A hint about tall boots: sometimes you can pull 'em on no problem even when the zips might not be your friend.
[QUOTE=seabreeze;4399745]
Yeah, I should be able to wear them, too, according to the size chart. But when I went to Dover to try them on…not even close! They were a full inch or inch-and-a-half from closing. The lady at the store took out her tape measure and everything because she thought there was no WAY the size chart could be off by so much…but lo and behold! It was. My calf measurement was easily within the width of the boot on the chart, but it did not even remotely fit.
Hope you have better luck![/QUOTE]
oh man that doesnt bode well for me then as my calf is wider than the charts by a bit, weird part is winter boots fit good now(that i replaced zippers) I will admit when I first got them they took 10mins to put on and with assistance…
what about the high rider II? I know they look like the winter ones but they have that elastic panel like them too. would they be okay for schooling shows(okay maybe a provincial show but thats really streching it…)
any boot recomendations for under 300$ other than the not pretty mtn horse II boots?
[QUOTE=Coreene;4400118]
A hint about tall boots: sometimes you can pull 'em on no problem even when the zips might not be your friend.[/QUOTE]
I wish that would work, I have a really high instep and cant wear pull on shoes let alone boots… Im like really not built for riding!
What about replacing zippers and when they are putting the new ones on getting them to attach a strip of elastic(heavy elastic) on either side of the zipper? That has the added benefit of some extra room and give.
I feel like I have few affordable boot options(and chaps that are nice too)
Darn Seabreeze, you burst my bubble…hehe. I have to go next Friday to a town with a Dover, so will give them a try. My calf measurement is a little less than the wide calf measurement, so will give it a try and see. Thanks for the heads up.
Can I just say how thrilled I am to have found this thread?! I have been riding in jeans and my old SS-style jod boots for almost a year because I didn’t know where to start looking for plus-size breeches and/or half chaps…now I’ve got my first schooling show in 8 years coming up at the end of October and I’d really like to look the part. 
And I will!!
BTW…these half chaps:
http://www.aretesaddlery.com/tack/apparel/chaps/iberian-ii-plus-sizes/prod_218.html
Does anyone know…are these considered “smooth” for USDF recognized show purposes (despite the ribbing in the back)??
Seabreeze, I had the same luck as you with the Mountain Horse tall boots. I measured my calf and the measurement I got was within the range it gave on the size charts, but no go. The boots were at least an inch too small.
Just so everyone knows, I have a pair of ovation synthetic half chaps, size L, and they EASILY fit my 17.5 (naked) calves. I’m fairly certain they come in XL, as well, and I imagine they’ll fit just about anyone. I was also give a pair of Shires synthetic in M, and they fit me, too!! :eek: Granted, they were pre-worn, so maybe they stretched. But at any rate, a good solution to schooling chaps!
I’m looking insulated or fleece riding pants for the winter. It will be cold before you know it! I wear a 16 in street clothes, and I usually like a 36 or 38 for riding pants. I’d rather not have full-seats. Any suggestions?
Alakazam, I like the Tropical Riders Toasties. Depending on brand I wear either a 36 or 38. I got the Tropical Riders with the suede like patches(less expensive than the leather). I have a pair of xl low rise which are probably the correct size for me. I also purchased a pair in large( full seat on sale) and they fit, but maybe just a tad snug with the full seat.
Tropical Rider Toasties. Love’em!
Super comfy, super warm. They come in a regular and low rise.
Sz. 16 in street clothes would probably correspond to Tropical Rider sz. L.
Yes, Tropical Rider L is about a 16 - they tend to run a bit large. I love their pants. I also love my FITS, although they tend to run truer to size - I wear an XL in FITS.
Thanks for the tips! Its always hard to know if a particular company’s sizes run true to size. I purchased a inexpensive pair of XL winter weight pants from Dover through the mail last year and I was shocked at how little the XL was. There was no way I’d ever fit into them. Any other brand suggestions?
I found most of the other winter “tights” I tried ran small. I have a pair of Kerrits which while they fit are lighter in weight than the Tropical Riders and I need to wear some long underwear with those. I also purchased a pair of TuffRiders and those also run small.
Wow, my eyes are sore from reading. I came here this afternoon when searching high instep/arch puffy feet riding boots. I am returning to riding after a 17 year absence and lets just say that four kids on, I’m not the bootylicious thing I used to be. I start this Saturday at the local riding school and am living in New Zealand so a lot of your links, although brilliant, won’t help but I do know that Mountain Horse boots are available at my local saddlery so at least I will be able to go in there with some hope.
I am following my childhood dream and start a year long course in Stable Practise in March and then do a degree in AgriScience majoring in Equine so that I can go on and manage a stud/racing stable. I am so excited to be finally following my dreams at age 34 and I must commend you all on the best thread I’ve come across, with such a friendly and helpful bunch of people willing to do their best to point their fellow curvy horsewomen in the right direction. I have spent over 5 hours reading this thread and ended up skipping from page 20 to this one. LOL. I am honoured to be part of this forum now and I will keep you posted as to how the first ride goes on Sebastian the 16.1hh showjumper goes on Saturday. xxxx
Just noticed that this comment is number 1975 which is, coincidentally, my year of birth. LOL.
Jules75; welcome, and be SURE to post about that first day at the school! I am a womanly sized re-rerider–hiatus from aroun age 20 to nearly 40, then from early 40s until early 50s–thank God for Spandex! I have big buniony high arched feet myself and have better luck with men’s boots and shoes. My dream is to have a pair of tall boots someday, but at present am just thrilled to have found a few brands of breeches/tights and shoes and jodphur boots that work.
[QUOTE=Vibrant;4405366]
BTW…these half chaps:
http://www.aretesaddlery.com/tack/apparel/chaps/iberian-ii-plus-sizes/prod_218.html
Does anyone know…are these considered “smooth” for USDF recognized show purposes (despite the ribbing in the back)??[/QUOTE]
A woman that used to show with my barn had these - I think you would be fine - you couldn’t really tell they weren’t tall boots. We just showed a local H/J circuit, but the half-chaps worked well and looked professional.
[QUOTE=jeano;4437070]
Jules75; welcome, and be SURE to post about that first day at the school! I am a womanly sized re-rerider–hiatus from aroun age 20 to nearly 40, then from early 40s until early 50s–thank God for Spandex! I have big buniony high arched feet myself and have better luck with men’s boots and shoes. My dream is to have a pair of tall boots someday, but at present am just thrilled to have found a few brands of breeches/tights and shoes and jodphur boots that work.[/QUOTE]
Thanks Jeano.
Love to know what breeches and jod boots worked for you.
I will be sure to post about my first ride in decades. I am a bit nervous to tell the truth. My ten year old daughter is in the riding lesson after me so hopefully doesn’t see her Mum get thrown. LOL!!
[QUOTE=Jules75;4438929]
Thanks Jeano.
Love to know what breeches and jod boots worked for you.
I will be sure to post about my first ride in decades. I am a bit nervous to tell the truth. My ten year old daughter is in the riding lesson after me so hopefully doesn’t see her Mum get thrown. LOL!![/QUOTE]
Blundstones have a fairly roomy foot bed. If you can afford to spring for a pair of RM Williams, they have enought space to fit a high instep, and are well worth the dollars.
Breeches? I like an American brand, Trainers’ Choice. Hides the dimples, and are wide where I need them.
