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Mountain Horse Stella Polaris High Rider
by PerfectPeaches When riding in the winter you can feel the cold so easily especially on those really cold, bitter days where all you want to do is wrap in your duvet and sit by the fire. However, having horses does not always bring that kind of luxury so it's important to keep yourself thoroughly layered with clothes to help keep warm. This winter I did ... a lot of riding on the local bridle paths to keep my horses amused but when out 'hacking' (the technical term!) you don't tend to do much so you can get rather cold rather quickly and for me the worst part is my feet become numb with cold so I needed to find some boots which would actually keep my feet warm whilst out. Of course there are plenty of brands out there that will say there boots will keep your feet nice and warm but having tried quite a few they don't seem to live up to their promises. After speaking to various friends a few suggested the Mountain Horse Stella Polaris High Rider as a pair of long riding boots which do offer warmth in the cold months. I already have a few pairs of various Mountain Horse boots and I know they are well made and good quality so I had no real hesitation about whether they would be a good investment. Mountain Horse are a reputable brand who have a wide collection of rider wear and yes their price tag is a little higher than some brands but I have found that they are well worth the money. The Stella Polaris boots have been specifically made for the cold months so ideal to wear from Autumn through to the colder spring months. To look at they are long riding boots and are made from 'Extensia' which is an imitation leather - Mountain Horse has trialled this imitation leather to withstand flex tests in temperatures up to -10 degrees centigrade making them a truly great pair of boots for the winter! Despite being made from imitation leather as they are incredibly soft, flexible but also very durable. Not to mention that the boots are also waterproof making them ideal for general yard work too. Unlike a lot of regular long boots these are channel quilted panels giving them a great design feature and making them look a bit more special than your average plain boot. Within the channel quilted panels are elastic inserts which help ensure a good fit. The upper is made from PU and therefore gives a nice contrast against the Extensia leather. To complete the fashionable quilting there is a removable fur trim from top to toe which apart from adding a bit of girly glamour to the boots it also keeps your feet and legs lovely and cosy. The fur trim can be removed if you don't want it but I have never removed it as it really does keep my feet warm and snug! To help get these boots on and off there is a full length zip at the rear of the boots which when on and done up you can hardly see the zip at all. Mountain Horse are always up to date with their footwear technology and these boots are no different. To help keep the rider comfortable the boots feature a forged steel shank which offers comfort and impact protection - helping to protect the joints and muscles which as a rider you need to be protected as much as you possibly can. These boots have Mountain Horse's IPS Technology and this basically means that these boots offer impact protection. They have a built in cushion of double layer EVA in the heel which helps with the shock absorption. This EVA cushion helps to distribute the downward impact of force. Basically in a nut shell when wearing these boots you don't get aching feet when wearing them for a long time! Not only do the boots feature IPS but they also have 'Hydrotx' this is a breathable and waterproof membrane which has been fitted between the imitation leather and the lining of the boots. This helps keep your feet warm and dry without over heating. Like a lot of the Mountain Horse boots they are a little on the chunky side so not particularly suitable for showing or dressage but for everyday riding they are perfect. The soles are quite chunky but they do feature dirt repelling outsoles which when wearing them in the winter months this is great as the EVA soles keep firmly in place in the stirrup tread meaning you are far more stable and secure in the saddle. Despite looking a little heavier than other long boots you can buy they are perfectly comfortable and are incredibly lightweight to wear despite their size so this really shouldn't put people off. They are incredibly comfortable to wear and my feet are lovely and snug! As great as these boots are did they actually keep my feet warm during the bitter winter months? Amazing to say yes they did! The fur trim certainly does keep your feet toasty and I do think that the waterproof membrane also helps keeping your feet warm too. On some rides I am in the saddle for around 3 hours and normally my feet go numb with the cold but I found that my feet were kept incredibly warm throughout the ride which is obviously great as you do start to feel uncomfortable when riding with cold feet. I have even managed to reduce the amount of socks I have to wear as I find I don't need to wear so many which again is another plus. I bought the regular calf width and they are nice and snug especially with the fur trim. As you would expect in winter horses and mud are a classic combination and of course these boots have had to endure their fair share of muddy puddles and have come home looking a tad dirty! However, these boots are incredibly easy to clean, you just simply need to use a damp cloth to wipe over. If your wanting to make them looking pristine then you can certainly touch them up with black polish but I never have as my pair are still looking pretty good considering they were worn quite a lot this winter. The only thing you probably need to keep on top of is the PU channel quilting just so it doesn't become too worn but PU is incredibly durable so should be fine. Without a doubt I would definitely recommend these to all riders who need warm feet in the winter! They actually live up to their promises which is great. They are lightweight, comfortable and incredibly durable. As always they are very well made and will no doubt last for quite some considerable time. I have noticed though that it is worth shopping around for them as prices really do vary as I paid £120.00 for my pair last August and on the Mountain Horse website they are still for sale for £169.99 so definitely look around! However, they are well worth the money and are a definite must for winter riders! 5 stars from me :) ~ Useful Info ~ Brand: Mountain Horse Availability: Online and Mountain Horse Stockists Sizes: 36 to 43 Calf Widths: Regular, Short, Wide Price: From £120.00 per pair Colour: Black Read the complete review |
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Equi Theme Verona Long Riding Boots
by PerfectPeaches Now the eventing season is in full swing the bigger events have plenty of shopping that just has to be done, yes of course we watch the occasional horse but the shopping is not to be missed and nor are the bargains! Last year I probably went a little over the top and I doubt this year will be much difference - I have a whole year of ... Joules clothing to catch up on! But one item I did buy last year and which have served me well on a day to day basis were a pair of long boots ideal for wearing when it isn't so cold! There is nothing worse than having hot, sweaty feet when riding as it is just plain uncomfortable so my thermal winter boots tend to get put away in the Spring and I tend to wear something a bit lighter on the lining so they won't over heat. The boots in question are called the Equi Theme Verona Long Boots and I must admit I had not seen these boots around before nor had I really heard of Equi Theme but at a discounted price of £90.00 from their RRP of around £175.00 I wasn't going to be fussy especially when I ride on a near daily basis I do tend to go through long boots very easily especially when one of my horses likes to scrape your leg up the fence thereby nicely decorating your boots with scuffs and scratches. I cannot say how great Equi Theme are as a brand as I don't think I have ever used any of their products before now but from what I can see the brand is available in a wide variety of online equestrian stores so must be quite popular for so many stores to carry their products. However, I know for certain that their Verona boots are lovely, well made and comfortable so I have no complaints whatsoever. The Verona long boots are different to a lot on the market as they have a unique design which is easily visible, basically they are not just standard plain leather boots well with laces or without. This is the key thing that attracted me to these boots was the insert of soft Cordura® which gives them a unique design feature. The Cordura® insert is at the rear of the boots going down the leg to the ankle complete with white piping which really to draw the eye to the fabric insert, it also makes them stand out against a pair of normal long leather boots. The material itself is soft and very flexible so ideal for riding in as it doesn't restrict the natural bend in the ankle whatsoever. I had never heard of Cordura® until having these boots but apparently the material is incredibly light but tough and durable as well as being resistant to abrasion and tearing so basically ideal for riding in! This will also help the longevity of the boots as I do find that where the ankle creases in normal leather boots this obviously won't thereby making the boots last longer. Apart from this the boots have a lovely 'pigo' black lining which is breathable yet insulating. So during the winter your feet are kept warm and in the summer they won't make your feet overheat as the lining will wick the moisture away and keeping you comfortable. To make these boots even more comfortable there is 4mm of foam lining the boots which help increase comfort when walking and riding and giving a bit more support. The boots themselves are made from leather and are already suite soft when bought new which is nice as there is nothing nice about riding in rigid boots as they are just plain uncomfortable. For those with wider calves the boots do feature a elastic insert which does help keep a snug fit without cutting off your blood supply! However, when the leather gives a little they will become looser around the leg despite having the elastic insert. To help get them on and off there is a unique YKK zip which has a anatomic shape as instead of just going at the back of the boot it goes around to go in line with the Cordura® insert which is a nice part of the design feature. Having comfortable boots to ride in is so incredibly important especially if you ride on a daily basis as there is nothing worse than riding in boots which cripple your feet and boots that are not completely flexible and therefore not allowing your leg and ankle to bend and move into the correct position easily. When I first tried these boots on I was pleasantly surprised (given their price) at just how supple they feel right from the off, the zip does up easily and doesn't get caught on anything and the fit around the calf is lovely and snug despite the fact that I normally wear long socks over my jodhpurs which tend to add a little thickness but these boots had no problems whatsoever doing up. Despite the snugness there was plenty of breathing room and they certainly didn't make my leg feel too tight in the boots but they certainly felt secure. The same applied to the ankle area of the boot, secure enough to keep the foot in place but not too tight where you can't move properly! The Cordura® insert certainly gives an element of flexibility in the boots which you sometimes don't find in normal leather boots as they bend with every leg movement. The boots do have anti skid soles which are ideal when riding in wet weather as you can sometimes loose grip on the stirrup and you can either loose your stirrup iron completely or your foot doesn't feel secure which can then hinder your riding. I have ridden these boots in various weather conditions and the reinforced rubber anti skid soles certainly help keep your foot in place which obviously helps with your over all position as your not concentrating so much on keeping your foot in place you can therefore concentrate on the riding instead! The boots like most others have spur rests at the back which I use every time I ride and my spurs sit happily and easily on the rests, I find them at just the right height for me and I've never had any problems with my spurs coming off or not fitting properly. So far my boots have gone through quite a bit riding wise as well as general yard duties - sometimes I finish riding and either put my horses out in the field or in the stable without putting alternative footwear on so the boots are not just used for riding! And so far they are still in pretty good condition, obviously the leather has creased in places but they are still going very strong. The heel and sole look hardly worn which I am hoping means they will last for quite sometime! The boots are quite easy to keep clean especially the leather parts of the boots as you simply use a suitable leather clean and black polish should you need/want to. The only part of the boots I do find a bit difficult to keep clean are the Cordura® inserts simply because they seem to attract the dirt, bits of hay, straw and dust! However, saying that the easiest way I have found to keep these parts clean is with a scourer pad and then with a damp cloth and it seems to work but I do clean them regularly too mostly as this keeps them in good condition. Overall, I do like these boots and I am incredibly pleased with such a bargain purchase especially as they are incredibly comfortable to ride in not forgetting practical. They are lasting incredibly well and of course they have a few scuffs and marks but for everyday riding they suit me perfectly. I do have a variety of boots that I ride in depend on how I feel or what pair are closer to my door and therefore easier to get to is generally how I pick a pair of boots to ride in but these are used on a weekly basis and now coming up to the supposed warmer weather these will no doubt get worn a lot more. Would I pay full price? Well yes, I would do but I doubt I would have done if I hadn't of first bought them at a heavily reduced price simply because I had never heard of Equi Theme and unless I know a brand well I tend not to spend my money on expensive items until I know for sure they are worth it. But I would definitely recommend these and as they are readily available it is worth searching around to get the best price! 5 stars from me! ~ Useful Info ~ Brand: Equi Theme Colour(s): Black or brown Sizes: 3 to 10.5 (half sizes available in all sizes) Calf Widths: Narrow, Normal and Wide Price: RRP £175.00 Availability: Not seen in actual stores but readily on the internet Read the complete review |
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Saxon Equileather Laced Tall Riding Boot
by PerfectPeaches I try to ride my horses on a daily basis I am fortunate enough to have an indoor arena so weather conditions as well as dark nights don't affect me. When riding it is vital that you wear the appropriate footwear as apart from making sure your protected as much as possible certain types of footwear can cause injury. Horse riding is an ... expensive sport there is no getting away from that fact but if you look for the right items you can get them slightly cheaper. Like with most things the equestrian world have something for most budgets so if you have £500 to spend on a pair of riding boots there are quite a few options available! Personally I own four pairs of long riding boots. I only ride in these types of boots as I don't like wearing jodhpur boots and gaiters. I have two pairs which I wear on a daily basis to ride in and two pairs that are solely kept for competing as the last thing you want to do when trying to impress the judges is wear scratched and scruffy boots! My one pair is made by a company called Saxon who are I recall are owned by a global brand known as Weatherbeeta (I have plenty of Weatherbeeta reviews!). Saxon are however known as a budget brand but they still provide well priced products which are generally well made. The long riding boots I own are called the Equileather Laced Tall Boots. They are exactly the same as in the picture and you can either have the laced version like I do or the plain version. I however opted for the laced boots as they just look a bit more professional and somewhat better to look at than the plain version. The laces are already pre-laced so you don't have to thread them yourself but you can however loosen or tighten them should you wish. Personally I have left the laces alone as they provide a good fit anyway. The laced version also have a piece of leather going over the front of the boot to give it a section took, almost like a toe cap which is a simple design and one generally associated with laced long boots. Being 'equileather' they are of course not made of leather they are a synthetic version which I find for everyday riding (and wear and tear) they last far better than a pair of leather boots and are a lot easier to clean! When they get dirty you simply need to wipe a cloth over them and they return to looking as good as new! However, being a synthetic material they are not as forgiving as leather and even though I have had my current pair for over a year they don't really give an awful lot which means your feet are although secure they can feel a bit like they are forced into a certain position. The sides especially around the ankle do feel quite rigid and fixed which although this lessens somewhat after wearing them a lot it can still be uncomfortable. The lining of the boots is a thin fabric type material which wears well (no holes in the heels as I expected). These boots are incredibly easy to get on as there is a long zip in the back of the boot which is incredibly easy to pull up and so far in having them for over a year the zip hasn't become stuck and it hasn't broken which is certainly great as I have had far more expensive pairs of boots have the zips go which is incredibly frustrating. The boots are only available in black and they do have a slight shine to them which is quite nice and this doesn't seem to dull down either with wear. Now I only wear them for riding and generally getting my tack to and from the tack room so they do get a little use but they really do seem scratch resistant and despite having them for quite sometime they do still look in really good condition. The sole and heel are also synthetic so they take a hell of a lot of use to wear down too which is even better. I can't really complain about these boots as they simply do the job of what they are intended to do. Granted they are not the best looking pair of boots I have and do own but for an everyday purpose they live up to the job. My only gripe about them is the fact that they can be a little uncomfortable to start off with as the synthetic material they are made from does not give a lot which means your feet are fixed quite a bit and when your feet really do need to have the freedom of movement when riding they can be a bit restrictive to begin with and although they do give a little they are not as flexible as I would like but they don't pinch or rub which is definitely a bonus and when walking around apart from the odd squeaky noise they are actually quite comfortable. My pair have certainly worn well and still look in a good a condition which is even better. I would definitely recommend these boots if like me you ride on a daily basis and don't want to ruin your best leather boots or you are riding on a regular basis whether have a horse on loan or have riding lessons and don't want to wear jodhpur boots. Or of course ideal for those horse owners/riders who just want to save a bit of money on an item you use regularly. A good point to mention is that these boots do come in two calf widths, normal and wide. I have the normal calf width and they are certainly not tight around my leg, if anything I have a little room to spare - ideal for plenty of socks in this cold weather! If buying make sure you do an online search to get a decent price as they seem to vary. 4 stars from me! Taking 1 off simply for the lack of flexibility. ~ Useful Info ~ Brand: Saxon Price: I paid £37.99 plus £4.00 postage from EBay over a year ago Sizes: 3 to 9 Calf Widths: Regular and Wide Availability: Online - a search is best but also worth asking your local tack store Read the complete review |
Riding Boots Sports Shoes |
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1 review Manufacturer: Saxon / Sports Shoes / Type: Riding Boots |
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1 review Manufacturer: Mountain Horse / Sports Shoes / Type: Riding Boots |
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1 review Manufacturer: Equi Theme / Sports Shoes / Type: Riding Boots |
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1 review Brand: Saxon / Sports Shoes / Type: Riding Boots |
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1 review Brand: Dublin / Sports Shoes / Type: Riding Boots |
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1 review Brand: Mountain Horse / Sports Shoes / Type: Equestrian - Riding Boots |
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Brand: Mountain Horse / Sports Shoes / Sports Type: Equestrian |
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1 review Sports Shoes / Equestrian Accessories - Made from breathable mesh and imitation leather to keep your feet comfortable and cool during hot summer months. |
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1 review Sporting Gear / Sports Shoes / Walking and riding boot - A full grain leather boot with a steel toe-box designed for stable work around manure and corrosive horse urine thanks to the oil and acid-resistant outsole. Maintain stirrup control with the stirrup control system. |
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