Footwear for riders (BE PN eventing)

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Acolyte

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I've got a pair of leather riding boots which I have had for quite a few years now - they are now too big in the calf, and STILL rub my heels whenever I walk in them
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Can't believe it when I see people walking the course in theirs
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as mine are so uncomfortable!

I was wondering about getting a pair of Ariat short black boots, and a pair of matching black leather gaiters to go with them, as a cheaper alternative to a new pair of leather boots? Would they look OK for BE eventing - does anyone wear them ?
 
I don't think they would look as smart but I would imagine that they would be acceptable. The boots I wear at the mo are really comfy for riding and walking, but they are falling to bits.
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I've got some new ones but don't want to wear them because they are really really uncomfortable!!
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I'm just a bit unsure whether they will look OK - suppose I need to try some on and test them out really, they will HAVE to be more comfortable than my boots
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I must be the only person who rides my poor horse back to the trailer from the XC finish - not because I am cruel, but because I can't walk in my wretched boots
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What sort are your old boots? I am very short in the leg (only 5'2") and have rather fat calves still (about 14.5"
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), all the boots I seem to see in catalogues etc are for people with lovely slim legs. I tried on the Equitector ones but they seemed a bit bulky in the foot?
 
I wear 2 different lots of boots in BE.
I use my lovely cavallos for dressage & SJ, then balck jodphur boots & matching leather gaiters for XC - my cavallos are too tight for XC I find!!!
I think that if they match properly, then they do look smart
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Better than plastic boots anyway!!!
 
Thats useful to know, thanks! Mind you at Sapey I was so covered in mud you couldn't see what I was wearing anyway
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ETS - rushes off to Derby House website to look at Cavallos!

Edited again to say - ouch! £350! Perhaps I'll stick to the original plan
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I BE event and wear Tredstep short boots and Sergio Grasso leather gaiters and they look just as good as boots. Tredstep gaiters are very smart as well!!
 
I wear black toggi jod boots (cheap as I am a size 3 and could get into kids!) and Tredstep gaiters. I think they look smart and people always ask me where I got my 'boots' from so I guess they were fooled! Really want to get out of the Toggi's tho as they rub at the end of the day into some Ariats - will have to go for the kids again tho!!
 
I have to say I bought my first pair of Ariat short boots a couple of months ago and they have been awful - they rubbed my heels constantly, and also across the base of my toes (where boots naturally crease when you wear them). A friend at my yard said he had exactly the same problem when he got his first pair of Ariats, so if you haven't had a pair before beware!

Thats another vote for Tredstep gaiters, reckon I'll be going for them
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oh no - i wouldn't at all recommend (sp?) buying cavallos from an online store, unless you think they're a bargain - i got mine off ebay with the offchance that thery were the right size!
£130 & they'd only been worn about twice i think
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& personally I'd never choose any with a zip up the back because that can go at any time & if that's at a competition you're slightly stuffed!
I need some new short jod boots & gaiters are mine are beginning to look one the shabby side.
Will have a look at these gaiters which everyone seems to like!
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I did buy a pair of Ariats at Blenheim last year, but brown ones as my dear old faithful Aquacats finally gave up the ghost! And yes I have to agree that they took ALOT of wearing in, but altho I'd like some tredstep boots to go with the gaiters their size 4 are ENORMOUS and they don't do a 3
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So back to Ariat and an uncomfortable first few outings!
 
i wear Ariat boots and gaiters for all competition including BE - they are extremely comfortable and i think they look smart!
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Mum is still not sure whether ive stopped growing yet so until i do i will still be in boots and gaiters!
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If you're going to buy ariats fork out for the Devon Pros - worth the extra cost IMHO. They're wider and far more comfortable (having tried to wedge my feet into the Heritage ones). They will need breaking in though and make sure you get loads of polish on them before you take them out. Look after them from the start and they'll last for ever.

Plus with the matching gaitors, they do look really nice.
 
I had some lovely new Mountain Horse long boots, till the paramdeic cut one off!! Now because I still have a fat ankle because of all the metal in it, my friend who runs a tack shop converted me to some Mountain Horse short boots, zip up, well comfy & some English Gaiter Company gaiters, all comfy & look v smart.
 
Will the gaiters fit my fat calves do you think? I did want to try them before but was put off - my calves were even bigger then though
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I just don't want to go to the shop and be embarrased when I can't get them on
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Gaiters have MANY different size variations!! And try the new Mark todd ariat copy short boots, i have some, they are fab and cheaper than ariats!!!
 
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they are extremely comfortable and i think they look smart!

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Sorry H, I'm sure you look very nice, much smarter than me with my falling to bits boots!!
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Sorry H, I'm sure you look very nice, much smarter than me with my falling to bits boots!!

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dont worry!
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i dont have the choice of wearing long boots atm so whether i look smart or disgraceful i have little choice in the matter!! hehee!
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falling to bits boots!!

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im sure they're comfy though and boots always look smart!
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I compete in boots now, but as per Hattikins, when I was younger was kept in a good supply of gaiters and boots as I kept growing....
I like tredstep chaps as long in the length for me (something like 20inches!!Ariats were too short even MT at 19.5 inches) I wear Ariat devon pro's fro boots-I was very lucky and got mine for free as friend didn't like them. Also got a pair in better condition off eBay-very comfy.
Try eBay, or rideaway do a good dicount line in Tredstep chaps-where I got my pair from.
 
I used to compete in my long leather boots but found them a bit too restricting when jumping so now use Dublin jod boots (the ones with the zip up the front) and soft leather Treadstep gaiters and they are really comfy. No-one at BE has ever said anything to me about them, mine are brown and the colours are pretty much the same but not exactly.
 
I compete in ariat boots and gaiters, i think they look really smart and they are so comfy, i always walk the course in them no problem (unless its muddy and i want to keep them clean!)
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and they last for ages...just abit of polish and they look brand new!
 
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