Long leather boots - not Ariat!

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chestnut cob

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Looks like I am going to be buying another pair of long leather riding boots. I do NOT want Ariat again. This is my second pair and the quality is terrible. The first pair were replaced by Ariat at 18 months old because the leather was split all around the ankle, meaning every time it rained, your foot was soaked. I now have the replacement pair which can't be more than 9 months old (absolute maximum) and they are falling to pieces inside; the lining and leather have split. They are the most comfortable boots I've ever worn but they just don't seem to last. I could live with it if they were cheap £50 boots but Ariat Bromonts aren't cheap boots... I could also understand if I never looked after them but they are regularly cleaned and conditioned with Ariat's own products.

So... which long leather riding boots do you all wear/ recommend that are not Ariat?

I don't need super posh ones that only ever come out for a show as I ride in them at home/ lessons too. That's why I liked my Ariat boots because the style means they're not too posh but not to casual either; don't look out of place at a competition but suitable for every day riding too. I don't like brands such as Mountain Horse as they are too bulky and don't really look smart enough for my tastes. Any ideas what brands to look at? I mainly event and do a bit of hunting when I feel the urge so boots need to be the type that won't fall apart if they end up splattered in mud! ;)
 
I just bought a pair of Ariat boots on Saturday! Wish I'd known their tall boots aren't as good as their other boots :(
Oh well, I got £100 off so at least that can go towards my next pair.

I like the look of the Mark Todd ones, although haven't been able to try them on as local saddlery doesn't have them.

Rectiligne and Treadstep look nice without being super expensive as well :)
(although like all boots - if you're looking online it's best to shop around for prices!)
 
For dog walking and every day I have my Ariat Glaciers (sorry!) they've been badly looked after for two years but are totally waterproof and comfy.

For proper riding I have a pair of Brogini, useless around the yard as there is no grip on the bottom but LOVELY to ride in, didn't take any breaking in and fit my skinny legs with no problems.
 
Dizzle said:
For dog walking and every day I have my Ariat Glaciers (sorry!) they've been badly looked after for two years but are totally waterproof and comfy.

For proper riding I have a pair of Brogini, useless around the yard as there is no grip on the bottom but LOVELY to ride in, didn't take any breaking in and fit my skinny legs with no problems.
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Do you jump in your Broginis? How do you find it, if there is no grip on the soles?
 
Send your replacements back to Ariat. They replaced my Connistons twice due to zip problems and I'd worn them a lot.
 
Fjord said:
Send your replacements back to Ariat. They replaced my Connistons twice due to zip problems and I'd worn them a lot.
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Really? Thing is that I have different issues with this pair, to the last pair. Last time it was splitting in the leather around the ankle. This time it's the lining inside coming away from the leather, and within a couple of weeks of getting them the leather in the stretchy panel (next to the zip) was starting to split. And it's not because my legs are too fat for my boots ;)
 
Equitector long boots are great. I've had mine for several years now and they still look great, although I only really use them at shows.
But first try sending your Ariats back again, they do seem to have a good reputation.
 
I know you said you don't like MH but have you looked at the MH Richmond boots? They're very similar to the bromonts but without the suede on the inside of the calf. They're also a little tougher in leather to begin with but bed in well. I have both, prefer my bromonts for day to day stuff, but do like those boots for shows (but if they hadn't been worn and ridden in by someone else prior to me who was taller, I think they'd be comfier as they've dropped in the wrong place for me so walking in them gives me blisters!)
 
Stroppy Mare said:
I know you said you don't like MH but have you looked at the MH Richmond boots? They're very similar to the bromonts but without the suede on the inside of the calf. They're also a little tougher in leather to begin with but bed in well. I have both, prefer my bromonts for day to day stuff, but do like those boots for shows (but if they hadn't been worn and ridden in by someone else prior to me who was taller, I think they'd be comfier as they've dropped in the wrong place for me so walking in them gives me blisters!)
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Thanks, no I hadn't looked at the Richmond actually. They don't look as chunky as the other MH boots do they? I've always been put off MH by the chunky soles in the past. Have you found them to be waterproof? How do they compare to the Bromonts to ride in? I can't see the point of the suede bit on the Bromonts anyway, it just rubs smooth and turns into shiny leather eventually!

I am tempted to call Ariat about the splitting of the lining but I thought that might be a bit cheeky since these are a replacement pair anyway...
 
chestnut cob said:
Thanks, no I hadn't looked at the Richmond actually. They don't look as chunky as the other MH boots do they? I've always been put off MH by the chunky soles in the past. Have you found them to be waterproof? How do they compare to the Bromonts to ride in? I can't see the point of the suede bit on the Bromonts anyway, it just rubs smooth and turns into shiny leather eventually!

I am tempted to call Ariat about the splitting of the lining but I thought that might be a bit cheeky since these are a replacement pair anyway...
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I've ridden in them in torrential rain and yes they're definitely waterproof! I quite like them to ride in, they're comfy and keep my leg in a good position, and they look the part. I'd say they're very similar to the bromonts to ride in - they've got lace around the ankle so you can adjust to fit and I find they stay in the stirrup nicely and aren't too slidey - but they have the SCS system on the bottom so gives you a chunkier tread anyway where the stirrup sits (and if you get the stirrup treads to match, you 'lock' in, but I don't think it makes too much difference without them).
 
chestnut cob said:
Really? Thing is that I have different issues with this pair, to the last pair. Last time it was splitting in the leather around the ankle. This time it's the lining inside coming away from the leather, and within a couple of weeks of getting them the leather in the stretchy panel (next to the zip) was starting to split. And it's not because my legs are too fat for my boots ;)
Click to expand...

It's well worth contacting them again, I had two different type of zip issues with the Conistons and also returned a pair of Bromonts at the same time. They replaced them all, I do find their customer service to be excellent. It's got to be worth a try.
 
I second MH but I have the Richmond ones (I think) had then 10 years, riding 4-6 times per week. Zips had to be replaced at 9 years old but other than that they are amazing. Very comfy boot. I can't comment on the sole being to thick as they have been my first pair of long boots.
Purchase a pair of their new show long boots (cannot remember the name sorry) the leather is butter soft and the sole is much thinner.
Ps my Richmonds were worn in within a week or so.
 
Having made a similar post on here last week, I've just bought a pair of Tredstep Donatellos and I love them - super soft and comfortable, and whilst it's a bit early to comment on the longevity of them, they seem like they should last well and feel well made.
 
i dont rate the Mark Todds although the quality might have changed in the last couple of years, the leather was poor and they never fully broke in even after 2 years they were still un comfortable. i then bought a pair of Brogini roma seconds on ebay they did take a few weeks to break in but after that they were teh comfiest boots i have ever worn, i wore then day in day out for work riding and they often got trapsed trhough mud between horses and always polised up superbly for shows! unfortuantly a couple of weeks ago the zip on one boot bust so i got a pair of Treadstep Donatellos they are beautiful, the leather is gorgeous however they haev been giving me awful blisters to the last two weeks, to the point i cant bear to ride in them, they have literally taken chunks out of my feet! im hoping this is just a teething stage and they will eventually be as comfy as my Broginis! otherwise i have a pair of slim size 6 Donatellos for sale if any one is interested :P
 
Tredstep Donatellos are excellent- and lots of different fit options to make sure you get them right
I have Brogini's (got them in a sale cos I have stupidly spindly legs!) and I love them for dressage but wear my tredstep short boots and gaiters for jumping...
 
Another vote for Tuffa boots. I love mine they are a perfect fit and look smart. I think the style I have is called 'Showtime' (I didn't want dressage tops)
I also like regents.
 
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