Long boots dropping. Recommend brands which don't please.

[Muddywellies]

I've had Mountain Horse boots for years but they always drop. Had Richmond boots which dropped terribly and now have two pairs of Sovereign and they have now dropped too. They just don't look as smart when they are an inch too low on my leg (I'm a dressage rider) They are very snug fitting so it's not a sizing issue (ie too loose in the calf). So I'm going to throw some money at this now and possibly get a bespoke pair made. Any suggestions for boots which don't drop too much (I know they will a little). I'm wondering about Celeris boots which are more rigid, but I can't imagine how difficult they would be to break in. Am I right in thinking structured boots wont drop as much as softer boots?

 

[milliepops]

They all drop because they have to crease at the ankle otherwise you wouldn't be able to walk or ride in them

The trick is to buy them too tall and put heel raisers in while you break them in IME.

 

[teapot]

What MP said!

Unless you wear cavalry jack boots, long boots regardless of soft or hard leather will always drop because of the ankle creases.

 

[silv]

Make sure you always put boot trees in when not in use, that helps slightly but will always crease at the ankle.

 

[Muddywellies]

I know they drop a little, but my MH ones have dropped by best part of an inch. As did all my previous MH boots. They were bought slightly too tall, are only worn for riding and live in a decent boot bag with middle separator, always with trees.
So I feel its time to move on from MH and get a pair more rigid (the MH ones are soft leather) and most likely, bespoke, so looking for recommendations. Time for a treat I think.

 

[milliepops]

Any of the stiff dressage boots will hold their shape to a degree, I've been happy with konigs, Petries and celeris. But take advice on the correct height and be prepared for a bit of pain at the beginning, then they will end up the right height.

 

[Quigleyandme]

I have a pair of bespoke Schneider hunting boots which are very rigid and cut off my circulation behind the knee until they creased to the perfect length for my leg. I also have a pair of off the shelf Ariat field boots that were not crazy money and still look long and elegant after thousands of wears and are so comfy.

 

[sbloom]

All the traditional brands - Cavallo, Petrie, Konigs, Schneider, presuming they all still exist, plus heel risers to break them in.

 

[Surbie]

They all drop because they have to crease at the ankle otherwise you wouldn't be able to walk or ride in them

The trick is to buy them too tall and put heel raisers in while you break them in IME.

That's really handy to know, thank you!

 

[Keith_Beef]

That's really handy to know, thank you!

Yes, it is!

My Soubirac boots have fallen a good inch or inch and a half; they still look OK but if I have my stirrup leathers long I find that the top of the boot catches on the edge of the GP saddle flap.

When I was trying on my Tucci boots, I told the shop owner that the top of the boot was pressing uncomfortably behind my knee, and he said "that's normal until the boot creases at the ankle and falls a little", but he never mentioned using heel lifts.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I know they drop a little, but my MH ones have dropped by best part of an inch. As did all my previous MH boots. They were bought slightly too tall, are only worn for riding and live in a decent boot bag with middle separator, always with trees.
So I feel its time to move on from MH and get a pair more rigid (the MH ones are soft leather) and most likely, bespoke, so looking for recommendations. Time for a treat I think.

I wear mountain horse boots because they are so easy to break in and are so comfortable yes they drop but it's because they are soft, I bought some rigid cavallo boots and thet were awful they rubbed my ankles raw, I won't buy the rigid type again so beware if your used to the lovely soft MH boots you might struggle with the rigid type.

 

[milliepops]

i like to buy second hand long boots if the right size come up on ebay or whatever, I've been measured for them before so know what to look for and it means some other poor sod has been through the painful bit and you get them worn in and ready to go plus someone else has taken the ££ depreciation, haha.

 

[LegOn]

I'm gonna be controversial here but I've always had long boots & never really able to get them to fit properly because I've a very short leg, so they would hurt the back of my knee and then eventually drop and cease and I would have problems with the zip and they would look awful and break within a year and be beyond use. UNTIL I got a pair that fit me properly - and didnt hurt the back of my knee or have a need to 'drop' because they were being pushed down by my movement and they have stayed tall, not dropped, I've had ceasing at the ankle but thats just from wear but it hasnt effected the zip or upset the leather!

So my advise would be to get a pair that actually fit your leg to start with and then they dont have a need to drop or go anywhere but just to fit!

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I didn't find that my Mountain Horse boots dropped more than expected (Opus model). They are a softer leather and perhaps dropped a bit more than my Cavallos (Insignis). Ohhh boy those Cavallos were something to get used to for sure. And they aren't even as "stove pipe" as some others out there! I still can't get on from the ground or too low of a mounting block without feeling like the back or my knee will be severed, but they look great ?

 

[Muddywellies]

I'm gonna be controversial here but I've always had long boots & never really able to get them to fit properly because I've a very short leg, so they would hurt the back of my knee and then eventually drop and cease and I would have problems with the zip and they would look awful and break within a year and be beyond use. UNTIL I got a pair that fit me properly - and didnt hurt the back of my knee or have a need to 'drop' because they were being pushed down by my movement and they have stayed tall, not dropped, I've had ceasing at the ankle but thats just from wear but it hasnt effected the zip or upset the leather!

So my advise would be to get a pair that actually fit your leg to start with and then they dont have a need to drop or go anywhere but just to fit!

I have decided on getting bespoke, for the reasons you have just given. I can't get second hand as I'm an awkward size and shape so have decided on a fairly rigid made to measure pair. As you say, I'm expecting them to drop slightly due to creasing at the ankle, but the lovely comfortable soft MH boots are just too soft and drop too much leaving a gap at the back of my knee. Best get myself a paper round to pay for them now.....

 

[sbloom]

My Cavallos did fit perfectly, they didn't dig in at the back of the knee when new and I didn't have risers, they were ordered to my measurements (not really custom, just chosen from a very wide size range of foot, calf width and leg length). They did drop a little, I can't see that leather would stay 100% exactly as it was when new.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

My Cavallos did fit perfectly, they didn't dig in at the back of the knee when new and I didn't have risers, they were ordered to my measurements (not really custom, just chosen from a very wide size range of foot, calf width and leg length). They did drop a little, I can't see that leather would stay 100% exactly as it was when new.

It was the same for me, but I am slightly convinced the woman ordered a bit too fall for me. They're functional for riding, but need risers and, as mentioned above, a mounting block. I am also used ro a soft as buttah boot, so also a difference there. I can't imagine a boot that doesn't drop, but can imagine maybe some do a little bit more than others.

 

[Renvers]

Ditto everything above.

If you do want softer boots for comfort but still want the perception of height it might be worth having bespoke ones with higher dressage tops to give the illusion of height whilst not cutting yourself off with zips up to your knees.

 

[Melody Grey]

I have Toggi boots which haven’t dropped and are still rigid after about 3 yrs of daily use. I bought them reduced and was in two minds whether to send them back as they were a bit tall at the back- so glad I didn’t now.

 

[marmalade76]

I wear mountain horse boots because they are so easy to break in and are so comfortable yes they drop but it's because they are soft, I bought some rigid cavallo boots and thet were awful they rubbed my ankles raw, I won't buy the rigid type again so beware if your used to the lovely soft MH boots you might struggle with the rigid type.

This is why I buy second hand now, ready broken in.

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

I have a pair of Fonte Verde boots & I've been riding a few times a week in them from about January - super soft & flexible but haven't dropped.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

This is why I buy second hand now, ready broken in.

My faithful old MH high riders have a zip broke and I bought a new pair of Aurora MH to replace rode in them once they absolutely killed, so got my show boots out to wear and they have been ok until I got off and walked yesterday as it was stony and horse was a bit foot sore, I now have a massive blister on back of ankle and no comfy boots

 

[Renvers]

I have a pair of Fonte Verde boots & I've been riding a few times a week in them from about January - super soft & flexible but haven't dropped.

sorry to hijack. Did you buy the Pico by any chance? I like the look of them and wondered if they are easy to break in?

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

sorry to hijack. Did you buy the Pico by any chance? I like the look of them and wondered if they are easy to break in?

Mine are the Marvao, I love them very comfy and took no breaking in so maybe the Pico will be the same with any luck.

 

[Renvers]

Mine are the Marvao, I love them very comfy and took no breaking in so maybe the Pico will be the same with any luck.

Thanks, that is good to hear.