7 Best Horse Riding Boots

A good pair of horse-riding boots will keep you confident on your horse and allow you to perform at your peak. But it can be challenging to know which boots to choose. This guide will overview the different types of riding boots and share what to look for to find the right pair for you.

What Makes a Good Riding Boot

Riding boots generally have a heel that’s about an inch high to prevent the rider’s foot from sliding through the stirrup. A sturdy toe protects the rider’s foot, and a smooth or lightly-textured sole helps ensure the rider doesn’t get their foot caught in the stirrup in the case of a fall. Classic riding boots rise high enough up the leg to protect it from the saddle pinching.

A good riding boot should be comfortable, fit you well, and be durable and safe. Riding boots can be a significant investment so it’s important to purchase good-quality boots that will last.

Horseback-Riding Boots for Beginners

There are a lot of choices when it comes to riding boots, including different materials and styles. What boot features you choose are a matter of your riding discipline and your personal preference.

Considerations for Buying Riding Boots

There are five things to consider when selecting a pair of riding boots:

1. Safety — Safety will always be your number one consideration with purchasing any horseback-riding equipment. Make sure the boots you select are specifically designed for horseback riding so they have the necessary safety features.
2. Material— You have many choices in boot materials, including leather, synthetic fabrics, and rubber. Consider the climate where you’ll be riding and choose waterproof, water-resistant, insulated, or breathable boots as necessary.
3. Cost — Cost is a factor with any purchase decision. It’s important to find a pair that will meet your needs within your budget. Fortunately, you’ll find a lot of variety based on materials and features that will allow you to stay within your budget.
4. Discipline — Like with many pieces of horse-riding equipment, your riding shoes should match the kind of riding you will do. There are some variations in boots due to the demands of each discipline.
5. Design — Of course you want to look good in the riding boots that you select. Though this shouldn’t be your top priority when making your choice, we’d be remiss to not include design as a factor.

Styles of Riding Boots

There are two main types of boots based on the length of the boot: tall boots and short boots. The traditional boot and equestrian standard for riding is a tall boot. These boots extend up the leg to just below the knee and come in two types: field boots and dress boots. Short boots are used for casual riding.

Tall Boots

Tall boots traditionally pull on or may have a full-length zipper in the back to make them easier to get on and off. When measuring for this kind of boot, it’s important to know foot size as well as calf length and circumference at the widest part. Tall boots come in two styles: field boots and dress boots.

Field Boots

Field boots include a laced closure at the front of the ankle to provide greater flexibility, and they also allow for more room when the foot is in the boot. Field boots are typically used by riders in the eventing and jumping disciplines.

Dress Boots

Dress boots are more formal than field boots and are used by Fox hunters and dressage riders and have Spanish tops that extend up the outside of the rider’s knee.

Short Boots

Short boots, also called paddock boots or jodhpur boots, are a popular choice for a couple of reasons. They are easy to fit, like other casual shoes, and they are very easy to care for. They are also generally less expensive for riders and offer a more informal look that can be worn around town as well as while pleasure riding. Short-riding boots zip up the side or back. Adult riders typically wear these boots with half chaps paired with breeches to prevent blisters. Short boots are also a favorite boot for children.

7 Best Riding Boots

With the plethora of choices in riding boots, it can be challenging to narrow down your options. Here are seven boots that we recommend based on customer feedback and performance.

TuffRider Ladies Starter Zip Up Field Boot ($111.45)

The TuffRider Ladies Starter Zip Up is one of the best field boots for beginners, with a great quality leather-look at an attractive price point.

Ariat Women's Heritage Contour II Field Zip Tall Riding Boot ($319.95)

Another highly-rated option is the Ariat Women's Heritage Contour II Field Boot. We love this riding boot for it's ultra-contoured fit through the ankle and the Duratread outsole with rider-tested traction zones. It is designed to fit like a glove with many features for comfort, stability, and safety.

Ego 7 Aries Dress Boot ($499)

The Ego 7 Aries Dress Boot offers the elegant styling and fit of premier Italian boot designer, Tucci. Ego 7 gives you a custom fitted boot feel at a fraction of the price of custom made boots. Be sure to check out our guide on how to fit Ego 7 boots.

Ariat Women's Kinsley Dress Boot ($399.95)

Ariat offers a strong contender to the Ego 7 Aries in their Women’s Kinsley Dress Boot. The boot features a contoured fit through the ankle and an elegant high Spanish cut topline.

TuffRider Child's Starter Lite Paddock Boot ($44.95)

The TuffRider Child's Starter Lite is a wonderful beginner paddock boot for children as they offer a comfortable, relaxed fit with an elegant look.

Ariat Women's Heritage IV Zip H2O Paddock Boot ($149.95)

For women, we recommend the Ariat Heritage IV Zip H2O Paddock Boot for its superior craftsmanship and advanced technology. This boot features a full-grain leather upper and a moisture wicking breathable lining.

Ariat Men's Heritage IV Zip Paddock Boot($139.95)

Ariat also offers the same Heritage IV Paddock Boot in a men’s zip-up boot which is a solid choice for any male rider.

Horse-riding boots can be a significant investment, but they are an important part of your equipment. Once you know what to look for in a boot and the types to choose from, you can select the best boots for your needs and riding discipline.