Horse riding boots are a must-have in every equestrian wardrobe. However, the types of riding boots available are unique and diverse. Therefore, it’s important to understand their differences to choose the perfect fit and style for your specific needs and your favourite equestrian activities.
When chosen strategically, your riding boots can help keep you safe, secure, sturdy, and protected in the saddle while ensuring a smooth and enjoyable ride for both you and your horse. In this guide, we will explore the types of riding boots available, the materials on offer, how to care for your horse riding boots, and how to choose the best pair of boots to enhance your comfort and safety while you’re navigating the track.
Types of Riding Boots
Our collection online includes many different types of riding boots, including long riding boots, paddock boots, jodhpur boots, and country or yard boots. Read on as we delve into the key features of each to help you make the ideal selection.
Long Riding Boots
Long riding boots are tall boots that reach the shin or knee, providing a high level of support and protection during a range of riding activities. Due to their sophisticated look and protective designs, these boots are also well suited to dressage and show jumping.
Long riding boots are designed to offer excellent leg support and stability, helping to keep your leg in the correct position while riding. The tall design also protects your legs from rubbing against the saddle, preventing chafing and discomfort. Many long riding boots feature a zipper along the back or side for easy wear, along with adjustable calf sizes to ensure a snug fit. These boots often come with reinforced toe caps and sturdy soles to enhance durability and safety. They are a popular choice among professional riders and those who compete regularly.
Best of Long Riding Boots
The Ariat Heritage Contour II Field Zip long riding boots boast a classic, stylish look and a wide range of calf and height fits to suit every rider's needs. Crafted from a premium full-grain leather upper, these boots feature moisture-wicking linings, elasticised gussets at the knees to allow for a wide range of movement, and Duratread outer soles with tested traction zones to keep you secure on horseback.
The Ariat Palisade Tall Boot gives traditional tall leather riding boots a modern update with an athletic design, premium full grain leather uppers, a 4LR footbed for superior cushioning, and elastic knee gussets for a snug fit. Fitted with Duratread outsoles with rider-tested traction zones, they provide exceptional grip and a timelessly sophisticated look.
Moretta Gianna Riding Boots promise to add a dash of professional style to your riding attire. These long riding boots are complete with contoured leather, elastic panel inserts for comfort, and supportive shock-absorbing soles to keep you comfortable in stirrups. Crafted from milled leather and fitted with WickAway stay dry linings, non-slip spur rests, and soft leather trims, these boots are an excellent choice for show jumping, dressage, and competition wear.
Paddock Boots
Paddock boots are shorter boots commonly chosen for stable work and everyday riding wear. They are typically paired with half chaps to provide additional comfort and foot and ankle support.
Paddock boots are versatile and practical, offering a comfortable fit for both riding and stable chores. They are designed to be durable and easy to clean, making them ideal for daily use. Paddock boots usually feature a lace-up or zip-up front for easy on and off, and many include additional features such as cushioned insoles, supportive arches, and reinforced toe caps for added protection. When paired with half chaps, paddock boots provide the look and feel of tall boots without the extra height, making them a popular choice for riders of all levels.
Best of Paddock Boots
The Ariat Heritage IV Paddock Boots are sleek, smart, and ideal for competition and everyday wear. These innovative boots are moisture-wicking, breathable, padded, and fitted with stabilising lateral motion control devices and shock-absorbing heels to cushion your feet during all equestrian activities. They feature Ariat’s Duratread outsoles and 4LR technology to provide lasting comfort and performance.
Moretta Clio Paddock Boots provide style and practicality with their smart faux leather finish and YKK zips. These quick-clean boots feature WickAway linings to keep you cool and dry, along with ActiveFlex soles with impact support systems to support you throughout your equestrian activities.
Thanks to their smart front zip design and elasticated ankles, Just Togs Shoreditch Front Zip Boots offer comfort and durability. The boots feature moisture-control linings, plush gel cushion layers, and padded heel cushions for enduring comfort and extra support where it’s needed the most.
Jodhpur Boots
Jodhpur boots are classic horse riding ankle boots designed to be worn with jodhpurs. They are suitable for casual riders of all ages and are often recommended for children’s wear.
Jodhpur boots are known for their simplicity and ease of use. They are typically ankle-length and feature an elastic side panel or a zip closure for a secure fit. Jodhpur boots are designed to be worn with jodhpurs or riding breeches and are ideal for everyday riding and training sessions. They provide good ankle support and are often used by beginner riders, children, and those who prefer a more traditional style. These boots are also great for those who participate in casual riding or equestrian activities where comfort and practicality are essential.
Best of Jodphur Boots
The Ariat Keswick Steel Toe range offers ample protection and an attractive country style. The boots pair stirrup-friendly soles with durable steel toe caps, delivering excellent protection and performance on the ground and in the saddle. Compliant with EN ISO 20345 SB level requirements for safety footwear and featuring a lightweight stabilising shank and removable all-day cushioning insoles, these boots will become your must-have companions during all equestrian activities.
Ariat Barnyard Twin-Gore jodhpur boots provide a robust and rugged footwear option with their waterproof uppers, full grain leather construction, padded top collars, spur rests, and non-marking, barnyard acid-resisting Duratread outsoles.
Moretta Alma Jodhpur Boots are an elegant and practical choice for everyday riding thanks to their quick-clean faux leather uppers and WickAway linings. These boots include ActiveFlex insoles and impact support technology for lasting comfort and riding confidence.
Country and Yard Boots
Country boots are durable, long-wearing, and waterproof, making them ideal for casual riding and yard work.
Country and yard boots are designed to withstand the elements and provide comfort and protection during outdoor activities. They are typically made from durable materials such as leather or rubber and are often waterproof to keep your feet dry in wet conditions. These boots are perfect for riders who spend a lot of time working in the yard or stable, as they offer excellent support and traction on various surfaces. Country and yard boots often feature a rugged design with reinforced areas for added durability, making them a reliable choice for everyday use.
Best of Country and Yard Boots
The Ariat Ladies Telluride H2O range is a great choice for a range of riding activities. It features waterproof, breathable boots with full grain leather uppers to keep you cool, dry, and comfortable, even in wet conditions. Features like reflective piping maximise your visibility for night-time riding and other low-light activities.
Moretta Eleonora Lace Front Boots provide the ideal combination of practicality and style. These water-resistant, moisture-wicking yard boots are built to withstand a range of environmental conditions without compromising on safety or comfort!
Ariat Wythburn II H2O yard boots exude rustic country charm with their suede and leather uppers, brass detailing, and waterproof construction. They are fitted with 4LR technology for superior support and stability and offer removable cushioning insoles and Duratread soles for excellent foot flexibility and support.
Choosing the Right Riding Boots
Choosing the right horse riding boots is essential to ensure your safety and comfort on horseback. The most important consideration for selecting the right boots is your riding discipline. Tall boots are best suited to dressage and show jumping, while paddock and jodhpur boots are better for yard work and casual riding.
Regardless of your discipline, we recommend opting for boots that fit snugly and provide plenty of ankle support and non-slip soles for a secure grip. Leather boots are an enduringly popular option for their style, breathability, and quality. However, synthetic options may offer unique benefits, too, such as enhanced breathability and moisture-wicking properties to keep you cool and comfortable at all times.
Your boots of choice should allow you to perform a full range of motion while protecting you in the areas where protection is most needed. Opt for features designed to enhance your safety while riding and performing yard work, such as reinforced steel toes, stabilised ankles, cushioned heels, and proper heel height to keep you safe and secure during all your equestrian activities.
Types of Riding Boots Materials
Quality riding boots can be made with a range of different materials, each offering its own level of protection, durability, comfort, and expense. Leather is a timeless choice, providing durability, breathability, and a sophisticated look and feel. Genuine leather will mould to the shape of your foot over time, providing customised cosiness. It’s important to note that real leather boots require regular cleaning and conditioning to keep them strong, waterproof, and looking their best.
Many modern gear brands also offer synthetic leather riding boots, which may be more cost-effective than genuine leather while still providing similar durability and beauty. Synthetic leather is typically easy to clean and maintain and tends to be waterproof.
Some boot ranges make use of textiles to enhance the breathability and comfort of their footwear. Textiles are often used together with other materials like synthetic leather to provide unique performance and protection features for riders.
Lastly, rubber is a material often seen in horse riding boots as it provides a high degree of durability, grip, and slip resistance. Typically used for jodhpur boots and paddock boots, rubber is corrosion resistant and performs well in wet conditions, making it well suited to stable work and outdoor riding.
Caring for Your Boots
Providing proper care for your horse riding boots is the key to keeping them looking and performing at their best for as long as possible. However, different types of riding boots require different types of care, so it’s important to know which materials your riding boots are made of to care for them properly over time.
If your boots are made from synthetic leather, the process of maintaining them should be relatively easy. Wipe them down after each ride with a damp cloth and a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, grime and sweat, and ensure that they dry completely before storage.
If you have genuine leather riding boots, you should clean them after each ride with a damp cloth and deep clean them regularly using a cleaner designed specifically for real leather. After deep cleaning, ensure your boots are dry before applying a leather conditioner to nourish the leather and prevent it from cracking.
Regardless of the material of your horse riding boots, they should always be stored in a cool and dry place out of direct sunlight. Stuff your riding boots with newspaper and allow them to air dry in order to maintain their shape, and use boot covers, boot trees, or specialised storage bags to protect them while not in use. Following these simple steps will keep your boots in great condition for many rides to come.
Choosing the Ideal Comfortable Fit
Now that you know about the many types of horse riding boots available, it’s time to learn how to choose boots that fit you comfortably. A well-fitting pair of boots is vital for your safety and performance in the saddle, and the incorrect fit can increase your risk of injury and strain.
Firstly, remember to choose horse riding boots in your specific shoe size for the best results. Your boots should fit snugly but not pinch or compress your feet, and your toes should touch the end of your shoes while leaving enough room to move them around. Your boots should provide comfortable ankle support without being tight, restrictive, or reducing blood flow. If you live in a cold climate, bear in mind that you may need boots with extra ankle room to accommodate thick socks.
If you plan on investing in tall riding boots, the calves of your boots should offer a snug fit without squeezing your calves or leaving gaps between your legs and your boots. Some boot ranges provide adjustable calf sizes to help you find your ideal fit with ease. Your boots should also have a relatively small heel to prevent your feet from slipping through your riding stirrups and excellent quality soles to provide additional comfort and grip.
If you experience specific leg or foot issues, we recommend consulting with a professional riding boot fitter before making your purchase. An experienced fitter can recommend the best brands, designs, and materials for your needs and provide ample support wherever it is most needed.
Find Premium Riding Boots with Ayr Equestrian
Ayr Equestrian offers premium quality riding boots of all shapes, sizes, and styles sourced from some of the world’s leading equestrian footwear brands.
Explore our full collection of riding boots online to find the types of horse riding boots that will best support your feet and your equine adventures!
