While tall, well-polished, gleaming black boots are part of the classic equestrian look, they also serve an important function for riders. Tall English riding boots help support your leg in a proper riding position. The high leather shaft prevents pinching or rubbing from the stirrup leather. And of course, the boot’s heel keeps your foot from sliding through the stirrup.
Shopping for tall boots can be tricky, especially if it’s your first pair. In addition to your shoe size, the height of your lower leg and width of your calf also factor into the fit.
New boots may take some time and effort to break in, as well as good care and maintenance to help them last a long time. The price ranges can vary a lot, so try to have a budget in mind before you start shopping.
Here are some expert tips to help you find the perfect tall riding boots.
Tall Boot Styles
Tall boots come in a few different styles. Field boots have laces at the ankle to allow more flexibility. When broken in, field boots will have folds, or creases, at the ankle—perfect for that deep heels-down position hunter/jumper riders strive to achieve.
Dress boots have no laces, giving a more formal look. Dressage boots typically don’t have laces and can be made stiffer to maintain the boot’s shape and support the rider’s leg. They develop fewer creases at the ankle to enhance an elegant, long leg position in the saddle.
“Hunter, equitation, jumper and eventing riders use a field or dress boot,” says Kimberly Chick, owner of Fair Hill Saddlery in Elkton, Md. “We find that the choice is personal preference and/or the preference of the trainer. Dressage riders use a dress boot with no laces.
“Hunter and equitation riders tend to be the most particular when it comes to a boot’s look and style, wearing the most traditional tall boot designs in either field (lace) or dress (non-lace) boots,” says Riley Goldman, Ariat’s senior product manager for footwear.
Jumpers may choose boots that are sportier in design, as they are not being judged on their appearance in the ring. Eventers can ride in sportier styles for the cross-country and stadium jumping phases, although their dressage phase has strict rules for boots. In the pure dressage ring, trends like colors, lace and sparkle details are allowed.
Today, the majority of tall boots have zippers up the back to make it easier to get them on and off. Elastic panels and inserts around the zippers also increase comfort and ease.
Measuring Tall Boots
Dylan Thomas, manager of The Farm House tack store’s location at Tryon International Equestrian Center in North Carolina is an expert at fitting customers for tall boots, along with Lisa Clements.
When shopping for tall boots, their advice is to get fitted in a store if possible. When ordering online, it can still help to speak to a product specialist.
“Talk to someone experienced with fitting boots,” says Lisa. “Make an appointment if you need to and get help to measure.”
It’s important to wear breeches and boot socks to get measured and try on boots. If you wear shorts and flip flops, you might not get the best fit.
“Consider the breeches you will be wearing for showing and schooling, and what is your thickest pair,” says Dylan.
It’s best to do your boot shopping at the end of the day, when you’ll be at your “fluffiest,” Lisa advises. That’s because people’s feet and legs tend to swell and will be larger at the end of the day.
The first step to finding your size in tall boots is to take your measurements. There are two measurements that can be taken for non-custom boots, says Fair Hill Saddlery’s Kimberly Chick. (For best results, have someone else do the measuring.) Here are her tips:
◆ First you’ll need the height of the boot. Measure from the back crease of your knee to the ground (in socks) while sitting in a chair.
◆ The next is boot width. Measure your calf circumference at the widest point with slight tension on the measuring tape.
The Ideal Fit
If you’re used to riding in paddock boots and jods, or even half-chaps, Dylan says you might be surprised by how different tall boots feel. It’s a much more structured feeling and can take some getting used to.
Tall boots will start off fitting very tight; you may need assistance zipping them up initially. As they break in, you will have the perfect fit.
They will also fit a little tall to begin with before they “drop” to the perfect height, says Ariat’s footwear expert Riley—approximately 1/2 an inch to 3/4 of an inch. They should fit very snugly to start, but not be too uncomfortable or compromise circulation, says Kimberly.
“No one should feel their pulse in their legs because their boots are so tight,” she explains.
For the correct fit, Kimberly says the elastic panel on the boots should be at least partially engaged.
“If the elastic is not stretched at all, the boots are not snug enough,” she notes. “If the elastic is overstretched, the zippers will fail rather quickly. The top of the boot should end just below your kneecap in the front of the leg and right at or slightly below the crease in the back of your knee. The ankle should be as fitted as possible. There should be room in the toe box to comfortably move your foot in the boot but not so much that your foot slides around.”
Breaking In Tall Boots
Today’s boots are made of much nicer material than what was used in years past, so the break-in period should be minimal, says Kimberly. Wearing your new boots regularly will break them in.
You might start by wearing the boots around your house for short periods of time. Walk around with zippers fully zipped—not halfway, says Dylan.
For your first ride, she suggests dropping your stirrups half a hole; this makes the transition a bit easier on the backs of your knees. Heel lifts (small wedge-shaped inserts) are another trick she recommends to make the breaking-in process a little more comfortable. Boot stretch spray can also help. Also, don’t wait for the show ring to break in your boots while riding—start when training at the barn, says Riley.
Boot Care
Taking good care of your tall leather boots helps them last longer, and if you’re still growing, helps boots to hold their value for resale or to pass on to another rider at your barn.
Riley advises wiping your boots off with a damp cloth or sponge after every ride, and then giving them a more thorough clean and polish every so often to extend their life even more. To protect your zipper, be sure to clean with a brush to loosen any pesky dirt that gets stuck in the teeth.
A word of warning: zippers will break if you aren’t careful. Don’t force them, says Dylan. She recommends having some WD40 or zipper spray handy to ease things along. It’s also important to know how to put boots on and off properly.
“Zip them all the way down before taking them off,” says Dylan. “Don’t use your other foot to pry your boot off; this can break down the heel area or damage the zippers.”
Above all, keep boots clean, dry and well-maintained.
“Water is not your friend,” she says.
To help your boots last, don’t wear them to bathe your horse or to catch your horse in a wet, dewy paddock or muddy field. Use your muck boots for these chores.
Key Takeaway
When you go boot shopping, Lisa and Dylan remind you to focus on finding the brand that fits you best, which might not be the same one that everyone at your barn is wearing. Your comfort and safety matter more than trends.
This article about selecting the right pair of tall boots appeared in the March/April 2024 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!
