Das Boots: Part 2

I got new boots.

Awhile ago I was seen complaining about how no one makes boots in my size. But instead of getting mad I got even - I shelled out for custom bad boys. And not just any custom bad boys. I got Dehners.


I tried on every stock boot in the store first, just to convince the sales woman that I really had tried everything. Once we exhausted all of my options (including Ariats that were so tight in the calf my foot went numb) she acquiesced that my leg was not a stock boot size. I really appreciate her trying, though!

The measuring process was very thorough. She measured everything from my instep to my calf just below my knee and of course, everything in between. She also traced my foot. Then we went through the book over every single option. And there are a lot of options. But here are a few of my more major selections and why.

My name is in them. They are mine. Forever.
Black Calf Leather
Going in I wasn't going to get the calf leather. I wanted something durable (and cheaper). The Voyager leather Dehner has is considerably less than the calf and I was going to go with that until I saw it. It is fine, serviceable leather but it ends there. The calf leather is gorgeous. It's sturdy, shines beautifully and feels like silk to the touch. I'm a big, big fan. It was totally worth the price. Be honest - if you're going to spend a couple hundred dollars on a pair of custom boots why not go the whole hog and get gorgeous leather to go with it??

Klingfast Lined
From Dehner's webpage:

"Another compromise. In this case the boot is fully lined and an oval piece is removed from the inside of the leg only. This allows for a full lined appearance on the outside of the leg while giving close contact with the horse on the inside."


Sort of seen here, the oval cutout inside.
I really hate wrinkles in my boots, especially up the shaft of the boot. I like a clean, shiny, smooth appearance. I also want these boots to last forever, and the best (albeit most painful way) to do that is to have them lined as much as possible. Unlined boots are soft but they will die. Quickly. They'll break in fast and fail even faster. So while I'm still limping around trying to break these in (oh god, so much pain) I know for every week that they're ouchy I have a solid year of use when they'll be comfortable and perfectly molded to my leg.

No Zippers
Probably one of the more controversial decisions about the boots. But this decision was made well before I even went and got measured.

Something is missing.... ah yes, it's anxiety.

You know what I hate?
-When your zipper gets caught on your pants when you're trying to get ready for a lesson.
-When your zipper breaks and you don't have time to get it repaired before a clinic/show/the next time you ride
-When a hole busts out at the seam where the elastic meets the boot because it's a structural weak point, and your Hulk-esque calf rage punches through it.
-When your calf is huge and you get that really sexy pucker of the zipper that makes your calves look EVEN BIGGER.
-When you're out on cross country and there is a cool breeze on your leg and think "wow, that feels nice" only to look down and realize that, four jumps into your first BN on your baby horse, your boot is pretty much totally undone. The zipper keepers really did f all to help you.

At Badminton this year, just a week after I ordered my old school pull on boots, I saw a rider on cross country galloping around one of the biggest tracks in the world with his freakin' boot flapping around, completely unzipped!!

And just a few weeks ago this picture surfaced of Jennie Brannigan:


Zipping up her boot between jumps on cross country.

No thanks. Like, a hard no.

So here's some boot porn. And if you want really nice, traditional tall boots that will last forever, look gorgeous and fit you like a glove, I cannot recommend Dehner's or Bucks County Saddlery more. BCS was so helpful and worked so hard to ensure the boots fit flawlessly, even stretching the ankle slightly for free. Thanks again, ladies!!


Spur rest

Comments

  1. #bootenvy 😍😍😍 those are beautiful.

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    1. thanks!!! i'm so excited to finally have a pair that I will (hopefully) love forever.

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  2. omg dying at hulk calves

    also

    don't get fat! or skinny!

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    1. right? if my legs change i'm getting them surgically altered.

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  3. soooo pretty!!! i'm cool with zipper boots - my last boots had snaps forged by excalibur, apparently, so even tho the zippers ultimately started falling, the boots still stayed fastened at the top. my new boots actually zip really great at the top so i don't expect them to fall. only time will tell tho. they don't have spur rests tho or pretty toe stitching, sadness :(

    (oh and they're breaking in fast and will undoubtedly be lucky to live a third of the life of your lovely dehners above!)

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    Replies
    1. LOLOL forged by excalibur. as should all zippers be.

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  4. I was always on board with NO ZIPPERS too. Until I had some with zippers and then I was like, oh so much easier. I keep a pair of barely broken in Tuffrider Regals in the trailer in case of emergencies though. Because zippers are the worst when they aren't being the best.
    Congrats on your beautiful new boots!

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    1. that's so true, its best to just have backups.
      thanks! :)

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  5. Those are lovely! My next pair of boots won't have zippers in them- I have a pair and am not a fan.

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    1. yeah i remember (RUINING) a pair of pull ons i had as a kid and i put zippers in them. really the long and short of it was they didn't really fit anymore.

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  6. Nice looking boots!! I literally just ordered myself a pair of talls as well!

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    1. tis the season! what brand? I freakin love tall boots so much.

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  7. I'm kind of in love with the foot of these boots! They're almost combat boots type styling. Also, I'm with you on zippers. That's why I insist on having front zippers on all my boots. I find the front zippers are more accommodating to someone with a massive calf. They don't get stressed as much.

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    1. hm yeah the jumper type boots don't have zippers in the front. do you have trouble with them slipping?

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  8. Totally stupid question: how do you get them on and off without a zipper? Do they just slide on/off or do you have to use a boot pull or another person? I have dumb, big feet (9.5-10.5 depending on brand) so I've never been able to get boots on that didn't have a zipper. I'd be so afraid they'd be stuck on me forever. But yours are so nice I may not mind if THOSE got stuck on me. ::heading to check out Dehner's::

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    1. HAHA yeah I wouldn't mind if they were trapped on me.

      you use boot pulls to pull them on and a boot jack to take them off. in the beginning it's a struggle, and sometimes I needed the help of another person because it's been so hot my feet would swell up. as they break in/stretch they do that less though!

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  9. lovely boots and i have been one of those zipping up in the middle of a lesson or a few strides after a fence. LOL but i have hulk calves and i would also stress getting those on without zippers. But lovely boots! And you deserve them!! :) Enjoy!

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    1. it's kind of amazing how they DO fit better if you have them custom fit. I would not get stock pull on boots again.

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    2. Good to know! My ariats fit pretty custom for now but my calves are funky so can see needing custom one day!! :) Enjoy!!

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  10. Gorgeous. But how do you get them on without zippers? I don't think I could own such boots.

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    1. theres boot pulls and you use boot hooks to pull em on! used to be the only way anyone did it :P

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