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The tack room
How much do riding boots stretch?
Lilybetsey · 09/02/2021 18:12
I have just bought a pair of long black broginis. I’m short with fat calves so I bought the widest available, I can do them up, but only just over my jodhpurs and I can’t fasten the top on either side. Will they stretch !? Or should I send them back ?.
louderthan · 09/02/2021 18:16
Are they leather? I've always gone with elasticated chaps in the past, have a pair of long leather Toggis now and they haven't really stretched at all.
Mrbay · 09/02/2021 18:23
They'll mould a little but not that much - you've got 3 options return, stretch spray or cobblers to have them stretched.
Good luck!
Lilybetsey · 09/02/2021 20:20
Stretch spray ? What’s that ? Sorry to be ignorant ...
HornungTheHelpful · 09/02/2021 20:48
You may be able to have them professionally stretched - and if that fails - some places will put a small elastic panel in for you. I have used these people in the past:
www.shoe-repairs.co.uk/Equestrian_Shoe-Repairs and they were very good.
If you are spending a fair whack of money look at bespoke. I was bought my first pair just before Christmas and I am amazed at what a difference it has made. I am short with - ahem - well-muscled calves, and the fit is so good (when you are short part of the problem is that the widest part of the boot does not fall at the widest part of the calf, which compounds the problem of being - ahem - well-muscled).
Lilybetsey · 09/02/2021 22:15
@HornungTheHelpful, could you let me know who made your bespoke boots please. I think I will have to send these back as they really don’t fit well enough ...
laPufalina · 10/02/2021 19:53
I've got this issue with my Ariat long boots, I feel like I'm going to pass out when I wear them 
Mrbay · 11/02/2021 00:16
Clark's sell it, it's just a spray that helps stretch the leather.
Personally I just get really soft leather boots, my current ones are Mountain Horse and they have elastic, instantly comfortable and have grown with me in lockdown 🤣
HornungTheHelpful · 11/02/2021 05:02
Celeris - they took forever to come but they are the best “extra” money I’ve ever spent. Wish I’d done it years ago
RedLipsAndRosyCheeks · 11/02/2021 15:51
I have, it was 6 or 7 years ago. They are good.
Mine are a bit battered now so I've got some pleather brigonis which are not as smart but were only £70ish so fairs fair.
RedLipsAndRosyCheeks · 11/02/2021 15:52
I also found the calf size goes up with the foot size so it's worth going up a foot size for more wriggle room.
Lilybetsey · 11/02/2021 19:39
I’m so fed up with it. I only weigh 9 stone and have a BMI of 23 so I’m not overweight, I just have muscular calves .. it really shouldn’t be this hard to get a pair of long riding boots ...
LaPufalina · 12/02/2021 19:42
Me too! Almost exactly, I just have chunky ankles 
I'm a size 10!
theimposter · 27/02/2021 00:51
Have a look at the Wide Boot Company. Less costly than customs
WhataMissMap · 16/03/2021 23:14
I’ve made the mistake of thinking the leather will give eventually, unfortunately it rarely does.
If I were you I would send them back.
I hope you find a solution.
HornungTheHelpful · 17/03/2021 07:44
"Have a look at the Wide Boot Company. Less costly than customs". I have found that simply buying wider boots does not necessarily work, particularly if the issue is that you are short and muscular. I have huge, muscular calves. From having my customs made I now know the widest part of my leg falls a good 4 cm below the widest part of most standard riding boots. My ankles and top of my legs aren't particularly wide (I'd say about average). Thus wide boots look like wellies and standard fittings don't work because (a) my calf is wide; and (b) the widest part of the calf is not at the widest part of the boot. The OP's problem appears to be that the calf is big on an overall slender frame so wide fit boots may not be the answer
lilybetsy · 17/03/2021 08:47
Thanks all. I sent them back and in the end I ordered from Fuller Fillies, they fit fine. I will look into custom boots in the future but right now it looks like the pony will be needing a new saddle so that will be my first priority !
HornungTheHelpful · 17/03/2021 20:41
Good luck with that! They can be as hard to fit as boots 😂
theimposter · 13/04/2021 01:35
They design them for a muscular riders calf (not like a welly boot) and various heights and shapes. Quite different to other brands I’ve seen.
LaPufalina · 01/08/2021 10:55
Resurrecting this one, sorry!
I'm giving up on my Ariats I couldn't get them done up for my competition yesterday and had to wear short boots and half chaps. Going to have to sell them!
I'm a size 10/12 now (half a stone on this year that's coming off so will be back down to a 10) but I have really chunky ankles. Calves not the slimmest but I don't think I need wide calf. Can anyone recommend potentials? Love the look of the ariats and mainly competing unaffiliated dressage with potential to affiliate next year.
logincard · 01/08/2021 18:31
I have fuller fillies long black boots. They fit great, look smart and were not hugely expensive
LaPufalina · 01/08/2021 19:33
Thank you @logincard I'll have a look! I think my challenge will be proportions of my ankle which is about the same width as my calf 
HighlandCowbag · 01/08/2021 19:48
I'm chonky of leg and have a pair of fuller fillies and they are very comfortable. I'm currently a size 16/18 and they fit with a bit if space to wear thick socks.
LaPufalina · 01/08/2021 20:35
Thanks @HighlandCowbag do you think they'd be ok on a size 10/12 or too wide? Are they only online?
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