Top Boots

[Jayden]

Hi guys

I am interested to know what kind of top boots all of you like? I am planning to buy a pair sometime at the beginning of next year and I want them to be some seriously good ones. I know ppl have have bought really good quality top boots and with the right care they have lasted up to 15 years. I really like the ones that have the really high out side bit that comes up around your knee. I also like the ones that are really stiff/firm on the leg part. I like the Konigs and Cavallo boots but I was wondering if there are any other brands similar. I really like Kelly Layne's and Linda Schmerglatte's boots so if any one gets lesson of either of them and could find out the type of boots they have it would be great.

Jayden

[Adele]

I have Ariats. But they are really thin leather. I love them - don't get me wrong. And plus riding in them everyday, and with my loving and attention (meaning the chucking the boot tree's in and chucking them in the boot of my car) they won't last that long.
They are a great boot. But I will also defiantly be looking at some very good quality ones when I get some money to do so.

[Phoebe]

Yeah, I like my Ariats. I have the ones with zips because I really don't have the patience for pulling the bloody things on and off. I've had them for a year and they haven't sagged around the ankle, they still look close to new. I've heard a lot of people say good things about them. I think they are around $595 at the moment.

[Jayden]

Yeh I have ariats too atm but Mine don't have zips because they don't make ones big enough with zips.

[Ivanka]

Hi guys

I am interested to know what kind of top boots all of you like? I am planning to buy a pair sometime at the beginning of next year and I want them to be some seriously good ones. I know ppl have have bought really good quality top boots and with the right care they have lasted up to 15 years. I really like the ones that have the really high out side bit that comes up around your knee. I also like the ones that are really stiff/firm on the leg part. I like the Konigs and Cavallo boots but I was wondering if there are any other brands similar. I really like Kelly Layne's and Linda Schmerglatte's boots so if any one gets lesson of either of them and could find out the type of boots they have it would be great.

Jayden

I've got petries, bought the in The Netherlands so they must be about 7 years old now. Must admit I only wear them at comps now.. but used to wear them every day of the week back in Holland (riding in short boots and chaps was unheard of!!!)

Must admit that I am looking at buying other boots as I am putting on a bit of weight.. :(

Will probably go for Ariats with the zip next time...

[anita]

Hey, I am sure Linda has Cavallo's! Well at least thats what I remember, I am fairly sure she does.! I have a pair of them, they are great, really comfortable and easy to put on and take off, but mine have zips in them!! Go Cavallos!!

[tmayhew11]

I have Cavallos too (with zips) - they're super comfy and come up a treat when you clean 'em. If you get heel taps on them, they'll last a lot longer if you do lots of walking in them (which I try and avoid).

Happy.......................Booting it!

[Zephyr]

I bought a nice french pair (cant remember brand) at the start of the year, with zips in. Very comfy. But! Horseland at Ipswich are selling lace-up Ariats, usually around $1000.00, for only $299.00! Bargain! No zips, though, but most boot-maker-type-people can have zips put in for you.

[millie]

Another vote for Ariats, although I think that they are being manufactured in a different country now then when I got mine. Mine were made in Italy and I absolutely love them, but a friend got a pair about 2 years after me, and the quality just didn't appear to be as good.

Millie

[Koo]

I must vote for my Mous boots ive had petries and they were too uncomfortable to walk in and after 2 pairs of petries where the leather bubbled and came off the boots i finally got a custom pair made. They are fantastic they are hard on the outside and as high as you want and instand comfort.

[Freya]

Hey Jayden,
I have Petrie boots from the Netherlands...got them through Beenleigh Saddleworld but they were custom made for my measurements. I find them great...they have that higher bit on the outside so they come up around the knee...cos I didn't compete for a while, i got some zips put in (to make a little more room) by a guy down here that actually makes top boots too so he did a great job. I haven't had any problems with the leather at all. I think the boots last longer if you don't walk around in them..after all they are made for riding not walking, so I only wear mine to ride and put my runners back on once i've hopped off.:)

[mig]

I must place a vote for cavellos- I have the weltmeister style which has a not-so-high outer "bit" but it still curves up and looks nice... i believe the other (higher-topped) style is called piaffe or something blaringly dressage-like. I used to wear mine every day to wear them in but now I just wear them for lessons and competitions. My only complaint is that the heel has split a little bit from me using the boot jack too vigorously- but that sort of thing is easily repaired: i would definetly buy the same ones again.

I got mine in germany a couple of years ago; in so doing this I saved myself about $700. Not only do they just charge less over there but we managed a slight bit of tax evasion ;) so if you know someone over there/going over there, its a really good way to get a discount.

[Jytte]

Well I'll give two votes. I used to wear boots with a "P" lable on the back and for the life of me I can't think of the name. I've had them for several years and they've been totally abused, but are still holding up really well. Mind you, they don't have that high bit on the outside.
So now I went and got the new ariats with the zip. They're great! Got the nice outer bit, looks real purdy...my new fave boots!

[rick]

Another vote here for Cavallo's.

SWMBO always gets them with the very high cut tops, basically to the point of rubbing when they are brand spanking new, but they settle pretty quickly.
She sources them from a bloke called 'Kaiser' near Campbelltown (Blair Athol ??) in Sydney's far outer south west. He measures you up, then however long it takes later, you have a nice shiny new pair of top boots from OS.
A number of the Sydney based riders get them through him as he is much, much cheaper than normal retail.
They last well, and she always makes it a habit of pulling them off as soon as she's off the horse.

[Freya]

SWMBO

Hey rick, I've seen you write this in a few messages and just can't work it out :o

[ann]

Hey rick, I've seen you write this in a few messages and just can't work it out :oShe Who Must Be Obeyed (from Rumpole of the Bailey by John Morftimer).

[Freya]

Thanks ann! Hehe that's quite a good one.

[Zephyr]

They're not the ones giving you so much grief on the weekend, ehehe? ;)

[Jytte]

yes, but thats because i kept them on...too lazy. But i won't do that again!

[rick]

you see Freya, I'm under no illusions where I stand in our relationship.
=1. GP Horse and dog (Labrador)
3. Mare (currently in foal)
4. Cat with personality disorder

somewhere after the above...me. ;)

[Madeline]

Hi Jayden I have had a pair of custom made Mous Boots since the start of the year and I love them to bits, so comfortable and lovely to ride in. Highly recomend them Madeline

[Zephyr]

You're a great husband, Rick! Where do we find more of you? Can you have a chat to my boyfriend and educate him ;)

[Jayden]

Cool thanks for all your replies.

I was already tending towards the Cavallos so I think I will go with them.

Rick, would you mind asking YOH about how much it would cost to get Cavallos through the person you know, because I will hopefully be spending a bit of time in sydney soon-ish (actually a very very very big maybe). Oh and who actually is your other half, I think I have an idea of who she is just from your pic and stuff but I wouldn't want to make a fool of myself if I referred to the wrong person or somethign.


Jayden

[rick]

I'll PM you tonight Jayden with the Ph. #, etc. The boss left at 5:45 this morning with her phone book and won't be back till late.

[Vera]

Argggggggg....don't talk to me about top boots.....I also have cavallos, have had them for 15 years, beautiful quality, still have a high shine finish. Unfortunately they did not have zips..(think this is a new fashion thing )...Because of the thickness and quality of the leather they took a LOT of breaking in. Just recently I was having trouble getting them on and off so after much searching (with previous post on here) I drove with the boots to Nerang (from Caboolture ) to have zips professionally put in......the guy did a fabulous job...unfortunately because of the stiffened heel cup in the boots he could only take the zip to the top of the heel cup....and after driving back down to pick them up discovered that I STILL couldn't get them on...oh *##*. Sooooooo, have just had my first ride in my new Ariats with zips, which are soooooo easy to get on and off, and were very comfy straight away.I will only ride in them to break them in and then only use them for lessons and comps. My impression of the different types is that if you get the really good quality ones ie Cavallo they take a bit of breaking in but if looked after they last for years........ the ariats because of the thinner leather are comfortable straight away but I don't think they will look like new in 15 years. Guess you can't have your cake and eat it too, so to speak...... they certainly don't have the finmish the cavallo's have.....but at least I can get them on............... for the price, the Ariats are a comfy boot that does the job...if your looking at quality long term boots, then I would definately go for something like the Cavallo's.

Cheers Vera.

[Esky]

Vera it sounds as though you got the zips put in down the back ? They should be down the front inside - can't see them when you are on the horse.
Don't think it's a new fashion thing. All the professional riders in Germany had zips already 20 years ago, but they aren't made with the zips, you get your bootmaker to put them in after. There's a cobbler in Ipswich next to Bendigo Bank and he puts a magic pair of zips in for $40.
Jayden I would recommend Koenigs. SWMBO and i have had them for 20 years, get them made to measure, but they are expensive. Rick's suggestion of the guy who gets the Cavallo's made sounds good.