In all that time, I have not owned a pair of tall boots.
I like tall boots. I like tidy riding attire (sans coat--that's just asinine). At first, I was heavy and needed to buy special wide calf boots, so I put it off. I lost the weight and can now wear most standard sizes, but I really prefer brown to black. I can't afford custom, so I put it off.
Currently, I can't afford boots at all, but I think next year might be my time to splurge. If I can't take Tredsteps into making brown boots (I am trying!!), I might have to give it up and go black.
No sense doing that quietly. I'm considering these:
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| Swoopy! |
It's for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that I like the steps towards technological relevance that the equine industry is finally taking and I'd like to support it.
That said, the enemy of progress is tradition and I do enjoy a pretty, traditional field boots.
I'd love to just skip down to the local tack store and try a pair on, but that's not so much an option for me.
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| Outside the box |
I haven't consulted Cuna for an opinion yet and I'm sure he doesn't care as long as the holiday snowflake polos don't make a reappearance on his legs.
Thoughts? Anyone else have a favorite boot? Have you tried the Volants on? Share!
lol. We are opposites. I ride in tall boots every day regardless of lesson, show or hack. I went straight from rubber tall boots to leather ones, and even just bopping around the barn paddock boots make me feel moderately naked.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I have always loved a traditional field boot and think Ariat makes some of the best for the money. I'm back to hating zippers. They break, they split, and the suuuuuper skinny ankle on modern zip boots looks weird and insect-like to me.
As for the Volants, they make me squirm a bit from a design perspective and I don't think I could bring myself to order them - BUT S just bought a cute pair of the semi-sexy lace up ones (for winter schooling) and she is LOVING them. Not 100% water proof, but better than a standard tall boot for sure...
I will be stalking your comments from other bloggers...currently boot shopping also. I want good quality without the custom price tag.
ReplyDeleteKelly - I recently scored a pair of Konig Field boots on a stock dispersal.. regularly $900 down to $299. I adore them. and they fit like customs. I have freakishly tall/boney calves and finding a non-custom boot that goes past my ankle and doesn't rattle around like a rain boot is challenging..
DeleteI always wear tall boots too. I just wear ugly cheap winter boots around the barn and in the mud. I like the Ariat Volant because they look comfy, which is nice, but I'm more of a fan of the traditional style
ReplyDeleteI don't like full seat breeches, or tall boots, or stock ties, or thick woolly jackets worn in the middle of scorching hot summers. However, as I DO like showing, I get to enjoy all of those. I showed in leather half-chaps for as long as it was 'legal' to do so, but eventually I had to cave and get some real tall boots. Being on a limited budget, I ended up going with the Ariat Challenge Field Boot, in an XXS XXT to fit my freaky chicken legs ;) Affordable, functional, no frills, but Ariats last.
ReplyDeleteI used to only ride in tall boots for showing but when I broke in my 2nd ever pair of tall boots I couldn't bring myself to ride in half chaps again. I have a pair of Ariats although I am not sure which version. I am going to have to get a new pair in the nearish future as mine are starting to wear through and are looking kinda rough.
ReplyDeleteHope you find something you like!
I'm a little lower end than all of you, I absolutely ADORE my Mountain Horse field boots. Break-in time was about 2 rides. TWO! Plus I got them for $200.00 brand new. Have had the zippers replaced in them with a bigger gauge zipper, but I love them to pieces. I'll ride in either half chaps or my tall boots, depending on how cold it is or if we're going bushwhacking or not :)
ReplyDeleteHi Erica! I just bought the Mountain Horse Firenze Zip Dress boot, and I'm still wearing them around the house trying to figure out if I like them. Glad to hear you love your field boots!
DeleteOh shoot, Erica is NSRider! Signed in on the wrong email address
ReplyDeleteHm, personally the Volants aren't my favorite. Look amazing, feeling not so good. I would HIGHLY reccomend the Mountain horse SSG's reasonable price, great looking and the best quality I have ever ridden in. I use them Sara, Gary, Madison all use them, and billions of other people would agree with me, I would never say this if it wasn't true, they break in after ONE ride I would cut off my right arm that is so true I couldn't believe it!!!! Really try these!!!:)
ReplyDeleteI've had these boots for the past coule of years and I have been happy with them. I purchase them on ebay for around 125 dollars which was a steal. Saddly, one of the zippers didn't work right and had to be replaced. I conatacted the seller and she paid for part of the zipper problem.
ReplyDeleteI really like the Volants and if I had the money to spend on them I totally would. They look like nike riding boots!
http://www.doversaddlery.com/ariat®-westchester-zip-dress-boot/p/X1-38178/ It would have been help to leave the link of the boots that I currently own.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! I am always in tall boots when I ride, I feel weird in half chaps. I bum around the barn is adorbs Dublin Pinnacle Boots (lace up/brown) or my dansko clogs. I like the Volants, pretty cool! But, I still with what works and like you, rarely buy new tall boots (I think it's literally been 10 years since I got a new pair, I take really good care of them and get them to my shoe guy probably once a year for new soles/zippers).
ReplyDeleteI always ride in tall boots (unless trail riding, then half chaps). I LOVE LOVE Mountain Horse. I am on my 2nd pair in about 5 years. But I abuse them, don't clean them, wear them nearly every day and also do general barn chores in them. They are so comfy and really do stand up to my abuse. Those Ariats look snazzy tho. I would like to get a new pair for showing only - was thinking of trying Ariat as I love their paddock boots.
ReplyDeleteLove the Ariat Volants! I wish I could afford a pair for schooling boots as I think they might be a little too "out there" for showing, but I'm still in love with them. Currently I'm saving up for some De Niro Leuca tall boots which has a zipper that swoops around to the side (Smartpak carries them). I love zipper boots, but mine rub my ankle, thus why I want the Leucas. De Niro also makes some *gorgeous* brown boots, the Ride and Fly which are also more sneaker-like and so comfy looking. My boots are the first pair of tall boots I've owned and they're Ariats (can't remember what style) and they are wearing like iron. I've had them for almost 8 years and I've only had a zipper break once (riding in jeans... bad me) and they still clean up like new despite me riding in them every day and doing barn chores in them as well!
ReplyDeleteI like the "swoopy" design of the Volants and the side zipper, which is my only complaint regarding my Mountain Horse high boots. The zipper hurt the back of my knee long after the leather had dropped and softened. I bought a cheapo pair and wear them all the time. I used to ride exclusively in Ariat paddock boots and half chaps, but now that my foot has been spoiled by the comfy and supportive foot bed of my Mountain Horse high boots, Ariats make my feet hurt.
ReplyDeleteGood luck choosing a boot!
I wear my tall boots all the time too. I always had a crap pair and this year I splurged on the $370 Mountain Horse field boots and the minute I got on my horse I couldn't believe I waited so long to get new boots!! Love them, they are super comfy and improved my leg.
ReplyDeleteI'm not so into the Volants, mostly because I like a more traditional looking boot. But! I own a pair of the Ariat Challenge 2's and the break in period was approx. 3 rides or so. I also own a pair of the Ariat Windermere Baker boots and they are pretty fun to bum around in. I even went grocery shopping in them once after a lesson and someone asked me if they were Burberry's. So I certainly recommend Ariat stuff! And if you and Cuna are happy with the Volants, then that's what's most important :)
ReplyDeleteI REALLY did not like the look of the Volants, especially the original ones with the red stripe. However, the folks at the tack store suckered me into trying on a pair (I told them up front I WAS NOT going to buy them)... and ... OMG. It's like wearing tennis shoes! Seriously breathable (a must in our 110 degree summers), moves with you, comfortable (if slightly clunky) footbed. If they weren't $500, AND if I could wear them in the show ring, then yeah, I probably would have taken them home. As it is, I can only afford one pair of tall boots, so I went with Ariat zip field boots (no dress boots since they don't bend well, and I event/foxhunt). They are taking some time to break in, but they are the only boot that was tall enough and slim enough for my calf. They look very classy and traditional and don't rub blisters on my feet.
ReplyDeleteIf you decide to go with the Volants, check to make sure they are allowed at shows.
I have the Volants I got them last year $100 off at my local tack store. And I LOVE THEM! So so so comfortable, even in the summer when it got really hot and humid I was stayed cooler in them than my chaps!
ReplyDeleteI have Ariat Volants and love them! I've had them for a few years - the fit is perfect and they were comfortable from day one , going on 5 years now! Took them in to shoe repair once, for restitching in the ankle area, otherwise no problems. Highly recommend.
ReplyDeletePs - mine are the original with the bit of red - which I just love.
ReplyDelete