Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to The Outside Course!

You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features!

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Which Paddock Boots to Buy???; it's been awhile...
Topic Started: Jun 4 2007, 08:15 PM (384 Views)
LavenderMenace
Member Avatar
Weanling
[ * ]
Alright, I haven't bought new paddock boots in a long time (over 5 years) and I'm biting the bullet and getting a pair soon. However, I'm baffled by the many different varieties of Ariats. Cobalt? Heritage? Devon something-or-other? I won't be wearing them all that often, but I'm curious about the differences and what your experiences with different Ariats have been like. What about other brands? And any good places to get a good deal? I'm a little leery of ebay. Thanks.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
snaffle
Member Avatar
Is the meadow on fire?
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
I have Ariat's and of course now I can't remember exactly which ones they are. I think they were around $179????? They zip up and have the fancy stitching on the toe. Anyway, I think they're cobalt and, gotta tell ya, they're super-comfy. I just love 'em.

I was leary about getting zippers because I'd always had laces, but they're really easy to put on and they feel pretty good when you're riding.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
HJ049
Member Avatar
Thomas H. Cruise!
[ *  *  *  *  *  * ]
In Ariats they have four different footbeds, the 4LR, ATS, Cobalt, and Cobalt XR, the comfort and quality is in that order from lowest to highest. The 4LR is in the Heritage paddock boot line, which comes in zip, and lace. The ATS comes in the Performer III (lace in front, zip in back), Terrain Paddock, and Hanover Paddock (comes in zip, and lace in front, zip in back, it also has a wider, rounded toe). The Cobalt although it is still stocked by Ariat has been pretty much replaced with the XR, right now you will find places with these on sale, so they can replace them with the XR. Then the top of the line is the Cobalt XR, which comes in the Performer Pro (lace), and the Devon (zip). Mostly all of the Ariat boots come in black and brown. The leather quality also goes up a bit from the 4LR to the Cobalt XR, the lower line does not break in quite as nicely, as the top line. Can you tell I sell Ariats, order Ariats, and have been trained an Ariat rep. ;)

I have a pair of Brown Cobalt XR Performer Pros, and love them they have held up great, have the sofest leather and are extremely comfortable. The best paddock boots I have ever worn, the footbed molds to your foot, and is way to comfortable. The ATS is also a very comfortable boot, but the Cobalt XR tops it all. I suggest at least going with the ATS line, or finding the old Cobalts on sale somewhere, as they are going to last the longest and be the most comfortable for you.

Ariat also has a great shoe renewal program we have sent a few out to, I think paddock boots are $45, or $55? You send them out in a pre-paid postage bag, and they put in new laces or zippers, resole them with the Cobalt footbed no matter what they had before, and shine and buff them up to new, they come back broken in, but looking new, they also have the same for their field boots, a good thing to keep in mind if anyone wants to renew their old Ariats.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
LavenderMenace
Member Avatar
Weanling
[ * ]
Thanks, HJ049, very informative!

What's the point of a back-zipper in a paddock boot? Is THAT much quicker than just lacing the suckers up?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
HJ049
Member Avatar
Thomas H. Cruise!
[ *  *  *  *  *  * ]
LavenderMenace
Jun 4 2007, 11:49 PM
Thanks, HJ049, very informative!

What's the point of a back-zipper in a paddock boot? Is THAT much quicker than just lacing the suckers up?

You get a customized fit with the laces, but the ease of the zipper. I had a pair for a while, and loved them , unfourtunately they don't come in the Cobalt XR line. I asked the rep, and they said they wanted to keep them seperate and not add every kind in each line, kind of stinks though, so I just deal with laces as I personally can't stand zips. But some people love them, you have to try them on, it depends on your foot/ankle.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
LavenderMenace
Member Avatar
Weanling
[ * ]
Here's another question for the ages: is it incredibly gauche to wear paddock boots that don't match your half-chaps? ;)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
OpticalIllusion
Member Avatar
You're BANNED!
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
LavenderMenace
Jun 4 2007, 08:01 PM
Here's another question for the ages: is it incredibly gauche to wear paddock boots that don't match your half-chaps? ;)

I do it, but only at home. I have some really comfy brown half chaps and black boots. I also own two pairs of black half chaps and a pair of clack and green full chaps, so hence the black boots. (How does one end up collecting so many pairs of chaps?) I dont really think anyone will care though if you wair black and brown.

I wore lace ups for years and just recently started with zippers. I will never get lace ups again. Not only is it quicker, you dont ever have to worry about them coming unlaced, you can unzip them and get some more air circulation while walking around, and they give a cleaner appearance under chaps.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Trialbyfire
Member Avatar
You're BANNED!
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
I have the Hanover Paddock with the tie front/zip back and LOVE them. I find them much easier to get on an off...not that it was THAT hard to begin with, but maybe it's because I'm getting old (bending at the waist....yikes!) But also if your boots are dirty you can kind of slip them off easily, wait until they dry and brush them off. I also like the rounded toe rather than the pointed toe, but that's just aesthetics.

I find the Ariat footbed so comfortable I actually have bought Ariat clogs too. Of course it's all what fits your foot. I have found they hold up quite well, admittedly I don't ride as often as I'd like, so once/twice a week and mine are 2 years old and look brand new (except for the dirt).

Mine were $139, if I recall, and I also recall that they were the same price in our local tack shop as Stateline Tack, so I could try them all on and really decide what fit well. Hopefully you have the same option near you.

As far as chaps, yes, I'm a loser and wear black chaps w/ brown boots, but that wasn't intentional....couldn't get the brown to save my life and finally decided to just buy the black ones and "test" them. They do match my winter boots..... :innocent: so I have an excuse....

Maybe another thread....I'd love recommendations on half chaps for short people with larger calfs. My black ones didn't fit well enough to go buy the brown ones in the same brand, so I'm still searching..... :psycho:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
HJ049
Member Avatar
Thomas H. Cruise!
[ *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Trialbyfire
Jun 5 2007, 07:35 AM
Maybe another thread....I'd love recommendations on half chaps for short people with larger calfs. My black ones didn't fit well enough to go buy the brown ones in the same brand, so I'm still searching..... :psycho:

Not to hijack the thread, but have you tried a Short in Ariats? All of the sizes come in short also, including the large. I wear a medium chap (big calves on my mom's side <_< ), and I'm only 5' 2", so the regular I couldn't even zip the whole way down because they were to tall. So I got a pair of the Cameo chaps in a Medium Short, and they fit like customs. I also had a pair of the All Arounds before and they fit great too. So maybe try a short on?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
OnyxThePony
Member Avatar
You're BANNED!
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Just for hacking around home? How about the Ariat H2O? The ones that look like hikers. Waaaaayyyyy comfortable and wear like iron.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · The Barn Aisle · Next Topic »
Add Reply