Winter Boots

Tillybub

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24 August 2016
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Hello everyone, first post here! The thread on winter prep got me thinking about prepping myself for winter. I need to invest in a decent pair of winter boots, quite fancy the Ariat Windermeres. What do you all have and what would you recommend? Budget is probably around £200.

(The sun is splitting the trees outside so feel a bit silly asking about winter boots but hey ho, best to be organized!:D)

Thanks in advance.
 
I had grasmeres and loved them but they didn't love me :( I must have odd shaped feet because they gave me terrible rubs above my heel but they were fabulously warm and waterproof. I have Windermeres now which are fine and are wearing well. But I never ride in them, always proper long boots as I just don't find country boots are tall enough for riding, and I don't want to wreck them either!
 
I've got Grasmeres and Windermeres, both are great but I would only ride in the Grasmeres as they are more fitted and they're lovely and warm and very comfy. I need a boot horn to get them on to stop the heel pulling down and they take longer to get on and off due to the laces but worth it imo. I bought the Windermeres half a size bigger so I can slip on and off more easily for days when I'm not riding. I'm a big Ariat fan and ride in Devon pros in the summer and have Tellurides as well.
 
Have you ridden in them? Are the comfortable when in the saddle? I could probably stretch the budget for them...

I spend all winter riding in them, that is why I got them as I do think they have been designed a bit more with riding in mind than most country type boots.

Started with derwents, that didn't work they just descended. Ariat sent me a new pair though so I flogged them for more than I bought them for in the first place and spent an extra £50 on the grasmeres.

If I was doing things I wanted to use a refined leg aid on I wouldn't use them as clumpier than normal leather boots but I'm not, so I don't worry about that :)
 
Cannot recommend Ariat grasmeres enough! i bought my first pair last winter and i wore them to the yard everyday and they kept my feet warm and dry. They are very comfortable to hack in, although as ester said for schooling etc i wore my normal boots. My mum had hers for 5 years with daily wear and has only just bought new ones, they are definitely worth the price!!
 
Love my Ariat Windemeres and I have ridden in them and found them really nice (didn't think I'd like riding in them).
I have to say thought I don't use them to wade through mud etc!
 
I have had a pair of Ariat Windrush for nearly 4 years which have done really well but now on last legs. Super comfy, warm, still waterproof despite a visible hole in the leather! Ok to ride in hacking but too chunky for anything else. Bought a pair of Ariat Derwents earlier this year to replace them which hopefully will still be nice but a bit closer fitting for riding in.

I try to avoid paying full price for anything - bought both of these on equestrian clearance on sale for less than £120 when both were meant to be over £200. Probably won't be a decent sale on again till after January though unfortunately!
 
Thanks for all the replies.

Yep, think I'm a little late to get a bargain but needs must...

Think I'm swaying more towards the Grasmeres now as I want the option to just hop on the horse without having to change footwear in the winter. I'm happy to hear that they last well (5 years with daily wear?! That's great) and that they keep your feet warm so can justify spending that little bit extra.

Ester I will make sure and take my proper riding boots up on days I wish to use a refined leg aid!

Sussexbythesea I love Ariat also, so smart.
 
my grasmeres have done all sorts of types of mud, I too got them because I didn't want to change in winter. They are also 2 year olds now and you could barely tell they have been worn whereas they have done a fair amount.

ariat are also good when it goes wrong, as I said they took the derwents back, I recently had some tellurides which bizarely I managed to get holes in the lining just above my big toes - which are neither long or expressive. They have replaced them too :)
 
I bought some Ariat Grasmeres but haven't worn them yet.
How do you clean them? Are there any special products you are meant to use on them?
I am a bit wary because of the suede bits.
 
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