Grrr riding boot shopping rant!!

[sidesaddlegirl]

Need a pair of riding boots for my first side saddle show in June as my Ariat field come up too high to ride aside comfortably in and I forgot how hard it is to get a pair of flippin' boots to fit my flippin' legs and high instep feet!!! Anybody think that the riding boot manufacturers make 'em for twig legged flat footed people!

I must have tried every boot in a size 7, 8 and 9 just so I have more chances of actually getting a pair that fit me. In the zipped ones, I couldn't get my feet in them as I've got stupidly high arched feet and the non zipped ones, my calves are too big even for the wide calf boots (I'm 5'9" and don't really think my 15 1/2" calves are THAT big, what do people do who have 17" or larger calves do for heaven's sake??!)

Can't afford new Ariats in a short or medium length either (mine are the tall length).

Any boot recommendations?

Help!

 

[benson21]

Need a pair of riding boots for my first side saddle show in June as my Ariat field come up too high to ride aside comfortably in and I forgot how hard it is to get a pair of flippin' boots to fit my flippin' legs and high instep feet!!! Anybody think that the riding boot manufacturers make 'em for twig legged flat footed people!

I must have tried every boot in a size 7, 8 and 9 just so I have more chances of actually getting a pair that fit me. In the zipped ones, I couldn't get my feet in them as I've got stupidly high arched feet and the non zipped ones, my calves are too big even for the wide calf boots (I'm 5'9" and don't really think my 15 1/2" calves are THAT big, what do people do who have 17" or larger calves do for heaven's sake??!)

Can't afford new Ariats in a short or medium length either (mine are the tall length).

Any boot recommendations?

Help!

Wellies!! Dyed black? Sorry, not much help but i am in a funny mood!

 

[outandabout]

You could get a pair made? I'm pretty sure Regent make boots to exact measurements - I have an old pair and I love them!

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

I'd love to have a pair made but my budget is £100 or under, preferably 2nd hand. My local tack shop sells Regent boots and none of them fitted me, even the zippered ones, the insteps are too low on them for me.

LOL, nevermind wellies dyed black, at this rate, I'll end up wearing my hot 'n sweaty rubber riding boots!!

 

[martlin]

How about the Rheingold Olympic? they are zip ups, but have plenty of room in the foot and come in all sorts of shapes and sizes for a very reasonable price

 

[ironhorse]

If you've got a bit of time it might be worth trawling round places that have second hand stuff - does Uppingham Dress Agency still have riding wear? (I'm guessing they're in easy reach of you).

One place that has a very good second hand selection but is a bit further away is Calcutts at Sutton Scotney near Basingstoke.

At least if it's an actual shop rather than online you can try them on!
Some of the side saddle people (sorry I'm a bit out of it these days so can't always remember the names -Thompstone's Toppers is one possibility) also sell second hand riding boots

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

I did look at the Rhinegold ones on Ebay but am just worried about buying them online without trying since I've got a high instep and not being able to return them. No tack shop around me sells them either. My foot isn't wide, it's just high and I find alot of manufacturers don't put enough height in (except for field boots) for me to be able to get my foot in even with zippers.

I've not been to the Uppingham shop in years, it's not close but I suppose if I ask my OH to drive me there (I don't drive), he would if I give him money for diesel! May ring them tomorrow if they have anything remotely in a size 8 for me before making the trek there.

May have to take a trip to Tower Farms too as they have some used boots there. Just wish I had normal shaped feet and legs to buy without bother.

 

[martlin]

I've got fairly high foot and the Olympics were actually to high for me
But your probably right, you are better off trying them on first...
They do them:
http://www.styalways.co.uk/shop/olympic-long-leather-zip-up-riding-boots-p-835.html
so you might be able to return them if not fitting?

 

[LMuirEDT]

I had this problem, I hate shopping for long boots, I now go for jodhpur boots and gaiters instead.