Ariat boots and half chaps (gaiters)

[virtuallyhorses]

Was discussing the expense of having to replace my beloved Ariats with a friend and have just realised that I have been wearing the poor things solidly for 4 years now and apart from one boot needing a zipper change they are still going strong.

This is despite my best efforts - pretending that they are gumboots or giving them the occassional swim in the sea. Given a good clean and polish they still look amazingly good. With this sort of record, the initial expense is well worth it - these are incredibly comfortable, well made and good looking riding boots. In New Zealand these are now accepted in most shows and competitions instead of long boots.

I will replace them one day and the only change I'd make is probably buying the laced version in order to avoid any zipper problems in the future.

[MissFliss]

Ohhhh, Ariats, I Loovvveee my Ariat boots!!!

I have the lace up version, and they are excellent, I also wear them for work and it only takes a quick wipe over and a slightly more thorough cleanibng once a month for them to go from disgusting, grotty work boots to shining, stylish perfection (although I have been asked what the funny lump on the heels are!) My only gripe with the laceups is that I broke one of the laces and was unable to get a new set from my saddler. I have every plan to get a new set from a boot maker, but at the moment they look a bit odd with brown mountain boot laces.

[Mossy]

I had a pair of the budget Ariats, about 60 pounds sterling and was not impressed. The leather did not last at all well.

[Rebie]

I love my Ariats too (lacers)!!! They have been GREAT boots and when I ever do have to replace them, it will be another pair of Ariats. They were a bit narrow (felt good in the store but too tight after I had them on and walking around awhile) so I filled them with warm water (even though it was mid summer! ugh!!!) and wore them until they were mostly dry. Once! And now they are the most comfortable boots I have. They're about 4 years old and have withstood all kinds of weather (mud, water, heat, etc) and abuse (scraped, stepped on, etc). They are AWESOME!!!

[LynneAC]

I've just bought my first pair of Ariats :D They feel so comfortable but then I've not worn them to ride in yet .......

I usually use Tredstep which are nice but not as nice as Ariats :)

How do you find the gaiters/chaps? I quite fancied the ones with leather on the outside and quilted suede on the inside but they're SO expensive!

http://www.ariat.com/images/products/medium/54701-main.jpg

[pickleweasel]

My boss has a pair of the £150 Ariat boots (Cobalt Devon Pro) which have been completely used and abused for the past year or so, but are still in pretty good shape all things considered! She wears them to ride in, doing stable duties and in the fields (we have Christmas tree plantations) - more or less all day, unless it's really wet.

They might seem expensive, but they're not really when you work out the amount of use she's had from them. I reckon they'll keep going til the end of this year at least, so that's a good two years of performance.

Tanith