Has anyone tried/bought Tredstep Raphael long boots?

SW3

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OH has agreed (without MUCH arm twisting, honest!) to buy me a nice new pair of long competition boots for Christmas. I quite like the look of the new Tredstep Raphael's and wondered if anyone had tried them / bought them / decided against them yet?

I think they look smart and they are just about in the right price bracket (alas no chance of him shelling out for a pair of shiny Koenigs or similar!!). I want them predominantly for eventing but must also be suitable for lowish level BD and BS as well. I favour plain fronted boots rather than field boots as I think plain fronted look smarter and I have always been lead to believe are more correct for dressage. (Is that right incidentally?!)

Are there any makes /models that you would recommend as an alternative to the Tredsteps? The Sarm Hippique 500s look nice but the Sarm 1600s, at £500 odd are too pricey - dammit!

Thank you!!
 
I was very lucky to win a pair in their Facebook competition, they are lovely boots and soft around the ankles, they supply them with heel raisers to wear until they have dropped a little, come in a wide range of widths too. The foot size comes up on the smaller side of normal but do try them
 
Thanks whatawizard (and how lucky you were to win a pair!), am going to try some today, so fingers crossed!
 
I tried the Donatello and da Vinci, and loved the da Vinci. Soft and very comfortable boots. The boots come up big in the foot- similar to ariat I guess.
 
Well one pair of Raphaels has been duly purchased! I had a lovely morning trying them, the Da Vincis, Donatellos, plus some Cavallos, Sarms and Mountain Horse Supremes but found the Raphaels the best fit of all. As you say, they do come up big in the foot, I am a 37 in them for goodness sakes (and surely that's a size which is normally reserved for tiny pixie types)?!
 
What were the Donatellos like? Also how much were the Raphaels can't seem to find a price for them :)
Are plain boots the norm for dressage ?:) I quite like the ones with lace detail but only ever having the cheapy rubber/plastic longs boots I too am being treated to some leather ones but so many to choose from :)
 
What were the Donatellos like? Also how much were the Raphaels can't seem to find a price for them :)
Are plain boots the norm for dressage ?:) I quite like the ones with lace detail but only ever having the cheapy rubber/plastic longs boots I too am being treated to some leather ones but so many to choose from :)

The donatellos were really nice, it came down to them or the raphaels as the da vinci's despite being more expensive than the donatellos, did not fit me as well. The donatellos were £200ish and the da vincis and raphaels were both £320. I seem to see mostly plain fronted boots at BD / dressage but I'm not sure if its the norm or just some dopey impression I've got! I tend to prefer the look of plain fronted boots TBH, although there are some lovely lace up type field boots about too. It is SO difficult as there is so much choice, but the best thing is probably to go somewhere with a good selection where the staff are used to fitting long boots and then try all those in your price range... ! Good luck and enjoy!! :-)
 
Well I went to Ridemore today to try on the Donatellos they are very nice and seemed a pretty gd fit, not sure if they were a tad long :confused: as when I bent my knee they were touching my knee at the back not digging in as the leather was soo soft.
Went to Highwood on way home to see what they had but nothing there that I wanted to try on :rolleyes:
So I think Donatellos it is :) just need to confirm length of them :)
 
They'll drop when the ankles crinkle so I'd always go for slightly longer than is comfortable at first - you can try some heel lifters if they help while they break in. Glad to hear they're nice, I've been coveting some but am just steeling myself for the hassle of trying loads on knowing most will just remind me I have pixie-sized stumps instead of legs ha ha.
 
Now i'm getting confused as to what size I tried lol, guy said it was a 5 but in the boot i'm pretty sure it said 39RR which is a 5 1/2:confused::o I'm normally a 5/6 depending on make etc so i'm thinking it probably was a 5 1/2 :)
I think it had 17 3/4 length :o any ideas lol...
 
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I have the donatellos. The first pair the heels fell off after very little use, they replaced the boots however these too have fallen apart despite only being used for best
 
Hi Charlie76,

We are disappointed to hear you have encountered such a problem, please do email us at info@tredstep.com and we will have this addressed for you.

Any other Tredstep users do be assured that we offer a manufacturing warranty on all our products.

All the best,
Tredstep Ireland
 
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