What to do about these Ariat Crowne Field Boots?

[lizloveshorses]

About 7 years ago, I was gifted a pair of Ariat Crowne Pro Tall Field Boots from my parents when it looked like I was going to make the college riding team. I didn’t, and the boots have been hanging out in my closet since that time. They’re a little tall on me, to the point of digging into my knee whenever I walk or sit. I dare not try them on with pants, as there’s been the fear that they won’t come off again. I never broke them in since they were so uncomfortable. Now I’m in this place where I don’t know what to do but feel it’s necessary to do something. So far these are the possibilities I’ve generated:

1. Tough it out and break them in.
2. Keep them, break them in, and then have a zipper put in.
3. Sell them for whatever I can get for them and use that money to buy a new pair.

I’m not currently showing and my paddock boots / half chaps are working just fine for the catch rides I’m doing. If they’re worth it to keep them and break them in, I’ll do it, but I don’t want to if it’s going to be less of a hassle to buy a new pair. Any ideas are appreciated. And if anyone wants to buy them, message me. :winkgrin:

[JanM]

I like option 3. Why go through the break in process, for boots that may never be what you want?

[Highflyer]

Get them cut down a little and a zipper put in, or sell them (although you probably won’t get what they are worth-- a lot of people want zippers. Not worth suffering!

[Highflyer]

Double posted.

[HungarianHippo]

Looks like there are a lot of this boot on ebay in the $75 range with no bids, so you may not find a buyer unless you price them pretty low.

Was the foot/ankle also painful, or just the tall calf? If the latter, it seems to make sense to get them cut down and add zipper.

OTOH, you don’t really need tall boots at all. So why not sell for $50-75 just to be rid of the closet clutter, and when circumstances change, go out and buy the perfect boot that makes you happy.

[Scaramouch]

I have the Crowne Pro with zippers, and had the same problem with them cutting VERY uncomfortably into the back of my knee at first. Once they broke in, they dropped more than an inch and it’s no longer an issue.

And I agree you won’t get much for them if you sell, though if you don’t need them then you just don’t need them! I have an older Italian-made pair of Crownes in lovely condition that I can’t get $100 for because everyone wants zippers now.

[lizloveshorses]

Thanks for the feedback. It’s just the top of the boot that’s uncomfortable. Plenty of room in the ankle / foot.

If I were to put zippers in, do I need to wait until they drop? Is there any way to get them to drop without having to wear them? :lol:

I would eventually like to return to showing, even if I don’t have the means right now. So the boots would be helpful to me in the long run.

[drawstraws]

Try a pair of heel lifts. I have a pair of these boots and I’m short (5’1") and could never wear them without the lifts but just that little bit of extra height in the heel gets them out of the back of my knee and they practically looked custom.

I broke my leg last year and know I’ll never be able to get them on again - was hoping to get $100 for them but sad to hear that that probably won’t be the case. Wonder if having a zipper put in would give me enough extra room in the calf.

[cuse]

I second the heel lift idea, especially for the breaking in process! I was getting major blisters on the back of my heels breaking in my new boots the week before a show this year - threw in some regular shoe insoles that lifted my heels about half an inch, and had no more rubbing issues. Plus in the saddle it makes my heels look like they more down than they really are

[lizloveshorses]

Unfortunately, the picture that I posted is with heal lifts in the soles. Unless they make even higher heel lifts than the ones I have, I’m not sure what else I can try. Layering insoles and heel lifts, maybe?

[mypaintwattie]

Are they the ones made in Italy or made in China? I went through the same thing a year ago, had a new pair of Crowne Pros that were too tall and slim in the calf, but because they were made in Italy I decided to keep them and will have a zipper put in, which I keep telling myself I will do eventually… The made in Italy ones are a little nicer than the ones made in China IMO.

[twotrudoc]

I had the same issue. Mine have the zipper already though. What solved it is I wore them to groom. It was about 45-50 degrees out, pouring down rain, and I worked a solid 7 or 8 hours running back and forth grabbing horses, cooling down, cleaning off, cleaning tack, bending over, kneeling down.

I was so sore but the boots now fit perfectly :lol:

[Gidget]

Personally, I’d sell them for whatever I could get and move on to something you really WANT. After suffering through countless pairs of uncomfortable boots before finally landing a pair I could live with, I don’t believe it’s worth it.

Besides, it’s not like they cost you anything to begin with. They were a gift!

[lizloveshorses]

They were made in China. I suppose I don’t mind selling them, except when my parents paid for them they were so expensive. Filial guilt seems to be motivating me most in this case.

I’m going to try different suggestions and see what will end up working best for me. Thanks for all the input!

[equest]

I’d sell them. I do not think it is worth it to have boots of that quality (good, but not custom quality) altered. Post them on the Outside Course (free equestrian form spun off from COTH). It’s free. Also try posting on the equestrian pages on Facebook for your local area.

[Kittenkittenkitten]

I’m looking for a pair - what size?

[fourmares]

Suck it up and break them in. You will not die and they will drop.