Every horse owner needs a good pair of riding boots. But with so many different styles to choose from, sometimes it’s hard to know which ones to choose. So in this guide, we’re going to take a look at the different types of horse riding boots and what makes each one unique. This way, you’ll have a better idea of what features to look out for when it comes to choosing the best horse riding boots for your needs.
What Makes a Good Horse Riding Boot?
A good horse riding boot must be comfortable. Because often, you’ll have them on for hours at a time. And they need to be tough and durable too, to stand up against the tough demands of the equestrian lifestyle.
And for your safety, riding boots must have a sturdy sole and heel that's a minimum of 1 inch high. The heel will prevent your foot from getting caught in the stirrups.
There’s also a chance your foot might get stuck in the stirrup if the boots are too wide. So a good pair of riding boots will be narrow enough to slip freely through the stirrup.
Different Types Of Horse Riding Boots
There are many different styles of horse riding boots, but generally, they’ll fit into one of three categories, long boots, short boots or Western boots.
Long Boots
Long boots cover your calf and lower leg and they're the most popular style for adults and advanced riders. Their length and stiffness help the rider to maintain the correct leg position in the saddle. However, this rigidity makes them pretty uncomfortable for wearing around the yard or barn.
Tall boots offer more leg and calf protection from the stirrups, but often, they can be difficult to fit and require more maintenance than short boots. Long boots usually come in two different styles, dress boots and field boots.
A field boot is made from soft leather and usually, they’ll have a full-length zipper or laces. With a field boot, the soft leather “drops” around the ankle. So this makes field boots more flexible than a dress boot. Field boots are a popular full-length choice for riders who enjoy jumping.
Dress boots are made from stiff leather or synthetic materials. They usually don’t have zippers or laces and are much more rigid than field boots. Dress boots help you keep a good leg position in the saddle. And this is why they’re the favored full-length style boots among dressage riders.
Short Boots
Short boots protect your foot and ankle when you’re riding, and they’re the choice riding footwear among beginner and junior riders.
They allow lots of movement around the ankles. And they’re more economical to buy. Lot’s of riders like to use short boots in the summertime because they’re much cooler than long boots.
You should wear short boots with, jodhpurs, half chaps or gaiters to provide extra protection on the lower leg. And short boots come in two different styles, paddock and jodhpur boots.
Paddock boots usually have laces or a zip at the front so they’re easy to put on and take off. They’re very comfortable for horseback riding, and they’re pretty tough too.
Usually, they’ll be waterproof with a deep tread so you can also safely wear them around the paddock or barn.
Jodhpur boots are very similar to paddock boots except they don’t have zippers and laces. Instead, they’re slip-on. And they usually have elasticated side gussets to give your ankles more flexibility when you’re horse riding.
A jodhpur boot will usually have a thin sole with very little tread, so this means it’s better to wear them only for riding because they’re not designed for barn work.
Western Boots
Western riding boots are usually made from leather and they come in different colors, designs and lengths. Usually, they’ll have extravagant, fancy stitching and embroidered designs. They're tough, durable and comfortable, and are designed to protect your feet and legs against rough terrain when you’re riding.
Western boots are the choice boot for Western riders. They usually have a square, round or pointed toe combined with a thick sturdy heel. They don’t have laces or buckles so they're very safe in the stirrups. And they’re suitable for all western riding disciplines.
Western boots are not only practical and versatile, but they look great too. Which means you can wear them in and out of the saddle. Western boots are trendy but they also offer high levels of support and protection for your feet and legs.
How To Choose The Right Horse Riding Boots
Riding boots can be pretty expensive, so if you want them to last a long time, you must choose a pair that's suitable for your needs. And to help you out, we’ve listed the most important features to consider before you buy a new pair of riding boots.
Style
Horseback riding boots come in many different styles. Some are casual and tough, perfect for wearing around the barn. While others are more delicate and best suited to the show ring. So choose a boot style depending on what you’ll be mostly wearing them for.
If you want to enhance your riding performance invest in a high-quality tall boot. But if you want a versatile boot that you can wear in and out of the saddle choose a short paddock or jodhpur boot.
You should also choose the style of your boot depending on your riding level. If you’re a beginner, you don’t need to invest in top of the range, expensive tall boots. But you will need to splash out if you're competing in high-level dressage competitions.
And make sure to pick an equine boot because there’s a lot of fashion riding boots on the market, and these aren’t suitable for horse riding.
Durability
Durability is a must when it comes to choosing equestrian footwear. Even more so if you want to use your boots for barn work as well as riding.
Full leather boots are very long-lasting but they’re usually more expensive and they need special care and maintenance with saddle soaps to keep them in good shape. A leather boot is great for the show ring but they don’t do well in mucky stables and muddy fields.
Boots made from synthetic materials, on the other hand, are usually durable and waterproof. As well as this, they’re less expensive than leather boots and they’re easy to clean with a rinse of water.
The sole of the boot is also very important when it comes to safety and durability. A good boot must have a tough, durable sole.
Generally, rubber soles are the most long-lasting and comfortable type of sole. And as well as this, rubber is waterproof and it offers lots of traction.
Purpose
Do you want your boots just for riding or do you want to use them around the barn too? If you’re looking for boots just to ride in, choose a pair according to your riding discipline.
If you compete in dressage choose long dress boots or if you like jumping, choose long field boots. And of course, if you ride Western style, it’s better to wear a Western boot.
For general purpose riding and barn work, it’s a good idea to invest in shock-absorbing, short paddock boots or tall boots made from synthetic materials. These are more enduring against mud and dirt and they usually have a better tread for extra safety.
If you wear synthetic instead of your good leather boots for barn work, it will preserve the life of your leather ones.
Special Features
There are several special features you should look out for in a riding boot to make your life in the saddle even more comfortable.
If you ride in all weathers or you live in a wet climate, look for long waterproof horse riding boots for winter riding. Or, if you ride a lot in the winter, choose long, insulated field boots for extra warmth.
And if you live in a hot climate, choose a short boot with a breathable lining to prevent sweating and rubbing.
Sometimes horse riding boots will feature zippers or laces. These give the boot a closer fit which provides a bit of extra support.
However, some riders find a boot with a zip or laces a bit fiddly to put on and take off. So, if you’re not a fan of laces or a zip, you should choose a slip-on boot that is easier to put on and take off.
And if you're wide around the calf, you may be more comfortable in short riding boots and chaps. However, if you have a wide calf and you prefer long boots, choose ones with an extra-wide calf measurement. Or choose lace-up full-length boots to accommodate a large calf measurement.
Comfort and Support
Your riding boots must be comfortable. If they’re not, you won't have good leg contact with your horse. They must also offer full ankle support.
Some boots come with extra comfort and support features such as extra footbed cushioning and arch support. So these are ideal if you intend to use your boots for many hours a day doing barn work.
Boot sizes often vary between manufacturers, so always measure your feet to get the right-sized boot. Remember to choose a slightly larger size boot if you plan on wearing them in winter with thick socks.
10 of The Best Boots for Horseback Riding
To help you in your search for the perfect equestrian boot, we’ve listed 10 of the best ones currently available on the market.
1. Tuff Rider Ladies Front Zip Paddock Boot
These women's zip boots from Tuff Rider are made from 100 percent synthetic leather in a classic, black style.
The front zip provides a secure fit while the elasticated side gussets allow for plenty of flexibility. These stylish boots are durable, waterproof and easy to clean, so you can wear them in all weathers.
These are fantastic pair of affordable, general-purpose boots that are a great choice for beginners. You can wear them for riding and barn work because they have a thick rubber sole with good traction.
When it comes to short women's riding boots, these from Equistar are a great choice for beginners. They’re made from 100 percent synthetic leather and have a long 5-inch shaft for extra protection around the ankles.
These boots feature a zip closure with elasticated side gussets for a close, flexible fit. And for extra comfort and durability, they’re fitted with a unique Equistar sole system.
Ariat are brand leaders when it comes to equestrian footwear. And these short women's scout zip boots have it all when it comes to safety, comfort, style, and protection.
They’re made from high-quality, full-grain leather with a long-lasting Duratread outsole. And the footbed is made from 4LR-Four Layer shock-absorbing technology for extra comfort and support
These front zip paddock boots feature an antiquated brass zipper closure along with elasticated side panels for a flexible yet secure fit. They have a one-inch heel, and a six-inch shaft to keep your ankles well protected. And they have a moisture-wicking lining to ensure your feet are nice and dry.
When it comes to elegant long boots, it’s hard to beat these classic equestrian women's boots from Sam Edelman. They come in black or whiskey-colored leather and they’re made to a classic, yet stylish, modern design.
The long 16.75-inch shaft will keep your legs well protected and these boots will turn heads in the show ring. We like these boots because they’re easy to put on with a 15-inch leg opening. And if this isn’t wide enough for you, they’re also available in wide calf fit.
This is another fantastic pair of women's short boots from Ariat. They feature a 6-inch shaft and they’re made from high quality, full-grain leather upper.
These boots are tough and comfortable with elasticated, twin gore side panels. And they’re secured by special speed laces with flexion notches and a top lace lock.
And as with all Ariat footwear, these boots feature 4LR technology, 4 layered footbed for extra support as well as a long-lasting Duratread outsole. This sole is slip-resistant so it provides extra safety when you're working in a wet barn.
These boots have a 1-inch heel, spur rests and a plain toe cap. And they're great for beginners and experienced riders alike and will help you achieve your peak performance.
This is a super stylish men’s tall riding boot from Tuff Rider. They’re made from high quality, full-grain leather and they have a classic, baroque style dress boot design.
The lace-up front and tall shaft give your ankles lots of extra support. And these boots feature spur rests and convenient boot pulls.
As well as this, these boots are water-resistant with a leather lining and a sturdy rubber sole. So overall, they’re elegant and super durable and they’re available in black and mocha.
These men’s Rambler boots from Ariat are a top choice in western horseback riding boots among cowboys and western riders. They’re made with high quality, full-grain leather and they have a stylish pre-worn/distressed design.
These men’s rambler boots provide the ultimate in comfort and support with special ATS technology that supports and cushions the foot.
They also feature a fully waterproof and slip-resistant rubber sole. And they have a moisture-wicking footbed to help your feet breathe in warm weather.
If you’re looking for a pair of stylish, full leather western riding boots with an innovative design, look no further than these sports boots from Ariat.
These boots look great in and out of the saddle with traditional 4-row stitching and smart embroidery. They’re made from high-quality leather and are available in 5 colors.
These are comfortable, classic, sporty western boots that are good for riding and working. The Duratread sole with 4LR footbed technology will keep your feet comfortable all day long.
They come with a 14-inch shaft and 1.5-inch heel with a 15-inch leg opening. As well as this, they’re water-resistant and feature easy pull-on tabs.
We love these Ariat Heritage Men's Cowboy boots because of their stylish six-row stitch pattern. As well as being technologically advanced and practical, these boots look great too. They come in four different colors and have a high-quality leather lining.
And just like all Ariat footwear, these Ariat Heritage boots are made to keep your feet safe and comfortable no matter how much you wear them. They have the trademark Duratread sole and 4LR technology as well as a moisture-wicking lining.
These Hybrid rancher boots from Ariat have it all when it comes to men’s western riding boots. They’re made from full-grain leather with a six-row stitch pattern and a Goodyear quarter welt construction. So not only are these boots good in the saddle, they stand up to the toughest barn and ranch work too.
Just like with all Ariat boots they feature 4LR technology and a Duratread sole for comfort and longevity.
The Best Horse Riding Boots - Frequently Asked Questions
What boots are good for horse riding?
When you're looking for a good equine boot there are several features to consider. A good riding boot should be sturdy with good ankle support. They should also have a heel at least 1-inch thick. And they need to be quite narrow so they don’t get stuck in the stirrup.
What are the best horse riding shoes?
For your comfort and safety, you shouldn’t wear shoes for horse riding. This is because they don’t give you any ankle support or have any of the other special features you need in a riding boot. Always wear a boot that covers your ankle to go horse riding.
Are Ariat Boots good for riding?
Ariat is a good quality brand and they’re leaders when it comes to equine apparel. Ariat boots are designed with the equestrian in mind and have all the features you'd expect from a good riding boot. So overall, they make a great boot for horse riding.
What’s the difference between paddock boots and riding boots?
A paddock boot is a type of short riding boot. But a paddock boot will usually have distinctive features such as a thick, durable tread, so this means that as well as wearing them for horse riding, you can wear them for doing barn chores too.
What are the best muck boots?
Often, horse owners will have a pair of muck boots in addition to riding boots. Muck boots are a lot more casual than riding boots. Often, they’re made of rubber and they have a good tread. So they’re perfect for wearing for barn chores. When you own a pair of muck boots, you can keep your riding boots just for riding.
Not all muck boots are designed for horse riding. So, if you want to use your muck boots in the saddle, the best ones have a one-inch heel and should be specially designed for riding.
What are the best riding boots?
The best riding boots are ones that are suitable for your needs. So if you’re a beginner, for example, the best boots are short ones. This gives you more flexibility around the ankle when you’re learning to ride and they don’t require a big investment.
But if you’re an experienced rider who enjoys competing, the best boots are good quality long boots. These can enhance your performance and they also look great in the show ring.
And of course, if you enjoy western riding, the best ones for you are Western boots.
Conclusion
A good pair of riding boots is vital when it comes to your safety in the saddle. Riding boots protect your feet and ankles, and overall, they can enhance your performance. Most importantly, riding boots must be comfortable and durable, so choose ones made from high-quality materials. And not all of them are suitable for barn work, so consider buying a pair of muck boots to go alongside your best horse riding boots.
