Help, why do my leather boots always split?!

[Rupertthebear]

I have had my ariat windermeres for 2 years and the leather on the foot has all split, my mountain horse boots have also started splitting after one year. I often treat them especially if they get wet (tried posh soaps, polish, tack cleaner)? What am I doing wrong, and what do you use? Or is this normal?! I do wear them every day, dog walking/riding etc before and after work. My chaps and tack have aged really well though!

 

[GirlFriday]

TBH I'm not sure that twice daily wear for 2 years is that bad... But other things to consider: treating before they get wet (barrier protection) and how you store them (eg near any hot radiators?)

 

[stencilface]

I store mine upside down on a boot rack so the boots are kept straight with minimum creases. I think this helps.

 

[SpringArising]

I have the same problem with Ariats. I've had about 3 pairs and they've all split at the toe. They're so comfy I wouldn't have anything else though!

 

[eggs]

I was told not to stand in horse muck or pee (ie don't go climbing up the muck heap or wear them to muck out a stable) as this rots the leather.

 

[GirlFriday]

Oh, that is interesting eggs as I had a vague recollection that pee was used to help soften (tan) hides... so makes sense that too much of it will soften too much!

 

[Midlifecrisis]

Sounds normal to me.

 

[LadySam]

Do you ever use anything like a leather conditioner/dressing cream? They contain a blend of oils to hydrate the leather and waxes to set up a protective moisture barrier. It's good for most leather things. I use it on boots, saddlery and my leather sofa.

 

[Wagtail]

Two years is very good going. Mine never last more than a year, tops. Except for my long riding boots because I always take them off after riding and keep them clean. But my other ariats that I wear for all my outdoor stuff always split across the foot where the big toe bends. I only buy ariats, so don't know if other brands would do better, but probably not. I don't care for my work boots. Too time consuming.

 

[turnbuckle]

Treat em as consumables and buy cheap. I find Toggi are an excellent price/quality compromise.

 

[[69117]]

That sounds normal to me. I wear mine all day every day at work, and then on days off to walk the dog and do my own horses, and only take them off when I ride and swap into my Bromonts.

Even when taking excellent care of them they never last me more than nine months with this level of wear. To be honest, I think that's quite impressive. My fitbit says I do an average of 16 miles a day on foot - that's about 4300 miles I get out of each pair of Windermeres!

 

[Tnavas]

I have had my ariat windermeres for 2 years and the leather on the foot has all split, my mountain horse boots have also started splitting after one year. I often treat them especially if they get wet (tried posh soaps, polish, tack cleaner)? What am I doing wrong, and what do you use? Or is this normal?! I do wear them every day, dog walking/riding etc before and after work. My chaps and tack have aged really well though!

I've found my boots last a lot longer if I use good old fashioned boot polish you put on with a brush - you can squish the polish into all the nooks and crannies and they also shine up nicely. Avoid wearing leather boots when mucking out - the urine and dung rot the leather fast.

 

[Rupertthebear]

Thanks everyone, I am really glad its not just me. I am guilty of mucking out in them, and basically trudging through all sorts - so this has probably contributed to it! I prefer them to wellies see, but maybe this is a case to the OH to get me some decent wellies! Then I can keep the boots better maybe invest in some decent polish/cleaner from day 1 rather than wait until the first crack to slather everything and anything on!

 

[Hanno Verian]

I bought some Ariat Devon Pro boots the short boots with lacing like a field boot, I wore them regularly as work shoes as they were so comfortable and for the odd competition with gaiters. They split at the seam between the toecap and sole on one of the boots after about two years, I argued that they had been well looked after, had not been damaged in any way and showed only moderate signs of wear.
Ariat tried to tell me that their life expectancy was only a year or so, until I showed them 10 yr old RM Williams boots that had been abused but were still structurally sound, and Loakes shoes that cost about the same and were still going well at 15 years.
I was given a brand new pair of their new paddock boots, unfortunately they have discontinued the short field boots, but a result

 

[Rupertthebear]

I bought some Ariat Devon Pro boots the short boots with lacing like a field boot, I wore them regularly as work shoes as they were so comfortable and for the odd competition with gaiters. They split at the seam between the toecap and sole on one of the boots after about two years, I argued that they had been well looked after, had not been damaged in any way and showed only moderate signs of wear.
Ariat tried to tell me that their life expectancy was only a year or so, until I showed them 10 yr old RM Williams boots that had been abused but were still structurally sound, and Loakes shoes that cost about the same and were still going well at 15 years.
I was given a brand new pair of their new paddock boots, unfortunately they have discontinued the short field boots, but a result

I have always had ariat boots, and always loved them - but a years life expectancy isn't enough with what they cost IMO! Problem is I ordered of Amazon, but hopeful for my next pair of jod boots - if I get them from one of these registered stockists I might have a chance to return and get them replaced (provided they have been looked after and not had excessive wear!).

 

[cobgoblin]

I've always found Ariat to be made of inferior leather.

 

[LadySam]

Ariat tried to tell me that their life expectancy was only a year or so, until I showed them 10 yr old RM Williams boots that had been abused but were still structurally sound, and Loakes shoes that cost about the same and were still going well at 15 years.

Oh, I love my RM Williams boots. Not cheap to buy but the only boots I've ever come across that are worth every penny. The leather is incredible quality. I don't know what sort of aftercare they offer in the U.K., but here in Australia I can send a battered pair of boots off to the factory for refurbishment and for a nominal cost they come back like brand new. Mine have been going for about 10 years now. I've sent them back for refurb twice, I think.

 

[cremedemonthe]

I'll send you some advice in leathercare, Oz