often do you get them wet? How are they stored? How many hours and rides are you using them for in a day? How do you use your leg and where do they fold and bend on your leg? Especially with the soft leather boots like that which are super form fitting, they may hold up for one person and not another. Getting 10 years out of any of the soft leather zip up tall boots is impressive, the kind of breakdown you’re talking about to me seems highly typical if not better than most peoples experiences.

Also I had a pair of the Tredstep Donatellos and they were the worst ankle eating boots I’ve ever had in my life. I couldn’t walk five minutes in them without them giving me blisters, couldn’t even walk a course. Again, YMMV. Maybe it was something about my leg shape in that boot. I’ve never had that problem in Parlantis. I can’t speak for Tucci, I’ve never tried them, but I think I’ve heard the same mix of held up vs didn’t from others about Tucci.

Personally I’d keep using your Parlanti’s as a schooling boot and consider a new pair of whatever you like as a showing boot, break them in and then store them at home. My pair that has been repaired multiple times are my daily schooling boot. I have a show pair that stays at home. I will continue to have the schooling pair repaired until the cobbler tells me he can’t do it again. This way there’s always a back up. If I had to I could shine my schooling pair and show in them, it just takes A LOT of effort now.

#3

I am a similar soft-boot/leather sock enthusiast and the truth of the matter is, the soft leather simply does not hold up as well or as long as a thicker, stiffer leather. With very good care and thoughtful use (using only for riding, taking off before you bathe a horse, etc) you can make them last longer than they would otherwise, of course. But even very high quality boots with that soft leather have a limited lifespan.

That said, I had a lovely pair of Tucci customs and would recommend them. With good care, they lasted me around 6-7 years of daily use.

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#4

Thanks @hairystockings and @Lucassb. I have been pretty hard on my Parlantis (they survived some years of me riding 4-8 horses a day and bathing horses in them) so I am thrilled with how they have lasted me. They have been my schooling and showing boot for the past year and will continue to be my schooling boot until they truly give out on me. They are due for another round with the cobbler, but I intend to get every last bit of life I can from them.

@Lucassb - how soft were your Tuccis? From what you said about your tastes as a fellow leather-sock lover I take it they were pretty soft and easy to break in?

#5

I ride in DeNiro tall boots five to six days a week. I have both the brushed leather and the regular. I wouldn’t call either leather soft, but that’s what I love about them. My brushed leather tall boots, could stand up on their own without inserts. I think they’re made with four layers of leather. I’ve seen then referred to as “stovepipes.” Of the two different types, I definitely prefer the brushed leather. My brushed boots (brushed burgundy and brushed green) still look nearly brand new, while the regular leather boots (light gray) show the abuse I’ve given them. If you’re looking for a Parlanti equivalent, I’d pass on DeNiro.

#6

Would you consider Fabbri’s? Mine just died after 6 years of ABUSE. I mean 5 horses a day, washing buckets, horse baths, stall cleaning, and wearing all day for 10ish hours. And when I say they died, the zipper just needs to be replaced. The leather on the inside of the calf is not even close to ripping.

I am anti parlanti and just bought a pair to use for schooling until my Fabbri’s get replaced (they didn’t have my size at the tack store and I was desperate before a show).

hope this helps. I absolutely loved the fit, quality and the durability. Mine were off the rack also

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#7

I found the leather on Tuccis to be pretty thick and heavy duty, unlike the soft leather of the Parlantis. I know Tucci makes several different styles? Like someone else said Treadstep is/was similar with the sock like feel. My treadsteps didn’t hold up as well.

My parlantis also lasted 5+ years of heavy daily use. I think I even use to muck out stalls in those things and walk through mud. My zippers also busted. I did get them re-soled.

#8

I got the soft inner calf and a firmer outside boot shaft. They were super pretty and quite easy to break in, and I miss them to this day.

#9

I got my first pair of custom Tucci’s over the summer and love them! I had only had Vogels before I got Tucci’s. I have a very tiny ankle and love they way they fit, and was also told they will last a long time.

#10

I finally gave up on parlanti recently. I’ve been going through two pairs of boots per year! I ride 3-6 horses 6x per week and I show some too.
i went to get fitted for tucci. Of course my size was not in stock but I got a pair of their ego7 boots to use while I await dress boots. They were definitely much more painful to break in than parlanti. Have a similar slim fit. Stiffer. Should hold up more because the Inside panel is thicker.
dress boots should be somewhat softer but I got the thicker inside because I wear through boots so quickly.

#11

Fabbri all the way!!! I had custom tuccis and found them very uncomfortable

#12

I have two pairs of Tucci boots and struggle to find anything to fit my narrow heals. The Tucci’s while elegant are not soft. They hold up ok. My black pair I wore into the ground in about 3 years and they are expensive. You buy Tucci for the Italian elegance. That’s what they are. I am considering buying a pair of Ego7 next. Have you tried those?

#13

If you’re looking for sock leather soft, I wouldn’t go Tucci. I recently bought a semi-custom pair last year off the shelf (Harley model if you’re curious). Although I love them and they are beautiful, they were truly painful to break in, as in I had to stop riding, remove my feet from the stirrups and let the blood rush back into my feet. I credit this to the tough, durable leather the boots are constructed of. They now fit very comfortably and like a glove and they have softened a tad from the wear, but they definitely aren’t like what I’ve heard about Parlanti.

However, that being said, I tried a pair of the Marilyn boots on (another model of Tucci) prior to purchasing my Harley boots, and the leather was MUCH softer. These boots run an extra 100$ ish, but that’s justified by the softer leather and shorter break in time. It also has a nice decorative punched leather trim at the top, which I really liked. All in all, I think my next pair of Tuccis (because I love them, I really do) will be the Tucci Marilyns.

#14

Thank you all for the responses. As far as Fabbri, their shortest height is taller than other options (I’m 5’1’’, so the even the shortest boots tend not to fit me) and I am trying to avoid going full custom. I did consider Ego7s but have heard mixed reviews about the quality.

@kwpn_01 - That is helpful, thank you. I am looking specifically at the Marilyn.

It sounds like I should expect the Tucci to be a lovely boot, but not quite as soft as a Parlanti, which is good to know.

#15

If you are not looking for a high end boot, the Tuffrider Wellesley is SUPER soft and sock like. They are definitely not built for long term durability, but at $179, you can get multiple pairs.

#16

Another nice boot for the price is the Mountain Horse Sovereign field boot. I recently repaired the stitching on a pair of these for someone, I was surprised at how nice and soft they were and how well they had held up

#17

I have the Marilyns (Tucci) and I love them more than I can express! I think I’ve had them for 5 or 6 years now, but only use them for shows, so I can’t speak to how well they hold up if used more regularly. My zipper snap on one boot broke a while back, and that’s a little annoying, but probably could be easily fixed if I cared enough to make the effort. The leather is soft but not flimsy, and they definitely give the “sock boot” look.

#18

Just an update for anyone who may stumble across this topic in the future! I ended up going with Tuccis (Marilyn dress boot). The whole process was great with a virtual fitting and I received them last week. I’m only two rides in, but I’m shocked by how comfortable they are. They are definitely a little stiffer than my Parlantis, but they are incredibly soft around the ankles and I have not blistered or had any pain riding or walking in them. They are beautiful boots and I am (so far!) incredibly happy with them.

Thank you everyone who chimed in, I appreciate it. My Parlantis ended up giving out on me the morning of a horse show (of course), but luckily I had an older pair of backup boots that still somewhat fit.

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