Winter (riding) boots

[TWH_Girl]

I love Ariats- I am a perfect size 6.5 and they always consistently fit me well and hold up.

So, for winter riding boots, I currently have the Ariat Brossard tall boots. http://www.doversaddlery.com/ariat®-brossard-tall-winter-boot/p/X1-38578/?ids=3m0febleorcpgwiyw4lztlv5
I do like them and they keep me pretty warm if I wear warm socks (my toes are almost always cold no matter what).

I also received the lovely Ariat Jena boots from hubby for Christmas last year-
http://www.doversaddlery.com/ariat-ladies’-jena-h2o-insulated-boot/p/X1-380268/, and while fashionable and very warm, not sure they are the best suited for riding, and I’d sort of like to keep them for regular boots.

Keep in mind, I have Walkers so am not jumping or posting. I like tall boots in the winter because it’s the only time of the year I wear warm, cozy winter breeches. I like tall boots because I am tired of wet pant bottoms from paddocks boots. I have several boot cut breeches though, and I cannot fit these inside of the Brossard boot and zip them up.

I am considering a pair of Mountain Horse Rimrock High Rider boots at the end of this season. I like the price, and I like the adjustable calf. Any feedback on these? I don’t do much outside, so am looking for warmth over waterproof.
http://equestrian.doversaddlery.com/search?w=rimrock%20high%20rider&cart_count=0&cart_total=0.00&dmi_offer_code=SITE&idc=0&ids=3m0febleorcpgwiyw4lztlv5

[SaddleUp158]

I am interested to hear feedback on the Mountain Horse boots as well, especially regarding sizing.

[TWH_Girl]

Yes- sizing is a concern of mine too- no half sizes, so curious if they run big or small.

[Personal_Champ]

I absolutely freaking love my MH Active Winter Rider tall boots. REALLY. I’m on my second pair and would pay double for them if necessary.

I have also had the Stella Polaris but the back zip wasn’t as comfortable for me as the slight side one of the Active. However, I gave them to a friend and she loves them, so I think that is definitely a personal preference/conformation thing.

RE: sizing. I’m a 7/7.5 in street shoes and wear a 7 in the MH boots. They are whole size only and run a bit generous.

I wear my Actives with regular boot socks, and I really mind the cold. I use them for riding, chores, plowing/shoveling, teaching (when I did it) and ATV-riding (hence my second pair, I use the heck out of them!).

[horsepoor]

I also have the MH Active Winter Rider tall boots and find that I wear them not just riding but around the barn as they are comfortable and warm. But they might present the same problem to the OP that the current boots do, since they are cut like a riding boot, the calf “fits” so tucking in boot cut pants might not work. I wear mine with breeches. On fit, I like that they are a bit taller than the Ariat Bromonts (which were too short on me, and I am short!), and the foot runs somewhat large, IMO. I wear a 7 in non-horse ladies shoes, and can go 6.5 or 7 in Ariat; the 7 in the MH is a bit big but I don’t mind on winter boots as it allows me to wear thicker/warmer socks.

For barn work, I have the Muck Boot Brit Colt (the tall boot for riding, rubber and neoprene) and I’ve actually ridden in those and they might work for what the OP describes. However, I just learned they have been discontinued. They are kind of bulky and I’ve ridden in them a little and they were ok for just hacking around. Plenty of room in the calf for tucking in boot cut pants or heavier pants like my flannel lined Carhartts. If you happen to be a size that stores still have, you might still be able to find them in stock somewhere.

[Mallard]

It all depends on your leg and foot size.

I love my tall Brossards. The footbed is slim, as is the calf.
I have short legs / thinish calves and they are perfect for me.

I find the MH boots have a bulkier footbed than the Ariats… and for short people they are a bit too tall.

[TWH_Girl]

Hmmmm, of course I’m short too…5’3" so I like the Brossards for that. I noticed Dover has the Rimfrost Rider II for $79 and $10 off, that’s a good deal. I could try the 6 in a wide calf for extra room. I may try them for that price. They aren’t super tall either…

[HicksteadFan]

I know this is an old post but I am also currently looking at new winter riding boots. Can people tell me what temperature the Ariats and Mountain Horse boots can be worn at? Please specify Celsius/fahrenheit, I’m in Canada. Are the more expensive boots a lot better than the cheaper ones? The boots need to be good to at least -10 Celsius and preferably colder (I can just wear thick socks though). And I’ve heard a lot about MH zippers breaking. Any comments on that?

[Bells]

My neighbor has the sorel slimpack riding boots. She loves them. I would buy them if I could find a place to try some on.

[SolarFlare]

HicksteadFan, are you going to be riding indoors or out?

I had the original Mountain Horse winter paddock boots (Rimrock I think?) which were very warm and held up well. They were a bit clunky to ride in but once you got used to not being able to feel your stirrup very well, were pretty good. They have insulation in the soles too so the cold doesn’t seep from the ground/stirrup into your foot. However, I had to drop my stirrups a hole compared to summer boots - that’s how thick the soles are! I also had to buy bigger stirrups to fit those clunkers in Very warm though!

I usually take an 8.5 in summer boots and I go up to a 9 in winter boots to give room for thick socks.

I now have the Ariat Bancroft zip winter paddocks (got them on clearance so decided to try Ariat). I have found them warm as well. Also less stirrup feel but not so much as the MH. I’ve ridden inside and out with these and have been satisfied. I think this is my third winter using them. They are a bit bulky - I have different half chaps for winter to fit over top.

My MH paddocks were laced so I can’t tell you how the zippers hold up. The Ariats are zip and no issues so far.

I rode outside in my Ariats in weather that was down to -20C, and MH probably similar although inside (uninsulated arena that got really cold). My toes still got cold, but they always do.

I suggest investing in SmartWool socks, and the T-Max Heat socks from Marks Work Wearhouse. The T-Max are very thick and have a great fluffy cozy inside. On very cold days I wear a pair of SmartWool with the T-Max on top, then winter boots.

[HicksteadFan]

I’ll be mostly riding indoors for next few years while at school. However I will be riding outside at Christmas, when I’m done school or if I change lesson barns.

I’m a little worried that you had to get new stirrups to accommodate the boots as I ride in the riding instructor’s saddles not my own. And we often switch horses/saddles.

As for riding in -20: perfect! and I do have T-max socks for winter riding and barn work. I’d like to get zip up ones so I don’t have to deal with chaps in the cold.

[myhorsefaith]

I love my Ariat Bromont tall boots…3rd year and running! paired with good socks, they keep me nice and toasty…and my feet get cold very very easily!

[scruffy_the_cat]

Another MH Active Rider fan. They are so comfortable that sometimes I walk the dogs in the woods in them. As for stuffing more pants into them- 2 weeks ago I ended up at a herding clinic and forgot my farm boots. All I had in the car other than my Danskos were my Active Riders. I stuffed my jeans into them and thanks to the elastic, zipped them right up. Spent the day on my feet chasing sheep around and was happy as a clam. SmartPak has them for $118 right now. Great deal. I am about to buy a 2nd pair just in case Mountain Horse discontinues them, I’d miss them that much.

[Huntertwo]

Cabela’s

Had the low pair of MH winter boots and hated them. My feet froze. I asked my Vet what she wears in the winter. (Who better than to ask?)

She told me not to go below a certain gram of Thinsulate and recommended this boot from Cabela’s. LOVE THEM!! I do a lot of trail riding and my feet never, ever get remotely cold.

They may appear to be bulky, but I use English Irons on my Endurance Saddle and never had a problem.

If you do order, I’d recommend going UP and entire size. They run small. And a normal pair of socks is all you need. No bulky wool socks, etc.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Footwear/Womens-Footwear/Womens-Winter-Footwear|/pc/104797980/c/104790780/sc/104688180/Cabelas-Womens-Snow-Runner8482-Zipper-Pac-Boots/1695186.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fwomens-winter-footwear%2Fcabelas%2F_%2FN-1101221%2B1000002949%2FNe-1000002949%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%3BMMcat104797980%26WTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104797980%3Bcat104688180