The best thing about tall boots with zippers is not having to squeeze a high instep through a pull on ankle.
You might be surprised at how some off the rack boots fit. There are so many size options. As well as semi-custom.
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For me it’s the height of the boot. I have extremely long legs and it’s always been really hard to find boots over 22” that also fit my chicken legs 
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I have La Mundial custom paddock and tall boots. They are less expensive than Dehner or Vogel and fit me better than either of my customs from D or V. Both fit perfectly right out of the box and have been very comfortable. I have short, fat feet with a very slender, tall calf. I’ve never had a comfortable pair of paddock boots before. Might be worth a look. I got measured at WEG and Equine Affaire. Hope this helps someone.
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Oh, go away, @anon29046226 with your still-fitting full chaps and custom boots. Shoo! Shoo! (Sigh. Jealous.)
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That’s just my legs!!!
If you’re looking for something that is mostly saved for the show ring (not really designed for every-day wear and tear) the Parlanti off the rack may fit you.
Not that this pertains to the thread at all, but worth a bit of a story regarding Butet saddles. I bought a “well loved” Butet several years ago off Ebay, my first French saddle and my God I was in love with it. Just getting started in the hunters and scraping for everything I had, this was a big deal. I was told it was a '94 or '95 model. I couldn’t find a stamp on it, so I believed the seller.
I showed the upper level QH circuit in that thing. You couldn’t tell how old it looked when I sat in it and it was structurally sound. I took it to the Butet rep at the QH Congress one year and asked if he could identify how old it was and what it might be worth. He called it a “relic”, and found the stamp, nearly worn off. It was a (if I remember correctly) 1986 model; the first year Butets were manufactured.
I ended up selling it to upgrade. But I have seen it floating through FB sale pages as recently as last year. It’s gotten a bit more used looking but I can identify it by the very distinct sweat marks on the seat. At the time I sold it, it was still structurally sound. Could have used to be reflocked and perhaps new knee pads. But man that thing would probably survive a nuclear apocalypse.
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@ZuzusPetals, Dehners are not as durable as they were when you were riding in the past. I got a custom pair in 2018 (ordered in 2017; they took about six months and two attempts to arrive in the correct measurements). The soles split and heels fell off about a year in, and it’s happened again twice since. There was absolutely no apology on their part or indication that this was unusual. Just saying you might want to consider other options too.
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I’ve been on this BB since 2000/2001. They were saying the same thing back then 
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I also need 22” in height but I have small feet and wide calves. Off the rack boots that fit the feet & calves are too short. Off the rack boots that fit the height and calf width are far too large in the foot.
grumble
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I really feel that in the opposite direction. Yes I know I have yeti feet. I’m also a potato on toothpicks.
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Just wanted to say that I’m enjoying the thread and forum. I used to compete in hunt seat equitation, yikes over 20 years ago, and I just re-entered the horse world when I rescued my mare last year. I’m very active in rescuing but I haven’t ridden in so long and keep thinking about getting back into it, although it’s been so long.
I’m glad that I have kept my old boots and saddle, though not in the best shape, my ribbons are in a box somewhere. The hard hat that I had many years ago, the material was so much thinner than these days, but I still have it!
It’s great hearing from all of you.
There’s a girl at my barn entering hunters / equitation and I always enjoy chatting with her and watching her improve. She reminds me of myself when I was much younger.
I’ve been enjoying following a lot of show jumpers on Instagram. Wow, I miss it!
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Glad you’re enjoying all the reminiscing. 
As much as I enjoyed all the years of showing hunters and eq., I also enjoy watching the younger kids at the barn practice and compete. I think, “What adventures will they have in the world of horses?”
I hope you can find a way back into riding, if you want, even if it’s just hopping on to cruise around and enjoy the company of a sweet horse.
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You know, what if we all show up for an entire season in rust and madras? What are the judges going to do — not pin anyone? WE CAN DO THIS.
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I am DYING to wear my rust TS breeches this show season and am trying to figure out what color coat to wear with it. Once upon I time I had a beautiful bright navy plaid. Alas I do not have that coat anymore, and I don’t know what would be kosher today.
Is Khaki/Olive still OK in the hunter ring? I used to have a coat like that in the early 2000s I adored.
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Thank you so much!
As for now, I enjoy doing on my rescued mare and caring for her with her arthritis. We have fun being best buddies and doing some Liberty.
Yes, it would be fun to get back into riding at some point!
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Dooooo it.
I bought an olive-ish tan one used which I love.
As @ZuzusPetals says above, “what are they going to do?”
The worst that can happen is a 16-year old looks askance. But since I’m seeing them wear rust around my barn, it’s only a matter of time. Yo.
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I know someone who occasionally shows in rust breeches with a navy coat.
I had a madras coat back in the day. If I can trust my rusty memory, it was mainly black (navy?) and cream with threads of red and yellow. I loved it.
I love your avatar. You draw horses and riders just like I do.
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2Dogs lets a tear slip down her cheek as she gazes at her 2002 custom Dehner paddocks (slip-on version).
They get worn a lot & aside from the elastic having zero stretch, some fissures across the instep & the soles worn to highlight my aging tendency to arthritic bowlegs, coupled with my infrequent cleaning & conditioning, they are still quite wearable.
These are Pair #3 since 199-something & 2nd pair of slipons after zippers died of arena grit & only Dehner could replace the zip.
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