Gaiters or Long Boots

[Happy Bird]

I want to treat myself to some new show boots. Should I go jod boots and gaiters or long boots ???? I find half chaps sooooo comfy. I was looking at Tredstep gaiters which are in the sale at my local saddlery with the matching boots. I like Ariat but pretty pricey - boots and gaiters = £214 OR long boots. However they need to be really soft. I have some Regent ones in the past which were so damn hard I couldn't walk for days each time I used them ?

Pro's and con's for each on a postcard please !

p.s. If this poll works, it will be a minor miracle !

 

[showjumperzoe]

Long boots

 

[miller]

Long boots every time - personally I hate gaiters

 

[UKa]

if it is only for shows and you have the money then yes, long boots are nice. I personally however, loooove gaiters because I wear them all the time for riding and can take them off while doing things around the yard. I can't afford all sorts of equipment at the same time so my short boot gaiter combo goes everywhere, from hacking and schooling to sponsored rides and shows...

 

[Super_Kat]

Long Boots, Sarm Hippique!

 

[calon]

boots look smart , but so do gaiters and i find much easier to wear and u can just take them off between classes boots ar so hard to walk in i find but love my gaiters

 

[juliehannah58]

It has to be long boots!

I too had some Regent ones in the past and they were god awful things! No zips and it took me ages to get them off! LOL!

Now I have a lovely pair of Soubirac boots with zip ups and they are LOVELY! The leather is so soft and from day one I could walk around for hours and be comfortable. I was lucky I got mine at Badders one year for £65 as they had a small scratch. I think they are about £200 new but I have seen a few pairs on ebay. I would recommend them

 

[Helena88]

gaiters - dont like riding in long boots spesh if your jumping

 

[lillie07]

Long boots are much smarter IMO. I have a lovely pair of Sergio Grasso's and they are sooo comfy but quite pricey. A friend just brought a pair of Mountain Horse long boots and have to say they are very smart.

http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1417

 

[Chumsmum]

Oh b*gger - I bought some new Regent boots off ebay for £22 and thought I had a bargain but they are still really stiff! Any tips for softening the leather - can I use the Flexalan stuff I use on my tack??
I love the look of boots but agree that gaiters are far more comfortable

 

[juliehannah58]

Only tip I can give is it wear, wear and wear some more! I was hoovering in mine LOL! But that was probably because I couldn't get the b*ggers off! LOL! I always use normal tack / leather soap on mine and they come up like new

I had my regents for years and although they gave a bit, they were still uncomfortable compared to the modern designs, but they do look very smart!

 

[Eliza120280]

It has to be long boots - much nicer looking than gaitors! x

 

[Chumsmum]

I wore them round Sainsburys and cripped myself - then had to fight to get them off!! I will get the saddle soap out and see if that helps.
Don't hoover that often so they will be as stiff this time next year if I wear them to do the housework

They do look very smart - thanks for advice!!

 

[lizzie_liz]

long boots do look smarter and if i had the money i would consider getting a pair of long boots made to measure but u wear gaiters and look smart, i ude dublin boots and mountain horse excelsor (sp) gaiters and they match my boots really well and are a tight foot and does look as i have long boots. of gaiters have wrong sized gaiters they can look a mess. the best gaiters are the ones i have or treadstep gaiters

 

[helenandshadow]

I prefer short boots and gaiters, Ariat boots are brilliant, they're so comfy, i've had mine a year now and i wear them every day but they still clean up well for shows.

 

[Happy Bird]

Just came back from the tackshop (Frogpool to be precise). Long boots won in the end !! After trying on both gaiters/jod boots combo and long boots - I admit the long boots looked much smarter. I bought the Sergio Grasso ones with zips at the back.

If anyone wants to buy some black sportives, please PM me.

Thanks for all your replies. HB