Field Boot Review and Rant

I think that I’ve eluded to this before, but if not you’ve now seen enough pictures to know, I’m not a small girl. I stand 5’10” and a 1/2 and weigh… well let’s just say that’s a work in progress. Regardless of my weight I’ve always had large calves.

Actually I think that even at my smallest my calves were the same size they are now. I was always a custom boot candidate. At 17-18″ around and 20″ tall there aren’t any boots off the rack (I’m aware of) that will fit.

Actually I don’t think even the boots that come tall are quite tall enough. Especially once they get worked in and drop. But I’m willing to give up the correct height. Obviously not for showing but I have a pair of semi-custom Cavallo’s for that.

All I want is a “cheap” pair of field boots to school in. Because lets be really, custom and semi-custom boots are big $$$. Who can afford two pairs?!?! Certainly not this ammy.

half chaps that cause rubs on Tucks side. Hence the desire for schooling field boots.

One of my main goals when I went down to Florida was to try and find a pair of field boots that would work for me. NIGHTMARE!!! In my opinion there is way more selection in the US than up here in Canada. I could be wrong, maybe I just haven’t looked enough. But I did some research and was hopeful I’d at least find something wide enough.

I REALLY wanted to try the Ovation Flex Plus Field Boots. Mostly because I like their breeches a lot. The fit and quality is good so it stands to reason that I’d like their boots too. Dover was out of stock though and The Tackeria didn’t have the right size. They only had an 8 (I wear 10) short. So I saw it and it was awkward but I tried to put it around my calf. I thought it might work. The lady helping me said they could order it and ship it to me. AND she said they could order it tall. What?!?! I didn’t think it came tall. She said different stores are able to get different things. Okay. So we went through a VERY long process of figuring out how much shipping would be and if it would be affordable. I agreed it was doable. Then the lady looked in the catalogue… just kidding we can’t get them tall. So I didn’t end up ordering them. I was willing to take the risk when I thought they’d be closer to my size but not when they would for sure be way off. I had no way of knowing what they’d look like until they got to me. Sad face.

We went to a bunch more stores. Even a consignment. Nothing. The last store we went to was Silver Spur Equestrian Emporium. I was about to give up, actually I almost didn’t even say anything to the clerk that asked if I was looking for anything.  But I did. I tried a couple that didn’t work and then she said hang on she had one more option. She brought in this big box and explained that she was about to send these boots back as she hadn’t been able to find anyone that they fit. Enter Tuffrider ladies plus rider field boots.

Cavallo because I have no pictures of the uggos.

They were only a 9. But my foot fit no problem. They were way to short. But they zipped up. They were not the most attractive boots but the price was right at $189. So I bought them.

I am now 5 rides in. I’m not happy. They are short which is annoying but I knew that when I bought them. They were soft from the start. Yay no work in time. Their ugliness is getting to me a little now but I feel like that could have happened with any boot. What can I say, I’m pick and I had to settle. What’s really pissing me off is that they are already falling apart. WTF!!!! 5 I repeat 5 rides in. The right boot wont stay zipped up. Even during my first ride with them the zipper started falling. And yesterday when I took them off I noticed that the zipper on the left boot is starting to rip off. Quality is CRAP! There is no way this should be happening. I could understand if my calf was stretching them to breaking point but it’s not. There’s actually extra room and they feel slightly to loose.

Angry ostrich says WTF?!?!

I guess you get what you pay for. But really I’d expect a little more time for $189.

What are your field boot woes?