Boots for a sporadic rider

[burnthebrassica]

Hi all, you were all so helpful to me before, I hope it's ok to ask for some more advice?

A while ago I asked about suitable footwear for riding as I had been lucky enough to have been offered a free hack after a massive break from riding, but I no longer have my own riding kit. Well, it looks like I may be getting some more opportunity to ride a bit (which is rather exciting ) so I think it's time to get myself some decent riding boots! The trouble is I haven't ridden properly or been around stables for such a long time that I no longer know what people are wearing on their feet these days. I don't want to spend a lot of money on some boots that turn out to be just a label and make me look 'all the gear and no idea' but I do kinda want to look the part and have a pair that I'm proud of iykwim 😂

I recently went to a riding wear store and the selection of boots was completely overwhelming, I had no idea where to start! Obviously I can't justify spending £200+ on a pair that I will probably only wear 3-4 times a year but I know you often get what you pay for. I can probably afford £100-£150ish as I would like to invest in something decent but I don't want to spend more than I need to.

So where should I start and what would you recommend I look at? Thanks

Anyone 🙏

I "horse sit" a few times a year but don't ride inbetween. I am quite frugal and didn't want to waste money on boots that I wouldn't wear otherwise so decided the best option for me was nice jodhphur boots, which I wear for a lot of other things and some suede half chaps to wear with them for riding. You might be looking for long boots though? I am sure some more full time horsey people will give you some other ideas.

Have a look at Toggis. Lots of styles, decent quality and good value. I have Toggi Calgary for yard boots/casual riding and Cartwrights for competitions/lessons etc. Both are nice to ride in and I’ve also had lots of compliments about them.

Oh thank you I'll take a look at those.

I haven't got my heart set on long boots tbh so I would be happy with ankle boots and chaps if thats what would be recommended for me but i am prepared to pay out for a decent pair of long boots if the advice is that they're a better investment if that makes sense?

I have these www.ariat.com/gb/en/10020123_889359275419.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIm6jrz9Hb3wIVArTtCh2yTQrQEAQYAyABEgImHvD_BwE

They are not cheap however I wear them every day to walk to work and for weekend walking with the dog etc. They are honestly the most comfortable walking boots I've ever owned. After a year of daily use the sole is showing no wear at all. Well worth every penny and perfect for riding when I get a chance

I have some long leather boots from a brand I don’t recognise that were £60 new in the local tack shop. There were a good selection of used boots from better known brands at similar prices but nothing in my size.

I thought short boots and chaps were just for children.

Decathlon are cheap for riding boots if you have one near you

What do you think about these? www.equinesuperstore.co.uk/toggi-quartz-full-boot.html

If you’d like to go with short boots and chaps, then you should be able to find plenty of good, honest boots in your price range in brands like Dublin or Ariat etc.
There’s no real difference in terms of investment, more really what you prefer riding in.
Personally, I find chaps a pain to put on and take off and find that the leather ones tend to get saggy. Though I admittedly haven’t had many pairs (for above reasons).

Toggi Ottowa short boots about £40 - very well made and last for ages, my daughter rides lots and hers are hammered. She get a new pair most years they become her 'competition boots' and the old competition boots are relegated to yard/riding boots, so she wears them probably 5 days out of 7. She has Toggi leather Wisconsin half chaps to wear with them £50 although latest we have changed to Treadstep as they fit her better. She gets about 2 years out of chaps, starting as her Competition pair relegating to day to day use, usually the zip fails or the popper fails.

Short boots and chaps are definitely NOT just for children however IMO suede is for kids, we don't use the suede ones because they're not allowed for XC competition whereas leather is, and leather boots and chaps look just as smart as long boots.

Advantage of separate short boots and chaps is they wear out at different rates so it's less expensive to replace , plus when you need some smart black boots for wearing under jeans they scrub up well and look trendy (competition pair are kept polished ready for use in a boot bag)

What will you mainly be doing? The Toggi Quartz are great if you’re after something that you can hack out in/slosh around in the mud. Just be aware that the leather is quite thick which means you don’t get the same connection with your horse.
Unless you’re doing serious mud-wading, I’d honestly go with the Cartwrights if you like the look of them. Very comfy to ride in and you can really feel the horse through your boots. And they take a fair bit of abuse and scrub up well.

Thank you so much for all your replies

I'm mostly just going to go on the odd hack out but I am hoping to get a few lessons in to help refresh my confidence so I do like the sound of being able to feel the horse through the boots, the cartwrights just look so professional, I would hate to end up looking over dressed if these are what everyone wears for competitions!

Another vote for Toggi here, I've had a pair of Toggi Calgarys for 15+ years and whilst I really only wear them around the yard now, they are still going strong (I had to replace the zips a few years ago but otherwise they're fine). Brilliant value for about £100.

I hear what others are saying about short boots and chaps but personally I much prefer the feel of long boots to ride in. You can pick up a cheap leather pair for the OP's budget, if you are a relatively standard foot size, calf size and leg length. At the moment I have a pair of Shires Norfolks for everyday use which are OK, they have sagged fairly quickly but are still waterproof and intact despite being fairly well abused!

I'd get some Ariats that you could wear as walking boots at other times. I would suggest going to a saddlery store and trying on some Ariats for size. Then have a look on eBay and pick up some nearly new ones in your size.

Another vote for Ariat short boots with half chaps. DH and I both have the zip up the front ones that are easy to get on and off. He has half leather and half suede chaps that cost £89 (one of my presents to him at Christmas) and I have some cheapie Shires suede ones that cost £24.

This combination seems to be what most people wear at our stables.

I have Harry Hall Eston jodphur boots (leather and £30 from Amazon!) which I pair with some Decathlon chaps (£8 but in the sale)

I've had both for a couple of years of riding a few times a week and both are still going strong. Not competition worthy obviously, but suits me for hacking and schooling.

I'd especially recommend Decathlon for chaps, some of them have variable heights as well as widths, so you can get a proper fit. I have short legs but wide calves and 90% of brands seem to think your leg width and height are directly proportional. I was thinking about forking out for some ariats / tredsteps and only bought the Decathlon ones to tide me over until I could find my size to try on. I thought they wouldn't last, but they've been great!

I love the look of long boots, but they take some breaking in (particularly around the ankle), so might not be ideal if you're only riding occasionally.

The best thing for feel is some sort of jodphur boot and half chaps. If you see the professionals schooling, most of them seem to wear half chaps. I rarely ride in full length boots preferring the feel of half chaps. They also fit in a bit better in a yard. Full boots can look as though you are trying a bit too hard.

I've had many different makes and styles of boots over the 40 plus years I've been riding.
Currently my favourite so far are my Ariat Bromonts. Need no breaking in (I've got a wonky ankle and a lot of boots rub it where they crease). I know they're not in your price range, but well worth keeping an eye out on ebay and pre loved for.
Ingatestone (in Essex) tend to sell them for less than RRP, worth looking at Naylors too as they often have offers on.
Summertime I wear Ariat jodhpur boots with Tredstep half chaps which have a mesh panel to keep a bit cooler.
Brogini have a long synthetic boot, I tried a pair on but they were a bit snug for my chunky calves, and not being leather (although they really look like leather) there wouldn't be any give.
I think they're about £99.