Long riding boots, what do you have & why? Recommendations?

L&B

L&B

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So, after riding in country boots or jod boots & chaps for most of my life, I am now looking for my first pair of long riding boots (at the grand age of almost 30).

I'd like them for general riding; riding club; etc. We don't tend to compete although give most things a go at local level and take part in regular endurance rides. So just wanted a boot that looked smarter for 'off the yard' activities - will keep my country boots for hacking & schooling at home.

Can anyone recommend? What do you have and why? Pics?
I don't have £££££ to spend, but don't want synthetic or plastic leather either! :)
 
I've had a pair of Ariat bromonts on the go for years and years.. have had insulated and non insulated ones and think they are hard to beat for comfort and long life :) Plus the waterproofing is handy. There are some good deals around at the moment I think as there are some new models so the old ones seem to be discounted in lots of places.

I only really hack in mine now, I have petries or konigs for schooling but the bromonts have been faithful servants and I will have another pair if the current ones conk out!
 
I love my Mountain Horse Firenzes. I like my boots nice and plain, no laces or patterns so they're perfect for me - they also come in wide leg which I need for my tree trunk calves. I got them in a sale and had a really good deal. They are on the pricey side but are really good quality and have lasted a good few years of semi regular (lessons and competitions) use with very little sign of wear. They are long though so I've put heel raisers inside them to stop them digging into the back of my leg. The ones I use are very squidgy which has the added bonus of making it feel like I'm wearing trainers!
 
I have been looking at the ariat bromonts on hope valley as they seem to be on offer at the moment. Just not sure how I feel about the 'laced' front. I'm a bit more of a plain fan& have seen a lot of laced types go baggy around the ankle after a while, have you found this? Did you get them in oiled or waxed? :)
 
annagain said:
I love my Mountain Horse Firenzes. I like my boots nice and plain, no laces or patterns so they're perfect for me.
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Yes!!! This is exactly me! Nothing bulky or clumpy, still feminine, but nothing laced or bling'd. I perhaps should take a wee look at mountain horse then... Hmm...
 
Ariat bromonts are hard to find fault in. I always
Inked mine. I have Tredsteps now as my calves are slimmer than before and I feel these fit better.
 
I had the same dilemma- not liking how bulky and chunky many of the long leather boots are. I went for the ariat heritage contour boots. Not cheap but I do think they're utterly gorgeous :)
Eta - I also have Tredstep Donatello long boots for competing in, they've only been worn 3 times and cleaned after each use and stored back in their box with boot trees etc and I'm really disappointed, the leather has faded and after 3 uses they've already started to be a bit baggy. I rarely compete so haven't bothered doing anything about it tbh :o
 
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L&B said:
I have been looking at the ariat bromonts on hope valley as they seem to be on offer at the moment. Just not sure how I feel about the 'laced' front. I'm a bit more of a plain fan& have seen a lot of laced types go baggy around the ankle after a while, have you found this? Did you get them in oiled or waxed? :)
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Mine are so old that oiled wasn't an option when I bought them :o I don't find they go baggy, I only wear them to ride in and they are stored laying flat afterwards.
 
Ariat bromonts for me too! They last really well and clean up nicely. I do all my riding in mine and a pair lasts about 3 years...i have about a year of the next pair being 'show only' in the cross over period. I will stress that when i have the new show ones to ride in I stop looking aftet the everyday pair! Tbh i dont look after my boots that well anyway. :P Comfy from day one and good value for money. I normally pay about £170 ish for them in some sale or another.
 
I recently bought a set of De Niro normally retail around the £370 mark for £100. Have never worn them (still in box)and really shouldn't have bought them but seemed too good an offer to miss. Ho hum, guess I should sell them on. Some bargains out there if you strike lucky.
 
Just Togs Nebraska - their version of the Ariat Bromonts but cheaper :D

I've had mine for nearly 3 years, rarely clean them and properly abuse them and so far the only issue is that they smell :D
 
PaddyMonty said:
I recently bought a set of De Niro normally retail around the £370 mark for £100. Have never worn them (still in box)and really shouldn't have bought them but seemed too good an offer to miss. Ho hum, guess I should sell them on. Some bargains out there if you strike lucky.
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Never struck lucky like that! Lol! Was this in a tack shop? Online?
 
I have Ariat Bromonts. I've tried other makes but the Bromonts were just so comfy for me. My shabby old pair are for hacking which I never polish and I have a new pair for competitions. I got them back when EquestrianClearance was still going and they sold them cheaper than anywhere else. I would be happy to spend more on a really decent pair of boots but haven't found anything I prefer. I have insulated and non insulated. Like you I wasn't keen on the laces but I guess it's just fashion at the moment. So fashionable that I have even seen them for sale on Net -a-porter. Ridiculous!!
 
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I have the Mountain Horse Opus - not at all bulky, plain but with enough detailing to be interesting, and they feel absolutely great to ride in. Not cheap, but I'd recommend them.
 
I have a pari of De Niros that currently are the only useable boots to ride in. My Ariat paddock boots died a sorry death and my Tretorns need a new zip (and have done for about a year...). They're the off the rack model and you can find them around for £240 which I think is really reasonable for the quality. I'm planning to purchase another pair to be proper home boots.
 
Another vote for Bromonts - they did do a dress version for a while with no laces, not sure if you can still get those?
 
Ariat Heritage Contours. Why? Because they fit, are a gorgeous colour and are close contact unlike the hideously thick Bromonts.
 
I bought some gorgeous De Niros from RB Equestrian too, they were a very good price and are super comfy.
 
Mine are Regent - old-fashioned pull on showing/hunting boots. Why do I have these - no zip to bust, local cobblers can resole, no fancy straps/shapes that will go out of fashion, last for years,scrub up well, comfortable once worn in, can be worn for all disciplines.
 
Brogini Capitoli - they have really high arches, so look good from the side, without rubbing the back of my knees. They fit very close round foot and ankle, as well as the leg, and they come in extra tall, which is unusual for cheaper boots.

Mine were an Ebay purchase - barely worn, exactly the right size, and I snapped them up for the princely sum of £40!
 
I have a pair of just togs which I brought at go outdoors - I have had them for years and paid £65.00 . I compete regularly and no-one would know they were really cheap
 
I have the mountain horse high riders for everyday riding had them about 5 years had the zips replaced once on each boot, they still look really good and have no splits or holes and I find them really comfortable, I recently bought the mountain horse Venice boots for competing not worn them yet so can't comment on them.
 
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