Best riding boots for ankle support and wide feet?

[Gemzie121]

Hi everyone.
I’ve had an 11 year break from riding and have a riding lesson booked next week but am wondering about if it might be worth me looking at long boots at some point.
I have a fused ankle, and AI seems to think that long boots provide much better support (including in a fall) for weak ankles. I would need a full zip, wide foot, wide calf and short leg though as i’m only 5’2” so unsure if there will be anything out there.
I still have my old mountain horse lace up trainers and neoprene half chaps. I do find my right ankle (the not fused side) tends to end up collapsing a bit by the end of a ride. I have been told this is weak muscles/nerves not bone issue currently.
Due to neuropathy i can struggle to keep from slipping about in the stirrup too.
I want to be as safe as i possibly can be so if longer boots would protect better in a fall and support my ankles better and stress them less when i ride then i’m all for that - i just wondered what other people with ankle issues/neuropathy prefer to wear and are long boots really better to ride in?

 

[Jenko109]

Although not fused, I broke my talus years ago and have weakness as a result.

I actually find short boots with chaps feel more secure than long boots.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Short jodh boots with the likes of Ariat gaiters, (close contour) always worked best for me for support on my right ankle. Broken fib and crushed talus navicular, now arthritis on that joint.
My insulated bromonts were also good, but just a step down in support.

 

[splashgirl45]

I had mountain horse as I’ve got wide feet and they were very supportive and comfortable

 

[Kunoichi73]

I'd suggest going to a tack shop if you can and trying long and short boots on.

A number of companies make shorter leg lengths and wide calves in their long boots, including Ariat and DeNiro.

 

[asmp]

I’ve got a pinned ankle after badly breaking and it’s still swollen. I’m riding in Ariat barn short boots (ones with side zip) plus gaiters.

I also have long Mountain Horse boots which are wide and short but I don’t think I’ve tried riding in them since

 

[Cloball]

I have hypermobile ankles and i find short boots with leather gaiters the most supportive but tend to ride in neoprene chaps most of the time.

 

[Sussexbythesea]

Ariat Tellurides and their Concorde chaps are a good combo. I don’t have an ankle injury but I do over pronate and they are supportive. You can also remove the insoles and put in your own if needed. Lacing means you can adjust the fit and tightness.

 

[flat3]

I have a fused ankle and much prefer the structure and support of long boots.

If you're a bit non standard then I highly recommend going to the tack shop with the biggest possible range of boots and trying loads on. I travelled nearly 2 hours to get to one that had a really good range but importantly lots of stock in relevant sizes ready there to try on.

I am 5'1 with wide feet, I wear Shires Moretta Gianna - they have a good few size variations and aren't crazy money. Ariat and Mountain Horse weren't short enough and/or wide enough. DeNiro have many more size options but are also much more expensive.