Der Dau's, Are the worth it?!?

[terryallenf]

Hi,
I am looking into getting a pair of der dau's for christmas :] and I was wondering if they are worth it? What are your good experiences with them? What are your bad experiences with them? How do they fit? Im looking into getting the ones with the alligator skin around the rim at the top :D. I have seen alot of kids riding in them.
Thanks

[3 is the limit]

I love mine. My leg is really hard to fit because my calf is really skinny, my foot is a size 10 and the lenght from my ankle to my knee is really long. Their semi custom boot fit me perfectly. Also, mine are so soft already that it didn't take anytime to break in. I was able to put them on, zip them up, and show in them same day.

[terryallenf]

do you remember how long they take to get in?

[rideforthelaurels16]

I have never ordered custom or semi-custom Der Daus (couldn't afford it!), but I did trade my Ariats for a pair of brand new DDs and I LOVE THEM. They're pull-on field boots, they fit me perfectly, and I can actually put them on and take them off without any help or boot pulls/jacks! It takes a little effort, but it can be done, which is very useful. I also have reeaaaally long calves, and the "standard" height in the DDs fits me perfectly. I'm still breaking them in but it's the least painful break-in I've ever experienced - no pain, no blisters, no panty-liners in the backs of my knees - I just can't flex my ankle super far yet, but they're getting there! I would recommend them, for sure!

[Pony Soprano]

They are beautiful, and I wish that I could afford a pair. I have been seen drooling at the booth in Wellington for the last couple of years ;).

[giddybiddy]

YES YES YES YES YES!

I LOOOOOOVE my Der Daus! Those boots are my BABIES. They had no break in time, arrived exactly as I wanted them, and are all-around wonderful. I actually ride in them all the time now, not just for shows, which is what I'd bought them thinking I'd do. I've been riding in them for a little under a year now, and they are holding up fantastically. I was scared to death to drop the money on them (or just any customs in general...), but my leg and ankle are so miniscule that there is legitimately NO boot on the market that fits me off the shelf, or even half-custom for that matter.

We got them through Dover, and I don't remember when I ordered them, but I know they worked extra hard to get them in by Christmas of last year, to the point of even keeping the Dover store open after hours so my mom could pick them up. Great service, great quality! I definitely got my money's worth out of them. Everyone at school's so jealous of them!!

[Go Fish]

Hi,
I am looking into getting a pair of der dau's for christmas :] and I was wondering if they are worth it? What are your good experiences with them? What are your bad experiences with them? How do they fit? Im looking into getting the ones with the alligator skin around the rim at the top :D. I have seen alot of kids riding in them.
Thanks

Are you talking custom? If so, I would definately go with custom, if you can. I'll admit I'm a boot snob...but the difference in fit and quality of a custom boot vs. an off-the-rack boot is obvious.

If it's going to be a Christmas gift, then go for the Der Daus, or some other custom boot! The alligator skin around the top is something I haven't seen, but sounds fun! I'm not sure I'd order that style if I was showing in the hunters, but if you're a jumper rider, I'd go for it.

[lacy859]

A friend of mine ordered some custom ones and had to send them back THREE times to get them fixed, and even now she says they are still a little short. It's probably an isolated incident, but for all that irritation and $1000 and up price tag I'd just as well get Sergios or something similar.

[bumknees]

I love mine. It took a while for me to get them but that is ok. Had to send them back once BUT not necessarly anyones fauly as I ordered something a bit out of ordenary. Double leather soles. Instead of the composit that is popular. I can not get my foot t o'set right' with composit soles, dont knwo why just cant. But anyway they took them back oaid shipping both directions said no problem will change it out straight away. They were returned with in 2 wks. That was almost 15 yrs ago. careful care of them still original ( correct) soles no weird rubs , holes etc.

[Quinn]

A friend of mine ordered some custom ones and had to send them back THREE times to get them fixed, and even now she says they are still a little short. It's probably an isolated incident, but for all that irritation and $1000 and up price tag I'd just as well get Sergios or something similar.

No that is NOT an isolated incident.

[Come Shine]

No that is NOT an isolated incident.

lol! I was just going to post to speak to Quinn. :)

Any resolution on the horizon? Were they helpful at the Royal?

[Quinn]

lol! I was just going to post to speak to Quinn. :)

Any resolution on the horizon? Were they helpful at the Royal?

Come Shine, they are still in the box and at my front door. Leaving for the Royal in one hour. It may be a bloodbath but I will salve my tattered soul with Rosti and Cinnamon rolls. My saga has been 2 years, 8 send backs and still no resolution. We shall see.

http://community.webshots.com/user/ballyduff

[brummelhorsefarm]

I was measured for a pair a while ago. Dover called saying they arrived and I went to be fitted. They were clearly waaay loose around the whole leg. I felt like they just picked a premade or left over boot and sent it to me. I was remeasured and am still waiting on them to arrive again. It's been awhile and I'm getting quite anxious. If they come back ill-fitted again I am requesting my money back and will get Monacos, Sergios, Dehners, or Vogels instead.

[magnolia73]

My DerDaus are now age 20. I got them 20 years ago- Wore them a lot when I first got them, kept them through college, and still use them on occasion. They polish right up and still look great.

You *might* rethink the alligator because custom boots are an investment- and should last, and in 20 years, the alligator could make you look dated.

[iridehorses]

GO FOR IT!!!
i love mine. i've had the same pair of customs for three years, still in great shape!
i got an insert in mine so i could grow one foot size, take the insert out, and theyd still fit!
they also said they can add to the top if i need them taller.
i use them in shows, clinics, and when looking at horses, etc. but i do that ALOT and theyre holding up GREAT!
mine did take about 6-8 weeks to come in

[3 is the limit]

It looks like I got really lucky when I got mine. I was able to pick mine up at the LA saddlery (at the equestrian center) the day I tried them on.

I guess what made them 'semi-custom' was that they had been ordered "New York style" and so they were taller than the regular ones we get in California.

I don't think I ever would have sprung for the $700 price tag, but I had a $400 credit (and they don't give you cash back if you wait too long) for a returned GPA helmet. I used the logic "well, I'm only going to spend $300 on these AWESOME boots". Totally neglecting to admit to myself the initial $400 LOL.

By the way, I bought them only to show in and now I ride in them daily. They improved my riding by at least 10% just by wearing them.

[terryallenf]

Hi, thanks for all your appkies,

I am planning on getting the full customs.

I dont know if i am going to get the alligator or not yet.
Thankss

[LovesHorses]

I was the West Coast rep until I moved a few months ago. The off the shelf, semi and full custom are all the same quality. A semi-custom means you get a standard foot size. The rest of the boot is full custom. I have never heard of a New York style LOL. The leather is the absolute best, as are the zippers. No popping or breaking like the Ariats. A lot of time that happens when boots are too tight and the pressure causes them to come apart.

I did find that even with the custom the boots were never skin tight. They make them with more wrinkles in the ankles than other companies. The Italian leather will be softer for better contact. The French is super shiny and just fabulous, but not as soft. You can break them in with just walking around for a few hours then ride the next day.

The full custom with alligator tops will run around 1700 with tax and shipping. Semi-customs would probably be more like 1300. If you want the fake elastic laces instead of the ties then you have to let them know that as you won't be asked.

They made me some awesome boots with patent leather toes and top. There are green Swarovski crystals sewn in as a trim. I love them!!