Mountain Horse tall boots?

[FoxChaser]

I've finally worn a hole in the ankle of my old Effingham dress boots (they lasted 12 years, so not too shabby!) and am looking for a new pair of boots. What do those of you who have Mountain Horse tall boots think of them? I have friends with them and think they look really nice. They say that they're quite comfortable. I'm considering the Classic High Rider Dress boots with the SCS3 system. How do the zippers hold up and has anyone ridden with the SCS3 stirrup pads? I like the idea of the boot/pad system but wonder how it works in practice. Thanks!

[rmaryman]

I have a pair of MR High Rider Sportive II boots. They are the only boots I could get into...I need zips in the back. I have had my pair for about 3 1/2 years now, and they have worn very well. I use them 3 or 4 times a week. The only probelm I have had with them is that the pull-tab on one zipper (the little piece you hold on to when zipping them up or down) broke. It cost me 15 dollars at a local shoe-repair place to have the zipper piece replaced...so not too bad. I have bulky calves, too and the gussets have worked very well for me and have also held up well.

Rick in VA

[CookiePony]

I like mine-- I got the High Caliber Field Boots (the previous generation?). I've had them for going on three years and they look and feel great. No problems with the zippers yet.

[eventer_mi]

I have a pair, and while they look fantastic on, the heel box rubs the backs of my ankles raw. I've tried everything to break them in -soaking in hot water, etc., and they're just not going to soften. They don't hurt at all when I ride, just walking around, but luckily I can zip right in and out of them in a flash.

Mine have the tread/stirrup pad system (I also have them on my paddocks - got them on sale at TotD) and to be honest, I don't notice a difference at all between them and regular stirrup pads.

[LessonLearned]

I have the Sportive and ride in them almost every day. They have held up very well and the zipper is still going strong!

[n2dressage]

I have the High Rider Dress boots and LOVE them. I don't use them for everyday; just shows. I did have to buy the comfort stirrup pads for my stirrups b/c just the regular pads made the boot fish around in the stirrup. I haven't tried the actual MH stirrup pads. The boots were pretty stiff when I got them. I have the other MH boots too and I think they got the zippers right on these. I've not had them long enough though to see how they really will wear though.

[NZEVNTR]

I have the sportive's also. I love them and find them really comfy. They've held up really, really well. :D

[SpoiledHorse]

I have the Sportive and ride in them almost every day. They have held up very well and the zipper is still going strong!
Ditto...I've had several pairs of these over many years, and I love them. They take a beating and are super comfy.

[thatmoody]

I love mine, and if you have wide calves, the gusset system really is the most comfortable. They also have slightly higher calf sizes than many brands - I have to squeeze into a w calf in my Ariats, but I had to have one gusset removed in my MH boots. My bootmaker just took out one of the gussets and stitched it back into the zipper, and now they fit perfectly! I think, though, that because of the stretchyness of the boot, I can actually get away with a regular calf in this brand.

The zipper seems to be stronger than the Ariats - I have to have my Ariat zipper replaced already (and I've only worn the boots a few times!) and I'm kind of pissed about that. My MH boots' zipper is still going strong, though.

[FoxChaser]

It sounds like pretty good news all around :) I've never had tall boots with zippers and have heard plenty of horror stories on here about folks needing to use electrical tape to fix theirs in a pinch at shows, etc. The only problem I can see with the MH boots is that I am a true 8 1/2 and they seem to only come in full sizes. I guess it's off to the tack store to try some on and see if I can get away with a 9. Thanks you all!!

[Dawnd]

It sounds like pretty good news all around :) I've never had tall boots with zippers and have heard plenty of horror stories on here about folks needing to use electrical tape to fix theirs in a pinch at shows, etc. The only problem I can see with the MH boots is that I am a true 8 1/2 and they seem to only come in full sizes. I guess it's off to the tack store to try some on and see if I can get away with a 9. Thanks you all!!

You'll probably be fine with a 9 - I ended up going a larger size than I thought that I would.

I have the Richmond Field boots and love them - I went from a pair of Effingham's to try to get better ankle support - my right ankle was rolling over when I wore jumping length stirrups. The MH's solved my problem completely!

[Waterwitch]

I have the Sportives and hubby has the Highrider II's - love 'em.

[islgrl]

I go through the zippers every two years like clockwork. It is very disappointing because in every other way I love the boots....

[foxhavenfarm]

Love them...have had three pairs (one Sportive and two Field Boots). The zipper is still great on the Sportive's. My first pair of field boots the zipper broke on after a year of use and Dover (where I purchased them) replaced them FOR FREE.

[Jo]

Does anyone know of a better price on the Sportives than Dover...? I'd love to get a pair - I try them on every chance I get!!

[missamandarose]

I have the High Caliber (now they call it "Richmond") field boot, and I really, REALLY like them. I also tried the stirrup pad that "locks" you into position b/c they claim it helps with knee and ankle issues, and I think the pads have helped me.

I will say though, after about 4-5 months of riding in the field boots about twice a week, the finish actually started to peel off (not wear like you'd normally see on a boot... actually PEELED away from the leather). MH told me to take them back to the store where I'd purchased them (which was Dover) and I got a new pair... but if it happens again, I think I'll have to switch brands, as much as I really love my MH boots.

No other issues to report.

[Bensmom]

FWIW, in the Sportives, I actually took a whole foot size smaller. I wear a 9.5 in Ariat paddocks and a 9 in most dress shoes and the 8 in the MH fit fine.

I have had to have my Ariat dress boots widened by adding extra leather, but the MH fit in the wide calf off the rack.

Really love them -- have just about worn them out wearing them daily and doing endurance in them. Will get another pair if I decide I need 'em.

libby

[Trixie]

I have a pair, and while they look fantastic on, the heel box rubs the backs of my ankles raw. I've tried everything to break them in -soaking in hot water, etc., and they're just not going to soften. They don't hurt at all when I ride, just walking around, but luckily I can zip right in and out of them in a flash.

Try getting a terry cloth wristband - like a sweatband - and put it over your sock where it rubs your ankle. I used to have the same problem, but this works pretty well.

[deltawave]

I have 2 pairs of the Sportives--one I rode and showed in for almost 4 years before they finally started looking a little weary. They're still fine, they're just for casual lessons now. I have a new pair for showing. Those got a little worn/peeled patch the size of a half-dollar on the leather right where my inner calf touches the saddle the first time I rode in them--probably a small flaw in the leather--but it never got worse and it's not a big deal. I find them really comfortable and can wear them all day if I have to and even walk courses with out any trouble. No rubbing at all.

[missamandarose]

Deltawave, that sounds like what happened to mine, but it took several rides... and the peeled patches did get bigger, which is why I had them replaced. So far the replacement pair is doing fine, and they held up all weekend in the rain at Pine Top!

[Long Shadow Farm]

I loff my MH Sportives and wouldn't trade them for anything! I have two pairs now (retired the older pair to every day riding and the new ones are for show) and I haven't had a bit of problems with them. I know I have had the older pair for at least 5 years.......and they look great still. I could polish them up and show in them if I needed to.

Bobbi