Smart barefoot/wide toes box riding boots.

Gloi said:
I have stupidly wide feet and pavers Easyfit range actually fit my feet so well I don't need to size up for the first time in my life.
I lived in these through the summer but sadly they don't handle being wet very well.
They aren't actual joddy boots but do the job just fine.

EasyFit Block-Heel Ankle Boots - CARELLA / 326 122 - Black Patent

EasyFit Block-Heel Ankle Boots - CARELLA / 326 122 - Black Patent: Elevate your everyday style with these EasyFit block-heel ankle boots, designed for both comfort and practicality. With an extra-wide fitting, they feature an elasticated panel and a convenient zip-up fastening for easy entry...
www.pavers.co.uk www.pavers.co.uk
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Super pointy toes mind!
 
cre8tivekid said:
@Cloball how did you get on with your boot search in the end? Did Jim Greens come up with something for you in the end?

In the same position and have bought and sent back several pairs of boots now.
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It's a work in progress as I had to buy a couple of sizes to work out whether they would a) fit at all b) be wide enough for my toes and c) not so wide I'd have to buy new stirrups.

I have found the ones off the rack from Jim Greens are very well made but will require a lot of breaking in plus the lugs on the sole are very chunky which isn't what I like in riding boots. The size 7 last will be too wide for most normal stirrups but the 6 was not. They were however wide enough to be comfortable and far wider than my existing boots but not as wide as my trainers or wider than my stirrups. So I have some custom boots on order... Which is not a cheap option but also not vastly more expensive than a nice pair of ariats... So still tbd
 
Screenshot_20251210-173213-196.pngexcuse the muddy boots 😅

So these are the Jim Greens I have ended up with. Took a bit of trial and error to get the size right as it turns out I can't measure my own feet.

I have only been wearing them to the office so far to break them in as they are thick leather and quite stiff. I haven't tried them with my stirrups or gaiters yet so this is only my thoughts so far.

1. They have an absolute width of 110mm with the size 6.5, the size 7s were 120mm however the actual space 95-100mm so not as wide as true barefoot shoes or my altras. This does mean my toes do feel a little cramped but compared to most riding boots and even my docs there is acres more room.
2. No arch support at all which is good from a barefoot flat foot point of view and also space for insoles.
3. Minimal drop. I wasn't expecting zero drop as I wanted a heel for riding boots as I don't have cages on my current stirrups.
4. These boots come as standard with pretty aggressive lugs which I don't like on boots for riding so this sole was a custom job, its pretty stiff at the moment but I did want some more support than proper barefoot shoes. The only problem is there is a fair step in the middle which I'm not sure is a safety issue so I need to check my safety stirrups do allow me to pull my boot out.
All in all it's not perfect but they are comfortable, customisable and sturdily made. I'm not totally sure you couldn't get similar with getting men's boots but then that's also an issue at smaller sizes. I genuinely don't think there's going to be a perfect option unless I ride 100% in cages which is an options for what I currently do but does limit your activities. Thoughts wide or wonky footed companions?Screenshot_20251210-173240-647.png
 
They look like a good compromise but maybe check that they are not snagging in the stirrup as you say.

I wouldn't want that for every day working but for riding seems ok. I think there are a few half ok options out there. My toggi long boots are fine for riding and do not squish too much.

Definitely a case of some safety v barefoot, it's not always going to align.
 
Exactly, for hacking etc. I'd be quite happy in cages and trainers but I do want to do a bit of showing and dressage without pain and look relatively smart so they will do for that I think. When you do all your shopping online it would really help to have some toe box measurements otherwise it's just random luck of which ones look or say wide and often the wide ones are wide all the way so you end up just slopping about.

Plus they have been pretty good waterproof office boots this week (getting too and from the canteen has been a mission 😂).
 
Kaylum said:
I have Redbacks and absolutely love them. Not found a boot that can beat them. Had one pair over 20 years.
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They have a narrow toe box, the thread is about trying to find a more anatomical fit, with a wider, squarer toe box. The frustration for so many who wear barefoot type shoes away from the yard to get their feet healthier and then have to stuff them into narrow boots for riding.
 
Cloball said:
When you do all your shopping online it would really help to have some toe box measurements otherwise it's just random luck of which ones look or say wide and often the wide ones are wide all the way so you end up just slopping about.
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This would be SO EASY 😭

Appreciate you keeping the thread updated Cloball! Crossing fingers (toes more appropriate??) that they work okay in the stirrups. You've done all that's possible to do really, to try and get them to work!
 
I think any measurements for shoes are tricky, in the barefoot world external measurements and using the insole aren't seen as accurate, apparently they use the same size insole across more than one size in most cases. Most barefoot makers, but not all, state the internal available width, but it's inconsistent, not stated exactly where the measurement is taken, and it may or may not take into account the effect of the volume of the upper. For instance the Altra Wide models are apparently only higher volume and not actually wider in the sole or internally at the bottom. It's a bit of a sh*t show but not sure there's any solution.
 
sbloom said:
I think any measurements for shoes are tricky, in the barefoot world external measurements and using the insole aren't seen as accurate, apparently they use the same size insole across more than one size in most cases. Most barefoot makers, but not all, state the internal available width, but it's inconsistent, not stated exactly where the measurement is taken, and it may or may not take into account the effect of the volume of the upper. For instance the Altra Wide models are apparently only higher volume and not actually wider in the sole or internally at the bottom. It's a bit of a sh*t show but not sure there's any solution.
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Yeah, I can see that. I suppose at least trying to provide a guidance on width is a step in the right direction.

I do wonder though, like there must be some sort of QA process when shoes leave the factory. Do they not measure them as-made compared to a template? Provide the template??? I dunno, maybe that would cause more complaints than it would solve.
 
sbloom said:
They have a narrow toe box, the thread is about trying to find a more anatomical fit, with a wider, squarer toe box. The frustration for so many who wear barefoot type shoes away from the yard to get their feet healthier and then have to stuff them into narrow boots for riding.
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I am well aware what the thread is about thanks. I have wide feet and they are great. Plenty of room. You don't have to stuff your feet in them.
 
Kaylum said:
I am well aware what the thread is about thanks. I have wide feet and they are great. Plenty of room. You don't have to stuff your feet in them.
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I wasn't trying to be snarky, but until you've tried a more barefoot shape and appreciated it, it's hard to understand the difference. We've been chatting about trying to get some genuine anatomical riding/paddock boots made because these shapes just aren't available. Jim Greens was the closest Cloball could find.

It's about toe shape, not the width across the ball of the foot. I did look up the boots you're talking about and the taper on both sides of the toes would pull the toes inwards, the big toe especially, even if they're "wide". To be truly functional, needs to be in a straight line from the metatarsal, which really only barefoot shoes do and even they can be a little hit and miss. Then we can use our big toe correctly to push off when walking, and all its other functions (connected to the function of the arch and some of the muscles higher up the leg).

Some of the Redbacks might be a little better than the others, not all show the sole shape, but I looked at several and they are all tapered.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/317222367522405430/
 
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