how long should leather boots last?

[buckybee]

I've got cavallo ones and i'm not sure if they have been a bit cr*p, i haven't looked after them well enough or they are just old!

on the inside of the outside a thin layer of leather has rubbed off and also on the outside around where they fold around the ankle.

A thick bit of leather has also detatached inside where your heal goes in.

Have other peoples boots done this and how long do you normally keep them for?

I've had them about 9 yrs and they are used for hunting and a bit of eventing and stuff in the summer.

 

[dixie]

I'm not at all sure but mine are beginning to fall apart and I've had them about 6 years.

They are splitting in the heel area probably as I have to heave and tug to get them on due to my stiff ankles.

 

[AmyMay]

My friend has to have a new pair made every 18 months.

 

[buckybee]

I couldn't cope with that at all!! mine were really stiff and I felt like I couldn't ride properly for ages!

 

[Tia]

I've had my long Cavallos for about 15 years. These are the only footwear that I have to admit to actually looking after. They still look like new although I haven't worn them since moving her a couple of years ago.

 

[FMM]

I have a pair I bought second hand about 20 years ago - only used them for shows - on the inside it says they were made in 1920. However, they still had their original wooden trees which I put in religiously after I used them. I think that boots last longer if they are looked after properly. If you use them every day, then they will obviously wear out more quickly!

It is not necessary now to have to break boots in the way we used to have to - if you need to do that with your boots, try a different make next time!