Are these smart enough?

redredruby

redredruby

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I have done a few beginners hunts and worn my chaps and boots (clean and polished of course!) but am planning on doing more hunting next session (a lot more!) and really need to buy some long leather boots.

The problem is though that all long boots seem to have a curvy top bit which I don't really like (am I just very unfashionable?!)

I have found some boots without the curvy top but are they smart enough? Opinions please :D:D

http://www.equestrianclearance.com/weatherbeeta/dublin_enchant_boots/index.html
 
Bless you - most people who I hunt with wear ancient old boots that those would put too shame!

The main thing is that whatever you buy is supportive and water proof - good grips are also essential, especially if you have just jumped off to do a gate and landed in sheep poo!

Mountain horse high riders are good and have just managed to get a second hand pair off ebay ready for this season.
 
Flat top boots are traditional for hunting. The curvy topped ones are a spillover from dressage/eventing....

Don't sweat what you wear. Hunts these days have more important priorities that what you wear. Anyone caring *that* much about sartorial choices is not worth your time of day. Clean, tidy, presentable and appropriate to hunting. So suitable colours to 'blend' in. You only want to be able to spot those in red coats and no one else. Those boots look fine.
 
Thank you! I guess I just want to look ok and not make a bad impression (I appreciate that manners / riding etiquette play a more important part) but, didn't want to inadvertently make some sort of faux pas!
 
redredruby said:
I have done a few beginners hunts and worn my chaps and boots (clean and polished of course!) but am planning on doing more hunting next session (a lot more!) and really need to buy some long leather boots.

The problem is though that all long boots seem to have a curvy top bit which I don't really like (am I just very unfashionable?!)

I have found some boots without the curvy top but are they smart enough? Opinions please :D:D

http://www.equestrianclearance.com/weatherbeeta/dublin_enchant_boots/index.html
Click to expand...

Some thoughts on these - yes the flat top boots are more correct and comfortable over a long days riding! but I would not go for this type as they have a zip to the rear which will allow water in on river crossings / wet days. Quite smart all the same...
 
Fiagai said:
Some thoughts on these - yes the flat top boots are more correct and comfortable over a long days riding! but I would not go for this type as they have a zip to the rear which will allow water in on river crossings / wet days. Quite smart all the same...
Click to expand...

Mine have zips, and haven't leaked to date - 10 years....Also some of us can't get non zipped boots on! At 25 I have arthritis in my ankles, so zipped boots mean I can get boots on!

OP, if you are on a tight budget, get something that fits, and looks smart. Brogini do long boots from £175 that are perfectly smart enough, I think Mark Tood do competition boots that are smart too.
 
I also have dodgy ankles and would struggle to get traditional boots on, so I am a lover of zip-up-the-back boots. I've got a lovely pair of flat top traditional looking zip up's, but I've had them a long time and not sure they make them anymore!

Just make sure you volunteer quickly to open the gate on a nice dry gateway, then it's someone else's turn when it comes to the muddy one :-P !!
 
Always worth checking out Field And Country Antiques or Ebay for a bargain. Calcutts in Hampshire also have a good stock of secondhand boots in if you are nearby.

I got my boots off Ebay, a brand new pair of Mountain Horse High Riders for around £50. However it can be trial and error if you have chunkier dimensions than normal - I bought about 5 pairs of boots secondhand without trying them before I got something that fitted! I too have zips up the back for easy access, a friend thought he had twanged a ligament and yanked his boots off with a boot jack, later turned out he had broken the bone, no wonder it hurt so much. We knew one of our subscribers was okay after a fall in the members' race when from behind the fence we heard a voice yelling at the paramedics 'don't cut my effing boots off'
 
I have Regent boots http://www.regent-footwear.co.uk/riding-boots.html

I wear them for hunting and showing. I recently bought myself a pair of those new fangled high topped boots with a zip up the back for dressage because they are easier to take on and off and I am getting old :eek: but other than the on/off issue the Regents have lasted me 20 years so far (they were my birthday present the year I moved into 15hh WHPs).
 
On a complete tangent I was walking through town yesterday and saw someone wearing what looked like patent leather knee high boots, but they were black with brown tops. Maybe hunting style has reached the high street!
 
Quick Q but what size are you looking for?

I ahve a lovely pair of traditional english leather long boots, pull on type that my calves will no longer squeeze in to!

They were Hand made to measure and haven't even been completely broken in.
They are a size 6 (I'm a 5 but like wearing thick socks :) ) not sure of the calf width though. PM if you are interested!
 
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