Looking at the Mountain Horse Ice Paddock, the Mountain Horse Rimfrost Paddock and the Muck Boots line-up.
Anyone have any opinions/ recommendations for these or other brands?
I ride western - trail riding only right now.
Want something easy to walk in but most important is warmth!!
Muck boots last less than 3 years for everyone I know who has tried them. Bogs last under 2. I have some Sorrell's that I've worn hard for 17 years. I have measured them and they are narrower than the Muck riding boots, but I still switch to winter stirrups (bigger). When I cowboyed (all riding work) I put sheepskin lined tapaderos on for the winter. Very much helped. They also have removable liners that can be pulled out and dried when needed.
Now that I am inside and outside, so not as acclimated to the cold, I will use battery-operated socks without shame. I let them warm up. Turn them off and let them cool down. And so on. I can be out in sub-zero weather all day. I have had frostbite and seem to be more sensitive to cold since then.
Interesting! I have a pair of Sorrell winter boots that I absolutely love but they would be way too thick at the toe to fit into my stirrups. I wonder if they have narrower styles.
I can't suggest a good pair of boots because I haven't found one that doesn't fall apart. However, I can warn you that the Mountain Horse paddock boots we bought for my daughter to ride in got used about three times. They are really hard to bend at the ankle so she couldn't push her heels down in them. Even walking was hard because they had no flexibility. Maybe the ones you're looking at are better, but the first thing I do when I look at a pair of winter riding boots is bend the boot at the ankle with my hands. If it's stiff, I pass.
For barn chores in the really cold weather, I put on my Cabela's cold rated boots which are toasty warm, but too wide for riding. For riding, an old pair of winter riding boots I got off Kijiji for 10$ with wool socks. I had to re-glue the sole and they look awful, but they work and my feet don't get as cold riding as they do walking around.
I can warn you that the Mountain Horse paddock boots we bought for my daughter to ride in got used about three times. They are really hard to bend at the ankle so she couldn't push her heels down in them. Even walking was hard because they had no flexibility.
I second this. I have a pair and tried to ride in them but my feet were still freezing. They are now used as work boots, but even several winters later they are still stiff as all get out. I guess the fact they didn't fall apart is a good thing, but I will not get another pair when they finally do.
I actually ride in Mountain Horse Rimrock tall boots now when its cold.. despite swearing I would never own tall boots again. I got them on clearance on a whim and honestly didn't expect much from them. They didn't seen particularly heavy duty or warm (they are some kind of nylon outer with fleece lining), but they are magic. I have not had cold feet since, and that includes some rides with real feels in the single digits where my water bottles have frozen solid by the time I was done. They have also held up amazingly well to all the trail miles I have put on them. They are going into their 3rd winter with minimal signs of wear. I like them so much I bought another pair, in case they are discontinued before my current pair wear out. I got them a half size too big to accommodate wool socks.
I know you said you ride western, so not sure that tall boots are what you are looking for.. but if you want warm feet, they work.
I've got a pair of the arctic muck boots that I've been wearing at work in the oilfield and at the barn for over 3 years so far. I can stand outside for a long time in sub-zero temps with snow or ice on the ground and my feet stay comfortable. However, they are very bulky and their tread is very aggressive, so I don't ride in them unless I'm bareback. With the tread, I would be nervous even putting them in oversize stirrups. However, looking at their website now, they have a smoother soled option. I may have to get a new pair since mine are only mid-height too. I need a tall pair in case we get deeper snow or end up with a lot of mud LOL.
A fellow I know who is in his late 70s rode in his Muck Artics. He got hung up, only briefly, riding in them when his horse slipped and he tried to bail off. But he doesn't ride in them anymore. He swears by his regular western boots and lined, 5-buckle overshoes now.
I used to get a long fine with that. I've been thinking of going back to them for riding. I have western boots that are a full size bigger for some riding and could easily pick up a pair of overboots.
I only use my Muck boots for doing chores not for riding. I'm scared to get hung up in them. I am working on my second winter with this pair and they are still holding up. I will say they are not as good quality as my first pair of Mucks I bought years ago.
I have a pair of the tall top Schnee's snow pacs they are warm and water proof but they are still big and a little bulky to ride in. I only stick my toes in my stirrups. Schnee's does make a Horseman/ Western style boot meant to ride in.
Sorrel used to be good I used to wear them too but I heard they are made in China now unfortunately. Not sure if that is true.
I'm curious about the more English styles like Mountain horse or Ovation I wouldn't be opposed to wearing them during the winter if they were warm, waterproof and fit my stirrups.
I don't think I could ride in Sorrels. Great boots for warm feet, awful boots for riding.
I am a fan of Shark waterproofed with Dri-Boot from Ray Holes (also called "Chap-Wax"). It could be my imagination, but it seems warmer and seems to dry faster than Elephant and other tougher hides used in western boots that I've tried.
It doesn't get terribly cold here for long, and I don't ride long hours in winter. I mostly worry about getting my feet wet when it is cold, no Bueno.
Thank you everyone for your advice!! So many new options to look at.
Went to a liberty clinic today in my trusty Sorrells and my feet were still freezing
Sounds like I might have a hard time finding a riding boot and paddock boot in one but that is definitely the kind of info I was looking for.
Battery-operated sock warmers. They are bomb-diggety!
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
The Horse Forum
3.4M posts
92.6K members
Since 2006
A forum community dedicated to horse owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about breeding, grooming, reviews, health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more!