Boot dilemma

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lrw0250

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Question - if you did a fair bit of yard work but only rode occasionally would you rather have -

1) Expensive wellies and cheap riding boots?
2) Expensive riding boots but cheap wellies?
3) A pair of yard/country type boots that could be used for riding e.g. Toggi Canyons?
4) A pair of neoprene riding wellies e.g Muck Boot Tynes?

OH has offered to get me new boots for Christmas and I don't know what to ask for! Recommendations welcome, bearing in mind I have very wide calves that are in between short and regular length wise.

Thanks!
 
Depends what kind of riding you do IMO :)
I'd hate to ride in country boots for schooling or jumping, but don't mind for hacking.

I really really like having decent riding boots & looking after them, but then I ride at least 2 a day and consequently don't mind having cheapo wellies as a trade off.

What's your yard like in summer? Will you still need wellies then? You will prob use riding boots all year round.
 
I would personally go for the expensive wellies and cheap riding boots; make senses to invest in a decent pair of whatever you will be wearing the most :)
 
milliepops said:
Depends what kind of riding you do IMO :)
I'd hate to ride in country boots for schooling or jumping, but don't mind for hacking.

I really really like having decent riding boots & looking after them, but then I ride at least 2 a day and consequently don't mind having cheapo wellies as a trade off.

What's your yard like in summer? Will you still need wellies then? You will prob use riding boots all year round.
Click to expand...

Currently not riding, just looking after daughters pony but hope to be back doing hacking and a bit of schooling next year but would be used for riding no more than once or twice a week.

Wellies are must for yard in the winter, not so much summer. Have been managing so far with an old pair of mucker boots and Toggi Calagrys but the zip on these went at the weekend after 5 years of pretty hard use. Am considering another pair of them as I know they fit me well but then think of having a nice smart pair kept good for riding and start dithering!
 
I have middle of the road country boots - Toggi Canyon - which are waterproof and are onto their second winter. I am yet to find wellies that are warm and comfortable! yard isn't too muddy though. Then I have bromonts for riding in. These live at home / in the car and are looked after in the hope they will last many many years!
 
As you don't ride much I would get a decent pair of country boots and at least you can wear them to ride on the odd occasion, I must admit I never ride in mine much I much prefer proper riding boots to ride in, maybe when you start riding properly you could get a cheap pair of riding boots or short boots and chaps can be picked up fairly cheap if you don't want anything too fancy
 
I've seen a lot of posts on here about expensive wellies falling apart. Personally I'd go for Ariat Grassmeres they're warm, comfortable, and adjustable because of the laces. I happily hack, school, do yard jobs and walk in these. I only wear them for the winter and this will be their 4th winter. They're a bit cracked but still waterproof.

I have some Le Chameau wellies I bought at the same time, still absolutely fine but not half as warm or comfortable for all day wear and they are not suitable for riding.
 
Thanks for all replies so far.

Have remembered reading this that I do actually have a cheap pair of jod boots plus suede chaps hidden away in a cupboard somewhere. So that could tick the riding box.

At the moment I am veering towards a pair of country boots for Christmas and buying myself a pair of wellies in the January sales for really muddy days as I know I will not want to get a nice new pair of boots from OH destroyed in the mud! My worry with something like Toggi Canyons is the fitting as my wide calves coupled with a high instep means I sometimes struggle with boots without a zip or laces to open them up enough to get them on.

Anyone any experience of any of these:

http://www.equinesuperstore.co.uk/g...html?499=150&gclid=CI6ZzcedqckCFUcUwwodWQcFew

http://www.countrybase.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=Rhinegold-Elite-Colorado-Leather-Boots

http://www.burnhills.com/clothing-c...-p1134/s3437?gclid=CNmr8K6fqckCFePnwgod-_sBZQ
 
I have just bought a new pair of Ariat Windermeres to replace the pair I totally killed that I bought 4 (or maybe 5) years ago. They were one of the few country boots to fir my big calves and they actually now do a 'wide' fit as well (I got the regular width and my claves won't go into most boots).

I wore them to death, including in wet and muck (and didn't look after them as well as I could have!). Not muck as in actual manure though, just normal mud, so can't say woo much about how they cope with that sort of glar.
 
I'm nearly facing the same problem but I'm looking for wellies for riding.
For many years I used my rubber ridingboos for riding and stable work. The Aigles was comfortable and practical. When it got colder i used a largee size and thicker socks. During the winter I used my Muckboots Tyne but they are slippery and have far too big shafts, impossible to combine with overtrousers.
I had an idea about bying the Hunter boots Balmore Equestrian (rubber outside) because they are made for riding and neoprene lined. But I've heard that the quality is not the best...
I don't want to change boots for riding, stablework, tractor driving, dogwalking etc.
Any advice?
 
The Hunter boots and wellies are rubbish quality now they are not made to stand up to any sort of yard work and I very much doubt they would stand up to riding they will just split, you would be better off buying some decent country boots if you want them to be waterproof and need them for riding, I have the Dublin river boots I use them for everything around the yard and dog walking but I don't ride in mine I prefer to use proper riding boots but know many people that do ride in them. They are about £150 I have had a few pairs and they always last a good few years if you look after them.
 
I use Dunlop professional wellies; they cheap (about £35) ugly and functional and where recommended on a framers forum as a good work horse welly. I can then blast my boot budget on lovely Ariat riding boots without feeling guilty :D
 
Just getting back to this thread, I went for a pair of Toggi Canyons in the wide calf as my Christmas pressie and am loving them so far. They have plenty of calf room, so much so I even manage to squeeze wellie socks in on very cold days.

I then also treated myself to a pair of Hoggs Field Pro wellies in January as I can get them trade price through my work. Again, finding them fab although not particularly warm as I went for the non neoprene version so I can wear them in summer without getting too sweaty!
 
I go for expensive wellies and cheap riding boots!

I got my aigle wellies 14 yrs ago and they are still going strong!! I tend to get a new pair of dublin or similar jod boots every year and just a cheap pair of chaps!! I pretty much just hack, so don't need anything special! I do have some mountain horse long boots but I've only worn them once and they butchered my ankles when I had to get off and walk back
 
I never had the financial choice, but my cheap, ie.£9.99 wellies just eventually wore through the sole through hard labour but still lasted several years. At the end of the day, expensive or cheap, they are useless if you stand on a nail and puncture them. I generally rode in a variety of boots which had a safe sole and heel and were waterproof and kept my long leather boots for shows. Those cost me £125 new and 17 years later I sold them to a very happy customer for £60. Even if I'd had the money, no way would I have paid more than £200 for leather boots. I can't believe some of the prices that are being charged just for a fancy name. The difference in price would have been better spent on quality riding lessons.
 
For years I had the same old pair of muck-boots that were passed down from my younger cousin who's massive feet outgrew them. My boss kindly bought me a lovely pair of Le Chameau wellies for Christmas. They are amazing, so warm & comfy. However, I think they will be too warm come summer. I bought myself a cheap pair of rubber riding boots ( about £17.99) 2 years ago as I couldn't afford anything better. They are still going and haven't had a problem with them. For my birthday I was bought a expensive pair of synthetic Brogini riding boots and within 2 weeks the zip had broke on them, had it repaired last week and I'm sure the other side is splitting now :-/ They aren't as comfy as my little cheap rubber boots! I'd try as many on as you can and go with what suits you best, regardless of price!
 
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