winter boots

[enjoytheride]

I have some winter paddock boots that are awesome except I can't fit my half chaps over them. I've been thinking about a pair of tall winter boots but I wear a slim in boots and the winter ones don't come in calf sizes.

Any suggestions? I want warm but as flexible as possible.

[Trixie]

I wear my full chaps with mine, or worse, my snow pant riding breeches. The snow pant things are HIDEOUS, but WARM and very flexible. Thank the lord no one ever comes to visit my farm.

[jn4jenny]

I have the same problem (except my problem is a wide calf, not slim). Just buy a cheap pair of bigger half chaps to get you through the winter.

[Hear_my_echo]

I've heard good things about these:

http://www.equestriancollections.com/itemmatrix.asp?groupcode=ER01726

[SarahandSam]

If you like your winter paddock boots, I'd just buy a bigger half chap for winter, or cheap full chaps... Marieke on here has fleece-lined half chaps for sale on her website, I bet she can give you info on them if you PM her... I would've bought a pair if I hadn't already bought fleece-lined boots. (:

[GallantGesture]

I LOVE my Ariat winter tall boots. THey are the ones that have laces up the side. I have a slim calf, but I can get these just tight enough, and if I wear multiple layers of pants underneath I can leave them a little looser. Whoever invented the lace up the side was really thinking practically... not only adjustable, but also easy on/off too! And the boots are sooo warm, I am in the barn 8+ hours a day and wouldn't make it without these boots!

[webmistress32]

the MH rim frost riders are nice boots but the calf on them is HUGE.

I have a friend who has 20" calves no joke and they fit her fine. thems some big calves ...

[STNS]

I have a pair of Ariat Bromont tall boots, and I LOVE them. They are super warm, very comfortable, waterproof, and just all around lovely. They come in two sizes, Full and Regular calf, which is not quite slim, but you could probably get them taken in a smidge as well, or just wear long johns. The Regular calf is usually about 3/4" difference from their Slim. I also had to go down half a foot size, which brings in the calf measurement as well.

[kookicat]

I've heard good things about these:

http://www.equestriancollections.com/itemmatrix.asp?groupcode=ER01726

Agree. I have the short boots, and they are very warm. Also quite clunky too! :D I can't drive in mine and had to buy a bigger stirrup (1/2inch bigger) to allow for proper clearance.

[Hazelnut]

I zip my half chaps down over my winter paddocks as far as they go and ride....Seems to work, but maybe will stress the zipper over time.

[olympicprincess]

Since my winter paddock boots are in such good shape, I bought a bigger pair of half chaps (on major sale from HorseloverZ... you either love 'em or hate 'em ;)).

[TB Fan]

I second the Mountain Horse boots. I have both the tall and the paddock variety. Totally warm and totally waterproof ... so far. I don't have a slim calf, but I would say its an average calf. I found them very rugged and well worth the money.

[eventmom]

What about buying the velcro type half chaps. Thats what my kids do in the winter.

[BestHorses]

I second the Ariat Bromonts. I wear a slim as well and these are great. They are super warm yet not too bulky - my spurs actually fit over them, unlike a pair of insulated paddock boots I got a while ago. While they aren't tight on my calf they have yet to slide around or cause a rub - must be something to do with the leather outside and the thick lining. Plus when I wear fleece tights with riding tights over them the leg of the boot fits pretty well - just slightly loose. I also have to walk through a bit of muck at the barn and have yet to get wet feet. I balked at first at the price of these, but I have come to love them in the winter and think they are worth every penny! (And no I don't work for Ariat ;) )

[BestHorses]

I forgot to add that the suede on the inside calf of the Bromonts is very comfy - feels like half chaps to me. I thought it would bug me having two different materials in one boot like that but I don't even notice it. I wish my summer tall boots were as comfortable. Can you tell I love these boots? haha

[chawley]

I agree with jn4jenny...I bought a cheap pair of the velcro half chaps ( I think Dublin makes them) for winter. While they don't give you the fit and performance you get from your nicer half chaps, they fit over winter boots well.

[easyklc]

I bought the Middleburg Tall winter boots from Dover this fall. The calf is definitely on the slim size. There are a few glitches, but they are warm, comfortable and so far resisting the punishment I've unleashed in terms of mud, water, etc. The snap at the top of the boot became rusty in a couple of weeks, but it did clean up after I used HS bit polish on them. I'm hoping they'll last a few seasons...

I'm done with Ariats. The newer lines look cheap to me and my last tall boots from them came with a defective zipper. I have an OLD pair of the winter paddocks that are still workable though.

I also use my Blundstones in the winter with half chaps. I just wear thicker, wool socks. My chaps (Grand Prix) go right over them and zip down and my spurs fit them too. I LOVE pull-on paddocks.