How much do riding boots stretch?

[Lilybetsey]

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 ?.

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.

Yes they are leather

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!

Stretch spray ? What’s that ? Sorry to be ignorant ...

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).

@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 ...

I've got this issue with my Ariat long boots, I feel like I'm going to pass out when I wear them

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 🤣

Celeris - they took forever to come but they are the best “extra” money I’ve ever spent. Wish I’d done it years ago

Any one tried “fuller fillies” boots ?

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.

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.

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 ...

Me too! Almost exactly, I just have chunky ankles I'm a size 10!

Have a look at the Wide Boot Company. Less costly than customs

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.

"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

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 !

Good luck with that! They can be as hard to fit as boots 😂

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.

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.

I have fuller fillies long black boots. They fit great, look smart and were not hugely expensive

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

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.

Thanks @HighlandCowbag do you think they'd be ok on a size 10/12 or too wide? Are they only online?