Long riding boot recommendations

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scats

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The zip got stuck and chewed on my long black riding boots this evening (and I got stuck in them, to the amusement of my friend!) I’ve had the zips redone once before for the same issue, but truth be told the boots are pretty old now so I should probably just replace them.
They are just for everyday riding, I have separate competition boots for fancy stuff so I’m happy with a synthetic material. I *think* they are Broginis that were just under £100 but I can’t actually remember.

Anyway, ideally I don’t want to spend over £100 as they are just for general riding. Synthetic fine, but I do like them to look smart and obviously be comfortable.

Recommendations please.
 
I always buy mountain horse boots I loved my high riders that are not made any more had the zips replaced about 3 times on each boot but omg so comfy boots, I now have about 3 pairs of long boots and 1 pair of short, Arora and Vienna long boots and classic short.

But... I have recently bought some shires Alessandra and I ride them and do everything in them and they are brilliant, I do look after my boots though I clean them and condition them so they last and so far its worked 😁
 
I've recently been bought some Ariat Grasmeres that were a bit over your budget at £150. Previously I've tended to buy Hy boots as I've found them excellent value for money and very comfortable. The zips have tended to go on them before the boots die, I've usually got two years plus out of them which I think is ok as my boots have a hard life.
 
I’ve got a used but in good condition pair of Ariats that need a home. They’re older so have the better softer leather compared to the current ones (which imho are not worth the price!)
 
GoldenWillow said:
I've recently been bought some Ariat Grasmeres that were a bit over your budget at £150. Previously I've tended to buy Hy boots as I've found them excellent value for money and very comfortable. The zips have tended to go on them before the boots die, I've usually got two years plus out of them which I think is ok as my boots have a hard life.
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Sorry to hijack the post but I've been looking at Hy boots as I'm usually a short boots & chaps girl in the Spring/Summer (outside of my winter long Ariats) but could do with more ankle support but want a robust long boot that will cope with a bit of yard life, mud and getting off our hacking to lead if need be, so thank you for your post :) Most helpful!

I've also looked at the Toggi Calgary as they look robust rather than too refined.
 
MuddyMonster said:
Sorry to hijack the post but I've been looking at Hy boots as I'm usually a short boots & chaps girl in the Spring/Summer (outside of my winter long Ariats) but could do with more ankle support but want a robust long boot that will cope with a bit of yard life, mud and getting off our hacking to lead if need be, so thank you for your post :) Most helpful!

I've also looked at the Toggi Calgary as they look robust rather than too refined.
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I usually get the Hy winter boots with the fleecy lining. Mine have to cope with winter yard life with ponies that mainly live out, including poo picking muddy fields and we get on the beach when we can so they also cope with muddy sand and a bit of salt water. So far with two pairs the zips have given up before the boots. I had the zips repaired both times but they went again after a few months.
 
GoldenWillow said:
I usually get the Hy winter boots with the fleecy lining. Mine have to cope with winter yard life with ponies that mainly live out, including poo picking muddy fields and we get on the beach when we can so they also cope with muddy sand and a bit of salt water. So far with two pairs the zips have given up before the boots. I had the zips repaired both times but they went again after a few months.
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This sounds similiar levels of abuse to what they'll experience with me (however much I like to kid myself on the first wear they will get looked after 🤣) so very positive, thank you. I'll get myself some non-fleece lined ones later in the season :)
 
Hey anyone else have the alessandra boots? Are they hard wearing and good fit? I am a wide and looking at measurements they are the same width as my wide moretta black riding boots but looking for something I can do some yard duties in and ride- often always looking to save time (mum of a 4 year old!)
 
Have Ariats gone downhill over the years? I used to live in them and having recently been in a market for a new pair, I was really not impressed with how they felt on. Sole hard, boots tough to the touch, etc.

I had a pair of Mountain Horse High Rider for years, then once they were retired I got some DeNiro Salentinos which were fine, but again the footbed wasn't as comfortable as what you'd expect for the price. I ended up buying another pair of Mountain Horse boots for less than half the price last week and love them. Most comfortable boots I've ever had by far.
 
I like my Toggi Calgary boots although both my pairs (I found a really cheap unworn 2nd had pair on Facebook marketplace so snapped them up) have currently got broken zips. As Wig is on box rest, out of action until March and has cost me about £4k in diagnostics (for box rest to be the answer) they'll have to wait.

The zip went on the first pair ages ago so I started wearing the second pair while the first got fixed. I then carried on with them until those zips went (about 2 years) and went back to the first pair but the new zips on those were rubbish and only lasted about a month. The day they broke was also the day Wiggy broke. The boots are in good nick so it seems daft to get new ones when I could replace the zips on both pairs for 1/2 the price.

They're not quite under £100 but you can often find them on sale for about £120.
 
IrishMilo said:
Have Ariats gone downhill over the years? I used to live in them and having recently been in a market for a new pair, I was really not impressed with how they felt on. Sole hard, boots tough to the touch, etc.

I had a pair of Mountain Horse High Rider for years, then once they were retired I got some DeNiro Salentinos which were fine, but again the footbed wasn't as comfortable as what you'd expect for the price. I ended up buying another pair of Mountain Horse boots for less than half the price last week and love them. Most comfortable boots I've ever had by far.
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Re Ariats, the difference in quality in my pair from 2016 to the ones I bought in 2020 is huge (and I only got a second pair as my calves got fatter :( )

They do soften up but not sure I’d buy them again.

ETS: the walking boots I got from Ariat are fantastic however 🤷🏻‍♀️
 
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teapot said:
Re Ariats, the difference in quality in my pair from 2016 to the ones I bought in 2020 is huge (and I only got a second pair as my calves got fatter :( )

They do soften up but not sure I’d buy them again.
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Same. I used to swear by ariats. I had a pair of yard boots and riding boots yearly but I used to work and ride 8 horses a day and give them a right battering.

These days with just riding one and mucking out two plus a dog walk they yard boots lasted 8 months.
 
Ceifer said:
Same. I used to swear by ariats. I had a pair of yard boots and riding boots yearly but I used to work and ride 8 horses a day and give them a right battering.

These days with just riding one and mucking out two plus a dog walk they yard boots lasted 8 months.
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Same here. I got a pair of Grasmeres as soon as they came out and they were absolutely amazing, lasted years and years. To be honest, they were still functional when I eventually threw them away but they looked a mess as I'd mangled one of the toes on a sharp piece of metal on a wagon.
Second pair I got were looking pretty ropey after less than a year. I got some with a zip which broke very quickly (and had also started to detach from the leather).
OH used to get the short Ariat H2O boots and wore them with half chaps. Same thing, first pair lasted for eons, second pair literally fell apart after about 18 months. (And they were not cheap!)
It's a real shame because Ariats were so dependable and had such a good reputation.

I have some Bareback Footwear short boots (Kentucky Storm) which are super comfy and will be looking to buy a pair of their long boots when the time comes.
 
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