Ok all you boot/English experts:  I am super-duper new to English riding (I've spent my whole life strolling through trails in a western saddle, or no saddle at all)  and as such I have decided I want a pair of English riding boots (I think I would rather get tall boots than regular boots and half chaps, but I am not 100% sure on that).  I don't have really any money to spend on boots, and I only want synthetic materials (no leather!!)  and I am at a loss as to what boots are good and what boots are just simply p.o.c.

I kind of like the look of the Saxon Equileather Tall Field boot, and looking through the reviews they seem to be decent boots without a huge price tag.  Unfortunately I have also read bad reviews saying they fall apart as soon as you break them in.

What do all you seasoned tall boot riders use?  Thank you in advance!

Are you planning on showing?

I was going through the same dilemma a few months ago, and was talked in to paddock boots with half-chaps; but I'm not planning on showing so it doesn't really matter what I wear. 

I will tell you from personal experience -- Saxon boots = crap.  They fall apart and blow out within three months of owning them if you use them regularly. 

I much prefer the flexibility of paddock boots and half chaps for everyday riding.  You can even clean them up and use them for schooling shows, so unless you are doing recognized shows, I wouldn't worry about tall boots.

I have no personal experience with Saxon boots, but I do know that synthetic boots tend to be hot and uncomfortable in the summer, and freezing cold and uncomfortable in the winter.  I agree, if you are not doing to be doing any upper level shows, paddock boots and half chaps are the way to go.  I have two pairs of tall boots, and I still steal my friends boots and chaps to ride in!  Plus, if you are walking around the barn all day, tall boots can be a real pain.

I prefer paddock boots and half chaps as well. They're nice because they're easier to transition (I am guilty of doing the scramble change in the car from school/work footwear to barn footwear) than tall boots and they're more adaptable - for instance, when I ride bareback I like to just wear my boots. I am a really short person, and it really takes some ooomph to get on bareback! I need all the flexibility I can get. 

Just a word of advice: Do not buy Saxon tall field boots! I did because I liked the idea of not having to take care of leather boots but within 5-6 months the material was breaking down, it was cracking an peeling off. And I was riding only once a week then. The company (Weatherbeeta), of course, refused to take responsibilitry for the defective product saying that the boots were made in China (well what isn't) therefore there was nothing that they could do about it.

Like you, I'm shopping for a pair of boots now too (hopefully something durable lol). Thanks for starting this thread  

 

 

 See, this is one of the reasons I love this site! You guys are great, and there's no telling what I would do English-gear wise if not for y'all!  Ok, no Saxon tall boots- check!  I am not planning on showing, but I am not exactly opposed to it either.  I can't picture me ever getting into any recognized events or anything to worry about it, but I also didn't realize you could even show in half chaps (again, sooo new to English, and I have (big confession here) only been to 2 shows in my life, and hated them).  I will be doing mostly dressage training, so can you do that whole thing with half chaps if I do decide to do little shows?  What kind of (again, please no leather options) paddock boots/half chaps do you guys prefer? Oh, and you guys will be quite proud of me: I am now riding in a helmet.  After trail riding my whole life with no helmet, seeing too many people in the ER at the hospital I work at has taught me that a helmet is a good thing! (Also I feel like it is only a matter of time before my new, hot Tb mare makes me meet the ground...maybe not) Thanks guys, and even if your boots/chaps are leather, I would still like to hear all the pros and cons that you guys know!

 Hooray for helmets (from the helmet nazi!)!  :-)

And yup, you absolutely can show dressage at local/schooling shows in paddock boots and half chaps. 

I have gone through quite a few pairs of paddock boots and like I said, I wear them hard, so this is what I have found --

 On a super tight budget (like me!) -- the Gatsby boots are great, I still haven't destroyed them after two years and they were onlly $25.

Saxon, as I said, sucks.

I have Dublins right now, mid-range (I got them for $72 I think?), so far so good, I've worn them all summer and fall all around and haven't done anything to take care of them, they're still holding strong.

Lots of people love Araits -- not me, every pair I've had has fallen apart so I won't buy them anymore.  Their clothes I really like, their boots -- I won't touch them.

Mountain Horse -- great if you have the money, they work hard and last, love their stuff.

Blundstone -- great, comfy, cheaper to order direct from Aus though.  Worn daily, I wore them out in about three years but they only stayed waterproof for about a year.

 I have a pair of Mountain horse boots, and have actually lived in them for two months (lived/worked at a barn this summer) and they still are great.  They are a big investment, but these boots have held up to mud, water, riding, walking around in them, getting stepped on by drafts, you name it, these boots will hold up to it.  It was a large initial investment, but I've had them for four years, and I probably won't be getting new boots for another four years.  They are a little scuffed and worn on the outside, but they are comfortable and the footbed is still soft. I have yet to find another brand that I like as much.  Infact, I've gotten everyone else hooked on Mountain horse boots!!  My only tip would be to go and try some on at a tack store as they do seem to run a little bit big.  Then look on e-bay and see if you can find your size!

I also just wanted to add, if you are thinking about doing a dressage show or two in the future, even a low level one, you may want to think about getting black boots and half chaps.  You won't get scored down for brown, but it looks more pollished if you have black boots on.  It is a good idea to think ahead if you are make an investment in boots, they can be your saving grace or your worst nightmare depending on what you get!  It's not fun to be at the barn with feet that hurt.

I don't know where you live, but I got a pair of Dansko paddock boots to wear in the winter with ragg wool socks. It's not too cold in the winter in WA, but the Danskos are a bit roomier--wider--than many brands and the thicker ragg socks fit into the Danskos better. If you have a wide foot, Dansko is the way to go for all seasons. Danskos are not cheap, but they're beautifully made and last a long time.

I live in Eastern NC, so I don't have to worry about much in the cold department, though Bailey has that typical Tb thin skin, so she might be bothered a little by it. 

I was planning on doing the black thing, I am just a fan of dark/black tack.  My saddle and bridle are black, and Bailey is a very dark bay, so at first glance she looks black, so putting black tack w/ a white pad on her just makes her look dashing! (she is actually way darker now than when I got her, and she looked darker when I got her than the pics in the critique make her look)

I am on a very tight budget (well, honestly it is a nonexistent budget) so cheap would be nice, like, super cheap 

How are the the Devon-Aire Ladies Freedom zip paddock or the Dublin Ladies Reserve? Oh, should I go for laces or zip?

I have a narrow foot and teeny ankles, in case that helps at all... 

 DevonAires are good, I have had two pairs of their tall boots -- the first pair lasted 10 years of heavy use, the second ones are what I have now, but I mostly just use them for shows.  Dublins -- see my note above, good stuff.

I love zip -- easy on/off is AWESOME.

Check out EquiStar systhetic zip-up tall boots. I bought my pair from statelinetack but look sliek they dont carry them anymore. (the boots i'm wearing my my sig picture of a trail class)

I have a pair and LOVE them. zip all the way down to just above the ankle. I walked though a foot of water this year on the way to the showring in them and my feet never got wet, they look like real leather without the hassle. I just hose off while i have them on then wipe with windex and boom you have nice pretty shine lol.

 

I've had mine for 3 years and they still look new. no cracking, peeling or fading cost only about 65$

Found these online for 72$   http://www.planettack.com/servlet/Detail?no=691

Yeah, I think that tall boots made out of a synthetic material are great for around the barn. Mine right now are leather, but that's just because someone gave them to me. I liked my synthetic ones way more, as they were waterproof, but they fell apart.  I keep one pair of really nice leather zip up tall boots for shows, and my other ones for the barn. I used to wear paddick boots and half chaps, but the half chaps tend to look like crap afrer a while. I just get inexpensive synthetic tall boots and replace them every year or two. I think you can find them for around 65$, for decent ones. If you ride less than me they might last even longer...  Something like http://www.doversaddlery.com/ladies-cadet-flex-riding-boot/p/X1-38134/cn/4630/ . They may not last forever, but they are less than $40 so you can feel free to muck stalls and whatnot. Then just hose them off and they'll look sharp at the show.

Swing by a local tack store and check out the used stuff- I SO miss that, living here.  Esp. as you have a narrow foot and slim ankles, you might find some amazing, broken-in boots for a very good deal.

I ride in my trusty Ariat paddock boots- three years of daily abuse and still so comfy!- and a pair of black canvas half- chaps I bought on sale from Dover and they are wonderful.  My visiting instructor complemented me on my tall boots and laughed when I pointed out she was mistaken.  She then made me do very painful exercises so maybe don''t correct instructor- note to self....

Best of luck, and I applaud your decision to ride in a brain- bucket too.