Custom tall boots or half chaps?

[Lincoln]

following up on my boot fit post from a bit ago... The tallest Ariats are too short (20") and too wide (13.75)....so those (bought from a pal new-in-box) are going up for sale. The 20" would work but once they crinkle down at all they are too short by a lot.

Any suggestions on semi-custom or full custom boots for competitions that won't break the bank? Would custom leather half chaps do the trick or would wish I'd ante'd up for the real thing?

[subk]

If you can scrape up the cash go with a pair of custom Dehners. No they aren't cheap, but when you figure that with good care they can easily last a decade or two they are really a very good deal...

[Ray]

LOVE my Dehners! fantastic fit. finally, boots that are not torture to walk in. I expect they will last longer than me.

[tcgelec]

Just got custom Dehners for my very big calves. I was reluctant to spend the $$ at first but I would have needed custom half chaps anyway which are not cheap. I am SO glad I bit the bullet and got them. First pair came in too big (tack shop error) but they made good and the second pair fit like a glove. They were broken-in in under 2 weeks. Very happy with my decision..

[ezmissg]

I also just received my new custom Dehners last week. They are breaking in beautifully, after having ridden in them twice. I also have big calves...on short legs, and I finally understand what tall boots can be. Wish I had done this years ago. I LOVE THEM.

[mvp]

Lincoln-- More than 20" tall and less than 13.75" around? Are you OK... or are you just naturally built like Abe?

Not my business, I'll admit.

Anywho, I think a custom pair of Dehners may be the right answer for you. But pick the measuring tack shop carefully. Their skill substantially contributes to your ultimate happiness.

I think Dehners are the best custom bang for the buck. The will look a little more coarse than Vogels-- the boots that long ago set the aesthetic bar. But they will last, better too. If you plan to ride hard enough to actually get you horse to try and sweat through your boot, I think you'll want a fully-lined pair of Dehners. Depending on the leather you choose-- I think calf versus baby calf-- you will get a more stiff or more slouchy-looking kind of leather. The calf isn't bad if you like a military shine on your boots or want to edge toward a dedicated dressage boot.

Dehners also won't look like the fragile "leather socks" that really follow the shape of your calves and ankle thanks to the zipper revolution. But, those break, and these tender-skinned boots don't last. So a well-cut pair from Dehners is a good time. You can 9 lace holes instead of 7 to narrow the angle but allow for a high instep. You can also get an elastic gusset at the very top to make room for your calf sliding in... should you have one.

I like to buy horse-related equipment like a carpenter, you know "measure twice, cut once." So I spend the dough, but not without researching the snot out of the thing first. That strategy has certainly made me happy with my decision to buy custom boots.

[Lincoln]

I belatedly caught this post and it made me laugh. I wish the rest of me was as skinny as my calves. At this stage of life the calves, the height and the slouch are the only remaining Abe-like qualities.

Thanks for the advice on the Dehners. I will have to bite the bullet. Thanks everyone!