Boots... I COMFORTABLE boots.

[firstlovesong]

I can for NOT the life of me find any comfortable riding boots. I buy new ones every year it seems and I end up only putting them on to show and wearing tennis shoes when I ride at home. So does anyone have any suggestions of good comfortable riding boots?

I need english. I am thinking about trying some of the tall PVC rubber boots.. they are cheap so I would think they probably werent great but???... atleast maybe it would move with my leg and not feel like I was bound up. I can get regular boots and use half chaps with them but so far I havent found any I can stand to wear.. they hurt! Any suggestions?

Thankies :rolleyes:

[mare]

I usually wouldn't suggest this, but you're already putting a lot of $$ in boots if you're buying new so often... Why not just go custom and work with a maker who will pad the boot like a tennis shoe and let you choose a real soft leather? Is that an option?

I know two men who had severely broken feet and once healed they couldn't tolerate their western boots, but they wanted them since that's what they'd worn all their lives. They now have very cushy, but completely average looking, western boots from custom shops.

Good luck.

[luvs2ride1979]

I LOVE Mountain Horse boots. Their tall boots are comfy (my husband has a pair) and the paddocks are great. I wear their paddock boots and Arete Half Chaps (http://www.aretesaddlery.com/tack/apparel/chaps/cat_3.html). The Iberian II half chaps are tall-boot style, but with elastic gussets. The others are suede or syntetic suede and very comfy.

MH boots that are comfy:
http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-38097&ids=796195218
http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-38616&ids=796195218
http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-38617&ids=796195218
http://www.equestriancollections.com/itemmatrix.asp?groupcode=ER00056

Oooh, on sale!
http://www.equestriancollections.com/itemmatrix.asp?groupcode=ER00057

Blundstone boots are also very comfy!!
http://www.bitofbritain.com/Blundstone_Dress_Paddock_Boots_BL062_BL063_p/bl062-bl063.htm
http://www.bitofbritain.com/Unisex_Blundstone_Paddock_Boots_p/bl500-bl510.htm
http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-38110&ids=796195218

[cloedoll]

Do you mean for winter riding or just in general? I'm a huge fan of Ariat and have Ariat Performer III Paddock Boots (http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-38707&ids=796197176&bhcd2=1232037743) and Ariat Classic II Half Chaps (http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-35125&ids=796197176). If you like the feel of tennis shoes, why not try something like the Ariat Shiloh (http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-38612&ids=796197176)? My mom has a pair and wears them everywhere, I used to steal them to ride in. =P Ariat makes a lot of other riding shoes that are similar to like tennis shoes and you can use wear them for many different things, but most importantly, you can ride in them. That's my suggestion. :D

[firstlovesong]

mare - I had never thought of that it is a really good idea. I have no idea where I would find someone to do something like that around here though. I will have to ask around and check it out.

luvs2ride - Those mountain horse boots look more comfortable than the ones I have been wearing. It is a little pricier than I wanted to go though since I dont know if I will be able to wear them :( You say they are comfy though so I am thinking about them. I like the tall riding boot you listed first the best I think.

cloe - I just meant riding in general really. I would like to have something stylish enough to show in but comfortable enough to ride in daily. Doesnt seem to happen.. The ariat shiloh actually looks very comfortable I would probably like it but it wouldnt be suitable to show in..

I am doing some jumping this summer with a friend so I was hoping to have some tall boots or paddock boots with half chaps which you all have suggested so I am trying to choose some now.

[Gem's Mom]

I also like the ariat paddock boots and half chaps. The only problem I found is my half chaps are almost 3 yrs old and when I took a lesson (2 hrs arena work) they started sliding up under my knee. I guess the elastic at the bottom is stretching out. But for any other riding like trails or shorter arena work I've never had a problem. They're super comfy too, the day I bought my first pair I put them on and spent 8+ hrs at the barn and didn't have a problem!

Also wanted to say: I have show boots but they're not the most comfortable. I only show on occasion and even when I was showing more (once a month?) it didn't really matter. I rode in them a few days before hand to practice then put them on for the show. So even though I wouldn't want to hike around in them I was ok for a few hours.

[Miracle Whip]

I bought a cheap lace up boot from Walmart years ago - much like a padlock boot. They are not exactly comfortable but they don't bother me either. Once I am in the saddle I never notice the boots so they can't be too bad? I only wear them to ride and they are in good shape still, after 2 years. What type of socks do you wear?

[firstlovesong]

My problem with paddock boots is where they come on my leg when I bend my leg it feels like the front where the tongue is cuts into my shin. So I was thinking about trying some of these. They are cheap so I am afraid they will not be comfortable but I have never had tall boots so I hate to put too much money into them I may hate them. What do you all think of them?

http://www.statelinetack.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=SLT900371%2010R

[Dixie]

I had some rubber tall boots when I rode english. Other then the suction they tend to get when you wear them, they were actually very comfy. I had 2 pair, one I used for lessons, daily stuff and the other for showing LOL. One thing I liked about them was my feet stayed dry when I had to walk through water or muck really muddy pens.

[Remali]

They're maybe a bit spendy, but my Ariat English boots are so comfy I wear them even when I'm not riding! I have the lace up paddock boots, they are the most comfortable boots I've ever had on!

[cloedoll]

Hmm, are the half chaps too short maybe? That is what it sounds like, but I'm not sure. Also, I have a pair of boots very similar to the ones you posted and the problem with them is instead of digging into your shin, they dig into your calf. It REALLY teaches you to keep your leg still, though, lol! xD

[luvs2ride1979]

My problem with paddock boots is where they come on my leg when I bend my leg it feels like the front where the tongue is cuts into my shin.

Don't lace them so tight! The pull on jod type boots won't give you that problem at all.