Some manufacturers here call paddock boots jodhpurs, which confuses me because I thought it was another word for breeches. Wikipedia says jodhpurs are riding boots meant to be worn with jodhpur riding pants. OK then.
What am I doing buying riding clothing when I don't really ride?
2 years ago I promised myself a new pair of riding boots if I ever rode more than I walked with the horse. Ha, ha, ha....not funny at all -- still walking most of the time. However, this month two of my shoes fell apart - my mud boots and my lawn mowing shoes (green-stained safety shoes for the massive amount of mowing I do).
So my Salomon riding, leading horse, geocaching boots suddenly became riding, leading horse, geocaching, mowing, and mucking shoes. Too many roles. And they both split so water seeps in. Wow I'm rough on shoes.
I used to be an Ariat Terrain person but my last pair made my feet bleed so I sold them on ebay. I needed an alternative that looked as if it could do the job of both riding and leading my horse down muddy trails.
I finally found these. The Horze Jodhpur "Sporty" with adequate tread for mud and great product reviews. At only 75Euros I wonder if they'll last, but I'll let you know.
They came today and I'm wearing them now. I put on my breeches and wore them to the grocery store, finally looking like a horse person and not a hiker in spandex. I noted another shopper in breeches, paddock boots, and argyle socks up to her knees, there are almost always riders at the grocery store.
The one negative comment about these boots turned out to be true - they are not easy to get on and off. They are extremely tight at the top, and now I see why so many of these have zippers. I assume when they've been broken in the top won't be quite so tight. I've always wanted a pair of no-lace paddock boots, and I think they resemble Ariat Terrains.
They only come in brown, but it's a dark brown. Also, matte, not shiny leather. I'm wondering what they'll look like once a horse steps on them, the leather is so soft.
Some say tread like this is not suitable for riding, that your boot will get caught in your stirrup. I ride in cages but I wonder if I'm less safe now. True, most paddock boots have wimpy tread, I didn't realize it was on purpose. These cannot be riskier than riding in hiking boots, I hope, but even the heel height makes me wonder how safe they would be for riding in cageless stirrups (well it's not like I have people in my life with horses for me to ride, so why am I worried....).
I should add that I have fallen off a horse in my hiking boots and caged stirrups and I came off cleanly (like not even a split second between being on the horse and being on the ground). So maybe I'm answering my own question.
Mudding shoes...or....danger shoes?
I promise to report back about how they hold up after I've abused them a bit.
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6 comments:
Wow, that does not look like a horse boot tread. I know what you mean about the Terrains. My foot spread, and I went from a 7.5 to an 8, and although I don't ride anymore, I still need good pasture boots. I can't wear Ariats anymore as they have changed the design. They feel rigid. I tried all kinds of their paddock boots, and they are just different and not the wonderful comfortable reliable boots they were.
Those look great, comfy and hopefully really waterproof. I ride and do all horse chores in New Balance trail running shoes (good grip, lightweight) and winter in Merrell low waterproof hiking shoes. I'm not a boot person, but if we ever get a real winter here, those look promising.
I also ride in caged stirrups. Every shoe I've ever had has come out just fine (as my horse flings me into the dirt). I wouldn't worry about those, they look great. Update us as you use them!
I ride in hiking boots, and my current Ariat riding boots have "work boot tread." This is my second pair of the work-style Ariats. I did three years in the first set. No problems so far!
You are a terrible influence. It is raining here all weekend, making me think of winter. Just placed my order for the same boots… (good price here in the states at Riding Warehouse)
KB, you experienced that too? That the comfort of Ariats went down lately? Same with my Doc Martens, sadly. But I told my husband this week I still intend to be buried in my Docs. : )
Irish, so far, waterproof! Not that you need that much: ) I was a devoted Merrell person in my college days but I don't know where to get them here. I'm sorry Major likes to fling you into the dirt: (: ( (
Aarene, what type of Ariat is that? Please show me!
Irish, I don't think I've ever influenced anyone, but I hope they work out for you. I just did a full leather cleaning, oiling, and balsaming to them for the first time, they absorb a lot of oil, way more than my husband's leather hiking boots. I expect they'll weigh more now, *lol* (my saddle gets heavier each cleaning/oiling) Please let me know how they hold up. And please don't tell me what you paid.
Yes, I wonder who is able to wear Ariats now. People still leave rave reviews, but they aren't the same boot. The paddock boots have long pointed toes now, supposedly to help you get your foot into the stirrup more easily. Nope. That shouldn't be an issue anyway.
Btw, I love Merrels too. Luckily, the ones I wear haven't changed.
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