Fitting Tall Boots

1:  Wear the right clothing

                        Tall riding boots should be tried on with correct riding attire to ensure a proper fit.  This means breeches, light   - medium weight ankle sock and nylon knee high stocking to cover the socks and lower breech.  The stocking allow a smooth glide of boot over leg and reduce uncomfortable fabric binding.

2: Take the right measurements.

                        While in the correct attire, use a tape measure to take the following (A) Widest part of the calf (B) Floor to back of the knee

3: Get a Custom Look

To get a custom look, pay special attention to two things: First, how well the tall equestrian boot fits you around the throat (the narrowest part, just above the ankle) optimally, you should have to work your foot a bit to get it to slide down into the foot part of the boot.  But since insteps, and sizes vary so much, being able to get the boot on easily does not mean it doesn’t fit correctly, it’s just something you’ll want to consider.  Next, consider the boot height.  A properly fitted new tall boot will press on the tendons at the back of the knee and even be a bit uncomfortable.  This is good! The boots will drop slightly as they break in, leaving you with a comfortable yet elegantly correct fit. If necessary – leave boot unzipped an inch while walking around – then zip them up when you ride. As the boot softens in the ankle from wear, they will begin to drop in height

4: Stretch if Needed

                        Sometimes you’ll be a little between calf sizes, or need to stretch your boots for other reasons.  Here’s how you can stretch boots that you can get or nearly get on but are too tight and painfully binding in the leg. (By the way – only leather lined boots will stretch- synthetic boots and linings won’t)

                        To get a permanent stretch, Soak boot shafts in water for 15-20 minutes or liberally coat with liquid boot stretcher.  Insert a wooden stretcher, adjust the slide to fit the calf of the boot, and open until the stretcher is tight.  Repeat process, soaking/coating as needed until the outside boot diameter is ¼” more than the desired calf measurement. Allow boots to completely dry before removing stretchers.

 

5: Breaking them in & Heel Slippage

                        New boots always slip, for about the first ten hours or so of wear.  To accelerate this process, hand-knead the heel to soften and relax this hard part of the boot.

A properly fitted new tall boot will press on the tendons at the back of the knee and even be a bit uncomfortable.  This is good! The boots will drop slightly as they break in, leaving you with a comfortable yet elegantly correct fit. If necessary – leave boot unzipped an inch while walking around – then zip them up when you ride. As the boot softens in the ankle from wear, they will begin to drop in height

Remember – don’t plan on the boots feeling comfortable until they are well broken in – it takes time

Take a little extra time and choose the proper boot size for you.

English Habit Boots

English Tack Closeouts