Has anyone ever heard of synthetic boots scratching and scuffing the saddle? I have Ovation Highlander Winter boots (English style). I love these boots because they are warm, they are tall, but soft in the leg (neoprene) and they hug my calf--no flapping or gaping AND they are 100% waterproof to the top! I have trudged through deep snow, deep mud, and puddles in these. Have been on my feet for hours in them, as well as riding comfortably in them. They are on their fourth Winter and just started cracking at the back of one heel. It's a stress point and I have to pull that one hard because of a knot of fabric that got bunched up under the lining there and pokes the back of my heel until I pull and pull and smooth it out when I get the boot on. And now all that stress as cracked it. THey are still useable, so far walking through snow my feet haven't gotten wet.
Now for the "but". But, they are apparently scratching the fenders of at least two different Western saddles I've used. I lease and these are not my saddles. I had though it was the stitching along the edge of the vinyl patch, but now I think it's the vinyl/plastic itself--even though it's smooth? I put clear packing tape on over the panels last time I rode and the tape stayed in place the whole time, and if anything the scratches were worse. So far, it's more scuffing/rubbing--it looks like scratches, but doesn't feel like scratches. Although I think over time they will get deeper. It's pretty bad looking, but I think they can be buffed out at this point.
I don't remember this happening on the old saddle I rode in for almost two years so I'm wondering if it's a difference in leathers? I've never heard of this happening and have searched and searched.
I can't afford (and don't even want) expensive leather boots that will be stiff on my leg and may not fit well (my calf and ankle are very skinny). I've tried some, and these are the best. They just happen to also be cheaper.
I don't even know what I would wear for a short boot in Winter in Wisconsin. I wear riding tights, so I'd probably have to get half chaps--and then there's some of the same problems possibly with scratching the fenders and then I'm not snowproof walking through mid-calf snow.
Oh, and to muddy the waters further, I just found out we're getting a different saddle! Hopefully we are getting one I tried out a couple of months ago and loved! But I have no idea if these winter boots will scratch that one too.
Probably going to try cutting the foot out of a sock and pulling that over the boots while I ride. That will look lovely!! LOL I'm a little worried about grip, but in the Summer, until recently, I was riding with jeans on over my short boots, so there was no grip there either.
If anyone has any suggestions I'm open to anything at this point. New boot recommendations, alterations to the current boot (I am waiting to replace them with the same pair until I have a fix).
These are my boots
