Tall boots or paddocks with chaps?

[tpup]

I am up way too early :winkgrin: but could use some help before I drop $100+ on new boots or boots & chaps.

I have cheaper paddock boots (had them for 2+ years) and cheap chaps - brown suede. I use those in warmer weather and I splurged on the Mountain Horse Ice Riders last year and use them in winter. I LOVE them, especially for trail rides because they are so tough, protect my legs.

As spring and summer approach, I'm looking at my worn paddocks and chaps and realizing I need something new. I do lessons 1x per week and ride 3-4 more times - flatwork, dressage - learning jumping and I trail ride or field ride 1-2x per week, sometimes as a cool-down. I am at a barn that is more "pleasure" but now that I am becoming a better rider, I want to be more "matched" if that makes sense.

I like the feel of the paddocks and half chaps for the "closer contact" feel, but I like the look of tall boots. I don't want to spend $300+ but would be comfortable with $200 - maybe $250 for the complete package ;) How hot are tall boots in summer? I guess they can't be that much hotter than having tight chaps on.

My tack is black. Okay...off to get more coffee but would love opinions!

[altjaeger]

I have never noticed tall boots being any hotter than half-chaps.

I wear field boots and have set aside my half chaps, but you really need to get them with zippers as often as you ride.

[SarahandSam]

Well, if you're thinking about showing, it seems more logical to start looking for tall boots now... that way you can ride in them and break them in if you get a newer pair.

I ride in leather Tredstep half chaps, because they aren't as "grippy" as my cheapy ones, so it's not as much of a switch when I have to go to my tall boots... but they let me preserve my tall boots, which are pretty old (I got them used and love them). If I wasn't worried about wearing through my boots though, I'd wear them to ride in more often--they're not any hotter than half chaps to me.

Half chaps are nice though because you can pop them off after a ride and be a little more comfortable. (:

[tpup]

Probably should add I don't plan on showing more than perhaps trying a schooling show in the next year.

Also, leather or synthetic? Some of the $80 boots on Dover (synthetic) have good reviews. I will definitely go to Dover and try some on - I am close by.

[IronwoodFarm]

If you are going to buy tall boots, I highly recommend going to a tack shop to do it. This is not something you want to order on-line unless you know that you fit that maker's brand exactly. Tall boots are kind of like dress sizes -- I wear clothes that are marked size 10 to size 16; it depends on the maker. Also, if you are lucky, you might find a pair of used ones on consignment.

I don't recall tall boots being hotter than half chaps, but its lots easier to take the half chaps off. With tall boots, you'll need some other kind of footwear.

If you are going to show then you'll probably want tall boots or at least the leather half chaps that mimic tall boots.

[Equestryn]

I looked at the synthetic boots but I went for the Ariat Heritage II tall boot with a zipper. The synthetic ones just didn't look or feel right. The Ariats were WAYYY more expensive ($200+) but I feel like they'll last longer and they're more comfortable.

I've never noticed the heat difference. Like everyone else said, if you're going to show eventually, you'll want to get a pair of tall boots. Look at a consignment shop. Or, what a student of mine and I did was we went around to tack stores trying on different brands of boots. Some with zippers, some without, some really expensive, some middle of the road and some cheaper. We figured out exactly what size she needed in each brand. Then she went to Tacktrader.com and found a pair in her size that were already broken in. She bought the exact same boots I did (in a different size) already broken in and in GREAT condition for $90. It's way worth it to figure out what size you'll need and all that. Just remember when measuring or trying on new boots, the top is going to drop due to the ankle crinkling and breaking in. Don't let it fool you. You also don't want more than 1/2 - 1 inch of your knee showing. I like my boots to touch my kneecap when I'm standing (after being broken in). I feel like when I get on the horse, they look better since they're not halfway down my leg.

Good luck!!

[Hunter Mom]

If you want a reasonably priced pair of tall boots, check out Dublin Aristocrats. They're under $200 and a good buy for that price. I've worn mine 4-6 times a week, 2+ horses each time, and they're holding up well. I don't wear my half-chaps at all any more.

[ReSomething]

. . . . . I don't wear my half-chaps at all any more.
That's funny, I did the reverse, went from tall boots to half chaps, mostly for the ability to cool off my legs and not have to pull off one pair of shoes and then put on another (that isn't just a pair of flip flops - I like my toes). The Tredstep smooth leather half chaps do look a lot like a tall boot when you have the same color paddock boot.

[Posting Trot]

I went from tall boots to half chaps as well.

In the summer I love love love the fact that as soon as I get off I can unzip the half chaps and take them off. Instant coolness.

With tall boots, you have to have some other footwear around, you have to find the bootjack, you have to swear repeatedly while you try to pry your sweaty leg out of the sweaty boot, your calf and/or foot cramps up when the boot is about halfway off, necessitating more swearing. People begin looking at you oddly because of the swearing.

You get the idea.

[pAin't_Misbehavin']

I went from half chaps to tall boots. Mine are either Dublin or Devon-Aire field boots and were under $200.00. They are pull-ons, not zippers, because I don't want to have to deal with a broken zipper at the last minute - and you know if it can happen, it will eventually.;)

I haven't ridden through a summer in the tall boots yet, but I loff them. They have vastly improved my leg position. And I like scaring people at the grocery store when I go shopping after my lesson.:lol: (I don't take them off first because I don't travel with a boot jack in the truck and because I don't want to be swearing at my riding school.:lol: Although now that they're getting broken in, my leg doesn't cramp anymore when I take them off.)

Mine were mail-order and I would have sworn they'd never fit when I first put them on. By "put them on" of course I mean I enlisted the aid of my husband and with much swearing managed to stuff myself into them. More swearing and aid-enlisting required to get them off again. But after wearing them around the house for a couple of weeks they fit just fine.

[Simkie]

I used to always ride in tall boots.

Now I ride in paddock boots and half chaps.

I prefer paddock boots and half chaps because I beat the HELL out of my boots at the barn. I'd much rather trash my paddock boots than my $$$ tall boots. I suppose if you're going for cheap tall boots, it's sort of a moot point...but cheap tall boots are much less likely to have a comfortable foot bed than cheap paddock boots or expensive tall boots. If you're looking at cheap tall boots, you may find it's just not comfortable to be on your feet in them for any length of time.

[tpup]

Thanks everyone! I am going to try some tall boots at Dover or Saddlery Liquidators. I almost always wear other footwear to the barn anyhow, as I am coming from somewhere or going somewhere after I ride. I always have muck boots or rain boots in the car too that I wear to catch my horse first in his field. So the other footwear issue for me is a moot point. I would always change into or out of the boots anyway.

[kcmel]

I switched from paddocks/half-chaps to tall boots and couldn't be happier. It made a huge difference in the stability of my leg. I have the mountain rider sportiff high riders (I think?). I highly recommend them; they are very comfortable.

[Abberlaze]

I love riding in tall boots. I almost never ride in my half-chaps because it's far less hassle for me to just pull on one pair of boots and then take them off. I've never had the big issue of them being too tight (hence the swearing), although that may just be me being lucky because my show pair still looks great!

[Cincinnati]

Just make sure what you get fits your calf. I ordered a pair of Dublin dress boots (real leather) that were supposed to be a XW calf but I can't get the left one zipped up past my calf. :(
The Saxon Equileather (fake leather) field boots however, in XW, fit fine. Go figure.

If you are just going to do schooling shows and don't plan on advancing then you could probably find nice used boots and save your money. If you plan on moving up then go custom. That is my next step since I don't want to make any more mistakes buying boots!

[kookicat]

I'd go for short boots and chaps. They're cheaper, more versitile, and cooler. I love my MH tall boots, but I have boot guilt when I do something dirty in the (like cleaning stalls, or washing horses!) plus I have to take them off and put something else on to drive.

[mswillie]

I ride in half chaps and paddock boots. My calf is huge and my tall boots cost $$$$!!. I'd probably have a heart attack if I got them dirty.

For me anyway, the decision to wear the half chaps and paddock boots is really one of economy.