WWYD - Tall Boots fit one calf but not the other :(

[mika0116]

A couple of years on and off riding during 2020-2022 my Deniro Medium Tall (MA) Small Calf (S) semi custom (brown, no laces, some minor tooling at the top) don’t really fit anymore…

I rode in them maybe 10 times in 2019.

My right calf fits (they zip up fine with riding tights)

My left - they zip to the middle of my calf but have about an inch gap in the zipper at the top of my leg - the 2 inches of my calf below the knee.

I always knew I had a minor imbalance, but it used to be the left calf would fit and the right would be a little loose.

Sure, I could lose 10 -15 lbs (I’m about 155-160 at 5’9). I used to be 145 pre 2020. But I think it is the hiking/walking/running that I picked back up while not riding has seriously changed the shape of my legs as well.

Would you just buy new off the rack Deniros Medium Tall (MA) Medium Calf (M) for like $800 and see if my semi customs eventually fit when I start riding more (I generally lose weight while riding vs not).

or should I try to de-fat and ride (flatting and small jump exercises bc boy am I out of riding shape) with my left boot somewhat unzipped until I give up the ghost or they fit?

The cost doesn’t bother me … I am just kinda annoyed with myself and am having trouble “letting go” of the former size (even temporarily) because one leg fits great, haha.

Just typing this I know I should just get the comfy nice boots and get riding… sigh. thanks for listening…

[Moonboots]

I had an old pair of boots that were in great shape but were too tight when I got back to riding. I took them to a boot shop and had them stretched. If you think there is a real chance that you will get back to your smaller size, maybe that isn’t the route you want to take. But if you find you’re consistently a new size, it might be a worthwhile option, especially if one leg has always been a bit smaller than the other.

[yaya]

You might be able to get an elastic gusset put in on the one boot that’s small.

[hoopoe]

have you tried them on at different times of the day?

You might consider compression socks and see if you are having some stocking up issues. It does not take much to have boots not fit.

[Hej]

If you do decide to go with new boots, get them to fit the larger leg.
It’s easier to take boots up than to let them out, and generally looks better as well.

[ottbee]

For the tighter boot, if you have no tights or socks on (which would add to the distance it has to close) can you get it zipped up at all? What about if you hold your leg out in front of you, rest it on something about a foot high, and flex your foot as far as it can flex when you try to zip? That seems to slim my calf and allow me to zipper boots when they are too tight on my bigger leg (I just about need different sizes for each leg).

So, with boots that fit the R leg perfectly, I was able to just BARELY able to zip the L boot. So I did that at home, with no breeches/knee socks, and stretched it at home that way. Over a few weeks, both boots now fit well. L is still a little harder to zip than R, but both are comfortable.

[mika0116]

Finally someone with the same issue. I have a slight difference in leg length due to hip angle/ ligament situation that I was born with.

When I am very conscious (single leg lifts at the gym, wearing heel lift in one shoe while hiking/running etc) I can get them more even… I got a little out of habit during pandemic years.

The difference can be really annoying where I am a 13.5 in calf on the right and a 14ish in the left. The Deniro size chart for size 40 foot has those sizes as a S (13.7) calf in the right and a M (14.3) in the left.

I am MA height and size 40 foot - I’m 5’9 and cannot go shorter in height of shaft.

I used to be able to fit both in the 13.7 S calf, but they were always a bit loose on the right leg and fit more than comfortably on the left.

I cannot zip with tights on on the left. I am much closer without tights and I feel like stopping running on hills and maybe not eating dairy for a month MIGHT make it possible to fit into my S calf boots.

The M calf boots I think would be slightly too big on my larger leg and swimming on my smaller leg. Again, easier to take boots IN vs OUT - I get it.

Maybe the world is telling me I need 2 pairs to Deniros, one of my smaller calves phases of life in S calf and one new pair in M calf for when I am stocked up or above fighting weight.

pre covid 29 vs post covid turning 33 is a tough pill to swallow - haha

[mika0116]

Hm I think too loose of boots look sloppy as well (and cause rubs) - boots that fit will always look and feel better.

My original post does indeed acknowledge a course of action of buying the calf size up - in Normal Calf size but they would be too big in BOTH calves, one leg slightly and one leg massively.

I know complaining about being a SMEDIUM is obnoxious - I should size up and get them taken in for both boots and shut up, LOL.

[atlatl]

I do not recommend this course of action but what used to be my fat leg is now my skinny leg after breaking that ankle and getting de-calf-inated. It’s been 2 years and it’s still smaller.

I agree with the suggestion of either getting them stretched or a gusset added.

[mika0116]

I’ve found my people with the lexicon fat leg vs skinny leg!!

Ugh, that sounds so rough - I hope your calves move towards a median size generally without any more injuries!

[PNWjumper]

I can totally empathize!

I ordered a pair of deniros a year ago to replace the ones that I had that were starting to wear out. They took forever to ship, and by the time they showed up I had gone from skinny phase to fat phase. And yes, one of my calves is slightly larger than the other too. These boots don’t have elastic like my nice Tuccis that fit through all of my fat/skinny transitions…though ultimately I love the look of no-elastic once the boots are broken in.

When I put my boots on and zip them up they completely cut off my circulation and don’t quite make it the last inch or so (and fat chance on snapping the tab at the top for now). But the show season is starting, so I’ve decided I have to tough it out. So every day I put them on and marvel at how it could even be possible that they’re even tighter in than moment than they were when I wore them the day before (like seriously, ever single day). Am I getting fatter every single night!!! I usually manage to walk down to my barn by which point my calves are throbbing. Then I take my hose and aim it on the zipper so that the boots get wet around my calf (on the inside). Then I curse and swear through tacking up and one ride, and often have to unzip them 6-12 inches until the ride is complete. Then I zip them the rest of they way up at the end of the ride and through some magic, they fit for the rest of whatever I do…more rides, handwalking, etc. Then I try to wear them until they dry and then the cycle repeats itself.

I know (from countless boot breaking in cycles) “this is the way”. But it’s hard to remember when I’m standing there wondering why I’m trying to squeeze into yet another pair of boots.

So I guess long story short, I would zip them to where they go and then wear them, working on zipping that zipper a little higher every time I rode. On a positive note for deniro - the zippers are probably the best I’ve had in any of the boots I’ve owned over the years. Not sure I’d try that with most others. But you know that if you can get them to the point of zipping they’ll be the best fitting boots you’ve ever had! (I have to remind myself of that too).

With all of that being said, if you are thinking that you will get back down to your skinnier weight, it’s probably worth skipping the pain and saving them for then. I do hate when my boots get stretched out to my fatter size and then I don’t like them as much when I get back to skinny. But the reality is that calf size change usually isn’t ‘that’ dramatic.

Good luck whatever you decide!

[mika0116]

oh my god - this rang so so so true for me.

Deniros are some of the hardiest, nicest looking boots I’ve ever had that take a serious beating – nice to know someone who understands my loyalty to the brand.

I wear my field/dress boots doing everything… wash racks to hand grazing to actual rides to putzing around the barn available to hack the new sales horse to hopping on the schoolie when the kid doesn’t show up…

The zippers are impressive!

They DO stretch - even if the process is obnoxious and leg numbing. I don’t have a show season to prepare for - just a new barn that might be like: “wtf is this lady doing?!?! Can’t she just admit that she isn’t SLIM CALF anymore?”

but that is me being self conscious - it is an eventing barn mostly, with HJ and Dressage trainers that cater to working AA’s, no kids, and the owners, who also compete, had times in and out of the saddle themselves.

I want to get back in the tack ASAP, so although I could “save them” and see what happens when I stop mainlining cheese that is bringing me from size 4 to closer to a size 6 - I mightttt just take some flat lessons with one boot wetted down, unzipped and see if they inch closer to closing.

If the process persists - I’ll buy the size up calf Deniros for schooling / my fat periods - I don’t think it is worth buying $900 off the rack boots and then having them taken in - god forbid my calves evolve yet again and the taken in boots fit weird.

Whole thing is annoying AF bc it is ONE LEG

[Moonboots]

When I couldn’t get the zipper on my boot shut, I wrapped the open section of my boot with some vetwrap to stop it from flapping around.

[Chall]

Practically speaking, check out mounted police riding boots, with the laces on the outside upper calf.

OFFICER - Embossy Patrol Riding Boots Black | eBay

[mika0116]

LOL this is a great out of the box solution!

I ended up buying Deniro’s “practice brand” with a discount so $600 down to like $500 in a regular medium calf to switch between. Comically my customs are slowly slowing zipping more and more. If I continue the trend, the customs should fit by mid summer…

[pluvinel]

The solution is…ta dah…

The old classic 3-buckle boot.