new rider needs advice on boots

[luckywd]

hi, i wonder if anyone could help me, after years of being second best to a horse, i am finally learning to ride in the hope that i may get to spend a little more time with my partner.

i am looking for a pair of long boots that come in mens sizes, the catch being that i would also like them to be comfortable for walking as i spend time walking on dartmoor whenever the opportunity arises.

my girlfriend swears by her ariat grasmeres as they are warm, comfy, great for riding and walking and they are waterproof so she can easily wade through the streams out on the moors. so i am looking for something similar, but the grasmeres only go up to size 8 1/2 and I need a 10 1/2. also, as i am only a beginner and therefore i dont know yet if i will really take to it, i don't want to spend over £200 on a pair of boots that might not get too much use.

so to recap, i need

size 10 1/2
long riding boot
comfy for walking
fully waterproof
not too expensive
oh yeah, and narrow fitting.

i know its a lot to hope for, but if anyone has any suggestions i would be very grateful.

 

[*hic*]

Oh this is infuriating me!

I bought my husband a pair of "Grasmere's for men" for just over £100 brand new from a business seller on eBay. I cannot for the life of me remember the style name but they are available up to at least a size 11. I can't go and find the name right now as he's asleep and they are in the bedroom and he won't be a happy bunny if I wake him up.

 

[*hic*]

The style is called "Rydal". I can't find out easily which seller it was, I suggest you set up an automatic search on eBay for them so you get an email when some are listed at a good price. The ones othen there at the moment are either size 10 or 11 and are £180 or £190. I definitely paid less than £120 for my husband's.

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

Why don't you try a pair of paddock boots and half chaps/gaiters? I also agree that Ariats are comfy for walking (I have hip problems and Ariats are the only boots that stop my hip from hurting).

Ariat makes some lovely paddock boots in different models/prce ranges and they wouldn't look out of place for walking (I've rambled out in mine). My Ariat Heritage II paddocks usually run anywhere from £69- £89 depending on where you get them and they do men's sizes as well. You can often find them on Ebay too.

Ariat also makes matching half chaps too which are nice (but can be a bit pricey, mine cost more than my boots did!) but you can just get another brand that matches your boots for alot less and will be just as good.

 

[Kat]

My husband has Mountain Horse boots, they go up to a suitable size (he couldn't find ariats to fit either) and are reasonably long too (he's 6ft2"). Most will keep your feet dry if you don't actually wade through water, you'll need to check the various designs if you want them waterproof like wellies as a lot have full length zips. They are under £150 for most styles.

You could try short boots and gaiters, I find them comfy and a bit more versatile. If you aren't going to shows you don't need to look at the very smart expensive ones and should get a pair of half cahps/gaiters for about £20, boots from about £20 for plastic muckers to over £100 for posh ones. The bonus is though that you could get some cheap muckers and then get something better if you decide to keep riding, the chaps will go with any short boots.