new boot help?!

[new]

I recently got a new pair of Ariat Zip Up Field boots. They are really nice, and I love them. They fit marvelously on my bare legs, they are comfy and not stiff at all. BUT, as soon as I put breeches on, they are so tight my calf gets numb. And I worry if i keep forcing them, the zipper will break. I know that the leather can stretch some, but I am not sure how to go about it when there is a zipper on the back? If i get them wet wont the zipper rust? They fit great everywhere else, other than the fact that they are tight around my calf. It is also winter here so i wont be able to ride in them wet. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[hj0519]

Did you not try them on with breeches? When getting boots, it's a really good idea to try them on with what you'd be wearing them under. My Ariats were a little tight around the calf when I first got them, not so tight that my legs become numb, but they did stretch a little bit. If they're really that tight, you probably got the wrong calf size, imo...

[DallasES]

You can get them stretched at a local boot shop... If you want to do it at home you can spray rubbing alcohol on the inside and wear them around to see if they stretch.

[jse]

I too would suggest getting them stretched a little especially since they are making your legs numb. I know how that feels and it's not fun at all, not to mention it can't be good for ya.
And for sure, in the future, always try them on with breeches, it will help prevent this problem no doubt!

[BAC]

I may be wrong but I don't think they can be stretched in the calf area if they have zippers.

[JumpWithPanache]

If they are so tight they make your calf go numb then they are the wrong size. I had a pair of boots, sans zipper, that were the same way (couldn't feel my foot) and I tried the stretching method. Never could stretch them enough to fit, so I bought new boots. I would say take them back to the store and try on a new pair WITH your breeches and socks on exactly as you would wear them at home/shows. Otherwie mail them back and exchange for a correct size. You should be able to measure for your size, then use this chart to determine the correct boot to order: http://ariat.com/images/products/FW_SP06.tallboot.chart.pdf

Good luck!

[new]

I did try them on with breeches before I bought them, it was a pair fromt the store and I think they were thinner than the usual (or atleast mine at home). I find that if i wear them on my barelegs for a while, and then i put breeches on, they fit better but still tight. The numbing is only in the calf, not the feet, everywhere else fits great. The lady at the story told me that if I can zip them up that they fit, and they will stretch! Do you know for sure if I can get them stretched with a zipper? Can I soak them with a zipper?

[Tollriffic]

They can't stretch them with a zipper. I took a pair in the other day to a repair shop and they told me it can't be done without busting the zipper. Instead I bought some of the boot stretching spray and have been using that. Its a slow process but they've almost stretched the extra 1/2" I need.

[PNWjumper]

I disagree that numb calves=wrong size. I have a couple of pairs of zipper boots and both were calf numbing when I wore them with breeches and socks the first few times. I poured water down the insides of my legs to get them nice and wet (and also wore them around to get things done outside when it snowed here) and within a couple of days they were comfy with my breeches (I wasn't sure my fingers would ever recover from forcing the zippers up, though! :lol:). I WAY prefer boots that are a little too snug in the beginning than ones that aren't.

[takethestage]

I rode and showed in calf-numbing Ariats for about 2 months until they were comfortable. I generally started off with the zipper only halfway up, then as I worked I gradually zipped it all the way (though I did forget once and did a dressage test with half-zipped boots!) I've always been afraid of voluntarily dousing my tall boots, but I ended up having 4 events where it POURED, so they got pretty wet. I found that conditioning them with Lederbalsam helped keep them soft. The zipper did not rust, I think they're coated so they don't.

[kelser01]

I got the best deal on a new pair of Crowne Pros, the only problem was they were a tad too tall, and seriously tight. I used neatsfoot oil on the insides and the did eventually stretch. When I first got them I could feel my pulse in my calf with just Zocks on!!! Thought I was going to die but they are fine now. I just wore them in short burst around the house. Things I could do standing up, like cooking dinner, as in the beginning there was NO way I could sit down in them. So they will stretch, but its not really fun!

[eqrider1234]

my derdaus with a zipper were stretched, now they fit haha

[Lucassb]

Use the bathtub method.

Fill tub with warm (not hot) water.

Holding boots by the heel, dip the calf portion in the water for a minute or two.

Put them on over your regular breeches/socks and wear til dry.

They will stretch slightly and as long as you wear them until they are totally dry, they will mold comfortably to your leg instead of feeling too tight.

No, it will not ruin the leather.
Yes, it does work, although you may have to do it more than once.
Yes, I have done it myself.

[IsolaBella09]

I personally hate the bathtub method, but that's just my opinion. I've talked to tack store owners whom I've bought boots from and they have told me that the bathtub method is the wrong way to go.

Wear and ride in your boots a lot. You can leave the zippers undone at first and walk around. Slowly inch them up until they are comfortable. And remember: oil, oil, oil! :D

[Wizard of Oz's]

I had the same problem with my ariat zip ups. problem was, i had a show the next day and didn't have any other boots to ride in. so i did the bathtub thing and wore them around with just tall boot socks on. then i slept in them. then the next morning i put my breeches on over my tall boots then unzipped the boots and zipped then on over my breeches in like 5 seconds. Then they were fine to show in!

[skittlespony123]

try dublin aristocrats there really comft fit and they stretch i love mine and yes i would try them out with breeches on. thats what i did and now mine fit perfectly.

[Hunter Mom]

My old boots never did stretch enough, so I understand your problem. A shoe repair shop should have spray stretch. Spray the insides well, then zip as much as you can, and keep zipping up. You might also try doing this in the morning, when your legs aren't going to be swollen. After a bit, they will stretch.

Good luck. Having numb calves/feet is an awful feeling!

[anchorsaway]

you could try having a gusset put in on the inside of the boots...

I purchased a pair of Konigs that ended up being WAY to small in the calf(the were narrow at the top, it was weird). Anyway, I had gussets put in to begin with and then went to zippers. However, if yours are just a tad to tight, gussets may be enough! We have a quality boot/shoe/leather repair shop here that did mine.