Short riding boots

[Jane]

I need some advice on riding boots and sizing...

I've been abroad for over 3 years now and need to replace my riding boots. I don't have to worry about cold weather, so don't need anything insulated as it'll be too hot. We do have quite a high rainfall though, so weatherproofing is useful!

I still prefer the brands I knew in the UK. I'd love some suggestions as to what's good, please! Do Mountain Horse still come up large, so you need to buy a size smaller than normal? I prefer a zip to lace-ups, but don't want pull-ons. And not traditional joddy boots - I like a good grip sole for different terrains.

Any tips ?? Thanks in advance!

[silverrocn]

Hi Jane,
Don't Horseland sell Mountain Horse here in Australia? Any good leather boot will waterproof really well with Peter Horobin's oil, which is meant to be put on the saddle after cleaning. I waterproof my Blundstones with that and it works a treat. There are some pretty nice zip up riding boots in Horseland last time I looked but maybe not what you are looking for??

[Jane]

Hi there - how are you?

Horseland sell MH jod boots for around AU$250 a pair! Plus I like the chunkier versions with heavier soles - more a paddock/riding boot.

Plus I'll shop on ebay :-)

It may be more economical to buy new Ariats from US ebay... got my last new pair for about $130 incl. shipping.

[silverrocn]

Oh OK, fair enough! I like Ariats very much, they are the next pair I would buy but first I must wear out the ones I have

Oh and I am good thanks

I see you haven't quite drowned up there but you must be getting sick of the rain now??

[Jane]

Thank goodness the worst rain has been north of here this time around. But yes, what a bizarre spring and summer it's been. It's 80% humidity here at the moment, argh!

You've had perishing cold until a week or so ago, haven't you? (Here we go, talking about the weather again!)

[izzy]

Hi i wear mountainhorse protecter boots they are very hard wearing and comfortable have never leaked.Ive had them 6 years + and probably only cleaned them with dubbin a dozen times.

Highlt recomend them im a size 6 and wear a 6 n half

[arabiangem]

If you're already an Ariat fan, how about the TelluRide/Terrain? They are my day-to-day short boot of choice. Who am I kidding?! ALL my riding boots are Ariat! But the terrains are very good. Robust, comfortable and you can get a waterproof version. At the weekends mine don't leave my feet!

[BJMM]

I'll second Gemma re Ariat Telluride/ Terrain, probably the best boots I've ever had. I found MH boots come up small! I usually wear 7 but take an 8 in MH boots.

[Jane]

Oooh ok, I'll take a look at those then. It's hard to find good boots that are both reasonably waterproof and breathable so they don't get too hot.

My Ariat barnyards (work boots for me) came up large, so I needed to buy half to a full size smaller. Are the Tellurides and Terrains fairly true to size?

[arabiangem]

I find all Ariats (no I don't own six pairs. Ahem!) come up a tad on the large size so you may be best to go down a half-size if you can.

[Deleted]

SIX PAIRS!!! Lol! I've got some rubbish jod boots from my local tack shop so am reading with interest

[arabiangem]

6 pairs:

Terrains
Dumas (lil endurance trainers!)
Wellies
Windermeres
2 pairs of western boots.

Oh, and the chaps that match the trainers. And a handbag.

PLEASE don't ask how much that lot cost.....

[elkay]

I can beat that Ariat fetish, arabiangem, but I won't confess to the total except it's at least twice yours... in my defence, it's a) because I wear ariat mules at work and b) because I tend to buy two at a time from the USA (US 7.5 and US 8) and sell on the one that doesn't fit... which I find is a real problem with Ariat, depending on the style I am anything from a US 7 to 8.5! (if anyone wants a gorgeous brand new pair of Ariat western boots in a US 8/UK 5.5-6 let me know!!!)
However, I digress.... Mountain Horse Protectiv jodphur boot I adore too, but find they come up large (I'm a UK 5.5 in almost every make but take a 4.5 or 5 in MH); my current vote is for Equitectors with the chunkier sole. They're waterproof and better temperature control for the feet than MH and, dare I say it, I think their short boots are better made than my beloved Ariats.

[Jane]

Oh I do like a good boot fetishist gathering! I have some friends who have row upon row of roper, western, work and terrain boots on a rack outside the door too.

Oh, the Equitectors look good, especially the Climate Control bit. Socks and boots in 30 degrees can be a bit, well, ugh, so that sounds interesting. My Ariats are beautifully shaped inside for everyday work wear, but are definitely a little too warm.

Elkay, do the Equitectors run true to size? Smart idea buying two pairs! My ariats are definitely a half size bigger than normal.

I went through this kind of sifting with good wellies when in the UK. I ended up with a superb pair of leather lined Aigles, again cheap off ebay. I hummed and haaed about bringing them to Aus - this was the time when the quarantine was impounding anything that might have a bit of English F&M-infested farm mud sticking to it. In the end I actually polished them and stuffed them into my luggage. Thank goodness I did!!! I'm still wearing them and have just had them reheeled, they're so good. You can't beat good boots!

[arabiangem]

Jan 3, 2011 23:23:23 GMT 1 elkay said:

(if anyone wants a gorgeous brand new pair of Ariat western boots in a US 8/UK 5.5-6 let me know!!!)

Ooooh could be tempted!!! Can you PM me details please?!