Hiking boots - ok to ride in?

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Field04

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I have seen a really nice pair of hiking boots by Jeep, I just wonder if they will be ok to ride in or would the tread be too deep?

Thanks
 
I've done it. I rode for a few years in an old pair of hiking boots and only stopped when the leather started developing holes. It's not the pinnacle of equestrian fashion, but they still stop your feet from sliding through the stirrups.
 
I don't think it's ideal, although I have occasionally ridden in walking boots. I find them heavy to ride in.

It also depends whether the stirrup irons are the right size for you, whether the stirrup bars are open, what sort of irons you ride in, how high the heel is on the boots. I have felt the tread 'stick' in the iron at times when riding in boots other than riding boots... I think it's best just to stick to using the right product for the right purpose.

But it's hard to say without seeing a picture of the boots.
 
I do ride in hiking boots regularly, but I think it depends on the style / heaviness of the boots and the size of your stirrups. Also, I hack in mine or ride bareback, but if I were schooling or jumping, I probably wouldn't.
 
NOOOOOOO!

The tread on hiking boots is entirely unsuitable for riding and could cause an accident.

If you really must then get cages for your stirrups and make sure that the stirrups are big enough.

But seriously, you can get safe riding boots so cheaply I don't know why you would want to ride in anything else.
 
JFTD said:
Kat the tread on my hiking boots is very similar to the tread on my Ariat Terrains :confused:
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Just had a google of the ariat terrains, and a shoe with that type of sole isn't what I'd call a hiking boot.

Maybe an approach shoe, or a trail boot, but many of those don't have a proper heel so for safety I'd want a cage on the stirrup.

When someone says HIKING boot (especially using the term hiking rather than walking) I think of something more like this: Meindl boots I have these (well the version they were making 13 years ago) and there is no way on earth I would risk ruining them by wearing them anywhere near the horse! But the sole has far too much of a deep tread to be safe, and even though my irons are pretty big I doubt they would fit safely without jamming, and I wouldn't be able to bend my ankle as I need to either.

I don't see the point in riding in hiking boots when the likes of ariat and mountain horse are making decent boots aimed at riders that are also comfortable and practical for yard work.

I bought a pair of Mountain Horse Protective Rider boots so that I have something that is comfy to walk a fair distance in but also suitable for riding (OH and I sometimes ride half walk half on a hack), they were much cheaper than hiking boots and far more comfy to ride in.
 
Kat said:
Just had a google of the ariat terrains, and a shoe with that type of sole isn't what I'd call a hiking boot.

Maybe an approach shoe, or a trail boot, but many of those don't have a proper heel so for safety I'd want a cage on the stirrup.

When someone says HIKING boot (especially using the term hiking rather than walking) I think of something more like this: Meindl boots I have these (well the version they were making 13 years ago) and there is no way on earth I would risk ruining them by wearing them anywhere near the horse! But the sole has far too much of a deep tread to be safe, and even though my irons are pretty big I doubt they would fit safely without jamming, and I wouldn't be able to bend my ankle as I need to either.

I don't see the point in riding in hiking boots when the likes of ariat and mountain horse are making decent boots aimed at riders that are also comfortable and practical for yard work.

I bought a pair of Mountain Horse Protective Rider boots so that I have something that is comfy to walk a fair distance in but also suitable for riding (OH and I sometimes ride half walk half on a hack), they were much cheaper than hiking boots and far more comfy to ride in.
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Ah, I have a pair like that which I don't ride in either - they just seem to big and cumbersome. You're right, my other ones are probably more like trail boots, and I use them to keep my Terrains out of the worst of the mud in winter as they're considerably cheaper than them! I also have a pair of those Mountain Horse ones, I like them :)

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I ride in my hiking boots, never had a problem with losing stirrups, whereas in my riding boots I'm forever losing stirrups! I find hiking boot soles a lot grippier than riding boots
 
JFTD said:
Ah, I have a pair like that which I don't ride in either - they just seem to big and cumbersome. You're right, my other ones are probably more like trail boots, and I use them to keep my Terrains out of the worst of the mud in winter as they're considerably cheaper than them! I also have a pair of those Mountain Horse ones, I like them :)

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Me too but in trying to find a picture of them, it looks like they might not be made any more :( I think they are great and have worn mine loads I might have to start looking out for a pair on ebay so that I can replace them when they die.

I also keep mine in the car in case I want/need to ride when I haven't gone prepared. I won't ride in my muckers (sole has too much tread and they are too flexible in the sole, normal muckers are fine to ride in) or wellies or trainers.
 
If I don't go prepared, I ride in anything - but then I'm almost always bareback so tread doesn't really matter :D

I'm surprised MH have stopped making them - that's rubbish :(
 
heebiejeebies said:
I ride in my hiking boots, never had a problem with losing stirrups, whereas in my riding boots I'm forever losing stirrups! I find hiking boot soles a lot grippier than riding boots
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:eek: and what happens if you fall off? If you can't get your foot out easily when you need to then there is the risk that a minor fall becomes a serious one.

If you lose your stirrups alot then it is likely to be something to do with your position and nothing to do with "grip", unless your riding boots are really awful (I'm thinking very heavily worn smooth soles with poor balance and stability). Try something like ariat or mountain horse and it should be easier to keep your position and your stirrups, they have a good amount of grip in the right places without risking your foot getting stuck, they are also stabilised and stiffened with rising in mind.
 
JFTD said:
If I don't go prepared, I ride in anything - but then I'm almost always bareback so tread doesn't really matter :D

I'm surprised MH have stopped making them - that's rubbish :(
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The benefits of having a native instead of something with big bony withers and spine :cool: I need my saddle!

I might have to investigate further, perhaps they have renamed them or something......
 
Google reveals that they still do the "mountain rider classic" the short lace up boot without the toe cap and they do the "protective jodhpur boot" with the toe cap and the pull on design but no lace up with toe caps :(

Good job I've had madam's shoes taken off and her toe squishing capabilities have been reduced!
 
I do. But, I am very careful about how much tread they have, & how much heel. I have plenty of room in my stirrups, & my heels are far lower than my toe, don't have issues with my foot going through the stirrups. However, I do have to lace the ankle part loosely to allow my ankle to bend. I also ride very long, & often either bareback or without stirrups. I do jump in them occasionally, but I wouldn't challenge myself jumping in them. Also, if I ever run into trouble with short jumping stirrups, my default reaction is to pull my feet out so I can stretch my leg down for full use. I won't ride in stirrups with wellies or anything similar, due to the chance of them getting jammed, so with hiking boots the tread plays a large part in whether I deem them safe to ride in. They just last longer, & are cheaper. Plus, having narrow feet & ankles, the laces mean they fit better.
 
Littlelegs said:
I do. But, I am very careful about how much tread they have, & how much heel. I have plenty of room in my stirrups, & my heels are far lower than my toe, don't have issues with my foot going through the stirrups. However, I do have to lace the ankle part loosely to allow my ankle to bend. I also ride very long, & often either bareback or without stirrups. I do jump in them occasionally, but I wouldn't challenge myself jumping in them. Also, if I ever run into trouble with short jumping stirrups, my default reaction is to pull my feet out so I can stretch my leg down for full use. I won't ride in stirrups with wellies or anything similar, due to the chance of them getting jammed, so with hiking boots the tread plays a large part in whether I deem them safe to ride in. They just last longer, & are cheaper. Plus, having narrow feet & ankles, the laces mean they fit better.
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I like lace up short boots too, I have a high instep and thin ankles so they fit better.
 
The boots I am talking about are hiking boots so have a deep tread. I have a pair of Woof Wear boots which I always ride in and love, I just saw these other ones whilst browsing in a shop this morning and really liked the look of them so wondered if they could be used for riding.
 
I wouldn't, I can't see how the shape or tge tread on a hiking boot would allow your foot to slip out of the stirrup in bad situation, I'd rather have tge traditional slim fit elegant style of riding boot for safe a peace of mind.
 
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