Tall Boots

[casa3311]

I've been wearing paddock boots with Ariat half chaps. I'd like to get a pair of tall boots, but am having trouble finding them with a large enough calf size. Most of the boots that I've looked at, the wide calf is still under 15.5". Why is it that boot manufacturers think that all people who ride have pencil thin calves?

I generally wear a 9.5 US shoe, but can sometimes wear a 9 if they run large. 10s are always too big. I think that translates to a 7 (or 6.5) UK size. I am really proud of my progress with my calves. Before I started back riding, they are 17.5". They are not down to just barely under 16".

My criteria for a boot are good leather, 16+" calf, steel shank, and a zipper.

I tried a pair of Mountain Horse Sportive II's 9W. The foot was very comfortable, but the 15.25" calves were way too tight and they were just slightly too tall. The Mountain Horse High Caliber Field Boots have a 16.5" calves and are just a little shorter, but if I ever make it to other than a schooling show, I'll have to get new boots, plus they are a bunch more expensive (almost $200).

I saw Toggi boots on eBay that have a back zipper and a 16" calf in a size 7UK-wide. I've never heard of this brand so wanted to know your opinion. The price for the boot is currenlty a good deal below the MH field boots, but shipping to the US is outragous (£45.80). That's over $85. That pretty much puts is back up even with the MH field boots.

Thanks,
Alisa

[Skib]

If I lived in the USA I'd have a look at Ariat. I am about your size. Ariat short boots fit me perfectly and if you have Ariat half chaps that fit you, you could e-mail Ariat to see if they have a tall boot that would fit you too?

[chocchick]

Toggi is one of the few brands I have heard of over here, although for clothing rather than boots. Apart from that no help, sorry. I've always worn cheap plasticy long boots and use (I don't know the name-boot remover?) a plastic thing that you put one foot in, and use the other foot to weigh it down so that you can pull your boots off one at a time.

[Shadowlark]

http://www.ariat.com/products_listing.aspx?pcid=8&cid=1&scid=12&gf=

Ariat sells LOADS of styles of tall boot...

[Kady A]

Hi Alisa

You ought to look at Brogini boots. If you look at the John Whitaker International Ltd website there is a link. I am sure you will be able to buy them in the US. In the UK they cost around £250 and do a fantastic range of calf sizes. They also do made to measure for about a further £50 or so.

I stock them in the shop I help run and am really impressed with the quality and range of sizes they offer. I get really good feedback from customers too.

I have the Mountain Horse Sportive boots and found them to be a good fit and good price. I am quite difficult with boots, I have smallish (size 5) feet and small ankles but with very muscular calves (17 inch). The MH boots fit really well.

[casa3311]

The widest calf size that Ariat has in my foot size is a 16". It might be wide enough, but I don't know. The local tack shop does not carry Ariat tall boots because she says that the calf and height size on their chart is not accurate. She used to carry them, but said she never ordered a pair for a customer that she didn't have to reorder. Even if I mailorder them, I'd like to have somewhere that I can try a pair on first. She carrys Mountain Horse tall boots, but like I said, the Sportives are to small in the calf. I don't feel that I have overally large calves. I would say that at least half the boarders at my stable would need to special order their boots. I'm probably one of the heaviest out there.

I may just go with the Mountain Horse Field boot as it will probably be at least 2 or more years before I make it past a schooling show anyway.

[Shadowlark]

hmm when I was at that stage in my career, I rode in vinyl boots. Not as nice I know, however they did the trick and I was able to find them to fit my calf. I actually ended up with a used pair of men's boots that I stumbled across in a used tack shop that fit PERFCTLY. Boy I must still have those somewhere.. mom's basement maybe..
If you could pull tha toff.. maybe your calves will come down even smaller and this will all be a mute point! Be a shame to buy a set and then lose evne more and have to replace them!

[Roofio]

My MH rimfrost riders are the wide fitting and my calves are about 17.5" - pretty sure the high riders run the same sizing and should be ok for you. i love my rimfrosts though, might invest in some leather ones in the future.

[Pickles]

Don't know if Equitector sell where you are, but I'm a 16" calf and fit into the wide fitting (they also do extra wide). They're short as well so fit my 15" high calf.

[Faerie Rider]

I am having the opposite problem can't find anything narrow enough...hubby ordered me a lovely pair but I can't even bend my leg in them as they are so high and at least 2" to big on the calf:o ..I have this problem with all my boots it's a real pain so I sympathise from the other side:) I might try a childrens pair might help..might be cheaper too:)

lol
FR

P.S I got the too big ones from Robinsons

[casa3311]

one reason I think I've lost so much in my calves these past months is that when I take my half chaps off, even after a short ride, my breeches and socks are soaked with sweat. When I was thin, I didn't have this problem, but now, with any exercise, I just drip.

I'm essentially a skinny person traped under a bunch of extra weight. When I graduated high school, I weight 103 lbs. After 2 kids, almost no exercise except for cleaning house, and a lot of bad eating habits, I've doubled that. I am finally, at 50, trying to get a handle on it. But now, I have type 2 diabetes and high cholestorol. Luckily my BP is fine. I take a handful of pills every morning and evening all because of this extra weight. I'm so tired of all of it, but I know that if I take it off too fast, it will be really hard to keep off and may end up weighing even more.

I'm also hoping I can avoid surgery to remove extra skin. My sister just had breast reconstruction after BC, where the surgeon took skin from her belly to make her new breasts. She has had a terrible time with it. She had surgery in July and, after 2 additional surgeries, has just in the last few weeks gotten her drainage tubes out. Even still she had to go in last week and get more fluid asperated. Having a tummy tuck to remove excess skin is a very similar surgery and I can't imagine taking care of my horse and not being able to ride or exercise for all that time. I know she's an extreme case, but we are sisters, so who's to say I won't have the same problem.

If I loose down to where I need to be, I will have to buy all new everything, clothes, shoes, boots, the whole works and may end up having the same problem as Faerie Rider has. Wouldn't that be nice :)

[Trewsers]

The Mountain Horse High riders do drop a little - also have you thought about trying heel risers that stick in?

[Kady A]

Faerie Rider - definitely try kids boots, I have quite a few customers who are are very petite and get on great with kids boots - MH do a good range of sizes in the kids Sportives and High Riders.

The John Whitaker stretch leather gaiters are good - a huge range of sizes. Great for any rider really whether they be very petite or chunky calved like me!

I couldn't wear long rubber boots now though - my feet get sweaty at the thought of it!

[WYORider]

This is where I am getting my boots from:

http://www.argentinapolostore.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=39_50&osCsid=78ca76b721a493ca093cf1a9845721c6

I ordered mine custom because I require a wide calf but an extra short height. Mine should arrive the week after Christmas, I am so excited!

Best wishes in your search for boots!

[casa3311]

WYORider, please let me know about your new boots. I have been looking at this guy on eBay for a few weeks and thinking that if these boots feel half as good as they long, then this is the way to go.

Aside from the calf width, the other problem I had with the MH Sportives was that they the top of the boot came up to the crease in my knee, so I couldn't bend it very comfortably. As tight as those were, there was no way they were going to get a chance to drop. The High Calibers are just a tad shorter with a bigger calf, so I think they might drop to a comfortable height. I was strongly leaning towards those, but I think I may hold off for a while and see how your boots work out.