Ariat Challenge II field boots/Der Dau Stock boots-feedback?

[Jersey Fresh]

Does anyone have the newer version of the Challenges or the new Der Dau stock boots? I was looking at these and debating if I should try them but I'm not sure what the difference is between the Challenges and the Crownes. I looked at the Der daus and loved them, but I haven't heard much about how the hold up etc.

Any feedback on the quality/fit etc on either?

[Coppers mom]

The zipper goes to pot really quickly, and the leather around the gusset started wearing away after only a few months.

[Dirty Little Secret]

on which ones copper's mom?

more feedback?

[Pirateer]

I tried to order the Der Dau stock boots.
At the beginning of May they were backordered until end of June.

[Across Sicily]

I have the new Challenges and like them a lot. They broke in really well and are ridiculously comfortable. I got an off the rack pair that fit me pretty well - they pucker a tiny bit in back by the zipper but that's to be expected. You can't tell when my heels are down - just walking around in em.

Haven't tried the Der Daus so no comment there.

[Coppers mom]

on which ones copper's mom?

more feedback?

Oh, sorry, I only read "Ariat" in the title, and instantly had flashbacks to dealing with the jerk I have to keep taking my boots to :lol:

I've found the Ariats to wear out really quickly, though they are *super* comfy and easy to break in. I had a friend who was very happy with the Der Dau's, though that's all I can really say about them.

[equito]

Oh, sorry, I only read "Ariat" in the title, and instantly had flashbacks to dealing with the jerk I have to keep taking my boots to :lol:

I've found the Ariats to wear out really quickly, though they are *super* comfy and easy to break in. I had a friend who was very happy with the Der Dau's, though that's all I can really say about them.


Although I don't have the Ariats mentioned, I vouch for what Coppersmom said about the zippers (the ones on my brand new expensive Ariat chaps do NOT stay up :mad:) and the customer service (the sales rep I talked to about the zipper problem was not just unhelpful, she was downright nasty!) I don't own the Der Dau's but I know others who like them... :D

[Laura O]

I have the Der Dau stock field boots, but mine have a zip. I got them from Manhattan Saddlery two years ago and I have to say that the quality of the leather on those is far, far better than the Ariat Crownes that I had before. The one thing I will say is that they stretched A LOT. I replaced them last week with the Ariat Monacos but am definitely keeping them as back ups because were it not for that they got too big, they are absolutely lovely quality.

[LovesHorses]

Laura, You never told me that you have Der Daus! The leather is of a much higher quality than anything made by Ariat. You can always send them back to the shop to have them taken in.

[iridehorses]

i have a pair of custom der daus and love them! i love the big zipper in the back, and have had them for more than two years now. i need to go get the soles replaced, but other than that, they hold up great...especially since theyve been worn in the rain multiple times.
i recomend DD. i like ariats for padddocks, but was never too fond of them for tall boots, although some friends on the circuit do wear them

[Rhody Ram]

I have Der Dau customs. NICE leather. They definitely stretch. They're different every time I put them on depending on the weather (contract in cold/stretch in heat, etc). Zipper is strong. Soles go quickly, they're made of something soft that wears down quickly. I'm thinking of having something tougher tacked on to the bottom of the heel by my shoe guy to solve that.

I think any Ariat zip other than the monaco is garbage. I had the original crowne pros without zips and they were great. Too bad they don't make those anymore!

[LovesHorses]

You can get a thicker tread put on the sole. The boots are supposed to last 8 to 10 yrs, but they will need to be resoled. How much they stretch depends on the leather your order. The baby calf is luxurious, but too soft to use for anything but show boots. Glad you like them!

[Jersey Fresh]

I tried to order the Der Dau stock boots.
At the beginning of May they were backordered until end of June.

I just ordered them from The Tack Room in SC (www.tackroomonline.com) for $535. I dont know what they have in stock, but they had my size no problem and were great about answering questions etc (I wasn't sure if the 19" height was tall enough and was going to special order them in 19.5" and they were willing to do that no problem). They have free shipping and 10% off right now but their normal price is still $100+ less than Dover.

[Pirateer]

I just ordered them from The Tack Room in SC (www.tackroomonline.com (http://www.tackroomonline.com)) for $535. I dont know what they have in stock

Both Dover and Smartpak were backordered forever in my size (8 Medium)

[Jersey Fresh]

Both Dover and Smartpak were backordered forever in my size (8 Medium)

And also way more expensive then the tack room ;). Check their website if you haven't already found other boots. They came highly recommended from Joseph Der at Rolex.

[kzagoria]

Beware before buying Der-Dau boots. You cannot return them and they don't stand behind their product. I bought a pair while at the world cup. They measured me and then when I got the boots, the measurements were all wrong. The calves were enormous. I returned the boots at my expense for correction. When I called to find out the status of the correction, they told me they were too busy with other repairs and that someone would contact me when they got to mine. Instead weeks later the boots were mailed back to me without correction. I then sent them back with a request for a refund as I am not sure what your time limit waiting for boots are, but several months is not cool. Two months after sending them back, the Customer Service Director called me and said she was informing me of their no refunds policy. Here I am 6 months later, out $1500 and still no boots! Der-Dau sucks.

[LovesHorses]

Call me at (347) 845-3638. If they do not fit then Der Dau will make it right and there are no associated costs.

The standard process is to be remeasured by a Der Dau rep or dealer. Then you mail back the boots to the NY office. Repairs usually take 2 to 3 weeks once they recieve them. The only charge you may get is to mail them back as they are sent via UPS and insured.

There is a no refund/no exchanges policy. That doesn't mean that if your boots come and aren't just what you want that you get a bill for adjustments. The policy is in place so that people don't order boots, receive them and decide they don't want them anymore. Custom products are hard as you can't just resell them as they aren't a standard size.

When did you receive them the first time around? The World Cup was only late April and orders from that should have been sent out in late May/early June. I am so sorry about this. Like I said, please call me!