Boots- because we need a fashion topic

[magnolia73]

First off, I rarely show. But our barn hosts some shows- it's a local circuit, but everyone dresses the part- TS, nice boots etc. My horse is coming along and I could see doing a little showing. Now, maybe 4 times a year, nothing with an A rating. Focusing on fun stuff. And I could care less if I place- but at the same time, I don't want to embarass the barn by not looking the part.

I kind of need new boots. I have an old pair of Der Daus- they are lovely, but look well aged, plus time and weight loss/gain has stretched them so they are just a scootch short and not "tight" anymore. So, while they are nicely fitted, the tops are a little short and loose now, and like I said, they look old. Perfect schooling boots or muddy day boots.

I've been looking at off the rack boots and can't find anything I'm in love with. I don't want zippers. Plus, I have a 17" calf and an 18" calf and relatively (relative people) thin ankles. To top it off, my calf is long. While I am heartened to see the variety of wide calf boots, most of them are cut for people with cankles and not shaped- IE- widest part at the top- my 18" is in the calf muscle- not around my knee. It's like a 3" difference. Plus they will come up short on me. The wides never come in tall.

I like most the Mountain Horse's - and they look nicely shaped, but a scootch small for the one leg. The rest I don't like. I won't wear ill fitting boots/chaps unless I have to. And I'm not sure my commitment to showing justifies the cost of customs. And if I get more ambitious about showing.... it probably means my income has gone up, thus affording me new custom boots.

Sooo.... a few thoughts:
1. Get a nice pair of half chaps and black paddocks. The Ariat XL half chaps fit me really well. They are findable on sale and seem to have some nice boot like ones. I feel like with some looking I could do half chaps and paddocks for the price of the devon aire boots. And I feel like I would use those for lessons/clinics vs a pair of ill fitting boots.

2. Get a pair of cheap boots to show in.

3. Who cares- wear your ancient boots, no one will notice. Slowly save for customs. Pray your oldies don't fall apart.

4. Don't show.... you aren't that into it anyway. If you were, you'd get you some custom boots.

5. Win lottery- all problems solved.

[Trixie]

Win lottery.

Or know your measurements and stalk Ebay. I wound up with a pair of brown vogels for $41.

[Cita]

You have a horse, right? Then definitely #5!

For local shows, 4x a year... I'd be inclined to go with #3. Just how bad do these old boots look? Do they shine up okay? Do you have any pics?

For me, if I weren't ready to plunk down money on nice boots that actually fit well, it wouldn't be worth buying a cheap pair of show boots. If they don't really fit anyway, how much better are they going to look than the pair you already have?

You might try checking consignment places, too, on the off chance someone is selling a nice used pair of boots in a more flattering fit than most off-the-rack ones.

[magnolia73]

Yeah....forgot about EBay. Plus with non-zipper, they can alter. Trixie, if I find brown boots, I will be as cool as you!

[Hunter Mom]

eBay could certainly be your friend!

FWIW, I have enormous calf muscle, thin ankles and a notable difference in the width at the calf muscle and the knee. I struggled with my pull ons because of this. If I could get them over my calf, they were too big at the top. If they fit at the top, I couldn't get them over the calf. Zippers turned out to be my very best friend! Don't count them out as they are wonderful.

[luvs2ridewbs]

I say 3 or 5. Old customs look better then new, not a great fit, boots.

[mcm7780]

5 would be my first choice but I think we know the chances of that happening... That said, I'd go with 3!

[jen-s]

Or if you find a pair of off-the-rackers that fit leg #1 perfectly, have boot for leg #2 altered. I had both boots of mine widened by my local shoe repair shop and now they look fabulous. And we're talking an inch or more difference from the original to now. If you look closely, you can tell that one of my calves is slightly bigger, but it's definitely not noticable while riding and looks much nicer than paddocks and half chaps.

But in the mean time, I vote for 3. Or you could take up eventing where no one cares if your boots are a little short and you get to go play on XC! ;)

[lesson junkie]

6. Semi customs-If you don't have Cinderella stepsister bunions, get the off the shelf foot with the made to order top.

[Tha Ridge]

I would encourage you to try the Mountain Horse boots, despite your concern over the calf size. The leather is soooo soft on the Supremes that they stretch quite easily.

[PONY751]

I would agree to eBay. But make sure the seller has the measurements correctly posted. I just bought a pair of coffee brown Dehners dress boots to die for off eBay. They fit me like a glove. But I had to ask for additional measurements than those that were in the listing. Buying used customs can be done. Also, check your local equine consignment shop. The one near me, Middleburg Tack, always has an abundance of used boots for sale. Many of them really good quality and some custom. Just have to be vigil. I'll go once every couple of weeks, or call to see if any new consignments have come in.

Good luck!;)