Ask Angie and others: Should riding boots slouch THIS much at the ankle?

So, this is the first pair of tall boots I've ever owned and I don't know how the leather is supposed to break in over time. I've only worn them a handful of times and I feel kind of unhappy with the amount of slouch I'm seeing at the ankle already. Is this normal, or are there things I ought to be looking for in my next boot purchase to prevent this from happening again?

Notes: I'm storing them correctly, with well-fitted supports inside the boots and I'm caring for the leather as best I know how in terms of routine cleaning, conditioning, and polishing.

I suspect that the problem may be that my ankles are much smaller than these boots are made for, and/or that perhaps they are just a tiny bit too tight at the calves, causing the leather to push down as I walk, making the boots slouch. Could something else be causing this, or am I on the right track in diagnosing the problem (if it is even a problem)?

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12 years ago

Diana

Veteran

This is the galoshes problem I have with riding boots too! (Ha, if you search the forum for "gold zipper boots" you'll probably find a lot of my posts whining about this.) I wish I had a solution, but alas I do not which is why I don't own any. In my case, it's because I have inordinately small ankles (7.5") compared to my calves (15"). Nobody makes riding boots with those measurements. I also have really shallow insteps and flat arches, so my foot doesn't take up as much room vertically either (thus resulting in some extra vertical room in the ankle too).

If you're not dead set on riding boot style, the best solution I know of is to go for lace-up boots. I do have a couple of pairs of those. The laces allow for a custom ankle fit.

ETA: There is this company that makes custom-fit riding boots. I started a thread about them here a while ago, but so far nobody I know of has tried them.

http://poppybarley.com/shop/?pType=boots

gradfashionista

(website)

I've had the same problems and the answer is no--at least, I've seen plenty of women wear riding boots with slouching. I was going to suggest inserts or orthotics, something to raise the inside of your foot a bit, because the subtle shift will affect how the boot fits around the ankle. Btw, I have larger-than-average ankles and bigger calves, and the tightness of the calves makes discourages the boot from sliding up, which means more slouching lower down. I bought Hunter boots last year, primarily because they accommodated by bunions, and never had the same issues with them as I do with leather.

Sam

Active Member

Diana, Well nuts! I really love the clean tailored look of riding boots and I feel like a chump for dropping $275 on the wrong pair. I've seen poppybarley recommended in other forums a couple of times: they're definitely something I want to try once my clothing size settles a bit (I'm still losing inches at the calf).

grandfashionista, Aha! That makes a lot of sense. I think it may be a length issue as well. The boots taper a bit at the top, and are designed to hit right below the knee, but on me they stop several inches short of that (tall woman problems!) which means that the taper is working against me too.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

I think it's a combination of the small ankle thing and the tall woman thing, because I have both and I get these kinds of wrinkles too, even on my zip up tall boots. The ankles of the boots have to be big enough to let your foot go through, and if you have small ankles compared to your feet that means there ends up being extra room there, and if the boots aren't 'anchored' at the top of the calf because they're too short / legs are too long, then they slouch because of gravity.

Liz A.

There are two looks I see with riding boots. There's either loose fitting straight cut all the way up, as in standing out from the calf as well as the ankle. Or there's tight calf slouchy ankle. I guess I thought they were two different looks/boot styles, but now I see these are fit issues. Oops...

Pame

No, they should not slouch this much. I'm a dressage rider, so we buy riding boots often, for fashion and functionality. I'd say you have diagnosed your problem, along with the shank issue.

K. Period.

Sam, I'm hoping Angie will weigh in too because I would love to know her opinion on this.

To my eye, they look fine. A little more relaxed than I would choose out of the box, but not so relaxed that the look is ruined. They look like relaxed fashion boots in a riding boot style. And specifically, they look like most pull on fashion riding boots. If you want a very streamlined, polished look that is fitted at the ankle, you probably will want to buy something with an elastic gusset or lacing on the ankle or even a zipper. I would still wear these, though.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

High five, K. I think these boots look great too. Relaxed Pull-On Fabness. I don't mind the slouchiness at the ankle at all with this style. FWIW Sam, that's my opinion.

jayne

My riding boots do this too and it so bugs me. I have put a new pair on next years wish list because I feel I need to take the time to find the exact correct pair to avoid this next time. I think I might go for a pair that have the stretchy material at the back half so they fit snug the entire way. But I have yet to find that with the right heel height..so still looking.

Golden

I think they look great. My riding boots fit similar but they have no zippers, they are pull on so I think there needs to be room.

Angela K

I sometimes have this issue because of large calves, small ankles, and a high instep. What I do is cheat a little. I generally wear socks with my boots so when I have this problem I wear taller socks and fold them down so that the ankle area is padded a little which helps with the wrinkling. It also helps keep the wrinkled area on the boots from rubbing blisters on my ankle. Hope this helps you because your boots are awesome!

Missey

Unfortunately, the softer and more supple the leather, the more they will slouch. If you want crisp and clean you will have to invest in actual equestrian riding boots. The leather is very thick and stiff. Look at Lucchese and Ariat for American brands.

ironkurtin

This may not be a problem for other people but it would make me absolutely insane, because I like a slim line at the ankle. Your shoe guy may be able to nip that in, but it may also be expensive.

MNmoon

I have athletic calves and small ankles and feet. I have found that it helps to stretch the calves of my boots (I have done this myself for boots and also had a pair professionally stretched...I actually prefer doing it on my own). I also add a pair of heel inserts or 3/4 length inserts and that helps lift my heel up and reduces the slouching.

10 years ago

always trying

IMO not all tall boots are actually riding boots--they are just fashion boots. Real riding boots are designed for riding and a specific look. so they are not those smooth close fit, and are not designed to be!!! Thus there are various looks and fit..This is the only forum and fashion place where so many seem to be so pickyunish (I know it is not a word, but was a word I have adopted since loosing my fav aunt) about all these boot issues. If my boots look OK to me, fit to my liking, are comfortable and suit my purposes I am happy. So much less stress over the small stuff that way!

Laurinda

NOTE: This is a year-old post that was resurrected by a spammer.
'Tis the season! :-/

Gaby Meyers

I think they look fine. I ride Hunter/Jumper in the midwest so I see lots of boots. They need to slouch some at the ankle for the riders flexibility. Some boots will slouch more than others so I think it's a preference issue.
I know these are a fashion boot but I think their cool because they do look like a real riding boot.

dperk3

Member

Zippers, fabric-backed boots and several things were mentioned that I have already tried. The fabric and seude boots slouch worse than anything I have ever owned. I just purchased a Frye tall boot and the slouch is slight. I'm most concerned about discomfort and blisters after reading comments. Wish someone could tell me if the slouching is more prominent after the leather stretches.

9 years ago

jill58

I think they look great. I like the slouchy look.

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