Good morning all,
I’ve just been hired as a wrangler for a guest ranch in Colorado. I’m super excited, but my employment thus far has been all professional / office work, so I’m lacking some quality farm gear. I need some suggestions, specifically for good insulated winter mud boots. I’m going out in the middle of April which is still half winter. I can’t afford Dubarry’s, but could you give me some suggestions for something around the $100/$200 range?
Thanks!
Hi,
You might want to look at Ariat terrain H2O (comes in pull on and lace-up) I like the pull-ons, or Muck Riders for really serious mud. I just got the riders so can’t speak to their durability but have had a pair of the Ariats for 4 years, wear them every day and they are still going, don’t look very pretty anymore but are holding up.
Both are comfortable and suited to riding.
I love my Muck boots, “Brit Colt” tall winter boots. SO warm, great to do chores in, and I can ride in them. I paid $110 bucks for them and have had them for three years. Im due for a new pair, and I will def be buying another pair of them.
I also have the tall Muck Brit Colt boots and like them, but I believe they were discontinued by Muck (for reasons I do not understand). You can still find them in stock at some places. I had the Bogs Rider boots and liked them well enough but found they were not durable enough for me. I think the Muck version is warmer than the Bogs. Another similar boot that I like the looks of is the tall one from Noble Outfitters – I think they make it in both a regular and then an insulated version. I’ve tried them on and like the fit, but can’t tell you how they wear or last since I haven’t bought them yet. But when my Muck Brit Colts have to be replaced, the Noble boots are the next one I will probably try.
I have used Sorel boots for chores during the worst of winter weather. I’ve had the same pair for 25+ years, I think, similar to the Caribou boot. You can buy extra liners and swap them out so you always have a dry set. I do not recommend them for riding, however - they are too clunky.
Also, check out www.llbean.com and read reviews for winter boots. DH got some boots there that he really likes for hunting.
If you want a rubber shafted, clean-off-with-a-hose type that you can step into ankle deep slop without having to deal with laces or leather, look for these Kamiks-
They have a collar and cinch at the top to keep out snow, water, mud, and hay, and the liner is removable. I personally buy extra liners so that when one pair gets soaked with sweat from being worn for hours, I can pull it out to dry and swap it for a fresh one.
I personally LOVE my lace-up Sorel’s for going to town, and wearing in fresh snow. But there is NO WAY in he** I would want to wear them in sloppy muddy manure conditions and have to clean them.
I LOVE my Muck company Chore boots. Best $100 I ever spent!
They are warm enough in the winter to be comfortable with a good pair of wool socks (I have SmartWool), but you can still wear them with regular sock when it warms up (maybe not in high temps in the heat of summer, but still pretty warm) not totally sweat in them. They are NOT good for riding, though.
Honestly, for the middle of April where you’re planning on cold/mud but not Arctic Vortex, I’d be inclined to buy regular Hunter (not insulated) boots and some really good warm socks. That works for me down to the mid teens. I just bought Bogs insulated boots this month simply because for the second winter in a row we are experiencing prolonged periods of single or negative digits.
I have two GoTo boots for cold and mud.
Timberland hiking boots & a $20 pair from TSC.
Both are insulated & with warm wool socks saw me through last year’s Polar Vortex.
The Timberlands are going on Year 3 and still clean up good enough for street wear. The TSC ones are on their 2nd Winter & might not have a 3rd in them.
Both have removable insoles & lace, but I do the laces only to the point where I can slip my uber-high arched feet in w/o undoing laces.
Neither is suitable for riding, both are excellent for keeping my feet warm & dry doing barn chores.
A bit spendy, but luxurious and practical; http://us.hunterboots.com/product/original-shearling-boots
I have been using their Balmoral neoprene boots all winter and never felt the cold, but they don’t sell them in the USA.
Regular neoprene; http://us.hunterboots.com/product/original-tour-neoprene-wellington-boots
oh why did you tempt me into the Hunter site? :love-struck:
'cos they’re lovely. Try googling my current faves; Hunter Balmoral Hawkesworth (men’s)
Awesome suggestions! Equibrit, you’re a meanie for posting those boots 
I love expensive things, but I just can’t afford them (yet).
[QUOTE=SmartAlex;7971877]
Honestly, for the middle of April where you’re planning on cold/mud but not Arctic Vortex, I’d be inclined to buy regular Hunter (not insulated) boots and some really good warm socks. That works for me down to the mid teens. I just bought Bogs insulated boots this month simply because for the second winter in a row we are experiencing prolonged periods of single or negative digits.[/QUOTE]
I agree, but try these – http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/servusreg%3B-northernerreg%3B-brown-blend-premium-knee-boot Cheap and sturdy, add warm socks if needed!
I’ve had issues with Muck boots (Brit Colt) as the foam inside part has broken down around the ankle, making them very not waterproof. A friend of mine swears by Bogs: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004KKYULQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 they are fleece lined and very warm. They also have a spur shelf. Both work well with both English and western stirrups but make sure they are are oversized western stirrups or the 4 3/4 size English stirrups. For western winter stirrups, these work well and a lot of ranchers around here use them with their Muck boots. http://www.ebay.com/itm/oversize-stirrups-for-winter-boots-/281116961766
[QUOTE=moving to dc;7971635]
If you want a rubber shafted, clean-off-with-a-hose type that you can step into ankle deep slop without having to deal with laces or leather, look for these Kamiks-
They have a collar and cinch at the top to keep out snow, water, mud, and hay, and the liner is removable. I personally buy extra liners so that when one pair gets soaked with sweat from being worn for hours, I can pull it out to dry and swap it for a fresh one.
I personally LOVE my lace-up Sorel’s for going to town, and wearing in fresh snow. But there is NO WAY in he** I would want to wear them in sloppy muddy manure conditions and have to clean them.[/QUOTE]
I have to second the recommendation for the Kamik. I live in western Canada and these $60 boots have kept my feet warmer and drier than any sorrels or muck boots I’ve ever had, which is a LOT trust me. I have an acreage and am out doing chores 3 times a day in the sloppiest and coldest weather possible and I’ve tried them all. The collar keeps the hay from getting in and sticking to the liner which is really nice since I have a tendency to throw my boots on barefoot and my it keeps my foot from getting constant hay slivers
[QUOTE=lizloveshorses;7972348]
Awesome suggestions! Equibrit, you’re a meanie for posting those boots I love expensive things, but I just can’t afford them (yet).[/QUOTE]
The regular neoprenes are within your budget.
Those kamiks look great…especially the drawstring to keep hay out. BUT with those large lug soles, I would be very cautious about riding in them, unless you do to them what a rancher friend of mine did to his lug soles on his Muck (?Artcis?) boots…took a dremmel drill to them and smoothed them out so he would be less likely to hang up in a stirrup.
[QUOTE=mountainbells;7973701]
Those kamiks look great…especially the drawstring to keep hay out. BUT with those large lug soles, I would be very cautious about riding in them, unless you do to them what a rancher friend of mine did to his lug soles on his Muck (?Artcis?) boots…took a dremmel drill to them and smoothed them out so he would be less likely to hang up in a stirrup.[/QUOTE]
Oh gawd. I love em, but I would never ride in them!!! Chores only. Heck I can barely drive my truck with them on, never mind put them in stirrups I didn’t realize the OP was looking for riding boots.
[QUOTE=mestle;7971288]
Hi,
You might want to look at Ariat terrain H2O (comes in pull on and lace-up) I like the pull-ons, or Muck Riders for really serious mud. I just got the riders so can’t speak to their durability but have had a pair of the Ariats for 4 years, wear them every day and they are still going, don’t look very pretty anymore but are holding up.
Both are comfortable and suited to riding.[/QUOTE]
Have to agree. The Ariat work hog is the best boot investment I ever made.
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