Calling all ladies with short wide calves!

kat2290

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Those of you with vertically challenged calves, what do you ride in? I thought I would treat myself to some new boots this Xmas as it's coming up to nearly a year since I started riding (therefore I deserve new boots right?!) but I have short wide calves. From the top of my heel to the top of my calf measures 14" (but I think I would want boots to sit slightly lower this this point) and at their widest (with jodhpurs on) my calves are a smidge under 16". I've been searching the web this morning looking for suitable boots but all looks like they will be too tall, the standard height measurement seems to be 16". I was wondering what boots other ladies with my problem wear and what you would recommend.

So far I've been wearing jodh boots with half chaps but I would really like a pair of country boots that I can ride in, preferably brown, as I get sick of switching from wellies to riding boots and then back again. Or if there really aren't any suitable tall boots maybe a pair of brown yard boots suitable for riding and brown chaps?

We have hardly any decent equestrian shops round here so it's difficult going to try on, also embarrassing when you can't get your chunky legs in to any of the boots whilst the inevitably super slim shop assistant watches you!!!
 

Bernster

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Slightly dubious honour to be a member of this gang !

I have these: http://www.equitector.com/longriding.cfm - they come in a good range of sizes and lengths, not cheap but mine have lasted me years.

I do tend to wear short boots and chaps more though - there are a few ranges that do wider and shorter fittings and I find these more flexible to ride in. I like the tuffa suede ones.

I use the long boots for competing and hunting.
 

kat2290

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They looks nice but unfortunately way out of my price league :( I'm also looking for something more casual, I don't do any competing or showing etc so don't need anything smart.

Thanks for the recommendation though :)
 

kat2290

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And just to add yes you should be very honoured and proud to be a member of the 'short wide calves ladies club' - it's very exclusive dontcha'know!
 

alainax

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I've bought these after a recommendation on here,
http://www.countrybase.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=Tuffa-Country-Rider-Boot

They seem to start from just over 14" tall but depends on the size of your feet, and go up to very wide widths. They do come up really big though in the shoe, like a full size bigger. So if you are a 7, get a 6 I'd say.

They are totally water proof, can trudge through a muddy field all day, then hose them off and ride :)
 

Lexi_

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I ride in a pair of Ariat Trent boots at the moment which are a really good length and very comfy, although I must admit they're not 100% perfect as they do tend to slip down a bit unless I'm well socked up underneath. Suppose that's what happens when you have elastic fastenings on boots though!

The fit of Ariats seem to work quite well on me - I've also got a pair of their Windermere boots in the wide calf fitting although I don't dare wear them to ride in as they're new and I want to keep them vaguely nice :D

TBH though, I kinda like having separate boots to ride in. I know what you mean about having to change from wellies to boots and back again but our yard is muddy and puddletastic so proper boots would rapidly get trashed if I wore them all the time. I'm definitely investing in the fleece lined wide calf wellies I've seen on Amazon though!
 

khalswitz

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Slightly dubious honour to be a member of this gang !

I have these: http://www.equitector.com/longriding.cfm - they come in a good range of sizes and lengths, not cheap but mine have lasted me years.

I do tend to wear short boots and chaps more though - there are a few ranges that do wider and shorter fittings and I find these more flexible to ride in. I like the tuffa suede ones.

I use the long boots for competing and hunting.

I second these - so comfy and only long boots I've ever been able to fit. They do lovely country boots for short wide calves as well, and gaiters custom to fit. They also do short boots designed for wide ankles (my saviour!!)

And not quite part of the club, am a size 6 and 42/42 length/width so not short but find it very difficult to get boots to fit!!
 

kat2290

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I've bought these after a recommendation on here,
http://www.countrybase.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=Tuffa-Country-Rider-Boot

They seem to start from just over 14" tall but depends on the size of your feet, and go up to very wide widths. They do come up really big though in the shoe, like a full size bigger. So if you are a 7, get a 6 I'd say.

They are totally water proof, can trudge through a muddy field all day, then hose them off and ride :)

Thanks but I'm not keen on the straps, just to add to my difficulties I'm also a fussy b*gger!

I ride in a pair of Ariat Trent boots at the moment which are a really good length and very comfy, although I must admit they're not 100% perfect as they do tend to slip down a bit unless I'm well socked up underneath. Suppose that's what happens when you have elastic fastenings on boots though!

The fit of Ariats seem to work quite well on me - I've also got a pair of their Windermere boots in the wide calf fitting although I don't dare wear them to ride in as they're new and I want to keep them vaguely nice :D

TBH though, I kinda like having separate boots to ride in. I know what you mean about having to change from wellies to boots and back again but our yard is muddy and puddletastic so proper boots would rapidly get trashed if I wore them all the time. I'm definitely investing in the fleece lined wide calf wellies I've seen on Amazon though!

Not keen on the Trent boots but I do really like the windermeres, I can't find any sizing info online though so not sure how tall they are. How do you find them, do you have short calves? How do you find getting them on and off?
 

leflynn

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I have short wide calves and have the windermeres :) They do a wide fitting and aren't overly tall on my legs either! Plus they are often on sale :D

I used to have the toggi canyons which stood up to quite a beating in muddy fields and being hosed off to be ridden in
 

Nicnac

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Mountain Horse are great as come in so many different sizes (you do have to search to find a stockist with your exact fit though). I've had the Richmond High Rider for about 5 years and use them for everyday and competitions. Daughter has Stella Polaris for winter. We are chalk and cheese in that I'm short and fat and she's tall and thin!
I think for the quality vs. price you can't get better.
 

kat2290

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I have short wide calves and have the windermeres :) They do a wide fitting and aren't overly tall on my legs either! Plus they are often on sale :D

Ooo that's good to know, they could be contender then if I can find some cheap or 2nd hand ones! When you say you have short calves...just how short are they?!! Sorry that sounds a bit sinister haha! :D
 

kat2290

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Mountain Horse are great as come in so many different sizes (you do have to search to find a stockist with your exact fit though). I've had the Richmond High Rider for about 5 years and use them for everyday and competitions. Daughter has Stella Polaris for winter. We are chalk and cheese in that I'm short and fat and she's tall and thin!
I think for the quality vs. price you can't get better.

Thanks, I have actually seen a pair of mountain horse ones I like that seemed fairly cheap so I'll have to look around and see if I can find the different sizes
 

Jane_Lou

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Windemeres are not really long enough to ride in, even if you have short legs! A lot depends on your budget, you could get a nice pair of short boots (lace ups tend to fit wider ankles than those with zips and then either a either a cheap pair of synthetic chaps or spend more and get nice ones like the tredstep.

I have had a pair of these which were much nicer than I expected for the price
http://www.urbanhorse.com/index.php..._id=138&option[9370]=41045&option[9371]=41052

Or the tredstep, which I find make your leg look longer and slimmer!
http://www.hopevalleysaddlery.co.uk/1780/Tredstep-Xtreme-Half-Chap
 

Lexi_

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Not keen on the Trent boots but I do really like the windermeres, I can't find any sizing info online though so not sure how tall they are. How do you find them, do you have short calves? How do you find getting them on and off?

I'm 5'2 with short fat legs :D *measures them*

15 inches from heel to the bottom of my kneecap and a depressing 16.5 inches calf width. Oh well, I can't do anything about it. They don't get smaller when I lose weight!

The Windermeres are absolutely fine on me. Decent length and I can wear them over jeans so the width is fine too. Haven't had a problem getting them on and off either!

My mum is even shorter than me (but has thin calves, the jammy mare) and the normal width Windermeres are perfect on her too. Perhaps Ariat cater better for shorties than some of the other brands?
 

Spyda

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And just to add yes you should be very honoured and proud to be a member of the 'short wide calves ladies club' - it's very exclusive dontcha'know!

Thank God for that! Lol. Knew those tubby calves had to be worth something ;-)
 

katastrophykat

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I also have the mountain horse boots- yard boots are the ankle boots + chaps- I love their chaps! And for stressage I have their sport rider boots- short XW ones... For showing, I have regents, XW ones again, plain and shiny for shows.

I'm a size 10-12 and still have short XW calves!! :(
 

kat2290

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I do really like the mountain horse ones! I've got a list now of 5 different brands that come in sizes which I think will fit so just going to keep my eyes peeled for a bargain
 

SuperH

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I'm another with short wide legs.

I have two pairs of long boots. Mountain horse high rider in short wide fit and Shires Norfolk also in short wide.
 

Snozzo

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Hi, I have the same problem and have some boots from the english gaiter company - the full sizings are on their website
 

kc100

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If you want a bargain pair then the Gallop Gateley boots are great - I'm a shorty with nice wide calves and have had my pair of gateley's since may and really like them. Super comfy, do well in the mud (have been caked in clay-type mud over the last 2 months!) and easy to ride in as well. My usual riding boots gave up on me a few months ago and have been riding in these for a while now.

http://www.equinesuperstore.co.uk/g...~21728739409&gclid=CIDh0viL0boCFRMctAod2UoAdQ

I think you can get them about £10 cheaper if you look on ebay! I bought the size 6 wide and fit my wide calves well, although I cant get thick socks underneath them but to me that's not a big deal. They dont come too far up the leg either which is great for us shorties!

Oh and when they say 'water resistant', I've been in some very deep puddles over the last few weeks and still have perfectly dry feet!
 
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