What Makes a Good Riding Boot?

Whether you ride English or Western, a good pair of riding boots is an essential part of every rider’s wardrobe. They’re almost as important as your saddle — ask any experienced rider and they’ll tell you that the right pair of boots makes all the difference.

Here at Mary’s Tack and Feed, we love offering guidance to our customers when it comes to choosing the perfect horse tack and riding apparel. If you’re on the hunt for a great new pair of boots for showing, schooling or just hanging out around the barn, here’s everything you should look for in a good riding boot.

Identify the Right Boot for Your Needs

If a pair of riding boots isn’t designed for your riding discipline, they won’t feel right or work well. Before you get started shopping for riding boots, consider what you’ll be using them for. Will you be competing in English disciplines, such as hunter jumper competitions, or will you be barrel racing or riding in other Western events? Maybe you won’t be competing at all, and you’d be better off with a great pair of all-purpose boots for long days around the barn. Some riders even need more than one pair of boots to accommodate their different types of riding and showing.

Paddock Boots

If you’re looking for a casual boot that can easily transition from the barn to the saddle, paddock boots are a great choice. These ankle boots are worn by both English and Western riders and require little to no maintenance when they’re made with high quality leather or synthetic leather. They’re incredibly flexible, and they’re also much more affordable than other riding boots.

Field, Dress and Dressage Boots

If you’re an English rider looking for a boot that will look great in the show ring, you’ll want to choose a pair of tall boots like field, dress or dressage boots. Field boots are made for hunter-jumper riding, and they’re made of soft, flexible leather with creases at the ankles. Look for the lace system at the boot’s instep and the “Spanish top”, which is a curve at the top of the boot. Dress boots are also worn in hunter and jumper competitions, but they offer a more formal look than field boots. The two boots look very similar, but dress boots don’t have laces at the ankles. Finally, dressage boots are equally tall, but much stiffer than the other two English riding boot styles. Look for the more upright “stove pipe” design, which keeps your legs long and your feet flat in the stirrup.

Western Riding Boots

For Western riding and showing, you’ll need a quality pair of Western riding boots. These feature a tapered toe that fit into your stirrups and a higher heel to keep your heel from sliding out. While some have laces, lots of riders prefer Western riding boots without laces to avoid injury if you fall off your horse. Look for Western riding boots in a high-quality leather or synthetic leather for lower maintenance.

Roper Boots

For Western riding disciplines that require lots of on-off while riding (such as roping, trail riding or working around the barn), roper boots are the perfect choice. These have a lower heel than Western riding boots, as well as a lower shaft to allow your lower leg and ankle to move more freely.