Well, it looks like my FF boots have been shipped from SmartPak this morning! I really, really have my hopes up that these are going to work for me. I’ll keep you posted …
Well, my FF field boots were delivered today and I actually managed to get them on my troll legs – and zippered closed! Of course, I’m currently only wearing them with tall boot socks and shorts as it is about a bazillion degrees in the house, so I’m hoping they’ll still fit once I have a pair of breeches on.
They fit rather tightly over the widest part of my calf (barely managed to close the zipper through that part), but then they seem to gap quite widely at the top of my calf to the knee. I guess the makers of FF figure that anyone with calves this size must have this going on all the way up. I can say, as far as my calves are concerned, that it is a muscle issue, so there is a specific area that does bulge with the way the muscle is developed, but then the rest of my lower leg is relatively standard (I can’t say the same for my thighs, unfortunately).
They were a little stiff getting my foot into them, but I’m sure that’s just a normal tall boot thing and that part will get easier as they break in. I may have to wear them around the house for a few days before I can hope to pull them on over breeches though, we’ll see.
So, overall, they’re not perfect, but I think I’m going to be able to wear them. I will be very happy if I have tall boots at my next event and can ditch the crappy leather half chaps that I hate!
Edited to add: I bought the boots in XW width and short height. The height seems just about right, maybe a smidge too high (but I assume will fall a bit with use). I am 5’2".
Update: I actually got them on over breeches, so I’m going to ride in them today and see how that goes.
Just a Tip:
When you have fat legs (and I’m not going to be PC about it, some larger women still have fine gams but some of us have fat legs), quite often it’s easier to just pull the boots on rather than use the zips.
I rode in my new boots this afternoon and they were pretty comfortable, not too stiff. I think these are actually going to work for me, I am so happy! Also, the boots were much easier to zip up the second time (also was easier to get my foot in). So they seemed to loosen up right away. Not sure how the boots will hold up to heavy usage, but I’m very excited to finally have real boots, however I can get them. I’ll probably save them for competitions once I have them broken in a bit. Anyway, just wanted to provide my feedback in case anyone is considering buying the Fuller Fillies Field Boot.
To make a stiff new zipper work a bit more easily, try taking an old candle or chunk of parafin and rubbing that on the zipper; it will lubricate the teeth and make zipping up easier.
Thanks for the tip. It seemed to zipper up much easier the second time around, so I think it’s okay already. But, good to know!
[QUOTE=cranky;4970317]
I rode in my new boots this afternoon and they were pretty comfortable, not too stiff. I think these are actually going to work for me, I am so happy! Also, the boots were much easier to zip up the second time (also was easier to get my foot in). So they seemed to loosen up right away. Not sure how the boots will hold up to heavy usage, but I’m very excited to finally have real boots, however I can get them. I’ll probably save them for competitions once I have them broken in a bit. Anyway, just wanted to provide my feedback in case anyone is considering buying the Fuller Fillies Field Boot.[/QUOTE]
What do you think of the overall quality level of the construction? Do they look like they’ll hold up reasonably well with moderate care (y’know, cleaning them if they get gunked up, not leaving them out in the sun to bake, that sort of thing) or are they the sort of thing you really need to reserve ‘just’ as show boots if you want them to last at all?
My FF Dress Boots came today from Smart Pak Today also! Order them on March 3, but it was worth the wait. Custom boots was the only way I could get a pair of boots to fit me. Can no longer afford $1,000 for boots, when I bought them 15 years ago, they were $450.
I am very impressed! I got the dress boot. Leather is not bad, supple, not to stiff, but stiff enough. Will break in real easy IMHO. Slpped them on with bare feet and legs, not a problem. Zipper was tough, but hubby pulled it up for me 
Once on and the way the full leg gussett streches – fit like a custom boot for me!!! The only complaint the foot is real roomy (kind of wide) as opposed to regular ridng boots. I am C width, sometimes a wide. Plenty of room there. I have a short leg, lower muscle calf, so I order the short XW. If they drop more than an inch, they won’t be as tall as I would like.
But to able to buy off the shelf boots that fit – it is AMAZING!!! Thank You Fuller Fillies, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!
[QUOTE=Coreene;4834651]
My Fuller Fillies checkmate breeches in the black/brown houndstooth (or was that herringbone?) arrived. I will confess to now owning five pair of checkmate Fuller Fillies breeches.
All of this is because Some People I Know are e-n-a-b-l-e-r-s.[/QUOTE]
And the price is reduced on the SmartPak site right now 
The sizing reads as follows:
Measure your waist and order the size that is 6" smaller than your measurement. For example, if your waist measures 36", then order a size 30.
Is this accurate? It puts me at a way smaller size than my usual breeches size.
[QUOTE=kdow;4970492]
What do you think of the overall quality level of the construction? Do they look like they’ll hold up reasonably well with moderate care (y’know, cleaning them if they get gunked up, not leaving them out in the sun to bake, that sort of thing) or are they the sort of thing you really need to reserve ‘just’ as show boots if you want them to last at all?[/QUOTE]
I’m not sure if I’m the best person to judge as I haven’t owned a pair of tall boots in about 30 years, so I have nothing to compare them to. But, the leather does seem pretty sturdy and construction comparable enough to my Ariat paddock boots. I just don’t want to wear them down and scuff them up too much with daily use. I’d like to keep them as nice as possible for competition. My paddock boots have held up nicely, but are quite scuffed from everyday wear.
[QUOTE=Dale Area 1;4970625]
My FF Dress Boots came today from Smart Pak Today also! Order them on March 3, but it was worth the wait. Custom boots was the only way I could get a pair of boots to fit me. Can no longer afford $1,000 for boots, when I bought them 15 years ago, they were $450.
I am very impressed! I got the dress boot. Leather is not bad, supple, not to stiff, but stiff enough. Will break in real easy IMHO. Slpped them on with bare feet and legs, not a problem. Zipper was tough, but hubby pulled it up for me Once on and the way the full leg gussett streches – fit like a custom boot for me!!! The only complaint the foot is real roomy (kind of wide) as opposed to regular ridng boots. I am C width, sometimes a wide. Plenty of room there. I have a short leg, lower muscle calf, so I order the short XW. If they drop more than an inch, they won’t be as tall as I would like.
But to able to buy off the shelf boots that fit – it is AMAZING!!! Thank You Fuller Fillies, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!![/QUOTE]
I noticed this as well, the foot was quite wide, I didn’t notice it much while riding though.
Re the Checkmates, I buy mine a size bigger than I would in other breeches.
[QUOTE=Coreene;4970957]
Re the Checkmates, I buy mine a size bigger than I would in other breeches.[/QUOTE]
Wow, thanks, I’m glad I asked! So if you size yourself according to the online instructions (6" smaller than waist size), is that anywhere close to the size you actually bought?
Has anyone tried Dublin’s boots?
I need a new pair of tall dress boots for hunting, and while I like the FF boots in general, I don’t think their look is quite right for the hunt field, with the long swagger tab and the rivet on it. I was curious to know if anyone has tried any of the Dublin Aristocrats? I don’t care for the Spanish top but like the “plainer” look for hunting.
[QUOTE=Coreene;4970957]
Re the Checkmates, I buy mine a size bigger than I would in other breeches.[/QUOTE]
Placed my order
Equitector has tall boots with plain (not Spanish) tops:
http://www.equitector.com/hunting-boots.cfm
Mine have worn very well–three years and counting, worn nearly daily. i just ordered my second “good” pair for showing.
[QUOTE=Hounds;4971118]
I need a new pair of tall dress boots for hunting, and while I like the FF boots in general, I don’t think their look is quite right for the hunt field, with the long swagger tab and the rivet on it. I was curious to know if anyone has tried any of the Dublin Aristocrats? I don’t care for the Spanish top but like the “plainer” look for hunting.[/QUOTE]
I’m not really womanly sized, though bootmakers seem to think I am fat, and I tried these on in a wide and the ankle was horribly shapeless and it just didn’t look good.
Said with the caveat if it werent’ for the fat on my upper calf below my knee, I would have total chicken legs, and so my ankles are very small.
I got the FF Country Boots. The leather/suede is very nice. The calf is a nice mellow brown and the foot is a very dark brown (much darker than on the Smartpak picture). It seems that the darkening has come from what ever they have used to waterproof them. They’re lined so they should be good for fall/winter riding. I got the sz US 9 xw reg and they are very generous. I can fit then over my jeans with no trouble at all. There is even enough space for fleece boot warmers this winter. The foot does run large. They fit more like a 9.5, plenty of room for warm socks. I expect to get a lot of use from these boots this fall and into the winter.
[QUOTE=Alibhai’s Alibar;4973964]
Placed my order :)[/QUOTE]
Got my Checkmates today (great turnaround time by SmartPak) and I LOVE them (so far- will ride in them tonight). The fit and the style are lovely. Thank you (yet again!) for this thread.
