Show me your riding boots please!

I've been wearing my ariat paddock boots from when I was riding English. The rubber soles with the steel stirrup gave me grip.
But now that I'm riding western, I don't know about the rubber soles. I think I have too much grip. I'm thinking that leather soles on leather stirrups is better.

I have no idea what boots to get. Any suggestions?

Also, anyone ever wear lace up boots with half chaps or would that look weird? I do have these old lace ups

Justin L0516 Black Chester - 6pm.com

The stirrups on my saddle (Wintec 250) and on the Collegiate dressage saddle I borrow from the barn both have rubber grip pads on the stirrups.

I wear only tall boots, some have rubber soles, some have leather soles. The last time I lost a stirrup was about 6 months ago and that was due to my crappy seat and pinching with the knees.

Here's what I ride with:

US Army M1940 cavalry boots


Devon Aire field boots


Lopez Taibo field boots


Marlborough dress boots

I like the Justin ropers. I prefer the leather soles. Rubber soles scare me. I am afraid that I can't get loose from the stirrups with them. I wear a pair of Justin lace-up ropers very similar to those in the picture you posted except that they are bullhide and very old. (They have been resoled several times.)

When I did my sudden unscheduled dismount on Friday, I had no problem at all with getting stuck in them. Happily, they turned me loose and allowed me to try my new helmet on the dirt, unhampered. :)
Seriously, if I had gotten stuck in the saddle, I would not be typing now.

I've had several unplanned dismounts while wearing rubber soled riding boots in stirrups with rubber treads.

I've never been dragged by a horse. The way I figure, Dehner makes ribbed rubber soles standard on their riding boots. It can't be that risky when the country's top custom bootmaker does it.

You could be right. I wonder if the rubber doesn't make those unscheduled dismounts less likely...........

My boots are muddy as all get out in this picture. I snapped it with my phone after sinking nearly to the top in a boggy area when we were out riding. They are Justin Gypsy Boots. I like them...they are comfortable. I also ride in Ariat lace up paddock type shoes. Those are just as comfortable!!

So what is the sole like?

Mildot those are some fine looking boots! Mighty fine!

The barn where I ride is very muddy and it's all outdoor riding. So I'm thinking ropers like the ones QOS posted would be good. My trainer has the Justin Gypsys. I'm going to check what the sole is like.

That is a good question. Does the rubber actually help? I know I've read that the Ariat Fatbabies are not good because their rubber sole is very, very thick. But I wonder if a thinner rubber sole is okay.

Celeste, what happened on Friday? Is there a post here?

A thin rubber sole is fine. Most mass produced english boots come with rubber soles. They are not ultra aggressive like hiking boots, though.

Thanks. Believe it or not, those get muddy as all get out in winter and spring. I just take good care of them.