Which boots??

[christinarina]

OK, now I've introduced myself, a question about riding boots. ATM I'm wearing my wellies(!!) but they're cumbersome and probably not terribly conducive to learning to ride.

I'd like to buy some riding boots but don't want to spend a lot at this stage. I went to a riding shop and they suggested some ankle boots which they said riders wear with 1/4 chaps (?) to protect their legs but aside fromworking out more expensive it occurred to me why not wear full leg boots? They had some good lokking plastic ones but the man said I'd sweat - they were £34. Well, I don't know about anyone else but I find myself sweating like a pig when I'm riding anyway (sorry but it's true!) so I didn't figure a bit more would bother me terribly. I thought they seemed like a good option. Anyone got any advice??

ChristinaXX:confused:

[Hippyhorse]

I'd go for short boots and half chaps, much more comfy and it's much easier to get a good fit, I can't get cheaplong boots to fit properly and find rubber/plastic ones very uncomfortable, they don't tend to bend and flex as much as short boots and chaps. Also long rubber boots are incredibly difficult to get off after a hard lesson, the sweat sort of forms a vacuum!

[coss]

i'd go for cheap long rubber/plastic boots. its all i rode in up until a few years ago where i tried riding in ankle boots (and felt terrible!). now my lower leg is more secure i can ride in short boots (with chaps) and it doesn't affect me but day to day i ride in my long boots. yes in hot weather you get rather wet :o i get a boot line on really hot days :o:p

ETA: when you're learning i think its good that the long boots semi fix you're lower leg in positions, my ankles were all over the place in short boots until i was more secure and able to cope with short boots.

[orbvalley]

I learned to ride as a teen in long rubber boots. This time round (no longer a teen:p) I'm in jod boots and chaps. Never had a problem riding in either, the only reason I changed is because its so hot where I live now that the rubber boots were impossible.
If you're new to riding I'd go with whatever suits you're budget at the moment.

[Gruntfuttock]

Cheap long boots are horrible, they really are, and they are not particularly good for your lower leg position, IMHO (sorry, coss!). I think you would be much better served at this stage by a cheap pair of jodhpur boots (the ankle-length ones) and an inexpensive pair of half-chaps, which are the suede or material things that wrap around your lower leg and do up at the side.

[coss]

Cheap long boots are horrible, they really are, and they are not particularly good for your lower leg position, IMHO (sorry, coss!). I think you would be much better served at this stage by a cheap pair of jodhpur boots (the ankle-length ones) and an inexpensive pair of half-chaps, which are the suede or material things that wrap around your lower leg and do up at the side.

it would be very boring if everyone agreed on everything :p different experiences lead to different opinions :)

[Auqeam]

Hiya, Welcome to NR!
I've recently started again, and have now bought a pair of ankle boots and half chaps. The Boots were £14.99 and the Half chaps were £7.99 off e-bay!
They look fine and I find them a lot cooler than long boots, which I wore when I was learning years ago. Try equestrianclearance.com for stuff too, great prices!:D

x

[kusha]

I learned to ride as a teen in long rubber boots. This time round (no longer a teen:p) I'm in jod boots and chaps. Never had a problem riding in either


Ditto orbvalley but much prefer ankle boots and chaps now since I returned. So much easier to get a good fit.

When I learnt to ride years ago hardly anyone wore short boots with chaps - only a few of the really young kids and they never wore chaps with them.

So don't think it will matter what you choose as long as you are comfortable.:)

[horse__obsessed]

id go with short boots and chaps

you can get v cheap ones

[clipclop24]

It really just depends what you feel most comfortable in. Why dont you try both long boots and jod boots + half chaps on in a shop if possible. I know it would be different from the feeling when actually riding but would give you an idea of what you feel most secure/comfortable in. When I was much younger I always wore long boots but now ive returned feel much more secure in jod boots + half chaps (not so cold on wet days or so sticky on hot days). The Derby House website and shops have a great mixture and something for every budget. I would say definately worth a look.

[christinarina]

Thanks for all your advice. Yes, I can see that plastic boots might be a little tricky to get out of, probably won't have a zip. But I am searching out a shop near home so I can check out and try on the options and see what I feel most comfortable with. Anyone know of any good suppliers in West Sussex?

Next decision I figure will be brown or black??:eek:

ChristinaX

[xloopylozzax]

i wear short jodpher boots or wellies- only time i wear long boots is for showing.

personally i like brown boots, but have been converted to black recently (well thats what i have and they are comfy atm)
i prefer the ones without zips/laces but again its personal preferance.

[Auqeam]

Thanks for all your advice. Yes, I can see that plastic boots might be a little tricky to get out of, probably won't have a zip. But I am searching out a shop near home so I can check out and try on the options and see what I feel most comfortable with. Anyone know of any good suppliers in West Sussex?

Next decision I figure will be brown or black??:eek:

ChristinaX

Don't know where in West Sussex you are (i'm here too - Steyning:D) but if you know Billingshurst at all then you could try Scats Country Store, it's where I got my boots from... they do chaps as well, not too sure about long boots though. There's quite a nice selection of, well a bit of everything really!
Or there is Eddingtons Equine in Hassocks.

x

[tubby1]

I agree with the short boots and 1/2 chaps. Did you know tesco.com does horsey stuff I haven't used it myself but have friends who say it is does the job . I believe the prices are reasonble and you can order online.

[Leosmummy]

I agree with the short boots and 1/2 chaps. Did you know tesco.com does horsey stuff I haven't used it myself but have friends who say it is does the job . I believe the prices are reasonble and you can order online.

Ive bought some bits and bobs from tesco There jods are great also had some grooming bits from there, Boots for the horse and buckets

[titch_]

I started in wellies, then rubber long boots there AWFULL i can't stand them and will never wear them again. there the resitque (sp) ones from robinsons, and they fell to bits!! I then bought some boots and 1/2 chaps and there were weird to ride in to start of with but once i was use to them i could never go back!

[Miki]

I would go with the short boots. You don't have to wear them with half chaps it just gives your leg the added protection and you the added grip. You can start (like I did) with just the boots and add the half chaps if you are getting rubbed or when you start doing more advanced riding.

[chuckley]

well i was thinking short ones with half chaps myself, BUT on weraing shortboots i dislike how they 'gape' around the ankle... does the chaps stop this gaping??

oh im so not knowledgeable when it comes to horses i swear!

[iloveshearer]

Have a look on ebay there's often boots and chaps on there very cheap! I'd definately go for short boots and chaps though!

[punkypalomino]

yes short boots and chap i would go for....got good grip and more flexible!..do you have like a trago mills or a do it all shop ummm like with everything in them you tend to find cheap but great make boots and chaps..or ebay!:p good luck with your searches!!
xxzoeyxx

[suseh97]

I got short boots on ebay for £6.99. Woman had bought for teenage daughter who wanted long boots. Won them at auction unworn.
I bought a pair of Dublin half chaps for £14.99 in a local country sports shop.
Plenty of websites have jod boots and half chaps both around £15 each. Add on the p&p and they will work out around the same as the rubber boots. I wore long rubber boots when I was young and just remember how inflexible they were. Much prefer the chaps.

[LisaLovesHorses]

I'd go for short boots and half chaps - much better in this really changeable weather we're having at the min. I got mine from Tesco and have had them for over a year, with no sign of getting tatty just yet. I was a bit worried they wouldn't fit because my calves are a bit muscly (can't seem to get long boots to fit right) but they all tend to have some nice stretch in them. They're supposed to be close fitting anyway! I went for brown but that's just personal taste.

eBay are also really good for everything equestrian, I've totally kitted myself out for not that much money. I wouldn't buy a hat from there because of safety (postman could easily drop it and you wouldn't see the damage) but for pretty much everything else, it's fantastic.